Planmeca Makes Strategic Investment In E4D Technologies

HELSINKI, Dec. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Planmeca, the world's largest privately owned dental imaging company and equipment manufacturer, announced today that it has made a non-controlling, strategic investment in E4D Technologies, LLC, developer of the E4D CAD/CAM Restorative System.  This strategic investment reinforces Planmeca's on-going commitment to help dental providers improve patient care by offering a comprehensive portfolio of integrated digital dental solutions for dentists and dental laboratories.

Planmeca will co-develop CAD/CAM products with E4D Technologies and offer these products in North America under the brand names Planmeca PlanScan-E4D Technologies and PlanMill-E4D Technologies.  Henry Schein, Inc. will continue to be the exclusive distributor in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, Planmeca will expand distribution of the E4D system to more than 120 additional international markets under the Planmeca PlanScan and PlanMill brands. In certain other markets, the E4D brand will remain in use.

"Planmeca's investment in E4D Technologies offers us an opportunity to grow our company globally," said Dr. Gary Severance, Chief Marketing Officer for E4D Technologies. "In addition, Planmeca has been a market leader in extra-oral digital imaging for many years, and we look forward to furthering the seamless integration of our CAD/CAM platform with the additional digital solutions offered by Planmeca. Our customers will benefit from the combination of these unique and innovative products and services."

Under the new agreement, Planmeca joins the partnership of Henry Schein and Ivoclar Vivadent, who have been strategic equity partners in E4D Technologies since 2007, along with certain members of E4D Technologies' senior management team.  

About Planmeca Oy and Planmeca Group

Planmeca Oy is one of the world's largest dental equipment manufacturers with products distributed in over 120 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, the company is a global leader in many fields of dental technology, with a product range covering digital dental units, world-class 2D and 3D imaging devices and comprehensive software solutions. Planmeca is also the largest privately held company in the field of dental equipment, with a strong commitment to pioneering in-house R&D and design. The Planmeca Group's estimated turnover for 2013 is approximately EUR 760 million with over 2,600 employees worldwide.  More information is available at www.planmeca.com.

About E4D Technologies

Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, E4D Technologies is a high-tech medical device company focused on 3D digitizing applications, successful entrepreneurship, and commercialization of new technologies. The company has taken the dental profession to a higher level of productivity, patient comfort and convenience with its E4D CAD/CAM restorative systems and restorative software solutions for dental offices, laboratories and teaching institutions.  Quality-driven manufacturing teams are primed to meet demand along with best-in-class education and customer support to exceed dental professionals' demands and patients' expectations.  More information is available at www.e4d.com.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC) is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners.  The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites.  A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs nearly 16,000 Team Schein Members and serves nearly 800,000 customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care.  Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items.

The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 25 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $8.9 billion in 2012, and have grown at a compound annual rate of 17% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

About Ivoclar Vivadent

Ivoclar Vivadent, headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of innovative material systems for high-quality dental applications. The company's success is based on a comprehensive portfolio of products and systems, strong research and development capabilities and a clear commitment to training and further education. The company has wholly owned subsidiaries in 24 countries, and it employs over 3,000 people worldwide. More information about Ivoclar Vivadent is available at www.ivoclarvivadent.com.

SOURCE Planmeca