Henry Schein Inc. buys NLS Animal Health

MELVILLE. N.Y. - 4/10/06 - Henry Schein Inc. completed its deal to acquire NLS Animal Health, a privately held, full-service veterinary distribution business, in an effort to increase the company's presence in the companion-animal veterinary market.

Henry Schein signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Maryland-based company, according to a press release.

The company reports that the acquisition represents "significant increase in Henry Schein's veterinary footprint in the United States."

NLS serves approximately 8,000 companion animal clinics in the South-central, mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States and had 2005 sales of about $110 million. The acquisition will add more than 60 sales representatives to the company's existing veterinary sales force. Henry Schein reported sales of about 4.6 billion last year; it employs 11,000 people in 19 countries.