In an interview with the managing directors Michael Bständig from Pluradent and Robert Weinberger from Dentalbauer, Kerstin Oesterreich, OEMUS MEDIA AG, spoke about the common direction and how the merger can mean an advantage for customers.

Due to the merger of Pluradent Austria GmbH and dental bauer GmbH, it was decided to work in Austria under a special name from January 1, 2023. What could be more obvious than to use a name that lets everyone recognize that it is a traditional dental specialist dealer with an Austrian connection? In just a few weeks, dental bauer and Pluradent will become austro dent GmbH.

Pluradent and Dentalbauer, two medium-sized companies that have been in balanced competition with each other for years, will be treading common paths from January 2023. How is it possible to expect everyone to take customers and business partners with you, despite the changes that occur?

Michael Constant: Despite two companies with different origins, we have had quite identical corporate goals in the past. These include a high standard of our services to our customers, reliable dealings with our business partners and our lived team spirit within our recognition. Now we are both becoming part of the same group of companies, combining these good qualities and thus forming an economically stable unit. Since the summer of this year, after getting to know each other for the first time, both teams have been working closely together and are doing everything to prepare for our merger. All colleagues very quickly show a high level of participation, coming “on board” and being able to build on their own abilities as well as those of others. Our current claim “stronger together” is now lived by everyone.

Robert Weinberger: We have set ourselves a challenging sporting goal and will operationally implement the merger by the end of the year. Because we all recognize this as our great opportunity to develop further with momentum in the Austrian dental market. This spirit has already been well received by our team. Everyone also recognizes the synergies for all our customers. In Austria, this merger is a perfect regional addition that can be defined in one sentence: Optimizing our customer proximity.

MB: With sales, technology and all other services, austrodent is close to the customer. Our business partners also recognize the advantage of this further development.

RW: This may open up completely new possibilities, which we will gradually bring to the market from 2023.

What arguments prompted you to change your name?

RW: The company name Austrodent is well known in the Austrian market and has inspired us. Years ago the name went under, now we fill it with new life. In no way should the name be reminiscent of dental nostalgia, as contamination is an indication of a company based in Austria with tradition that fully meets the modern customer needs of the national market. From January 1st, 2023 austro dent took off.

Bundling dental competence, preserving identity and creating benefits” is the motto under which YOU, as the responsible persons of the two companies, started. What exactly do you mean by that?

RW: We know the dental market very well and, together with our teams, are firmly convinced that this step is contemporary and forward-looking. Together with our prospective associations we actually have centuries of dental know-how in total. We are now starting to optimize the structures – join forces, use resources optimally, strengthen competencies.

MB: “Stronger together” is not just a slogan. The merger creates a nationwide network in Austria for competent advice as well as for all technical services that prevent downtimes in practices and laboratories. The economic success of our customers is important to us, and we support it with everything we have at our disposal.

Division of the departments to get all the horsepower on the road.” When will you divide up the different areas of responsibility and realign them?

RW: This question and its implementation is one of our first considerations. We therefore dealt very early and in detail with our prospective joint corporate structure and were able to determine very quickly that not only all levels of responsibility, but also all functional ones could be filled with colleagues with many years of experience. The optimized processes, creates resources and at the same time it is fun to be able to work professionally. Competence in all areas.

Under these conditions, the preparations for the entrepreneurial alliance are in full swing. With concrete measures Do YOU ​​want to ensure economic stability despite the currently challenging times?

RW: We are currently pooling all of our energy and handling it with care. Close communication with our suppliers and forward-looking dispositions help us to avoid bottlenecks so that we can serve our customers as needed. Our long-standing close partnership with manufacturers pays off very well in times like these.

How do you make the process transparent, both internally and externally?

RW: We will always communicate updates on the merge status quo. In our internal communication, we attach great importance to informing employees about important changes and involving them in the processes. We know that the company is characterized by its employees. Without the identification of each individual with the company, the company itself cannot develop further. Therefore, it was and is particularly important to us to always involve the team.

Which technical challenges have to be mastered by merging the operating systems and IT infrastructure?

MB: Fortunately, both companies use the same or similar programs and systems, such as B.SAP. Training is required with minimal effort in terms of need or process customization.

In addition to the classic dental trade, the focus of the previously separate companies is on high-quality services. Do you expect a joint growth spurt as a result of the merger?

MB: Definitely yes. There is definitely still room for improvement. austro dent stands for groundbreaking concepts, individual, customer-focused solutions and competent advice for practices and laboratories. We recognize initial trends that result from the dynamics of the market and the challenges for dentists and dental technicians, and convert them into individual and holistic concepts. Our work begins with contact with the students at the university, which often results in long-term, trusting support.

What are the advantages of the merger for your customers and business partners?

RW: Above all, even faster response times for our services, e.g. B. the technical service. With five locations, we can ensure a real network throughout Austria and thus increase our efficiency. The further strengthening of our logistics center accompanies GLS Dental also means an even better ability to deliver, because the topic of “supply chain problems” will be with us for a long time. We are also expanding the portfolio of our successful private label PluLine and are also focusing on the sustainable success of practices and laboratories.

Pluradent and dental builders have enjoyed high recognition in dental practices, dental clinics and dental laboratories throughout Austria for many years. How do you intend to strengthen and expand the combined market position over the next few years?

MB: Both dental bauer and Pluradent Austria have a very positive, secure image on the Austrian market. We will take this dynamic with us and incorporate it directly into the austrodent brand. An important focus of both companies has always been advice and professional support when setting up a business or practice. With our extensive and proven service portfolio, we support the future dentist on the way to independence and in all the associated steps. Based on a needs analysis, in which we form the personal ideas and wishes of the customer into an individual concept, we devote ourselves to a detailed location analysis of the most elementary points in a branch: Choosing the optimal location for your own practice.

RW: Establishing a new practice, renovating, converting or relocating: The personal ideas of the customer form the basis for a well thought-out interior design solution – individually tailored in terms of functionality, design and work processes. We then develop the desired room concept, taking into account the structural, legal and dental requirements. The question of sustainable materials is also becoming increasingly important. We also advise on this. Thanks to our professional network of specialists, we give our customers access to industry-experienced, trustworthy tax advisors, lawyers, experts from the areas of banking and insurance, marketing, IT, trades and architecture. Each of our network partners is a master of their field and has outstanding expertise in the dental market. This profitable partnership supports the joint process implementation of a successful start-up.

MB: As the beginning of a good and trusting cooperation, it is best to first look for one of our start-up seminars, which we offer throughout Austria.

Thank you for the interview!

This interview is in the Dental Tribune Austria 8/2022 appeared.