The year 2009 ended in a swirl of changes. The mergers of Pfizer and Wyeth, and Merck and Intervet/Schering-Plough, which had been announced many months earlier, finally came to fruition, with all the attendant fallout, much of it dictated by the Federal Trade Commission. In November, Schein announced its acquisition of Butler, a development that had been rumored for many months.

Yes, many business cards will have been redone by the time this issue of Veterinary Advantage reaches you. But what strikes me is what hasn’t changed. Yes, some products have switched hands, but manufacturers’ commitment to distribution remains strong. And there’s no reason to think it won’t continue. That’s not a call for complacency. But it is a call to keep in mind those things that make you a valuable piece of the supply chain and overall animal health. Your relationships - with veterinarians and their staff, with the customer service or repair people in your own shops, and with manufacturers in the field - make you a resource like no other. The knowledge that you gain by attending sales meetings, reading literature and listening to veterinarians is of incredible value to your customers. Remember, you have a perspective that is difficult for them to gain given the day-to-day pressures they face in their clinics. And the products you carry hold solutions to many of the challenges your customers face.

At Vet Advantage, we’re just excited to be part of this industry. After a year of observing and reporting on the veterinary supply channel, we’re humbled by the generosity and intelligence of the people we meet. We’ve also found that covering this business is a lot of fun, and we’re grateful for that.

Change won’t stop. But then again, neither will you. You couldn’t have achieved the success you have by standing still. And that means that we won’t - or can’t - stop either. This industry is keeping us on our toes. And we’re not complaining.