Australian Animal Hospitals – sale to VetPartners
Miles Advisory Partners advised Mercury Capital and the fellow shareholders of Australian Animal Hospitals on the sale of the business to VetPartners
Transaction Details
Sector
Healthcare
Miles Role
Sell-side advisor to Mercury Capital and the shareholders of Australian Animal Hospitals
Deal Type
Mergers & Acquisitions
Year Completed
2016
Contacts for this Transaction
Gareth Cope
Managing Director
Lloyd Way
Managing Director
Overview
- Australian Animal Hospitals was the largest veterinary services group operating in the Perth and Adelaide metropolitan regions, with 19 clinics and approximately 100 staff
- AAH operated across both cities under the Vetwest and AdelaideVet brands, having grown through a combination of acquisitions and greenfield development to establish a dominant position in both markets
- VetPartners acquired the business to expand its Australian clinic network, with AAH representing a significant addition to its existing footprint in the market
Industry Context
The Australian veterinary sector was highly fragmented at the time of the transaction, with approximately 2,200 clinics nationwide and the top five corporate groups holding only around 15% of the market. Growing awareness of animal health, increasing pet insurance penetration and the humanisation of pets were driving consolidation, with both listed strategics and offshore-backed platforms competing to build scale across the country.
