Annual Report 2003 - Nobel Biocare Corporate

NOBEL BIOCARE ANNUAL REPORT 20037Procera facilities for production ofindividualized designed prosthetics.Today, we have two world-class productionfacilities with almost zerofaultproduction and constantlyfalling internal scrap rates.As if all this wasn’t enough, we alsocompleted our global ISO 14001environmental certification, settingnew standards for the dental industry.Furthermore, we started to roll outthe SAP R/3 IT system to remainingsubsidiaries in Latin America andPoland, providing us with unrivalledinternal transparency.We stayed innovativeBeside revenue growth, acceleratedprofitability and the development ofinternal processes, we stayed innovative.This is where we come from,and it is how we will stay number one.We will never stop being innovative.The success for our surfaceTiUnite continued during 2003.Numerous independent clinical studieshave proved that TiUnite not onlyintegrates with human bone, TiUniteis also osseoconductive, which meansthat the TiUnite surface makes bonegrow directly onto the pores of thesurface. This strengthens our beliefthat TiUnite in the future will beused as carrier of bioactive agents.TiUnite was a prerequisite for us inbecoming the first company to evergain FDA clearance for ImmediateLoading in 2002. It is also a vital partof our “Teeth-in-an-Hour” conceptpresented at the World Conference.Launches in 2003 also includedNobelPerfect, the world’s first scallopedimplant with a unique designthat prevents the degeneration of bonebetween teeth and therefore secureslong-term esthetics. In early 2004,we also launched NobelDirect, theone-piece implant concept, based onImmediate Function and flaplesssurgery. NobelDirect provides bothdentists and patients with the ultimateform of simplicity resulting in shortertreatment times and a minimum ofpain.In 2003, we launched ProceraPiccolo – a small scanner aimed atsmall and medium sized laboratories.Procera Piccolo limit’s the investmentsneeded by the lab to startworking with Procera. This has beena big hit and we have had to revisethe sales forecast for Procera Piccoloseveral times during the year. In 2004,we will see the results of all newlaboratories in the sales of Proceracrowns, bridges and abutments.From products to conceptsEach major launch in 2003 demonstrateshow we use our leadership inR&D to develop treatment conceptsthat encompass more than just products.We provide our customers witha whole package of documentation;products, educations, manuals andideas that help them expand theirbusinesses.All concepts are based on existingneeds and are positioned in specificmarket segments. As market leaders,it is up to us to grow the market. Wedo that by continuously developingnew concepts that make implanttreatment available to more people,concepts that meet patient needs fornew esthetical teeth.The future is even betterOur achievements in 2003 have madeNobel Biocare very well positioned tobecome a leading actor in the entiredental industry. We have gainedmomentum when it comes to revenuegrowth and sustainable profitability.Our product assortment is lean andaimed at clearly identified targetgroups. And we have the market’sstrongest sales organization driven bystrong commitment and a provenstrategy.We also have the infrastructure tomeet the expected growth. Our productionorganization has both thecapacity for increased volumes andthe flexibility needed to gain maximalefficiency. And our R&D departmentconsists of people with ideas that willfurther boost market growth.Business concept, vision, targets and strategyBusiness conceptNobel Biocare aims to enhance patient quality of life byoffering the best permanent and esthetic replacements forlost teeth.VisionNobel Biocare will be the world leader in innovative estheticdental solutions.Targets for 2004• Accelerated annual revenue growth• Improved profitabilityStrategyIn order to reach its goals, Nobel Biocare will continue itsmarketing and sales efforts towards dental specialists,general practitioners and dental technicians in order toincrease the penetration for bothdental implants and individuallydesigned prosthetics.2003 was a great year and weachieved a lot. In 2004, we will takefurther steps on our journey to becomethe world’s leading and mostinnovative dental solution company.We will reach our goal through increasedmarketing and sales activities.We will launch a series of newproducts and there will be furtherstudies confirming our clinical leadership.We will also place the last piecein our C&B&I puzzle by furtherstrengthening our prosthetics offer.I want to conclude by thanking allemployees for contributing to thecreation of our strong foundation forthe future. In 2004, we will sustainour efforts to keep the world in aconstant state of positive amazement– customers, partners and shareholdersalike.HELIANE CANEPAPRESIDENT & CEO