Straumann Invests in Future Growth With New U.S. Headquarters, Education Center and Production Facility in Andover, Massachusett

Straumann Invests in Future Growth With New U.S. Headquarters,
Education Center and Production Facility in Andover, Massachusetts
New Andover facility brings Swiss-based company closer to U.S. customers


ANDOVER, Mass., May 27  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At a groundbreaking ceremony
today the world's second largest producer of dental implants and a leader in
dental tissue regeneration products, Straumann of Switzerland, unveiled plans
for a new combined U.S. headquarters, training and production center in
Minuteman Park, Andover, 25 miles north of downtown Boston. The company plans
to move into the new facilities in mid 2005.

With an investment of up to USD 50 million over the next five years, the new
site will house Straumann's U.S. management, currently headquartered in
Waltham, MA. It will also accommodate a state-of-the-art production and
development unit to manufacture high precision implants for tooth replacement.
When operational at the end of 2005, the new unit will supply the North
American market and will complement Straumann's current production unit in
Villeret, Switzerland, which opened in 2000 and is expanding capacity.

To meet the increasing demand for its dental implants and tissue regeneration
products and to drive future growth, Straumann intends to more than double its
U.S. workforce within five years to between 400 and 500 people.

Straumann is currently the fastest-growing company in its global sector, having
generated an average compound growth rate in sales in excess of 20% over the
past five years, with the U.S. sales growing considerably faster. The company's
expansion in Andover reflects its strategic priority to grow in its U.S.
market, where it is estimated to rank number three with a segment share of
about 20%. The U.S. contributes 25% of total sales, a figure that Straumann
aims to boost to at least 35% by 2008. To achieve this ambitious goal and drive
future growth, the company has expanded its U.S. sales team by 70% over the
past 18 months to 90 representatives.

CEO Gilbert Achermann commented: "The U.S. market offers Straumann a tremendous
opportunity, and we are investing in people and infrastructure to get closer to
our U.S. customers and to take maximum advantage of our rising position in the
market. The Andover location provides access to an important pool of scientific
and skilled labor talent in the Boston area. It also enables us to house our
key U.S. functions under one roof close to other leading companies in the
medical device business. Our estimates indicate that more than 40 million
Americans could benefit from the clinical advantages that dental implants may
offer. There is also a clear need for effective tissue regeneration products
that address the problem of receding gums and help prevent tooth loss due to
periodontitis -- particularly among the population aged 55 and above. With
Straumann's clinically proven products, our strong commitment to training and
education, and our broad partnership network with leading Universities and
dental centers, I am convinced that we are making a significant contribution
towards meeting those needs."

In welcoming Straumann to Andover, Massachusetts' Governor Mitt Romney
commented: "Straumann is exactly the kind of leading technology company my
economic development team is committed to attracting here to Massachusetts. In
addition to the 160 new manufacturing jobs, we will continue to do everything
we can to serve as an effective business partner.  Massachusetts not only has
one of the most talented and educated workforces in the world, we also offer an
extremely competitive tax structure."

Although there are more than 120,000 general practice dentists and over 20,000
specialists in the USA, only a small proportion practice implant dentistry,
with the result that just 25 of every 10,000 Americans receive oral implants in
contrast to European countries, where the number is up to three or four times
higher. However, the body of dentists trained to offer implant treatment is
increasing in the U.S., as is the awareness of the benefits of implants over
conventional crowns and bridges. These factors combined with long-term success
of implants, and the increasing age and wealth of the population provide a
strong basis for future growth.

Professor R. Bruce Donoff, Dean and Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, said: "Dental implantology is a rapidly
increasing solution for many patients. Recent advances are reducing treatment
times and enhancing long-term satisfaction and comfort. Straumann USA is an
acknowledged leader in this field, and we are proud that the company is a
growing member of the Massachusetts corporate community. The Harvard School of
Dental Medicine is also proud to be part of Straumann's commitment to
education, research and patient care."

Details of Straumann's new facility and headquarters will be unveiled today at
a press briefing in Andover, which will include remarks by: Gilbert Achermann,
CEO of Straumann Holding Ltd.; Russ Olsen, President, Straumann USA, Inc.; Mitt
Romney, Massachusetts Governor; Pascal Couchepin, Head of the Swiss Federal
Department of Home Affairs and former President of the Swiss Confederation;
Carlo Conti, State Councilor, Basel, Switzerland; and R. Bruce Donoff, Dean and
Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

About Straumann

Rooted in Swiss precision, reliability and clinical excellence, the
Straumann(R) Dental Implant System is renowned for its exceptional quality and
is one of the most extensively documented implant systems in the world. Over
the past ten years, no fewer than three million Straumann implants has been
placed worldwide, providing patients with dental replacement solutions that are
widely regarded as the closest thing to natural teeth.

To complement the core implant business, Straumann's Biologics division
develops and produces products that help to preserve teeth or support implant
procedures. These include innovative treatments such as Emdogain(R), a
convenient protein-based gel that regenerates dental tissues.

Straumann is widely recognized for its longstanding role in education.
Operating 10 major training centers around the world, it hosts more than 2000
training courses annually and provides state-of-the-art training to
approximately 50 000 dental professionals in 50 countries each year. In the
U.S. alone, well over 500 training courses are to be conducted in 2004,
attended by some 20,000 participants from the dental profession.

The company works closely with the International Team for Implantology (ITI),
an independent international network of eminent clinicians and researchers, as
well as leading clinics, research institutes and universities. In the U.S.,
Straumann's broad network of partnerships includes many leading dental schools
and renowned academic institutions.

In 2003, the Straumann Group generated sales of CHF 344 million of which
approximately 8 to 10% are invested in innovation, making Straumann one of the
leading contributors to research and development in the field. With its sales
expanding at a compound average rate of 22% over the past three years,
Straumann has created a number of employment opportunities, increasing its
worldwide staff by 20% in the past 18 months to more than 1000 employees
worldwide. In the U.S., the company employs nearly 200 people. The North
American market generated 2003 sales of approximately CHF 90 million.

Straumann's strong business results are reflected in the performance of its
shares, which have been the best performing stock on the Swiss Stock Exchange
over the past 5 years and have yielded an overall return of more than 1400%(*)
since Straumann became a publicly traded company in 1998.

From its headquarters in Waldenburg, Switzerland, Straumann's global presence
extends to 50 countries, where it is represented through 14 affiliates and 32
distributors.

Disclaimer

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements," which can be
identified by the use of terminology such as: "expect," "plan," "intend,"
"will," "anticipate," "aims to," "with the goal of" or similar wording.  Such
forward looking statements include statements regarding projected growth of the
Straumann's U.S. workforce, U.S. contribution to sales, future investment, the
estimated completion date for the Company's new U.S. facilities and growth in
the market for the Company's products.  Such forward looking statements reflect
the current views of members of the Board/management and are subject to known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual
results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ materially from
those expressed or implied. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize either partially or fully, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this
release.  Straumann is providing the information in this release as of this
date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.

  (*) based on the share price as of 26 May 2004

   Contacts:

   Europe
     Mark Hill
     Straumann Corporate Communications
     ([phone] (o)
     ([phone] (m)
     

   U.S.
     Rachel Spielman
     Ruder Finn
     [phone] (o)
     [phone] (m)
     

DATASOURCE: Straumann Holding AG



CONTACT:  Europe - Mark Hill, Straumann Corporate Communications,

[phone] (o), [phone] (m), or ;

U.S. - Rachel Spielman of Ruder Finn, [phone] (o), [phone]

(m), , for Straumann Holding AG



Web site:  http://www.straumann.com/ 

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