Premier Buying Group (pbg)

What Premier Buying Group (pbg) does

Premier Buying Group (PBG) is a Sheffield-based veterinary buying group operating across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on behalf of independent veterinary practices. Founded in 2010 and operating as part of Animal Healthcare Services Ltd, PBG aggregates the collective purchasing volume of its members to negotiate manufacturer rebates from more than 35 pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and diet producers, plus discounted access to over 30 value-added service providers covering HR, payroll, CPD, recruitment, telecoms, cremation, and laboratory diagnostics. The group serves distinct segments including new practice start-ups, established companion-animal clinics, equine practices (via the PBG Equine sub-brand launched April 2022), farm and mixed clinics (via the PBG Farm sub-brand established 2024), universities, and animal charities.

The core platform consists of a Members Portal with role-based permissions, a Net Net Pricing Tool for cross-wholesaler price discovery, monthly consolidated statements showing manufacturer spend and rebates, and quarterly business reviews conducted by a regional team of Practice Support Managers and Business Development Managers covering Wales & West, South, Midlands, and Scotland. PBG explicitly does not impose a formulary model, preserving members' clinical freedom to choose products and wholesalers. The principal distribution partnership is with Covetrus, which provides wholesale packages, next-day delivery, and access to Covetrus family brands including Vet Essentials consumables, Veterinary Instrumentation, Calibra diets, and GTS practice management software.

PBG monetises via subscription/recurring management fees charged on rebates or on the wholesaler spend of partner companies only, with all fees consolidated into transparent monthly statements. The company employs a small team (1-10, approximately 5 stated) with more than 50 years of combined animal-health industry experience, including leadership with NOAH, SQP, financial, and marketing qualifications. Customer acquisition is driven primarily by direct field sales through the regional PSM/BDM network, supplemented by a Refer-a-Clinic programme that pays £150 vouchers for successful referrals, content marketing, and partnership co-marketing with charities such as Vetlife and BVLGBT+.

Name

Premier Buying Group (pbg)

Legal name

Premier Buying Group

Website

https://premierbuyinggroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Premier Buying Group is a Sheffield-based veterinary buying group that negotiates manufacturer rebates, laboratory discounts, and value-added services for independent veterinary practices across the UK and Northern Ireland, via a Members Portal and a regional Practice Support Manager team.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Buying Group Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAMAIAG

Veterinary Distributor Value-Added Services (3PL, Cold Chain, Returns)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Veterinary & Animal Health/Veterinary Distribution & Retail (Wholesalers, Pharmacies)

Keywords

• Veterinary buying group
• Manufacturer rebates
• Veterinary procurement
• Animal health products
• Veterinary practice support

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Management Fees: PBG charges management fees on rebates or on wholesaler spend, but only on the wholesaler spend of companies they work with. This aligns their interests with members as they only benefit when members do. Fees are clearly detailed in monthly statements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Premier Buying Group is a veterinary buying group that negotiates collective discounts and rebates from manufacturers and third-party service providers on behalf of independent veterinary clinics across the UK and Northern Ireland. The core offering centers on Manufacturer Rebates from 35+ animal health manufacturers covering pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and diets, supplemented by Laboratory Discounts, New Practice in a Box startup support, Value Added Deals on ancillary services, and access to Covetrus brands. Members receive dedicated Practice Support Managers who conduct quarterly business reviews and identify savings opportunities.

