Henry Schein achieves record-breaking fourth-quarter results for 2014

Henry Schein has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2014, during which it achieved a record-breaking sales total of $2.7 billion (1.76 billion pounds).

This represented a year-on-year increase of seven percent, bringing its net sales total for the year to $10.4 billion, an improvement of 8.5 percent compared to 2013. This was the first time this figure has passed the $10 billion mark.

Each of its four main business groups – dental, animal health, medical and technology/value-added services – achieved market share increases, with its US and international operations both performing well.

Stanley Bergman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, said: "The global markets we serve remain generally healthy, highlighted by continued strong patient traffic in North America, and we are particularly pleased with the solid internal sales growth in local currencies in our international businesses."

For 2015, the company expects diluted earnings per share to be between $5.90 and $6.00, which would represent growth of eight to ten percent compared with 2014.

Last month's acquisitions of ADS Florida, Scil Animal Care and the A-dec line of dental products will help to drive this growth.