Switzerland
Sales: $811 million

Note: $811 million for personal care products. Corporate sales: $1.2 billion

Sunstar Group makes oral care, skin care and air care as well as a variety of industrial products, like adhesives and chemicals. The company calls Switzerland home, but runs its industrial business from Singapore.

Consolidated net sales in fiscal 2018 rose 1.1% over the prior year. However, the group’s operating income of fell 31.5% from the prior year.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Sunstar donated more than 85,300 Gum oral care products to healthcare professionals, COVID-19 patients and at-risk groups across the globe. The company provided kits with toothbrushes, toothpaste and interdental brushes in some of the most affected countries by COVID-19 such as Italy, Spain, the US and China.

Sunstar is currently seeking nominees for the seventh edition of the World Perio Research Award. The call for research papers on “the relationship between periodontal diseases and systemic health” is designed to celebrate excellence in research on the relationship between oral health and systemic health. The award, which will be held in conjunction with the EuroPerio10 Congress in Copenhagen in June 2021, is an initiative in collaboration with four scientific journals (Journal of Periodontology, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Journal of Periodontal Research  and Journal of Dental Research). The submission deadline for is Jan. 15, 2021.

The Sunstar Foundation, established in 1977, promotes better oral health. In addition, Sunstar also operates the Sunstar Senri Dental Clinic, which specializes in managing the relationship between oral health and systemic diseases, with a focus on diabetes mellitus.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com

Sales: $848 million (estimated) for oral care, health and beauty products. Corporate sales: $1.2 billion.
Key Personnel: Yoshihiro Kaneda, chairman; Takeshi Kamigouchi, chief executive officer.

Sunstar has been innovating for over 80 years. Its origins date back to 1932 as a manufacturer of bicycle parts and glue for repairing flat tires.

By packaging toothpaste in the metal tube containers used for the glue, the company expanded into the oral care sector and the rest is history.

Big news at the company this year was the acquisition of GelX, an oral care brand, from BMG Pharma S.p.A.. The products involve the treatment and prevention of oral mucositis. Through this acquisition, Sunstar gains global distribution of this product line, expanding its position as a global leader in the development and commercialization of oral healthcare products, mainly marketed under the Gum brand, said the growing company.

BMG Pharma S.p.A., a specialty pharmaceutical company, will invest the proceeds from this transaction into the rapid development completion of a number of new patent-protected products with topical, subcutaneous dermatology, osteoarthritis and oral care applications, which it will be able to offer to its network of global marketing partners.

Takeshi Kamigouchi, CEO of Sunstar, commented, “We are proud and excited to distribute the superior product GelX to make the difference in cancer patients’ oral conditions globally. Our purpose is to develop and provide products and services that promote mouth & body concept to extend people’s healthy lifespan and improve their quality of life. GelX is truly expected as a product that plays a key role that demonstrates we are the purpose driven company.”

Also, Sunstar this year supported the launch of the Sports & Dentistry guidelines with the World Dental Federation (FDI). The project wants to draw attention to the relationship between oral health and sports performance and wants to make oral health a priority for both professional and amateur athletes.

There are four materials available, and each one is targeted to a specific group: amateur athletes, professional athletes, dentists and sports organizations.

“Every day more and more people are engaging in sports, and it is essential to make oral care a priority if their goal is to be healthy in body and mind. Indeed, this is a huge opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene and the moment to start applying a holistic approach to health,” said Dr. Marzia Massignani, senior manager of scientific affairs and corporate communications at Sunstar.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com

Sales: $840 million for oral care, health and beauty products. Corporate sales: $1.2 billion.

Consolidated net sales in fiscal 2017 rose 0.8% over the prior year, said Sunstar Group.

This oral care expert continues to fund scientific research in its key product area. For example, Sunstar recently awarded two members of the American Academy of Periodontology—Hsun Liang Chan, DDS, MS, and Jeff C.W. Wang, DDS, DMSc—$30,000 grants for their research projects as part of the AAP partnership. The Sunstar Innovation Grant is earmarked for AAP members whose investigations show significant potential to advance the specialty periodontics.

Sunstar also lends support to those in need. Following the an earthquake in North Osaka, Japan in June, Sunstar delivered 1,008 bottles of GUM dental rinse and 648 sets of GUM travel sets to temporary evacuation shelters and a relief supply center in Takatsuki.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com
Sales: $1.5 billion

Sunstar, a globally recognized leader in the oral care industry, has been providing research-based products and services in 90 countries for more than 80 years. The company is committed to partnering with dental professionals and scientists to enhance the health and wellbeing of people everywhere. Sunstar manufactures an extensive line of preventive and therapeutic products under the brands Gum, Butler and Guidor.

The company was founded in 1932 in Japan as a manufacturer and seller of rubber glue for bicycle inner tubes.  This year, The Sunstar Group announced the opening of its new, global oral care site in the US with larger office, manufacturing, R&D and distribution space in Schaumburg, IL. Sunstar Group will accelerate the expansion of its global oral care business utilizing this new facility.

