About NVS

NVS is the market leader in veterinary wholesaling and distribution. Since 1989 we have distributed products to animal health practices and approved outlets across the UK. Our stock includes more than 12,000 products, including pharmaceuticals, instrumentation, pet products and accessories.

What we do

NVS is part of NVS Group, a wider group offering all the innovative products, technologies and laboratory services needed to operate an efficient veterinary practice. Our customers provide care knowing they are supported by a trusted, reliable partner committed to delivering excellence in animal health.

Our Mission

Committed to delivering a positive difference to animal health through high quality services and products.

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Our Values

Our values keep us anchored and on track. We share these values with our parent company, Patterson Companies. They speak to how we run our business, how we express ourselves as a group and how we engage with our stakeholders and inspire their trust.

People First

We build lasting relationships and invest in our team members, customers and partners. We are collaborative, responsive and inclusive.

Focused

We deliver results the right way. We are clear on our priorities, set high expectations, and are accountable for our commitments to our customers and each other.

Passionate

We are excited about our business and authentic in our motivation.

Always advancing

We continually seek fresh ideas and innovative solutions for our business and our customers. We challenge ourselves and strive to become better every day.

Our Story

The NVS story is something we’re proud of; since our inception in 1989 we’ve been committed to delivery excellence in animal health. Check out our history timeline below for more information on our journey from small business to market leader…

Our History

The Beginning 1989

National Veterinary Services (NVS), originally branded National Veterinary Supplies, was founded by Peter Ashton, his uncle Alan Ashton and Paul Hill in August 1989. Ian Page, the current CEO at Dechra was its first employee.

Lloyds Chemist 1992

Over the next three years, by providing high levels of personalised service NVS gained a 14% market share by 1992. NVS is acquired by Lloyds Chemists.

Acquisition 1994

Southern Veterinary Services and West Midland Veterinary Supplies are acquired.

New Premises 1995

Moved operations from Fenton to a 50,000 sq.ft. Warehouse in Talke in Stoke on Trent.

Dechra 1997

Management team completed a buyout of NVS, Arnolds and Dales Pharmaceuticals from the Lloyds Chemists Group. The newly formed Group was named “Dechra”.

Updating Systems 2000

A new semi-automated computerised stock picking circuit was introduced; this was subsequently updated and extended in 2004 and again in 2007.

More Capacity 2002

Warehouse capacity was significantly increased in 2002 and the extended site refurbished as NVS signed a lease on the adjacent unit which doubled its warehousing capacity.

London Stock Exchange 2008

Dechra was listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2000 and entered the FTSE 250 in December 2008.

Patterson Companies 2013

In August 2013 NVS was acquired by Patterson Companies, Inc whose headquarters is in St Paul, Minnesota and Animal Health is headquartered in Loveland, Colorado.

30 Year Anniversary 2019

NVS celebrates 30 years of delivering excellence and innovation in animal health.

HS1 2023

Ten years on and we’re looking to the future, moving into our state-of-the-art purpose-built premises in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent. Increased capacity, innovative processes and a commitment to a sustainability agenda place us in a perfect position to build upon our existing values and keep delivering excellence in animal health.

Our Leadership Team

Our leadership team combines decades of industry experience and expertise. Each one of them represents the spirit of the company: People First, Focused, Passionate and Always Advancing.

Leadership Team

Our Sales Team

We have a dedicated team of Territory Managers which cover the whole of the UK, for all of our products and services. If you are an existing customer please contact your local Territory Manager direct.

Careers at NVSL

We’re proud to be the UKs largest veterinary wholesaler, and we think you’d feel proud to work here too. Browse our current vacancies or get in touch on the button.