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Align Technology launches manufacturing facility in Wroclaw

A new facility of global medical device manufacturer Align Technology will be constructed in Wroclaw. It will employ 2500 people. - The city continually focuses on creating good jobs, i.e. ones that will allow its residents to fully utilize their potential and skills, and will also be financially attractive - says Jakub Mazur, Deputy President of Wroclaw.

  • Align Technology's next global investment in the EMEA region - the plant where the Invisalign system will be manufactured - is being constructed in Wroclaw, Poland.
  • The new investment will expand Align's mass customization capabilities for the entire EMEA region, including extensive 3D printing technology to produce more than 700,000 unique overlays per day worldwide.
  • The new manufacturing facility follows the Invisalign treatment planning facilities in Wroclaw, Madrid and Cologne, currently serving more than 62,700 certified Invisalign practitioners across the EMEA region.
  • The investment plan is to create over 2,500 new jobs over the next few years.

Align Technology manufacturing facility in Wroclaw

Align Technology (Nasdaq: ALGN) is a leading global medical device manufacturer that designs and manufactures the Invisalign system, iTero intraoral scanners and exocad CAD/CAM software used in orthodontics and restorative dentistry.

The company has announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Wroclaw, Poland - the first in Europe and the third in the world (after facilities in Juarez, Mexico and Ziyang, China), in response to growing market demand in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region. Currently, there are up to 150 million people living with malocclusion in the EMEA region, and each year more than 5 million of them start orthodontic treatment in pursuit of a healthy and beautiful smile.

Production at the new plant is scheduled to begin in early 2022. The investment is one of the company's strategy to expand its operations in additional regions and countries. Directly from the plant, Invisalign's clear trays will be delivered to the company's partnering doctors, who will use them to treat their patients' malocclusions.

- I am delighted to announce the opening of our first manufacturing facility in EMEA and third globally. This is an extremely important investment that will reflect our commitment to the more than 62,700 certified Invisalign doctors and their patients in the region. This investment will serve as an extension of our local facilities, which include treatment planning (TREAT) facilities in Poland, Germany and Spain - Emory Wright, senior vice president, Global Operations.

Wroclaw creates new jobs

- As a city we're continually focused on creating good jobs, those that allow people to fully utilize their potential and skills, as well as those that are financially attractive. Wroclaw's presence at the top of the latest "Cities of the Future" ranking prepared by fDi, an international research center belonging to the Financial Times group, confirms the rightness of the path we have chosen. Each time, with great gratitude and hope, we welcome new investors to our city. This is also the case here. I am convinced that the new investment of Align Technology company will strengthen our position in the world, creating jobs and developing the Wroclaw agglomeration - Jakub Mazur, Vice President of Wroclaw.

ARAW attracts investors

The Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency has been actively trying to establish a new plant of Align Technology, a global producer of medical devices. 

- We are very pleased that a global company such as Align Technology feels comfortable in Wroclaw and is dynamically developing its activities in our city. The construction of the production plant is already the investor's second project, after the design center that was established in 2019, which ARAW had the pleasure to support and coordinate. This shows that Wrocław maintains a good climate for business. Despite the exceptional times, Wrocław invariably has a reputation as a city of progress and innovation, as well as a leading economic, technological center, and therefore a good place to live that does not slow down its pace of development. We hope that this decision is not the last word in terms of Align Technology's investment plans in our city - Magdalena Okulowska, President of Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency.

Align Technology the world's largest in 3D printing

Align Technology is the world's largest manufacturer using 3D printing technology. Every day, as many as 700,000 unique parts of personalized orthodontic trays are created at its facilities around the world.

The Invisalign system is used by over 200,000 certified dentists and orthodontists worldwide. With Align Technology's solutions, doctors have already helped more than 9.6 million patients, including 2 million in EMEA (as of Q4 2020).

