New MD appointed at Ivoclar Vivadent

Ivoclar Vivadent has announced the appointment of Mr Phil Jolly as the new Managing Director of its Australian operations.

Mr Jolly, who was appointed Deputy Managing Director in February this year, takes over the day-to-day management of the company following the passing of Phil Turley in August.

Mr Jolly brings to the role extensive operational and sales experience within Ivoclar Vivadent, as well as a wealth of industry knowledge through his involvement in the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA).

Since joining Ivoclar Vivadent as National Sales Manager in 1994, his role has gradually expanded to include responsibility for managing the company's purchasing, logistics and service departments.

He has also served on the ADIA's Exhibition Committee for seven years, including four years as Chairman of the Exhibition Committee.

"It's a great honour to be given the responsibility of managing Ivoclar Vivadent's operations here in Australia," Mr Jolly said. "It's always been a tremendous place to work with an outstanding customer service culture and I think these attributes will help us to forge an even stronger position in the Australian dental industry."

Mr Jolly said an important focus over the next year will involve restructuring to place a greater emphasis on sales of the company's own products and the small equipment that is used every day by dentists and dental technicians.

"We're already known for providing high-quality products and backing them up with excellent service and support," he said. "Over the next year, we're going to be putting a greater focus on supplying clinical and technical consumables, and small equipment to the industry."

Mr Jolly assumes control of Ivoclar Vivadent Australia as the business enters a period of transition. Because of an international takeover, the company no longer has the contract for supplying the large equipment manufactured by KaVo/Gendex (such as CAD/CAM systems, x-ray machines, dentist's chairs and laboratory benches).

Ivoclar Vivadent will, however, continue to be a major supplier of the consumables and small equipment that are used by dentists and dental technicians. This includes supplying the company's own branded products, such as composites, ceramic systems, CAD/CAM materials and aesthetic solutions for implant superstructures.

Ivoclar Vivadent will also continue to supply a broad range of products to the Australian dental industry on behalf of other agencies they hold, including:

• Dürr Dental (suction and compressor systems, digital x-ray processors and chemicals);
• WhipMix (laboratory equipment and investments);
• Wassermann (laboratory equipment);
• Nova (hand instruments);
• Heine (surgical lights and loupes); and
• FKG (endodontic instruments).

Mr Jolly said that Ivoclar Vivadent will maintain the same high levels of customer service that it is renowned for.

"We've got a lot of very good, experienced people who understand the dental industry. So that provides us with a really solid foundation for growth in Australia.

Mr Jolly said that Ivoclar Vivadent will also continue to offer educational programs and training courses for dental professionals.

"Education and training is our way of putting something back into the dental industry," he said. "Obviously, we'll continue to provide that service too."