Henry Schein Inc., parent company of Butler Schein Animal Health, plans to acquire AUV Veterinary Services B.V., the veterinary wholesale business of Netherlands-based AUV Group, Henry Schein reported today. AUV Veterinary Services, headquartered in Cuijk, the Netherlands, distributes pharmaceuticals, pet foods, small equipment and disposables to more than 2,000 veterinarians in the Netherlands and Belgium. It also operates a consulting business for veterinary practices called AUV Advies and an education service for veterinarians and staff called AUV Academie. The company has about 200 employees and reported net sales for 2011 of €194.2 (about $270.4 million). “AUV will provide Henry Schein entry into the Dutch and Belgian animal health markets as the category leader,” said Stanley Bergman, chairman and CEO of Melville, N.Y.-based Henry Schein, “This important addition will further our Pan-European strategy of providing animal health practitioners across the continent with the products and services needed to operate more efficient practices and provide high quality care.” Henry Schein signed a definitive agreement to acquire AUV Veterinary Services, and the transaction is pending regulatory approval. Henry Schein expects the deal to close later this quarter. The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction. AUV Group agreed this month to sell its pharmaceutical manufacturing business Eurovet to U.K.-based Dechra Veterinary Products. AUV Group, a privately held company, also holds a majority stake in Netherlands-based pet insurance company Petplan and its holding company, Veterfina BV. <HOME>
