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Corporate Profile: Ivoclar Vivadent

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Ivoclar Vivadent CEO Robert Ganley

Ivoclar Vivadent is a true citizen of the world. The company's headquarters and primary location of research and development is located in Schaan, Liechtenstein, while other R&D and manufacturing facilities are located in Austria, Italy, France, the Philippines, Canada and the United States. Traveling between and running it all is CEO Robert Ganley. Ganley started his career with Ivoclar Vivadent in 1980 after spending four years with KPMG. In 1990 Ganley was promoted to President of Ivoclar Vivadent North America, and in 2003 he was named CEO of Ivoclar Vivadent Worldwide. Dentaltown Magazine recently sat down with Ganley to discuss the reach of Ivoclar Vivadent's impact on dentistry around the world, the one product it is most known for – e.max – and the charitable side of the company.

How do you divide your time between locations?
Ganley: As CEO of Ivoclar Vivadent, my office is in Schaan, Liechtenstein. I travel throughout the global dental markets frequently. I also maintain an office in Amherst, New York, and can be there twice per month. I realize that this is a lot of travel but it is very effective. I look at it this way – I am in the two largest dental markets in the world every month visiting customers and employees. I enjoy it and the business benefits.

Tell me about your new manufacturing facility in the United States.
Ganley: Our newest manufacturing facility is in Somerset, New Jersey. It is a full Ivoclar Vivadent manufacturing facility dedicated only to ceramics. This will give us ceramic manufacturing both in Europe and in North America.

How is your company expressing the mission statement "Passion – Vision – Innovation" in 2011?
Ganley: We try to have a clear view of how the market is developing. There are a lot of factors involved, but mainly we just talk to dentists and labs and try to understand their needs. This vision provides the map, which we follow. We build our company on a foundation of innovation. We believe innovation has value when it provides opportunities for our customers. Finally, it is the passion of our people that provides the energy for success. We only succeed because we have an enthusiastic, dedicated and talented workforce behind us; people who pursue trailblazing solutions and continually broaden their horizons and those in our industry.


Three of Ivoclar Vivadent's newest IPS e.max innovations include IPS e.max Press Multi, IPS e.max CAD-On and IPS e.max Press Implant Solutions. These products are expected to be on the market later this year.

Dentists are sometimes afraid to try new products. How does Ivoclar Vivadent manage
these trepidations?
Ganley: I think fear is a natural reaction to the unknown. We try to add clarity and understanding to the dimensions of change so that the customer sees the whole picture. We do this with education and training tools but mainly by getting a clear understanding of what the customer wants and needs. Furthermore, we stay with the dentist or technician to help them through the learning process. What also helps ease fears and apprehensions is the fact that many of our developments are geared toward the needs of dental professionals and their patients, resulting specifically from the interplay between treatment and market relevance, technical feasibility and experience. Our goal is to turn these innovations into tomorrow's standards.

IPS e.max has taken off like a rocket. Why is this material so special?
Ganley: When we launched IPS e.max in 2005 we did so with the message, "All Ceramic, All You Need." The material delivers increased productivity, improved performance and great aesthetics. The unique combination of high strength and high aesthetics make it very reliable and naturally beautiful. Probably the best answer to your question is that dentists and labs like IPS e.max because it is reliable, aesthetic and they are successful with it. This is the best marketing.

Additionally, it's a fact that clinically proven materials like IPS e.max require a network of knowledgeable users and other innovators to reach saturation among those who stand to benefit most from their application. Dentists are using IPS e.max. Labs are using IPS e.max. Patients are even asking for IPS e.max. Universities and independent testing facilities are evaluating it and confirming that it truly is on the forefront of innovation. Today, IPS e.max is the standard care that dental professionals depend on.



How could IPS e.max be even better? What new developments are you working on?
Ganley: At the IDS in Cologne we launched three new parts of the IPS e.max System. The first is a multi-layer (polychromatic) ingot for pressing. It is a unique technology which allows the lab to press a multi-layered crown. The second is a two-part bridge system called CAD-On. The third is an IPS e.max Press Ingot that is used to make a customized ceramic abutment. It is our plan to continue to introduce IPS e.max innovations.

