LEIPZIG, Germany/ZÜRICH, Switzerland: Nobel Biocare, a world leader in restorative and aesthetic dental solutions, provides dental professionals with root-to-tooth solutions, including dental implants, all-ceramic crowns, bridges and laminates, guided surgery planning, scanners, and biomaterials. Dental Tribune editor Daniel Zimmermann spoke to Domenico Scala, Nobel Biocare CEO, about current developments within the company and the dental market.

Mr Scala, Dr Rolf Soiron has announced that he will step down as the Chairman of the Board of Nobel Biocare in 2010. What will the consequences of his decision be, and has a choice been made concerning his successor?
Domenico Scala: Dr Soiron announced some time ago already that he would like to withdraw from one of his industry positions. His retirement as Chairman of Nobel Biocare will thus come as no surprise at the upcoming shareholders’ meeting in March 2010. Every business appreciates having a leader with Dr Soiron’s vision and personality at the reins. His decision, however, will have no influence on Nobel Biocare’s current strategy. The board will duly announce a successor.

The last quarterly results were assessed rather negatively. To what extent were these results due to economic factors and to what extent were they due to company management?
Even the dental market cannot remain entirely unharmed by the current economic crisis. This fact has been demonstrated by the economic results of various market participants for several quarters. However, we have worked intensively during the last 18 months to prepare Nobel Biocare for the future. We constantly work at advancing the company, and we steadily invest in research and product development, in order to continue supplying our customers with attractive innovations and treatment solutions.

What have these results given rise to?
We are orienting ourselves towards long-term goals. Our strategic tasks and the needs of our customers have become our focus. Of course, we are also working on our cost structure.

Will the growing markets in Asia or South America be able to absorb the losses of the North American and European markets in the long run, or do you believe the economic situation will show a relatively quickly recovery?
I’m hesitant to speculate about the future. Currently, prospects are simply too uncertain. However, we can ascertain that the dental market remains an attractive market with much opportunity in the long-term. We would like to take advantage of this opportunity and are working towards this.

You have just signed an IT services contract with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). Are you planning for additional cost cutting?
There is nothing unusual about our collaboration with CSC as our new IT partner, as we have different requirements and demands for our global IT infrastructure to those we had some years ago. Optimising our costs is only one of the advantages.

As a market leader, what is your response to the circulating acquisition rumours?
These rumours have circulated for some years and, therefore, no longer bother us. Rather, these rumours confirm that we all move in an interesting and attractive market. As a matter of principle, we do not comment on speculations and rumours.

You have identified the transformed communication culture as one of the most significant achievement in your work at Nobel Biocare. What insights did you gain during this transformation process, and how was this knowledge implemented?
Customers, researchers and opinion leaders readily collaborate with Nobel Biocare and participate actively and willingly because we listen and have much to offer. Customers return and new clients join us because they are satisfied with our products and solutions and Nobel Biocare’s new direction. This development encourages me to further pursue this innovative direction resolutely. However, we are self-critical and know that we have to improve in terms of customer orientation, which is something that we continue working on.

In the present situation, it is difficult to discuss investment. What are your focal points in the current and following business year?
Even in these times, we invest in the development of new products and solutions. Last year we invested about €100 million. Our product offensive at NobelProcera is only one example. We are active in the implant segment, in which we are developing innovations. We also invest in the education and training of our personnel and customers.

With the acquisition of Optimet and AlphaBioTec, you have already responded to changing market conditions. Are you considering further takeovers?
Of course, we constantly investigate interesting options. However, we have decided not to discuss concrete plans and projects.

How has the market launch of NobelProcera progressed, and what are the most significant advantages of this system in comparison to conventional systems?
We are very pleased with the market launch of NobelProcera. The new optical scanner and the accompanying innovative prosthetics software have been received with significant interest by dental laboratories. The same applies to our considerably expanded product range in the area of prosthetic dentistry. Both dentists and dental laboratories are enthusiastic about the future product range and its quality, which sets new standards.

Which benefits are on offer for the dental therapist and the patient?
From this year on, dentists can choose from an extensive range of treatment procedures, products and materials, in order to provide his or her patient with the optimum solution. Therefore, patients will now receive a custom-made solution with the best possible fit, functionality, and aesthetics.

What is your evaluation of your position in the growing digital dentistry market?
We are well prepared for increasing digitalisation in dentistry, and we intend further improving our position.

Thank you very much for the interview.