In other news, the Equitance brand won the Shape magazine beauty award for Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 36—a 3-in-1 sunscreen, skin brightener and makeup primer for the Editors’ Picks 2016 Sun Awards.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com
Sales: $1.0 billion

Sunstar recently opened its new global headquarters in Etoy, Switzerland. The new building features a variety of spaces, including a product showroom, multi-purpose atrium, the Kenko Dojo Holistic Health Center and a traditional Japanese style room for lectures and presentations.

Sunstar is the fuel behind GUM brand toothbrushes, but it also has a bicycle parts unit. In fact, the company got its start in 1932 as a producer of rubber glue for bicycles. At the Expo Milano 2015 in Italy, which runs from June through the end of September, the brand is promoting both operations via customized cargo bikes that will be rolling throughout the expo area and the city distributing GUM samples and flyers.

Sunstar’s Equitance skin care range, which includes a special dietary supplement in addition to topical creams, recently unveiled results of a clinical study. According to the brand, all participants in the clinical study saw brighter skin in only 60 days. Through objective evaluation by dermatologists, the clinical study showed the Equitance supplement to be successful in the reduction of the appearance of dark spots, resulting in brighter, more even skin tone.

As a result of this clinical study, 100% of subjects reported an improvement in the brightness of their skin after 60 days. This was measured through dermatologist grading. All 31 women in the clinical study reported an increase in the brightness of their skin with an average improvement of 39%.

Starting last month, Equitance offered up the “60 Day Brightening Challenge” to consumers, including a free three-day supply of Equitance Skin Radiance Dietary Supplement and a limited, special price for full size product along with other special prizes.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com
Sales: $1.4 billion

Sunstar’s mission is to enhance the health and wellbeing of people everywhere via its four business areas: mouth and body, health and beauty, healthy home and safety and technology. The company is proud of its global partnership with dental professionals and recently expanded its brightening Equitance skin care line in the US market.

Most patients have a variety of spaces between their teeth—from tight spaces to wide, and Sunstar has expanded the Gum stable to serve both. Gum Soft-Picks feature soft bristles that remove plaque while massaging the gums, and now Soft-Picks for Wider Spaces are 25% wider to better fill those larger areas. Gum Soft-Picks provide an effective, easy-to-use way to clean between teeth.

Newly designed Gum Supreme and Gum Supreme Max toothbrushes are said to have 50% more bristles than an ordinary toothbrush providing better plaque removal. The design is said to clean better in hard to reach areas thanks to multi-level, interdental trim bristles. The toothbrushes also have a new 2-in-1 tongue cleaner and scraper that helps gently remove food and odor-causing bacteria. In addition to these features, Gum Supreme Max has stimulating rubber bristles to gently clean and strengthen gums, according to the company.

Gum Travel toothbrush has multi-level antibacterial bristles to clean deep between teeth. It has a contemporary switchblade design and an extra ventilated translucent handle to prevent humidity and bacteria growth for long-term durability. Gum travel toothbrush has a fuller head size and gentle tongue cleaner to help gently remove odor-causing bacteria, according to company executives.
Gum Crayola Squeeze-A-Color Toothpaste comes in a variety pack of child-friendly tubes (1.5 oz. each) with three non-staining colors and three yummy flavors, Blueberry Burst (blue), Melon Blast (red) and Jazzy Apple (green), to keep children interested in the brushing experience.

In June 2014, as previously reported on Happi.com, the Equitance Brightening Skincare Collection was launched in the US market. The Collection uses both nature and science to restore the skin, bringing back its natural, radiant beauty.  According to sources at Sunstar, the formulations are made from “precisely balanced” herbal ingredients and technology that target and diminish the appearance of dark spots and skin discoloration. The collection includes a dietary supplement which helps support the skin’s vitality and radiance.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com

Sales: $938 million

Sunstar is a leading player in the global oral care market, but the company also has chemical and motorcycle operations. The Sunstar group of companies has global sales of $1.4 billion, with offices in 15 countries around the world.
Sunstar’s mission is to enhance the health and well-being of people everywhere via its four business areas: mouth and body, health and beauty, healthy home and safety and technology. The company is proud of its global partnership with dental professionals.

To continue the innovation in its line of custom fit interdental brushes that help prevent disease, Sunstar Gum recently introduced a new size of Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners–Ultra Tight, which are said to be clinically proven to remove plaque as well as string floss and are convenient, reusable and easy-to-use, according to the company.

The re-designed Proxabrush family of interdental brushes has been constructed to remove up to 25% more plaque with new unique triangular bristles. Additionally, it stays clean between uses through an antibacterial agent that has been incorporated into the bristles. The central wire of each brush is coated for added comfort and to help prevent galvanic shock.  It also has a new flexible handle.

