Henry Schein acquires AUV Veterinary Services

Henry Schein has completed its acquisition of AUV Veterinary Services, marking a further expansion into the European market and increasing its sales range.

The purchase price for the distributor to animal health practitioners in the Netherlands and Belgium was around $40 million (26 million pounds) and is expected to bring Henry Schein's annual global animal health sales to over $2 billion.

Stanley Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, suggested that AUV is a good cultural fit for the company and will adapt well to its corporate ethos.

"This transaction advances our pan-European strategy of providing animal health practitioners across the continent with the products and services needed to operate more efficient practices and deliver high-quality care," added Mr Bergman.

He praised the positive reputation AUV has garnered in its market.

The news will come as a further boost to Henry Schein investors, after the firm reported record Q1 results with net sales of roughly $2.1 billion.