Two Scottish veterinary sector firms are to merge in a move they said will provide support worldwide for independent practices at a time when they are under corporate pressure.
Vetcel, listed as 370th in Insider's Top500 listing for 2019 , which has been supporting independent veterinary practices for last 35 years, is merging with Merlin Vet Export, which has made its name in worldwide veterinary pharmaceutical distribution.
The chairman of the Vetcel group, Stuart Renton MRCVS, said they have found in Merlin a company that shares its ethos of working with independent vets.
He added: “Through the coming together of these two companies we will enhance the long-term future of Vetcel, even in the face of the loss of over half of this country’s independent veterinary practices.”
The managing director of Vetcel for the past 35 years, Chris Bainton, said he was sure the merger will be good for both companies. But he said that more importantly he feels it will also benefit their respective clients, providing global support to independent veterinary practices at a time when they are under considerable corporate pressure.
The managing director of Merlin Vet Export, Dr David Taylor MRCVS, added that the deal will mean better support for non-corporate vet practices in the UK and across the EU, the Far East and the rest of the world.
Bainton has accepted a consultancy position and a board appointment with the newly enlarged company and the rest of the Vetcel team will remain as it is.