One of your core businesses is the production of alloys used in the dental lab. Have you seen a change in the volume of this business with the explosion of all-ceramic options?
Ganley: The precious alloy business over the years has been affected by the rapid growth of the all ceramic products. Now the extreme increase in precious metal prices has added a new catalyst to the move from metal to all ceramic.

Composite materials continue to get more sophisticated each year. Tell us about your latest innovations with Tetric EvoCeram.
Ganley: Tetric EvoCeram is an excellent restorative material. At the IDS we introduced the new Tetric EvoCeram featuring the new bulk cure material. This is a unique material with managed working times and a catalyst that allows it to be placed up to 4mm, sculpted and cured without the need for a finish coat.

What are your thoughts on the future for dental laboratories? Is it necessary for them to have a CAD/CAM solution or partner?
Ganley: By using enhanced digital dental systems, dental professionals are streamlining processes and becoming more efficient. Our "blue block" (IPS e.max CAD) is gaining traction in the dental laboratory business every day. It is a proven solution for chairside CAD/CAM systems and many of our laboratory partners.

Your company manufactures products and materials for nearly every phase of dentistry. What are some categories you would like to add in the future?
Ganley: We are actively entering the aesthetic implant abutment market. Our first product, the IPS e.max Abutment was launched recently in Europe in cooperation with Straumann. Our new IPS e.max Hybrid Abutment is a modular system, which allows the lab to customize an abutment with lithium disilicate in the lab in a pressing operation. It is very productive, reliable and delivers the aesthetics needed in anterior cases.

Charitable giving is an important component of your company. Describe some of the programs that you are passionate about.
Ganley: Charitable giving comes in two ways. The first is the planned program, which targets a specific area of need. At the Chicago Midwinter Meeting this year we announced a $500,000 gift to Oral Health America. This money will be directed to organizations in support of children's preventive and restorative dentistry. We are also very concerned about access to dentistry by the geriatric population. Many older people simply cannot get to a dentist. Even those who are edentulous often have a denture but do not have a dentist. We are developing programs with OHA to assist in helping these older Americans. We are very proud to be part of this initiative. They do a wonderful job educating and serving those who need dental care. I truly believe that as a profession, we need to stand up and take action. It's our responsibility to help those in need of dental services.



What is Ivoclar Vivadent's single greatest advantage?
Ganley: We believe that we have a clear vision of the market. This is a path that we are following and we build strategies accordingly. Our innovation capacity in the areas of dental materials is excellent and we focus on innovation that creates opportunities for our customers. We believe that our people have a passion for their jobs which gives them energy and a commitment that our customers feel. Finally, we are a family-owned company. We plan in the long term. We believe that we are large enough to compete with anyone but still small enough to know our customers.

What does the global landscape for dentistry look like? Where are the hot beds? Where are the struggles?
Ganley: The global dental market is healthy and growing. Around the world it is different and yet in some ways the same – all want and need dental health. Sometimes this is at the minimum level due to geography and economics, but also high-level dentistry is found in nearly every corner of the world. A mother in Mumbai and a mother in Boston want the best for their children. They will try to provide the best that is available and affordable.

The developed markets are the most advanced for dentistry and it is in these markets where you will find advanced equipment sales and a larger ratio of dentists per capita. Since the penetration is high, the growth potential as a percentage is lower than in the developing markets. If you look at the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) you will see high growth rates and high potential. In these countries you will also see increased investments from the leading dental companies.

As far as struggles, we are often confronted with natural, economic or political disasters. These situations are devastating for the people in a country or region. The affect on dental care access is obvious. Ivoclar Vivadent like other leading companies tries to assist in these situations through donations of money and products. These are struggles of man against natural and human opponents. We must continue to assist when and where we can, both as dental companies and as caring people.

To learn more about Ivoclar Vivadent, call 800-533-6825 or visit www.ivoclarvivadent.com.
Dentaltown Magazine
October 2025
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