What Centravet does

Centravet is a French veterinary distribution cooperative founded in February 1972 by veterinarians from the Broons region of Brittany, headquartered in Dinan (Taden) and legally structured as a société anonyme coopérative à capital variable. The company purchases veterinary medicines, petfood, medical equipment, consumables, and accessories in bulk and distributes them to over 5,000 veterinary clinic members across Metropolitan France and the French overseas territories. As a cooperative owned by its veterinary members (one member, one vote; 305€ share subscription to join), Centravet reinvests operating results into infrastructure and member services rather than distributing to external shareholders, with governance split between a Supervisory Board of practicing veterinarians and a Management Board (Directoire) currently led by CEO Dr Nathalie Lejeau.

The company's operating model combines a physical distribution network with a proprietary digital ecosystem. Twelve regional sites (Plancoët, Lapalisse, Nancy, Castelnaudary, Maisons-Alfort, Brignoles, Amiens, Angers, Bordeaux, Montpellier, plus HQ at Dinan and an R&D office in Rennes) operate a dedicated fleet of 200+ company-driven vans, enabling same-day or next-day delivery under Good Distribution Practice compliance. The digital stack comprises TransNet (web and mobile ordering platform with scanning, inventory, invoicing, and margin-analysis tools), GmVet (veterinary practice management software positioned as the French market leader), and Pilepoils (online appointment booking application). ÉCLOSPHÈRE, an internal innovation cell led by Dr Simon Duriez, incubates adjacent services such as SPEED VETO (veterinary recruitment) and Animo Impact (petfood packaging circular economy, in partnership with Hill's Pet Nutrition).

Centravet's revenue model rests on three streams: wholesale distribution of veterinary products (transaction-based, with minimum 450€ order threshold for free delivery), digital SaaS subscriptions (GmVet, Pilepoils), and equipment sales with dedicated after-sales service. GTM is sales-led through 26 field delegates (11 equipment, 15 services) who visit clinics across France, supplemented by inside sales, the TransNet e-commerce platform, direct-to-consumer e-boutique delivery, and participation in major veterinary congresses (AFVAC, GTV, SNGTV, FranceVet, AVEF). The company reports €906M in gross turnover, employs over 600 staff, and has recently formalized AI governance through an internal AI Committee developing an AI charter.

Name

Centravet

Legal name

CENTRAVET, société anonyme coopérative à capital variable

Website

https://centravet.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Centravet is a French veterinary cooperative founded in 1972 that distributes medicines, petfood, and equipment to over 5,000 veterinary clinics nationwide through 12 regional warehouses, 200+ company-operated vans, and a proprietary digital ecosystem (TransNet, GmVet, Pilepoils).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Supply Distribution

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (4242), Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42345)

SIC

Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Medical/Surgical Supply Wholesalers (HLAMAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Health Supply Chain, Procurement & Distributor Connectivity (HLAMAMAK), Veterinary Distributor Value-Added Services (3PL, Cold Chain, Returns) (HLAMAIAG)

Keywords

• Veterinary supply distribution
• Veterinary pharmaceuticals wholesale
• Pet food distribution
• Veterinary practice software
• Veterinary equipment supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Taden

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution of Veterinary Products: Centravet generates revenue by purchasing veterinary medicines, petfood, medical equipment, consumables, and accessories in bulk from manufacturers and distributing to veterinary clinics at competitive prices. As a cooperative, profits are reinvested into the company rather than distributed to external shareholders.
2. Digital Solutions Subscription: Revenue from GmVet veterinary practice management software and Pilepoils online booking services, provided to veterinary clinics as SaaS solutions.
3. Equipment Sales and After-Sales Service: Sale of medical-surgical equipment to veterinary clinics with dedicated support through 7 sedentary assistants and technical SAV service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Centravet is a veterinary supply distribution cooperative that purchases medicines, pet food, medical-surgical equipment, consumables, and accessories in bulk from manufacturers and delivers them to veterinary clinics across France from 12 regional warehouses via a dedicated fleet. It complements physical distribution with a proprietary digital ecosystem (TransNet for ordering/inventory management, GmVet for practice management, Pilepoils for online appointment booking), installation support, equipment consulting, after-sales service, and an innovation cell (ÉCLOSPHÈRE).

Product overview

Centravet operates as a veterinary distribution cooperative offering a multi-product ecosystem. The core offering centers on wholesale distribution of veterinary supplies (medicines, pet food, medical equipment, accessories, consumables) delivered through a network of regional warehouses across France. The digital product portfolio includes TransNet (ordering and management platform), GmVet (clinic management software), and Pilepoils (online appointment booking). Additional services include installation support, equipment consulting, after-sales service, and an innovation cell (ÉCLOSPHÈRE). The company also supports recycling initiatives through Animo Impact for petfood packaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TransNet: Digital ordering platform and mobile application for veterinary clinics to order medications, pet food, consumables, and equipment
• GmVet
• Pilepoils
• ÉCLOSPHÈRE
• C'mag
• Animo Impact

