Dentsply welcomes completion of Astra Tech buyout

Dentsply has welcomed the employees of Astra Tech to the company after a takeover deal for the former AstraZeneca business unit was completed this week.

Bret Wise, the firm's chairman and chief executive officer, expressed confidence that the completion of the transaction will provide "substantial benefits" to Dentsply by expanding the scale of its business.

The takeover deal was agreed in June 2011 for a price of $1.8 billion (1.11 billion pounds), coming as part of AstraZeneca's new strategy of increasing its focus on its core pharmaceutical operations.

It brings together two of the world's fastest-growing dental implant companies, with the merged entity ranking as the third-largest business of its kind worldwide.

Dentsply expects the deal will add $200 million to its net sales in 2011, while also allowing it to begin operating in the urology and surgical markets.

"We are excited about the opportunities that our combined business will bring to our customers, employees and shareholders," Mr Wise said.