Press release
Growth potential in the dental sector
Mitsui Chemicals take-over of Heraeus Kulzer Hanau, April 9, 2013 – The Japanese company Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (MCI) has taken over the dental division of the Hanau based precious metal and technology company Heraeus. The transaction has yet to be approved by the German Trade authorities. MCI will keep the current structures. Heraeus Kulzer management believes the new umbrella will provide excellent opportunities for consolidating its leading position in the dental market. The decision by Heraeus Holding to sell has been brought about by the fundamental changes occurring in the dental market and its divergence from its other business sectors. Future owner is the Japanese company Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (MCI) Tokyo, established in the 19th century. Today, MCI is an internationally listed chemicals company with 13,000 employees worldwide. It focuses mainly on the manufacture and sales of petrochemicals and inorganic chemical products. Heraeus Kulzer continues MCI will take over the entire dental division with its 1,400 employees in 20 locations around the world. The company will continue to be called Heraeus Kulzer. The current management will remain unchanged and business will still be conducted from Hanau. Heraeus Kulzer has a steady and profitable growth and is the German market leader for laboratory materials. MCI supports the changes introduced in 2012 and the re-orientation to the divisions Dental Materials and Digital Services.
Continuing development under a new roof
Page 2 MCI has increased its interest in the emerging healthcare market. By acquiring the company, it is expanding into the international market whereby the dental division of Heraeus takes an important role. Jan Rinnert, the responsible Board Member for Heraeus Kulzer at Heraeus Holding, explained, “We see excellent opportunities in this new constellation for the further long term development of the company. This was the deciding factor for our decision to sell.” Dr. Martin Haase, who will continue to head Heraeus Kulzer as Managing Director, views the change in ownership with optimism. “Mitsui is strengthening its position outside Japan. It’s about the long term commitment of a successful industrialist. Heraeus Kulzer will play a key role in Mitsui’s expanding business concept, which is aimed at growth. This therefore provides us with good long term growth opportunities.” Synergies in research and development MCI is already active in the dental market through its shares in two regional manufacturers, Sun Medical and Shofu. Jörg Scheffler, Country Manager Germany Heraeus Kulzer sees new opportunities under the MCI umbrella. “Particular synergies are MCI’s strong research and development departments. The expected innovations will improve our long-term potential for growth.” At the same time, he also emphasised that, “The heart of the Heraeus Kulzer family will still remain in Germany and Heraeus Kulzer GmbH will still be based in Hanau. There are also no plans to transfer production to Japan.”
Page 3 Processes and contacts will remain unchanged Nothing will change for Heraeus Kulzer customers. “Heraeus Kulzer GmbH will continue to be a contract partner. Our cooperative partnerships with dentists, laboratories and the dental trade will not change”, stressed Scheffler. “Our customers will still be talking to the same contact person. Our quality dental materials and digital services will still be available and unchanged. Growth prospects in the digital sector, in particular, are promising as well as with our teeth, the pharmaceutical products or restorative materials and precious metal scrap”, said Scheffler. “Our main focus will still be on customer orientation, reliability and service.” About the company: Heraeus, the precious metals and technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a global, family-run company with 160 years of tradition. Our fields of competence include precious metals, materials and technologies, sensors, biomaterials and medical products, dental products, as well as quartz glass and specialty light sources. With product revenues of €4.1 billion and a precious metals trading revenue of €17.9 billion, together with over 12,900 employees worldwide in more than 120 companies, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets. Press contact: Jens Bewersdorff Head of Global Marketing Communications Phone.: +49 (0) 6181/35 4622 Heraeus Kulzer GmbH Fax: +49 (0) 6181/35 3068 Grüner Weg 11
[email protected] 63450 Hanau