Siemens may sell dental businesses

German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG is looking to divest its dental business, but plans to retain the bulk of its Medical Engineering Group, contrary to rumors that have surfaced in the European press recently.

Siemens reported April 21 that it is looking for a merger partner or acquirer for its Dental Systems division in Bensheim, Germany, and Pelton & Crane subsidiary in Charlotte, NC. Siemens said the move was part of the group's ongoing effort to improve its competitiveness and cost structure (SCAN 3/19/97).

The company emphasized that it does not intend to divest the rest of Medical Engineering, however.

"There is no reason for deleting Medical Engineering from our core businesses," said Heinrich von Pierer, chairman of Siemens AG. "It is obvious that our medical portfolios...are subject to permanent development."