Product overview

Premier Buying Group (PBG) is a veterinary buying group operating in the UK & Northern Ireland, offering a portfolio of purchasing optimization services rather than a traditional software product. The core offering centers on Manufacturer Rebates for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and diets from over 35 manufacturers, supplemented by Laboratory Discounts, New Practice in a Box startup support, and Value Added Deals covering HR, training, recruitment, and equipment. PBG has two specialized sub-brands: PBG Equine (launched April 2022) for equine-specific practices and PBG Farm for farm and mixed animal clinics. Through its Covetrus partnership, PBG provides access to Covetrus family brands including Vet Essentials consumables, Veterinary Instrumentation precision equipment, Calibra veterinary diets, and GTS practice management software. The group also offers a Members Portal with different permission levels for accessing statements, pricing tools, and manufacturer information.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PBG Equine: A dedicated buying group for equine veterinary professionals launched in April 2022, offering enhanced rebates, preferred products list, and bespoke equine marketing.
• PBG Farm

Products and services

• Manufacturer Rebates PBG's core service that negotiates and delivers rebates on pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and diets from over 35 trusted animal health manufacturers on behalf of member veterinary practices, leveraging collective buying power to secure better deals than individual practices could obtain alone.
• Laboratory Discounts Comprehensive laboratory testing discounts covering Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology, Cytology, Pathology, and in-house PCR testing solutions through partner laboratories across the UK, with benefits deducted directly from laboratory invoices for simplified invoicing.
• New Practice in a Box Startup support package for new veterinary businesses providing equipment, marketing, financial solutions, initial stock supply, manufacturer rebates on first and subsequent stock, access to new starter packs with negotiated free products, consultation time, and connections to PBG's network of over 35 manufacturers and ancillary service partners.
• Value Added Deals Discounted ancillary services for veterinary practices including HR & Health & Safety, payroll, consumables, human medicals, equipment, employee uniforms, business consultancy, branding, CPD provision, and member wellbeing services delivered through vetted third-party partners.
• Covetrus Brands Access Member access to the Covetrus family of brands including Vet Essentials (consumables), Veterinary Instrumentation (precision equipment including the ViPBG+ programme), Calibra veterinary diets, and GTS practice management software, delivered with next-day delivery across the UK through Covetrus's distribution network including Dumfries and eight other transport hubs.
• PBG Equine Dedicated equine-specific buying group launched in April 2022 offering equine vets and equine practices enhanced rebates on equine products, a preferred products list with equine-specific items, savings from trusted equine suppliers, CPD support, client support, and bespoke equine marketing while preserving clinical freedom.
• PBG Farm Tailored buying group for independent farm and mixed veterinary clinics providing group purchasing benefits, preferred product lists, stock and inventory support during shortages (including European import specialists), educational resources, and monthly industry insights.
• PBG Members Portal Online member portal launched in January 2024 providing access to buying group statements, the Net Net Pricing Tool, manufacturer information, additional services, and CPD provision, with different permission levels enabling practice administrators to control what each staff member sees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to rebates from over 35 trusted manufacturers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

