Straumann to create 60 new jobs at expanding Villeret facility in 2008

Villeret, 7 March 2008: Straumann, a global leader in implant and restorative dentistry and oral tissue regeneration today announced plans for a further expansion of its main dental implant production facility in Villeret in the Swiss Canton of Bern.

At the same time, the company announced the creation of 60 new jobs at the site in 2008 with additional positions to follow in 2009. The new jobs are mainly in the field of precision engineering, although the company said that it is seeking a variety of skill sets to fill the vacancies.

Straumann continues to enjoy strong growth in its business as dental implants increasingly become the treatment of choice for tooth replacement around the world. To help meet the increasing demand for its SLActive implant surface, which significantly increases security and shortens healing times, Straumann also revealed plans to extend the site and construction is to commence later this year.

Since its inauguration in 2000, the Villeret facility has covered the main bulk of Straumann’s production and currently manufactures almost half a million components a month. Including the new positions, Straumann will have created a total of more than 420 new jobs in Villeret since 2000, making the company the largest contributor to the prosperity of the local community.

The company is directing applicants for vacancies to its website, www.straumann.com/jobs, and the Human Resources team in Villeret.

About Straumann
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the Straumann Group (SWX: STMN) is a global leader in implant and restorative dentistry and oral tissue regeneration. In collaboration with leading clinics, research institutes and universities, Straumann researches, develops and manufactures dental implants, instruments, prosthetics and tissue regeneration products for use in tooth replacement and restoration solutions or to prevent tooth loss. Straumann currently employs approx. 2000 people and its products and services are available in more than 60 countries through its broad network of distribution subsidiaries and partners.

Concerning forward-looking statements
This document contains certain “forward-looking statements”, which can be identified by the use of terminology such as “attractive”, “emerging” “will” and “retain”, or similar wording. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include risks related to the success of and demand for the Group’s products, the potential for the Group’s products to become obsolete, the Group’s ability to defend its intellectual property, the Group’s ability to develop and commercialize new products in a timely manner, the dynamic and competitive environment in which the Group operates, the regulatory environment, changes in currency exchange rates, the Group’s ability to generate revenues and profitability, and the Group’s ability to realize its expansion and takeover projects in a timely manner. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this release. Straumann is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.