Sirona Dental Systems has announced the expansion of their worldwide relationship with Henry Schein, Inc., the largest distributor of healthcare products and services in the combined North American and European markets. Effective Jan. 10, 2005, Sullivan-Schein Dental, the U.S. dental division of Henry Schein, will be an authorized dealer of Sirona Imaging, Operatory, and Instrument products in the United States. This agreement does not include Sirona's CAD/CAM restoration equipment. Henry Schein's relationship with Sirona significantly expanded in 2004 when Henry Schein became the largest distributor of dental products in Europe through its acquisition of demedis, which has always been Sirona's largest customer outside of North America.
"We are excited about the expansion of this relationship," said Jost Fischer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sirona Dental Systems GmbH. "Henry Schein, Inc. is currently the largest distributor of Sirona Dental Systems products outside of the United States. We expect that the expansion of this relationship into the U.S. market will strengthen both Henry Schein and Sirona's global position."
"We are delighted to offer Sirona's integrated dental equipment to our customers in the United States as well as throughout Europe," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Henry Schein. "By combining Sirona's strong brand name and technologically advanced products with Sullivan-Schein's marketing expertise and broad dental customer base, we have an opportunity to jointly capitalize on the valuable growth opportunities within the U.S. dental equipment market."
