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Nobel Biocare
No. 4
Heliane Canepa, 59, CEO since 2001
Country: Switzerland
Sector: Dental implants
Sales: 600.6 million euros
Net Income: 158.1 million euros
Aging Western populations, many with decaying teeth, and a growing desire to have the brightest smile. These two factors have put Nobel Biocare, the world’s largest maker of dental implants, in the sweet spot. Thanks to new products (an implant that grows its own bone for example) and stellar PR (massive conventions in cities like Las Vegas and research deals with 18 universities), Nobel Biocare recently boasted stellar results: Operating profit jumped 26% in 2006. The company is now making devices simpler to install, and investing more in targeted marketing campaigns. Margins? An amazing 34%. This is one company that likes a trip to the dentist.
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