Products and services

• TransNet Web and mobile application for placing veterinary supply orders, tracking deliveries, viewing invoices, scanning products, managing returns, and accessing tools such as Margeo margin analysis, supplier contract management, and real-time stock and expiration-date visibility. Targets veterinary clinics across France.
• GmVet Veterinary practice management software covering appointment scheduling, client records, inventory management, and clinical operations for veterinary clinics.
• Pilepoils Online appointment-booking application allowing pet owners to schedule visits with veterinary clinics and giving clinics online visibility and booking management.
• Veterinary supply distribution Wholesale distribution of veterinary medicines, pet food, accessories, consumables, and medical-surgical equipment from 12 regional warehouses to veterinary clinics across France, with next-day or same-day delivery by a dedicated in-house fleet of over 200 vans and Good Distribution Practice compliance.
• Veterinary equipment and materials Comprehensive range of medical-surgical equipment including consultation tables, anesthesia equipment, dental instruments, hospitalization supplies, and equine/rural/NAC specialized equipment, sold with installation and after-sales support to veterinary clinics.
• ÉCLOSPHÈRE innovation cell Internal innovation hub of Centravet that supports veterinary-sector projects and startups via project management, communication, and logistics expertise; has supported SPEED VETO, Animo Impact, and Hackavet.
• Animo Impact petfood-packaging recycling service Reverse-logistics and recycling service that collects empty petfood packaging at veterinary clinics via Centravet delivery routes and recycles it (up to 96.5% material recovery), in partnership with Animo Impact and Hill's Pet Nutrition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 906M€ gross turnover demonstrates scale of operations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Animo ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Animo Impact is a circular economy initiative co-founded with Centravet and Hill's Pet Nutrition. The project enables collection and recycling of petfood packaging (up to 96.5% material recovery), with empty bags collected at veterinary clinics via Centravet's delivery routes and processed into litter boxes and other pet accessories. Part of production donated to associations, rest sold through Centravet catalog. Animo Impact was finalist at AFVAC Innovation Award 2024.
• SPEED VETOsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Mobile recruitment application for veterinary professionals, using dating app mechanics to connect talent with clinics. Supported by Centravet through ECLOSPHÈRE innovation cell. Presented at AFVAC 2023.
• HackavetsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023First veterinary hackathon bringing together veterinary students, young graduates, ASV, and mentors to innovate for the profession. Centravet represented by Simon Duriez (now ECLOSPHÈRE director) since 2023.
• Action PinsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandes-based company specializing in biobased cleaning and agricultural products from maritime pine derivatives. Certified B Corp (98/100 score), ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001. Products including Le Vrai Professionnel and Saniterpen ranges are distributed through Centravet. Winner of Trophée RSE INOHA 2025.
• Calligraphy PrintsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned printer based in Châteaubourg near Rennes, responsible for printing C'Mag magazine and catalogs. Certified ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Ecovadis Gold Medal (97%), top 3% globally for RSE. Uses vegetable-based inks for 30+ years, HQE-certified facility with rainwater recovery and eco-grazing.
• Bâtir France IngénieriesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company based in Châteaubourg (35) specializing in turnkey and design-build of veterinary clinics. Partnered on eco-responsible clinic project at Val d'Izé, designing 300m² facility with ventilation, natural light, and energy-efficient construction.
• FAS (Fournisseur d'Appareillage Spécialisé)supportingTechnology or IntegrationEquine medical imaging specialist partner presenting latest products and bestsellers alongside Centravet delegates at AVEF Congress.
• HeinesupportingTechnology or IntegrationOphthalmology equipment supplier. Heine representative demonstrated Indirect Ophthalmoscope Omega600 at Chat d'Arcachon Congress alongside Centravet team.
• Ateliers de la Mabilais (ESAT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSheltered workshop for people with disabilities in Noyal-sur-Vilaine. Produces reusable covers from VetFun fabric offcuts donated by Centravet, distributed as gifts to employees.
• Ateliers du Bocage (Emmaüs)supportingOthersEquipment end-of-life partner that recycles or refurbishes Centravet's IT hardware for reuse.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alcyon: Alcyon is one of the leading French veterinary distributors and Centravet's most direct domestic competitor, offering comparable wholesale distribution of veterinary medicines, equipment, and consumables to French veterinary clinics. Operates a similar hub-based distribution model and competes directly for the same veterinary customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Covetrus (now Vetsource): Covetrus / Vetsource is a global animal-health distribution and technology platform serving veterinary practices with pharmaceuticals, supplies, and practice-management software. Comparable to Centravet as a distribution-plus-SaaS model, though at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Henry Schein Animal Health: Henry Schein's animal-health division is a major North American and European veterinary distributor of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and consumables, with adjacent practice-management technology offerings. Comparable to Centravet in core distribution activity and in layering software/services onto wholesale.
• Patterson Veterinary: Patterson Veterinary is a US-focused distributor of veterinary supplies, equipment, and practice-management solutions. Comparable to Centravet as a combined distribution-and-equipment supplier with embedded software services for companion-animal practices.

Emerging players

• ezyVet: ezyVet is a cloud-based veterinary practice-management software platform competing directly with Centravet's GmVet offering. Comparable as a software peer challenging Centravet's digital stickiness in the French and European veterinary clinic segment.

Others

• Vetoquinol: Vetoquinol is a French-headquartered global animal-health pharmaceutical manufacturer. Adjacent to Centravet as a French animal-health supplier whose products are distributed through veterinary wholesalers including Centravet's network.
• Dechra Pharmaceuticals: Dechra is a UK-listed veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer whose products flow through veterinary wholesalers worldwide. Comparable as a supplier partner / adjacent participant in the same veterinary distribution value chain as Centravet.
• IDEXX Laboratories: IDEXX provides veterinary diagnostics, practice-management software (Cornerstone), and related services to clinics. Comparable to Centravet's GmVet software and equipment portfolio, and competes in the broader French/European veterinary software and equipment market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centravet
• Facebookfacebook.com/Centravet

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centravet