Henry Schein reports record-breaking Q1 2012 performance

Henry Schein has reported a record-breaking sales total of $2.1 billion (1.3 billion pounds) during the first quarter of 2012.

The healthcare company saw a 7.8 percent year-on-year rise in revenues during the quarter, with the majority of its total accounted for by its strongly performing dental products division.

Stable or improved patient traffic to dental offices was observed across all major markets served by Henry Schein, while its animal health and medical divisions also saw enhanced performance levels thanks to efforts to augment its offerings.

As a result, the company has increased its earnings per share guidance range for 2012, particularly in light of the success of recent effort to optimise its cost structure and improve profitability levels.

Stanley Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, said: "We look forward to the future with a more efficient organisation and an ever-sharper global view of customers and their evolving needs."

Earlier this week, the company was ranked in 303rd place in the Fortune 500 ranking of the largest corporations in America.