Merz and SHOFU Enter Agreement Regarding Sale of Merz Dental

Merz Pharma has entered an agreement to sell Merz Dental to the Japanese dental materials and equipment manufacturer SHOFU. This divestiture will enable Merz Pharma to focus on its core business, while giving SHOFU the opportunity to strengthen its position as a leading dental manufacturer.

Merz Pharma and SHOFU yesterday entered a sale and purchase agreement for Merz Dental, an entity based in Lütjenburg, near Kiel in Northern Germany. With a workforce of slightly under 200, the Merz subsidiary is a supplier to dentists and dental technicians that has earned a reputation for innovative dental prosthetics.

“We are convinced that the sale to SHOFU is the right move from the standpoint of Merz Dental’s long-term development and expansion. This deal also reflects our clear focussing of our activities in the areas of Aesthetics, Neurotoxins and regional products,” says Philip Burchard, the CEO of Merz Pharma.

In German-speaking countries, Merz Dental is one of the market leaders in its business. By partnering with such a strong dental manufacturer as SHOFU, Merz Dental can now expand its presence abroad and tap into additional opportunities.

SHOFU was founded in 1922 in Kyoto. Listed on the Tokyo stock exchange, the company offers a complete range of products to dentists and dental technicians the world over, and has locations in the U.S., Germany, England, Singapore, and China. Its German facilities were opened in 1978 in Ratingen, near Düsseldorf.

SHOFU aims to leverage this acquisition to strengthen its German market presence. To achieve that, the company considers it important to maintain and heighten the autonomy of Merz Dental. The head office will be kept in Lütjenburg, and Friedhelm Klingenburg will be staying on as CEO.