Align Technology has opened its first digital health treatment planning facility in Spain. The US company specializes in the design, manufacture and marketing of medical devices, and is known above all for its "invisible" orthodontics system Invisalign.

The new facility will also be used for training orthodontists from Spain and Portugal in this patented system. The two countries together make up the third largest market for Invisalign worldwide, after North America and China.

The new facility is the second of its kind in Europe and the fourth worldwide. Its aim is to increase the company's commitment to the doctors trained to work with the company's technology, who will now be provided with support at local level.

Investment and an increased workforce

The new 3,500 square meter office will see the company increase its staff by 130 to 185 employees. In 2013 the company only had 10 employees in the country. It will be equipped with the latest technology which makes it possible to create a customized treatment for each patient. This facility forms part of the company's 100 million dollar investment plan.

"Since we launched our operations in the country 17 years ago, we have seen continuous growth and have played an important role in expanding Align’s operations in the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East and Africa),” explained Juan Manuel Frade, Align Technology general manager, Iberia.

Increased demand

“Our newly opened facility in Madrid is an important step forward in bringing our technology closer to Invisalign doctors, in a time of growing demand for clear aligner therapy from both consumers and doctors,” said Emory Wright, senior vice president, global operations.

“We are extremely proud to be launching our second European treatment planning facility in Madrid. It spearheads the technological innovation within the clear aligner field, placing Spain and Portugal at the forefront of the digital future of orthodontics in Europe,” added Simon Beard, Align Technology senior vice president and managing director, EMEA, about the speaking about the new opening. “Iberia continues dynamic business growth, being the strongest contributor to Align Technology’s 38% growth across EMEA last year."