Welcoming Speech at GC Press Conference

IDS Press Conference

Dr. Jürgen Eberlein, Director GC Corporation International Department

Words of Welcome At the occasion of the GC Press Conference at IDS, Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Firstly, a very warm welcome from me. The Dental Care Company GC EUROPE, as the European subsidiary of GC Corporation, has been well- known for more than 25 years among dental practitioners and technicians for consistently high-quality, easy-to- handle products and the highest standard of customer service. We are global market leaders in glass ionomer cements and, as the largest supplier in the sector of dental stones as well as impression and investment materials, we stand for expertise and progress worldwide – as we have done for over 20 years. Since the launch of the composite resin veneer GC Gradia, the direct composite filling material GC Gradia Direct and the innovative GC Initial ceramic line, we have successfully established ourselves in the area of aesthetic dentistry. Our goal is clearly defined: as an innovative company with tradition and experience, we want to get even better and grow even more. The success of our 1st International Press Conference at IDS 2003 in Cologne, our close collaboration with yourselves and our much-frequented GC Training Centre in Leuven have encouraged us to appear before the public more and so get closer to our customers. For instance, in 2004 we entered a new, topical platform for communication with our partners. This was the 1st GC Forum, our first-ever European team conference. Once again this year we would like to communicate new ideas and inspire dentists and technicians in a live forum. So make a note in your diaries for Saturday 5th November when the 2nd GC Forum is being held – again in Cologne. As you are undoubtedly aware, there have been some recent changes of personnel at GC. For example, since 1st February of this year I have had responsibility at GC Corporation for sales design, strategy and operational implementation in Asia, Europe and America. This responsibility includes Marketing & Sales for all countries outside Japan. My appointment to the Japanese corporate management can certainly be seen as a sign that GC is intensifying its international focus. We intend to grow further in the next few years in the markets outside Japan, again through new products and systems that are right for the market. There is a new, forward-looking concept which we would like to present to you here today: Minimum Intervention – for maximum caries protection! But first I would like to hand over to my esteemed successor. Henri Lenn is certainly no newcomer to the world of dentistry. Now, as President and Chief Operating Officer in Leuven, he will be shaping the fortunes of GC EUROPE.