Nobel Biocare returns to revenue growth in first quarter of 2011

Nobel Biocare has achieved a return to year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter of 2011, according to its latest fiscal report.

The dental supplier generated 143.5 million euros during the three months, up by 1.5 percent on Q1 2010 on a constant exchange rate basis, with the increase attributed to improving market conditions and operational progress.

Nobel Biocare noted that it accomplished its return to growth despite a number of exceptional expenses, such as the impact of the Japanese earthquake and the recent appointment of Richard Laube as chief executive officer.

The firm now expects to see mid-single-digit market growth for the 2011 full-year period.

Dirk Kirsten, chief financial officer of the company, said: "Customers are responding well to NobelActive, NobelProcera and the new NobelReplace. Profitability excluding exceptionals is in line with expectations."

In March 2011, the firm held its annual general meeting, during which all board members proposed for re-election were voted in, including chairman Heino von Prondzynski.