Patterson is crediting sales of dental equipment and consumables for the 4% sales growth the company is reporting for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 (end-January 24). Sales for the quarter were $811 million, up from $777 million in the same quarter a year ago, according to the company.
Third-quarter sales of Patterson Dental, the company's largest business unit, were $584 million, virtually unchanged from the year-earlier period, the company said. Strong sales of Cerec dental restorative systems and components, with a 40% increase in new unit placements, and increased sales of other equipment, helped offset slower consumable sales and unfavorable movements in the Canadian dollar, the company stated.
Sales of consumable dental supplies and printed office products were flat in comparison to last year's third quarter, while sales of dental equipment and software rose 5% from the year-earlier period. Sales of other services and products, consisting primarily of technical service, parts and labor, software support services, and artificial teeth, were virtually unchanged from last year's third quarter.
"Patterson Dental unit achieved sales growth in dental equipment during this challenging period, and available data indicate that our equipment sales outperformed the industry by a considerable margin," James Wiltz, president and CEO, said in a press release. "We are particularly encouraged by the strong performance of the Cerec line, which is benefiting from the market's growing acceptance of CAD/CAM technology."
Following its acquisition of Dolphin Imaging Systems in December, he added, Patterson Dental is positioning itself as the leading provider of 3D imaging software for high-end dental practitioners, including orthodontists, oral maxillofacial surgeons, and dental radiologists.
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