Burns Veterinary Supply merges with Butler

NEW YORK - 04/19/05 - The nation's largest distributor of veterinary supplies will be called Butler Animal Health Supply LLC pending the early-summer approval of the merger between The Butler Co. and Burns Veterinary Supply.

"The companion animal market is expected to continue its healthy growth. As a larger, combined company, we will be better positioned than any other company in our industry to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead," Butler President and COO Kevin Vasquez says in a prepared statement. "For our customers, this means an expanded suite of products and value-added services and an enhanced national distribution network."

Vasquez will be president and CEO of the new company. Current Butler Chairman and CEO Howard Deputy will retire upon the closing of the deal.

Burns Veterinary Supply President Kim Burns will be president of the new company's Commercial Division.

The new company's corporate headquarters will be in Dublin, Ohio, with a significant presence in Farmers Branch, Texas. The new company boasts:

- More than 15,000 products

- More than 300 vendors

- About $800 million in revenues

- About 800 employees

- Service to about 29,000 veterinarians

Butler's parent company, Heritage Partners, will sell the newly formed entity to Oak Hill Capital Partners II LP following the close of the deal.