Align Technology Opens Invisalign® Treatment Planning and Training Facility in Germany

Investment Reflects Large, Untapped Market Opportunity for Clear Aligners and Commitment to the Region

 

COLOGNE, Germany and SAN JOSE, Calif., May 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN), today announced the grand opening of its first Invisalign treatment planning facility in Europe, located in Cologne, Germany. The Cologne facility is one of only three Invisalign treatment planning facilities in the world and reflects the rapid growth and expansion of Align globally. It will also serve as a training facility for Invisalign doctors within the German-speaking market, providing clinical education and support in local language for doctors in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Lichtenstein.

"The clear aligner market in German-speaking countries is very important to Align and we are excited to open an Invisalign treatment planning facility in Cologne," said Joe Hogan, Align Technology president and CEO.  "Since 2003, Invisalign clear aligners and our very engaged customers have helped to expand the orthodontic market in Germany. Today, German-speaking countries represent our third largest country market in Europe and grew 28 percent in 2017, so now is the ideal time to expand our operations and get closer to our customers  to better serve this region's unique and growing needs."

"Our new state-of-the-art treatment planning facility in Cologne represents over 21 years of innovation in digital technology and treatment planning software and the insights gained from doctors treating over 5.5 million Invisalign patients," said Emory Wright, Align Technology senior vice president of operations. "This expertise combined with the extensive clinical knowledge of our Cologne team means our customers and their patients in the region will benefit from an end-to-end digital workflow in their local language, during their local business hours."

"I am delighted to announce Germany as the first European market to open an Align treatment planning facility and training center," said Simon Beard, Align Technology senior vice president and managing director, EMEA. "The opening of our new treatment planning facility in Cologne underlines our ongoing commitment to the German-speaking market and recognizes the local needs of our customers and our desire to support their efforts to provide the best possible outcomes for their patients. I am confident this investment will allow us to build an even stronger local presence and further expand the Align business footprint in the EMEA region."