On April 4, 2013, Heraeus Holding Board of Management and Shareholders agreed to sell the entire Heraeus Dental business to Mitsui Chemical Industries, Tokyo, Japan. The organisation remains unchanged, including all manufacturing processes and facilities. Customers will see no changes to personnel or products.
In a message to leading dental professionals, David Miller Managing Director Heraeus Kulzer UK and Ireland, said, "This news is extremely positive for our organisation and everyone who works within it, as well as our customers. It will enable us to continue to develop high-quality materials for the dental market that offer you that little bit more.”
Mitsui supports and intends to continue the current strategy of Heraeus Dental. It will retain the existing operations, management and employees of the group’s 20 worldwide locations. The headquarters of the new Heraeus Dental managing company, Heraeus Kulzer GmbH, will remain in Hanau, close to the Heraeus global headquarters.
David Miller explained that, "For the time being, the only change is that Heraeus Dental has a new owner. Our team here in the UK and Ireland remains exactly as our customers and colleagues in the trade know it. We will continue to deliver the same products and service that you have come to trust.”
With an annual turnover of around €12 billion, Mitsui Chemical Industries employs almost 13k people worldwide. It already has interests in two Japanese-based dental companies: Sun Dental and Shofu. According to David Miller, "The company’s culture and ethos are very similar to that of Heraeus. Mitsui strives to provide world class products, in all markets where it competes."
The acquisition of Heraeus Dental is still subject to the approval of the anti?trust authorities. It propels Mitsui into becoming one of the major players in the dental market. The company aims to grow and invest further within the healthcare industry and become one of the global dental players.