Summary of 2024 Expodental Rimini

Attending the Expodental show in Rimini provided valuable insights and opportunities in the dental industry. The event was nearly as large as Expodental Madrid and significantly bigger than BDIA. Notable product categories included dental units (30%), milling machines (21%), 3D products (23%), implants (20%), ultrasonic scalers (4%), and X-ray sensors and instruments (1% each). Language barriers were evident, with many Italian managers struggling with English, though some employees were more proficient.
Despite this, collaboration opportunities abound, particularly with small manufacturers in dental units and lab products, although build-in type product partnerships are less likely due to existing long-term relationships. Chinese companies, representing about 6% of exhibitors, posed strong competition with competitively priced products. In the portable X-ray sector, European preferences lean towards gun-type models with specific features.
Notably, only Genoray and Woodpecker showcased portable X-rays, and Embra displayed a sensor. Famous brands like Henry Schein and Acteon prefer direct headquarters contact, indicating limited local collaboration. For 2024, our focus will be on promoting build-in type scalers and curing lights, although private labeling may prove challenging due to documentation complexities. Instead, pursuing partial private labeling could be a more viable strategy to leverage lower production costs in Asia.