DENTSPLY International Enters Partnership Arrangement With ZHERMACK SpA

YORK, Pa. and BADIA POLESINE, Italy, Nov. 24, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DENTSPLY International Inc. (Nasdaq:XRAY) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the shareholders of ZHERMACK SpA to acquire a majority interest in the Company. Based in Badia Polesine, Italy, ZHERMACK SpA, a producer of dental materials for the global market, sells products in over 100 countries, with an emphasis on markets in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. As part of this agreement, the two founders will retain significant ownership and continue to manage the business.

ZHERMACK SpA has invested significantly in its operations with state-of-the-art and highly vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities, and manufacturing sites in both Italy and Poland. This partnership provides synergy opportunities with DENTSPLY's current businesses, particularly in manufacturing, research and development, and market expansion.

"We are very pleased to enter this partnership and to work closely with the two entrepreneurs who built the ZHERMACK business. Both have been in the dental industry for over 30 years and have demonstrated their passion and commitment to the profession. The ZHERMACK Company is a very good fit with DENTSPLY's culture and business model, and we look forward to working together to generate future growth for both businesses," said Bret W. Wise, DENTSPLY's Chairman, CEO, and President.

Tiziano Busin, ZHERMACK's president and founder, stated, "We are very happy to be partnering with DENTSPLY and look forward to working together to link the manufacturing capabilities of the two companies. We believe that our polymer-based expertise can contribute to DENTSPLY's R&D efforts, and as partners, we can continue developing innovative products for the dental profession."

Vittorio Mora, ZERMACK's co-founder, also commented, "Over the years, we have had the opportunity to get to know the DENTSPLY team, and are very excited to be able to partner with the largest dental consumable manufacturer in the world. We believe that ZHERMACK's portfolio and presence in specific markets nicely complements DENTSPLY's current organization and product offerings."

DENTSPLY designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products for the dental market. The Company believes that it is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of dental prosthetics, precious metal dental alloys, dental ceramics, endodontic instruments and materials, prophylaxis paste, dental sealants, ultrasonic scalers, and crown and bridge materials; the leading United States manufacturer and distributor of dental handpieces, dental x-ray film holders, film mounts and bone substitute/grafting materials; and a leading worldwide manufacturer or distributor of dental implants, impression materials, orthodontic appliances, dental cutting instruments, infection control products, and dental injectable anesthetics. The Company distributes its dental products in over 120 countries under some of the most well-established brand names in the industry.

DENTSPLY is committed to the development of innovative, high quality, cost-effective new products for the dental market.

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