MWI acquires Centaur

MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. announced that it has acquired Centaur Services Limited (“Centaur”), a supplier of animal health products and services to veterinarians in the United Kingdom. The transaction is valued at approximately $47 million, consisting of $45 million in cash and $2 million in a note payable in one year. This acquisition provides an opportunity for MWI to participate in the international market and expand its role in the animal health industry. Founded in 1964, Centaur has approximately 200 employees and serves 1,200 veterinary clinics in the United Kingdom with a product offering of over 18,000 items. “MWI has positioned itself to continue its growth within the United States and now internationally,” said Jim Cleary, President and Chief Executive Officer of MWI. “Centaur is a high-quality company that will allow us to serve veterinarians in the United Kingdom. We believe that it will be a great partnership and one that will bring further growth opportunities. We welcome the Centaur team to MWI.”

New Zone Sales Management announced for Health o meter® Professional Scale
The maker of Health o meter® Professional scales, Pelstar LLC, announced a change to its sales organization, moving to a zone management structure in 2010. Chris Manning now has responsibility for the Western United States and Canada, plus Asia. Nicolo Anastasi will oversee sales for Eastern Canada, the Northeast, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Tolis Demertzis has the sales leadership responsibility for the South and Southeastern United States and Europe. Harvey Schoener, Health o meter® Professional VP of Sales and Marketing, will lead the zone management team.

Intervet/Schering-Plough launches poultry Web site
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has launched the Intestinal Health Center for Poultry Web site (www.ihc-poultry.com), designed to keep producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, academics and students informed about the latest developments in this segment of poultry production. The Web site has a wealth of practical, science-driven information and ideas to help producers manage costly gut diseases more effectively through vaccination, nutrition, sanitation and prudent drug use, the company said.

Midmark announces “Vet Rocks” promotion
Midmark Corporation announced the kick-off of its 2010 “Vet Rocks!” contest. The contest runs from Feb. 15 – Oct. 15, 2010 and offers veterinary clinics the opportunity to win one of four exam room makeovers worth up to $12,000 (retail value), and one grand prize winner will receive a treatment room makeover worth up to $30,000 (retail value). Clinics registering at the site are automatically entered to win one of several random drawings for prizes such as a Nintendo® Wii™ Rock Band combo package or an Apple iPod® touch. There is no purchase required to enter the contest. To participate, clinics must simply visit midmark.com/vetrocks and register. Winners will be selected throughout the contest. To be eligible for the first prize that will be awarded, clinics must register no later than April 20, 2010. The final entry deadline is Oct. 20, 2010, and the grand prize winner will be announced on Oct. 31, 2010. For complete contest details, visit midmark.com/vetrocks. For product inquiries, please call the Midmark veterinary customer service department at 1-800-MIDMARK or visit midmark.com. For questions regarding the contest, please contact the promotions department at ext. 7575.

Scil partners with Aesculap
Scil animal care company, Inc., announced a partnership with Aesculap. Scil is now the exclusive distributor of Aesculap’s Power Systems surgical product line for the North American Veterinary market. Aesculap, a division of the B. Braun Group, is based in Tuttlingen, Germany and known for its high-quality surgical tools and accessories. Scil’s initial partnership with Aesculap was limited to the Acculan Mini Surgical Drill and the Electric and Pneumatic Power Systems. Scil marketed Aesculap’s product and brand to the U.S. vet market for three years.
“I am pleased Aesculap has recognized the value of having scil animal care as a long term partner in the North American veterinary market,” said Pablo Lopez, President of scil animal care company, USA. “This partnership validates all the hard work and time our team has invested. Scil animal care will continue to be committed to the veterinary surgical community.”

Nelson Laboratories adds Pippett as sales manager
Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Nelson Laboratories announced the addition of Clarence Pippett as Sales Manager for the company. Nelson Laboratories, founded in 1929, is a wholesale distributor of animal health products to the veterinary industry. “Clarence Pippett brings more than 35 years of successful distributor sales experience to our company,” said Roberta Bruget, President of Nelson Laboratories. “His proven record of increasing bottom line profitability will be a great asset for the Nelson Laboratories sales team.”