In addition, Sunstar will be applying the new design elements to each of the existing Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners sizes, which include moderate and wide. These redesigned Proxabrushes debuted this summer.

According to Dr. Richard Demke, DDS, senior director, technology and new product development at Sunstar, “Proxabrush Go-Betweens Cleaners are recommended for all patients given that they come in multiple sizes to meet every patient’s needs. The Ultra Tight size will be especially beneficial to healthier patients with tighter contacts, to use either as an add-on or alternative to floss.”

Additionally in 2013, Sunstar Gum developed EasyThread Floss, designed to improve flossing habits. It is packaged within a traditional floss dispenser that effectively isolates each strand to eliminate tangles and waste, while the lidded plastic case keeps floss clean until it is ready to use.

To further reduce waste, a rewind feature was added to ensure that only the proper amount of floss is dispensed. Sample envelopes containing five individual strands are also available for patient in-home trial.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com

Sales: $784 million

It was a busy year for Sunstar, with an acquisition, and expansion and new collection of oral care products linked to one of the most popular movies of all-time.

In November 2011, Sunstar Suisse SA, a company of the Sunstar Group, took over Degradable Solutions AG, a spin-off of the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), with head office in Schlieren. According to the company, this gives Sunstar access to the cutting-edge technology and the market-proven products of Degradable Solutions. In pursuit of its strategic goal of becoming a total oral health company, Sunstar is expanding its research and business activities from prevention to therapy with this acquisition. The founder of Degradable Solutions remains the CEO of the company.

Later on in 2011, the Sunstar Group expanded its manufacturing network into Europe with the acquisition of Interbros GmbH from the Krallmann Group of Germany. Interbros, a 180-year-old manufacturer of high quality toothbrushes and more recently, interdental cleaning picks, is an excellent fit with Sunstar’s goal of establishing a manufacturing base in Europe, the largest oral care products market in the world, the company contends. In order to continue serving Sunstar’s rapidly growing business in Europe, Interbros will provide a much-needed addition to the company’s supply chain structure and will play an expanding role in the manufacture and distribution of products for customers throughout Europe, as well as to Africa, the Middle East and other regions around the world.

In early 2012, Sunstar Americas, Inc., manufacturer of Gum and Butler brand products, launched the Gum Star Wars line of toothbrushes featuring three different products in unique character designs (Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, Darth Vader and Clone Captain Rex) from LucasFilm Ltd.

Switzerland

www.sunstar.com

Sales: $742 million

Sunstar offers products and services to customers in more than 90 countries around the world. The company was founded in 1932, and began manufacturing and selling toothpaste in 1946. With its world headquarters in Switzerland as a base, the Sunstar Group is carrying out and expanding its business activities in the Americas, Europe, Asia (including China and Southeast Asia) and Japan.

In April, Sunstar launched a global website (in English) for Sunstar Engineering Group, www.sunstar-engineering.com. According to the company, the online hub provides easy access for customers, especially in English-speaking countries, to learn more about the Sunstar Engineering Group, a Singapore-based corporation operating business around the globe. The website is also designed to serve as a gateway to Sunstar Engineering group companies worldwide.

The company also donated $2.5 million as well as supplies to survivors of the earthquake.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com
Sales: $753 million

Sunstar offers products and services to customers in more than 90 countries around the world. According to the company website, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, sales were $1.1 billion, with mouth and body care representing 54% of sales, and health and beauty accounting for 12% of sales.

The company was originally founded in 1932, starting with the manufacturing and selling of toothpaste in 1946. Its corporate motto is, “strive always to enhance the health and well-being of people everywhere.”

In March, the Sunstar Foundation for Oral Health Promotion—along with collaborating sponsors the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) and the International Journal of Dental Hygiene—announced the winners of the second Sunstar World Dental Hygienists Award. Winners, chosen from papers submitted to the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, included Sherry L. Priebe of the University of British Columbia, Canada; Annamaria Genovesi and Olivia Marchisio of Istituto Stomatologico Tirreno – Versilia General Hospital, Italy; and student Maria Fjellstro of the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. The award, along with the prize money of $5000, $3000 and $2000, respectively, was presented July 2 at the IFDH Gala Dinner in Glasgow, Scotland.

Switzerland
www.sunstar.com
Sales: $643 million

Sunstar’s new supplement.

Sunstar Group has a new global headquarters in Etoy, Switzerland, which houses Sunstar Suisse SA and Sunstar SA and an R&D center.

In January, Sunstar Americas unveiled Gum PerioBalance, a daily dental probiotic supplement. The mint flavored lozenge is made with Prodentis, a patented blend of probiotics formulated to provide oral health benefits by balancing the oral environment. It is clinically shown to reduce moderate-to-severe plaque and promote healthy teeth and gums in just 28 days, according to the company.

Japan
www.jp.sunstar.com
Sales: $637 million

Sales:

$637 million for the year ended March 31, 2008.

A management buyout of Sunstar Inc. in 2007 has taken the maker of GUM oral care products private.