Straumann

History

The history of the Straumann Group has three distinct eras and spans more than half a century. It began in the Swiss village of Waldenburg in 1954 with the foundation of a research institute bearing the name of its founder, Dr Ing. Reinhardt Straumann.

1954–1970

Between 1954 and 1970, the company specialized in alloys used in timing instruments and in materials testing. Among Straumann’s renowned inventions in this period were special alloys that are still used in watch springs today. A breakthrough in the use of non-corroding alloys for treating bone fractures prompted Dr Fritz Straumann to enter the fields of orthopedics and dental implantology, which began the second phase of the company’s history.

1954
In the small town of Waldenburg, at the foot of the Swiss Jura, Reinhard Straumann founds the "Dr Ing. R. Straumann Research Institute AG".

1960
The Swiss Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) is looking for a company that is capable of providing materials for internal fixation implants - Dr H.C. Fritz Straumann, son of the company’s founder, gets in touch.

1970–1990

Between 1970 and 1990, Straumann became a leading manufacturer of osteosynthesis implants. A management buy-out of the osteosynthesis division in 1990 led to the creation of Stratec (subsequently Synthes) as a separate company. 1990 thus marked the beginning of the Straumann Group as it is known today. Thomas Straumann, grandson of the founder, headed the remaining part of the firm, which employed just 25 people focused exclusively on dental implants.

Another major milestone in the company’s history was in 1980 when Straumann established a partnership with the International Team for Implantology forming a symbiosis of research expertise and industrial know-how. The 1980s also marked the company’s geographic expansion, with subsidiaries in Germany (1980) and the US (1989). The following are examples of the groundbreaking achievements that have established Straumann as a leading innovator in implant dentistry:

1974
The first dental implants are developed at the Institut Straumann and undergo successful clinical testing at the University of Berne.

1980
Under the aegis of Dr Fritz Straumann, Waldenburg, and Prof Schroeder, University of Berne, the International Team for Implantology, the ITI, is founded.

1990
After a management buy-out of the internal fixation division, Thomas Straumann focuses the activities of the Institut Straumann AG on the area of implant dentistry.

1998 - Today

In 1998, Straumann Holding AG became a publicly traded company on the Swiss exchange. Through the acquisition of Kuros Therapeutics (2002) and Biora (2003), Straumann entered the promising field of oral tissue regeneration. 1998
The Straumann Holding AG goes public and is listed on the Swiss stock exchange.

2000
With the opening of the production site in Villeret, located in the Berne Jura, and the Technology Center in Waldenburg, new dimensions open up for the international Straumann group.

2002
Straumann acquires Kuros Therapeutics AG and extends its activities into the field of biomaterials.

2003
Straumann acquires the Swedish company Biora, a pioneer in the area of biologically based regeneration of dental tissue.

'2004
Straumann AG moves into its new headquarters in Basel.

2013
Straumann acquires Neodent from Brazil and extends its activities into the value Market.

Board of Directors

Executive Management Board

Production

The product range includes surgical implants and prosthetic components (abutments) that connect the implant with the visible crown of the replacement tooth. Straumann also supply a range of matching precision instruments and handling components.

Complementing the dental implant and restoration system Straumann manufacture products that are used in oral tissue regeneration either to support implant procedures or to help preserve teeth after treatment for periodontal disease.

The Group manufactures implant system components and instruments in Villeret (Switzerland) and Andover (USA), and dental tissue regeneration products in Malmö (Sweden). The tooth restoration products are produced in Europe and the US.

Villeret

All major components of the Straumann Dental Implant System are currently manufactured at Straumann's factory in Villeret, Switzerland, which produces more than 4.5 million parts a year.

Villeret became operational in 2000. Continued global volume growth made it necessary to expand capacity, and a second production floor was fitted out in 2005. As a result, Villeret now operates two fully independent production lines, one producing surgical products (implants) and the other manufacturing components for the range of implant prosthetics (abutments). Villeret also houses the manufacturing unit for Straumann's third generation implant surface technology SLActive.

Andover

The North American headquarters in Andover house Straumann’s first manufacturing unit outside Switzerland and produces implant system components and instruments.

The 7,400-square-meter (80,000-square-foot) production area complements Straumann’s current production unit in Villeret, Switzerland. It is also the home office location for Neodent, the Brazilian value implant Straumann acquired in 2013 as part of its product portfolio.

Malmö

In contrast to Villeret and Andover, Straumann's production unit in Malmö is devoted primarily to the specialized manufacture of regenerative products.

In June 2003 Straumann acquired the Swedish company Biora, which specialized in the manufacture of the protein-based products for tissue regeneration. The manufacture of Emdogain, an easy to apply protein based gel for use in periodontal disease, is focused in Malmö.