Feb. 5--Dentsply International Inc. weathered a weakening economy in 2008, being one of few area companies to report positive numbers for the year despite declines in the fourth quarter.

The company on Wednesday announced sales and earnings for 2008, as well as the fourth quarter of the year.

For the year, net sales grew 9.1 percent, to $2.19 billion, compared to $2.01 billion in 2007.

Net income was $283.9 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, compared to $259.7 million or $1.68 per diluted share in 2007.

For the fourth quarter of 2008, net sales fell 6.2 percent, to $508.1 million, compared to $541.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The company said sales numbers were impacted by the strengthening of the dollar and slowing dental demand due to the economic slowdown.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $71 million, or $.47 per diluted share, a slight increase when compared to net income of $70 million, or $.45 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The company forecast that earnings per diluted share will range from $1.85 to $1.95 for 2009.

-- Reach Christina Kauffman at 505-5436 or ckauffman@yorkdis patch.com.

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