Basel, 26 April 2012: Straumann today posted a 2% increase in first-quarter net revenue in local currencies (l.c.), driven by continuing double-digit growth in North America and emerging markets. This, together with modest increases in Central Europe, offset declines in markets that continue to be constrained by struggling economies.

Currency headwind reduced top-line growth by almost 4% points, but this was considerably less than in previous quarters and further improvement is expected in the course of the year. As a result, first-quarter net revenue reached CHF 185 million.

From a business perspective, implants continued to expand modestly, while the digital and regenerative franchises both enjoyed good growth. As the overall performance was in line with Straumann’s expectations, the Group’s full-year guidance for market growth in the low-single digit range remains unchanged.

CEO Beat Spalinger commented: “The pleasing developments in North America and emerging markets endorse our strategy to invest in underpenetrated regions with high potential. Elsewhere, consumer confidence is still fragile, particularly in Europe, and the gap has widened between markets in depressed economies and those in stable, more prosperous areas. We are responding to these and other trends as we re-shape our organization for the future. Today’s numbers show that, so far, we have been able to master the transformation with little disruption to our business. This challenge will increase as we implement the structural changes locally in the second quarter. However, with the new organization in place, we will be well prepared to achieve our long term vision of sustained success and value creation”.

BUSINESS AND REGIONAL PERFORMANCES

Straumann’s growth in the first quarter was entirely organic. The implant business continued to achieve moderate expansion and revenues were again lifted by the Bone Level range and the high performance implant material Roxolid.

The smallest franchise, Regeneratives, achieved double-digit growth, driven by Straumann Allograft and Emdogain.

Digital solutions, which include CADCAM prosthetics, computer-guided surgery and scanners was the fastest growing area. This reflects the strong demand for individualized abutments and successful efforts to build a broad scanner base that will drive the prosthetic element business in the future. Another strategic initiative is to attract CADCAM business through the DWOS standard software platform. The first-quarter launch of Straumann CARES 7.0, which is an ‘open’ system using DWOS, is an important step in this direction and the move has been well received. CARES 7.0 offers dental labs the possibility of producing prosthetic elements through third-party milling or through Straumann’s validated process.

Europe sees gap widening between markets in stable and weak economies

Subdued consumer confidence continued to constrain the European dental markets. So too did the struggling economies in Southern Europe. Spain and Italy, which are important dental markets, both contracted. In contrast, Straumann posted good growth in France and the UK. Sales also increased in Germany, the region’s largest market, but the solid performers only partially compensated for their southern neighbors and regional sales dipped 2% in local currencies.

The weakness of the euro and the British pound against the Swiss franc resulted in a negative currency effect of 4 percentage points, bringing regional net revenue to CHF 107 million.

Double-digit growth sustained in North America

Revenues in North America rose 14% (l.c.), the highest quarterly rise since 2006. This was driven by implants, CADCAM prosthetics, scanning equipment, Straumann Allograft and Emdogain. With the negative currency impact easing, net revenue in Swiss francs climbed 11% to CHF 45 million.

Asia/Pacific mixed – strong growth in LATAM

The market in the Asia/Pacific region was mixed. Despite the very challenging economic environment, Straumann continued to grow in the largest market, Japan. This was thanks mainly to the introduction of the Bone Level range, which was launched at the end of the first quarter in 2011.  

While the emerging Chinese market progressed positively, the overall regional result was overshadowed by Korea, where public perception of implant treatment has been impaired by aggressive media campaigns. As a result, Straumann’s regional net revenue declined 2% both in local currencies and Swiss francs to CHF 25 million.

Strong LATAM offsets irregular distributor markets in the Rest of the World

In the ‘Rest of the World’, net revenue rose 4% (l.c.), which was considerably less than in previous quarters, due to fluctuating orders in distributor markets. In contrast, Brazil and Mexico continued to develop dynamically. Due to the negative currency effect, net revenue reached the prior year level of CHF 9 million.

Straumann’s portfolio, geographic reach and customer base have expanded considerably in recent years, adding significant complexity – particularly at the sales level. To address this, the Group initiated an in-depth reorganization project including the transformation of its sales team into four dedicated sales forces focused on specific customer and product groups. The primary goals are to leverage growth by improving efficiency and to bring new solutions to market more expediently.

The new corporate structure was implemented on schedule in the first quarter. The country and sales-force transitions will be completed in Q2.

Vision 2020

Straumann is well positioned to provide superior solutions over the next few years, and has broadened its horizon to address longer-term sustainability in a Vision 2020 project. This included a long-term strategy review, analyzing market trends, growth drivers and strategic direction for the current decade. Vision 2020 provides a valuable roadmap for the future and will be communicated in Straumann’s ‘Capital Markets Day’ in Amsterdam on 16 May.

OUTLOOK (barring unforeseen circumstances)

The Group expects challenging developments especially in parts of Europe and Asia, while the outlook for North America and emerging markets is optimistic. In 2012, Straumann’s markets are expected to grow in the low-single digit percentage range.

On the basis of its differentiated solutions and services, geographic presence, and new organizational structure, Straumann is well positioned to succeed in 2012 and beyond.

The Group is therefore confident that it can continue to grow ahead of the market in local currencies. Assuming that the Swiss National Bank continues to prevent the euro dropping below CHF 1.20, Straumann does not expect additional currency headwind in 2012. The Group will continue to invest in all its franchises, its pipeline, and its Marketing & Sales organization to create and drive superior treatment solutions and services. It will also continue to optimize efficiency and expects to achieve gross and EBIT margins at least in line with the pre-exceptional¹ levels of 2011, barring unforeseen events and circumstances.

About Straumann

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Straumann (SIX: STMN) is a global leader in implant, restorative and regenerative dentistry. In collaboration with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann researches, develops and manufactures dental implants, instruments, prosthetics and tissue regeneration products for use in tooth replacement and restoration solutions or to prevent tooth loss. Straumann currently employs approximately 2450 people worldwide and its products and services are available in more than 70 countries through its broad network of distribution subsidiaries and partners.