McLean-based Mars completes $9.1 billion acquisition

Published September 12, 2017 by Robert Powell, III

McLean-based Mars Inc. has completed its $9.1 billion acquisition of VCA Inc., the owner of more than 800 small-animal veterinary hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

On Jan. 9, Mars and VCA announced an agreement under which Mars would acquire VCA for $93 per share.

VCA will operate as a separate business within Mars Petcare. Bob Antin, a co-founder of VCA, will continue as its CEO, and its headquarters will remain in Los Angeles.

VCA has more than 25,000 employees. In addition to its veterinary hospitals, the company owns Antech Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory system that serves all 50 states and Canada; Sound, a major animal diagnostic imaging company; and Camp Bow Wow, a dog day and overnight camp franchise.

Mars’ other veterinary services businesses include Banfield Pet Hospital, Bluepearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospitals and Pet Partners Veterinary Hospitals.

With almost $35 billion in sales, Mars  produces some of the best-known candy and pet-care brands, including M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Dove, Pedigree, Royal Canin and Whiskas. Mars operates in more than 80 countries and has more than 85,000 employees.