DENTSPLY and Sirona Enter into Definitive Merger Agreement

DENTSPLY International Inc. and Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. announced the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement that is said to result in the world’s leading manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies. 

The combination reportedly will create a combined company with the largest sales and service infrastructure in dental with 15,000 employees globally.

“This is an exciting day for both companies, the dental community and patients around the globe," said Jeffrey T. Slovin, president and chief executive officer of Sirona. "We are bringing together two world class companies that share a culture of innovation and will foster the development of differentiated, integrated solutions for general practitioners and specialists, particularly in the highest growth segments of the dental industry.

"Combining Sirona’s proven digital solutions and equipment with DENTSPLY’s leading consumables platform creates the most comprehensive dental solutions offering available to meet customer demand in every key segment. I look forward to leading the talented teams of both Sirona and DENTSPLY as we drive the global digitization of dentistry, offer superior solutions to customers and patients and create The Dental Solutions Company.”

The combined company, supported by its leading platforms in consumables, equipment and technology, reportedly will offer a powerful set of complementary offerings and end-to-end solutions to enhance patient care. Dental professionals across the globe will be supported by what is said to be the largest sales and service infrastructure in the industry, supported by leading distributors, to deliver an optimized product range that will meet the increasing global demand for digital dentistry and integrated solutions.

“We are excited about bringing together two industry leaders,” said Bret W. Wise, chairman and chief executive officer of DENTSPLY. “DENTSPLY SIRONA will offer a comprehensive line of solutions to more effectively meet the needs of dental professionals all over the world and advance patient care. With a strong financial profile, comprehensive product offerings and integrated solutions, DENTSPLY SIRONA will be uniquely positioned to deliver attractive returns to our shareholders and make dentistry better, faster and safer around the world. I look forward to working with Jeff and the combined management team to deliver on this mission."  

The combined company will be called DENTSPLY SIRONA and trade on the NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY. DENTSPLY SIRONA’s global headquarters will be located in York, Penn., the location of DENTSPLY’s current headquarters, while the international headquarters will be located in Salzburg, Austria.

Upon closing of the transaction, Slovin will serve as chief executive officer of the combined company and will be a member of the board of directors. Wise will serve as executive chairman of the combined company, working in collaboration with Slovin to execute the corporate strategy and integrate the companies and cultures.

From DENTSPLY, Christopher T. Clark and James G. Mosch will serve as president and chief operating officer, technologies, and president and chief operating officer, dental and healthcare consumables, respectively.

From Sirona, Ulrich Michel will serve as executive vice president and chief financial officer. The board of directors will consist of 11 members, six of which (including Wise) are current DENTSPLY directors and five of which (including Slovin) are current Sirona directors. Additional senior leadership positions at DENTSPLY SIRONA will be named at a later date, consisting of representatives from both companies.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016, is subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and approvals.

Specific benefits are said to include:

Increased scale and product breadth: The combination will result in a company with net revenue of approximately $3.8 billion and adjusted EBITDA of more than $900 million, excluding the incremental benefit of synergies. The combined company reportedly will have the industry’s largest sales and service infrastructure, supported by leading distributors. 

Total solutions provider: With consumables, equipment and technology under one roof, the new company reportedly will be able to deliver digital technologies and integrated solutions and workflows to enhance efficiency and patient care for general practitioners and specialists.

Strong commitment to innovation: The combined company is designed to have an enhanced commitment to innovation in consumables, equipment and technology. By leveraging both companies’ significant R&D capabilities across DENTSPLY’s world-class materials science expertise and Sirona’s industry-leading technology platform, the broadened product offering reportedly will support the combined company’s position as a leading innovator in the dental market. DENTSPLY SIRONA will have more than 600 scientists and R&D staff reportedly working to accelerate the development of new, better, safer and more efficient dental solutions and procedures.   

Experienced management team: The combined company reportedly will be led by the most experienced management team in the dental industry with strong track records of growth and leadership in developing differentiated global product offerings. The DENTSPLY and Sirona teams are said to have a successful history collaborating in a number of product categories.