- Our new facility in Wroclaw will create more than 2,500 jobs by the end of 2025 and will be the company's largest investment in the EMEA region. Over the last 20 years, the company has been growing its presence in the region, opening new offices, building strong local structures, and launching treatment planning facilities in three different markets - with the prospect of further expansion. The new investment will allow us to strengthen our ongoing commitment to Invisalign doctors in the region and provide them with more personalized support - Markus Sebastian, senior vice president and managing director, EMEA.

Poland cares about innovative technologies

Jarosław Gowin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, Labour and Technology, commenting on the Wroclaw investment, emphasizes that the development of Polish industry with the use of innovative technologies is one of the government's priorities, which has been included in the elaborated Industrial Policy of Poland.  

- We try to create the best possible conditions both for the development of domestic companies and for encouraging foreign capital to invest in Poland. We consistently support investments in digitalization. Our country has some of the world's best specialists in IT and digitization, and support instruments such as special economic zones or the government grant program significantly simplify the procedure for investment and business development. We are pleased that another investor - Align Technology, has recognized these opportunities and decided to expand in the EMEA region by locating one of the most modern 3D printing and digital manufacturing plants in Poland - Jaroslaw Gowin, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Development, Labour and Technology.

Align Technology in Wroclaw - one of the largest projects in the medical industry

Krzysztof Drynda, president of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, emphasizes that he is pleased with Align Technology's decision to further develop its activities in Poland. It is in our country. 

- What is important for us is both the nature and scale of this investment. The new project has a huge potential as far as employment is concerned, ultimately even 2,500 people will find work. So first of all people, but secondly, which is equally important, new technologies. Digital transformation has changed the face of many industries and it also finds its place in the medical sector, which is best proved by our American investor who will use 3D printing in his production. It is worth emphasizing that the interest of the medical industry in the Polish market is still growing. It is confirmed by inquiries of foreign companies coming to PAIH. Since last year, the Agency has handled six medical investment projects and another five are already underway. We predict that the upward trend will continue. Technologies used in the medical sector are now very much needed by everyone. I also want to emphasize that Wroclaw is an ideal location for this type of investments. The city is a leading innovation center with a strong academic background and the largest number of R&D units in the country. Align Technology has also contributed to the latter category since 2018 - Krzysztof Drynda, President of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.

Align Technology

Align Technology designs and manufactures Invisalign trays - the most advanced tool in the treatment of malocclusion, iTero intraoral scanners and exocad CAD/CAM software.

  • These technologies enable the orthodontic and restorative processes to become more robust, improving patient outcomes and practice efficiency for more than 200,000 clinicians.
  • They are also key in reaching 500 million patients worldwide.
  • To date, Align Technology has enabled doctors to apply Invisalign treatment to more than 9.6 million patients.

The Align Digital Platform is also driving the evolution in digital dentistry with a suite of unique, proprietary technologies and services delivered as a seamless, end-to-end solution for patients and customers, orthodontists, dentists and labs/partners. For more information, visit www.aligntech.com.

Additional information about Invisalign and a list of doctors in your area is available at www.invisalign.com. Additional information about iTero scanners and services available at www.itero.com. Additional information about Exocad's CAM/CAD software offerings and a list of retail partners at www.exocad.com.

Invisalign System

Invisalign are clear, removable trays used in straightening teeth, manufactured using digital and 3D technology.

This type of solution differs from traditional braces in terms of comfort and the ability to easily remove them before eating or drinking. Invisalign trays are used to treat both minor and complex malocclusions. Depending on the doctor's recommendations, patients replace them every week or two, allowing the teeth to gradually move toward their anticipated final position.

Wrocław seeks new investments

The best cities for direct investment in 2021 are Singapore, London and Dubai, according to the Global Cities of the Future ranking. In this ranking there are 25 cities, including two from Poland. Wroclaw took the 15th position, while Warsaw ranked 20th. Wroclaw was 1st in the category of small and medium-sized cities.