German toothbrush and interdental cleaning picks manufacturer Interbros (Schönau; www.interbros.de) has a new owner. The oral hygiene specialist was sold by Krallmann Group (Hiddenhausen / Germany; www.krallmann.de) to Japan’s Sunstar Group (Europe: Etoy / Switzerland; www.sunstar.com). Krallmann had acquired the former dental business of Gerresheimer (Düsseldorf / Germany; www.gerresheimer.com) in mid-2008 – see Plasteurope.com of 27.06.2008.

The acquisition allows Sunstar to establish a manufacturing base in Europe, which it says is the world’s largest dental hygiene market. From here, the Japanese group plans to serve a number of customers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and beyond. Ahead of the takeover, Interbros was Sunstar’s largest supplier. Now that the deal, financial details of which were not disclosed, has been finalised, the Schönau-based company will become a 100% subsidiary of Sunstar Europe and join its five sales companies in Europe. Management is to remain in place, and Interbros 200 employees are included in the transfer as well.