AKG Astek

RNS Number:2680F
Astek Group PLC
05 October 2007



      Astek Group plc / Epic: AKG / Index: AIM / Sector: Medical Supplies

5th October 2007

                   Astek Group plc ('Astek' or 'the Company')

                                 Trading update


Astek Group plc, the AIM-traded dental equipment designer, manufacturer and
distributor, announces a trading update on its second quarter's trading to 30
September 2007.

The Company continues to build on its position as a leading provider of
innovative products to the worldwide dental industry, developing its product
portfolio and expanding into new markets via worldwide distribution agreements.
Astek maintains a strong pipeline of new business opportunities for its
portfolio of over 200 dentistry products and continues to look for ways of
increasing its market share.

However sales of its proprietary disposable air water syringe system Pro-Tip
Plus in the USA, via its distribution partner, Sultan Healthcare ("Sultan HC"),
have not been as strong as anticipated. Accordingly, sales of Pro-Tip Plus in
FY2008 will be below market expectations and will impact the Company's
performance. The decrease in the USA sales can be attributed to the structural
change within Sultan HC and subsequent reduction of sales force after it
acquired Sultan Dental Products Inc.  However in June 2007 Sultan HC was sold to
the world's largest dentist company, Dentsply International Inc, and is now
under new management, which the Directors are confident will have a positive
impact on Pro-Tip Plus sales figures.

Sales of Pro-Tip Plus in Europe have performed according to forecast, with
stronger than expected growth in Germany. Through its distribution partner
network, the Company aims to expand into new international markets including
other European markets as well as the South American and Japanese markets.

Astek continues to strengthen its portfolio of dentistry products. In line with
this the Company is marketing its portfolio of products and expanding its
strategic distribution partner network.   As referred to in the Company's final
results in February 2007 Astek signed an exclusive three-year worldwide
distribution agreement with Lascod SPA, a leading Italian manufacturer of dental
consumables, to distribute the Company's Alma Alginate Syringe. This product
allows dentists to accurately place impression material into difficult to reach
areas of the mouth. Initial feedback of sales progress from Lascod for the Alma
Alginate Syringe to date has been promising.

Going forward, the Company is in negotiations with various industry specialists
and distributors in relation to a number of its dental products including the
Safety Local Anaesthetic Syringe System ('Safety Syringe') and Sharps Box. The
manufacture of the Safety Syringe, expected to be one of Astek's leading
products, designed to reduce the risk of needle stick industry, and the Sharps
Box, which safely disposes of the contaminated needles, are both now
commissioned. Furthermore, Astek has been in discussions with other potential
worldwide distributors regarding its innovative Bite Relator System.  This
patented system allows dentists and technicians to improve the quality and
accuracy of crown and bridge impressions and models with improved impression
trays and by standardising laboratory procedures.  The Company will update the
market with further developments in due course.



                                   ** ENDS **



For further information please visit www.astekinnovations.co.uk or contact:

Alan Segal                  Astek Group plc                  Tel: 0161 942 3900
Felicity Edwards/           St Brides Media and Finance      Tel: 020 7242 4477
Isabel Crossley


Notes to Editor

Astek Group plc, listed on AIM October 2006, supplies consumables and technical
equipment to dentists in the UK and internationally, which significantly enhance
the safety and effectiveness of day-to-day patient care.  It has an extensive
portfolio in the region of products, including prosthetic products for dentures,
consumable products for general use, and new innovative products relating to
cross infection. It has an established research and development team with a
number of exciting products currently being brought to the market.

The Company aims to build on its position as a leading provider of innovative
products to the dental industry both nationally and worldwide. It hopes to
achieve this by investing in the marketing and distribution of its existing
products, developing new innovative products and seeking synergistic
acquisitions.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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