48 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CitationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Citation provides 24/7 HR & Employment Law and Health & Safety solutions to over 200 veterinary practices across the UK. Services include documentation (contracts, risk assessments), online HR and H&S software, tribunal support, fire risk assessments, ISO certification, and Employee Assistance Programme. Partnership since 2018.
• 35+ Animal Health ManufacturerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPBG maintains relationships with 35+ trusted manufacturers of veterinary products and supplies including: Animalcare, Anupco/Kela Animal Health UK, Arthropharm, Audevard, Aventix, Bimeda, Boehringer Ingelheim, BOVA UK, Burns Pet Food, Ceva UK, Chanelle, Dechra, Duggan Veterinary Group, Elanco, Essity, Forte, G9 Chemicals, Genia UK, Hills Pet Nutrition, Hipra, Huvepharma, KRKA, KRUUSE, Lintbells, MSD, Nextmune, Norbrook, Nutravet UK Ltd, Pharmavet, Protexin, Samaxia, Summit, Swedencare, TVM, Vet Exchange, Vet-Way, VetArk, Vetoquinol, Virbac, Zoetis. These partnerships provide manufacturer rebates on pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and diets.
• CovetruscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCovetrus is a global animal-health, technology and services leader and part of the Animal Healthcare Services Ltd group. PBG leverages Covetrus for wholesale packages, own brand consumables (Vet Essentials, Kruuse, Calibra Diets), Veterinary Instrumentation, and GTS practice management software. Next-day delivery across the UK through distribution hubs in Dumfries and eight other transport hubs.
• Bridge HRminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment solicitors and HR specialists providing free initial advice calls, Employment Tribunal Defence, employee compliance complaints support, HR and employment law training, contractual terms, and engaging self-employed locums support.
• Simply VetsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecruitment, employee payroll and retention services. Sister company to The Webinar Vet providing quality recruitment for permanent and locum veterinary professionals, transparent IR35 solutions, and payroll outsourcing.
• Vetted RecruitmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVeterinary recruitment committed to accountability, integrity, passion and quality for clients and candidates.
• Management 4 LocumsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocum service for veterinary practices.
• The Webinar VetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline CPD specialists providing veterinary education and training. Founded by Anthony Chadwick BVSc CertVD MRCVS in 2010 to make veterinary education more accessible and affordable. Tens of thousands of veterinarians and nurses have accessed the platform. Partnership includes supporting sustainability initiatives.
• IDEXXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLaboratory and in-house equipment provider for veterinary diagnostics.
• HoribaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutomated in vitro diagnostic systems for haematology and chemistry focused analytical solutions.
• Nationwide LaboratoriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDiagnostic testing laboratory providing services for companion animal, farm and equine practices.
• Vetscan (Zoetis Diagnostics)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorComprehensive, cutting-edge diagnostics providing deeply informed medical insights.
• BOVAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer.
• SummitminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist Formulations Manufacturer.
• PCCAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPharmaceutical compounding services and supplies.
• Veenak Veterinary SuppliesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor and supplier based at 1406 Coventry Rd, South Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8AE.
• EnaleesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRapid diagnostic detection kits for veterinary use.
• Micron Agritech LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFEC testing solutions with AI-powered testing and analytics providing lab-accurate parasite test results in 10 minutes.
• Nextmune UK LaboratoriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVeterinary allergy testing services.
• EickemeyerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrusted partner in veterinary equipment including laparoscopic spay kits and surgical equipment.
• EschmannminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDecontamination equipment, consumables and accessories alongside service and support packages for animal health.
• Celtic SMRminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorImaging and therapy equipment for veterinary practices.
• MIS HealthcareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUltrasound, digital X-ray, CT, MRI equipment and solutions.
• DearsonsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquine dentistry experts providing equipment and services.
• Casco PetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVeterinary kennels and animal enclosures.
• iM3 DentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal name in veterinary dentistry providing dental equipment.
• iMS EurominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment and consumables supplier for veterinary practices.
• Med EquusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquine equipment specialists providing gastro scopes, surgical lasers and airway scopes.
• Photon Surgical SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew and used equipment as well as servicing and repairs for veterinary and human medical professions.
• Horse WeighminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarket leaders in horse weighbridges, weighing platforms and weighing scales.
• HT VistaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDiagnostic equipment that can diagnose cancerous lumps in minutes.
• BOC Medical GasesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedical gases supplier for veterinary practices.
• BVLGBT+minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity dedicated to empowering LGBT+ individuals across the veterinary community. PBG supports BVLGBT+ financially and through raising awareness with members. Colleague Nathan regularly attends Pride events with his husband.
• VetlifecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity dedicated to supporting the veterinary profession. PBG supports Vetlife to raise awareness of their services including the Helpline (0303 040 2551), Health Support, and Financial Support. PBG team climbed Mt. Snowdon in June 2024 raising over £1000 for Vetlife.
• Eco ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon offsetting and sustainability partner. PBG is a carbon neutral workforce with certificates for offsetting. Eco Action supports practices in achieving carbon neutral or Net Zero status. PBG team has attended tree-planting events in Manchester.
• Eco ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon offsetting partner recommended to all members as a value-added service. PBG is proud to be a carbon neutral workforce.
• The Pet Crematoria FamilyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperates six crematoria across the UK (Valley, Silvermere, Whitley Brook, Greenacres, Durham, Larkhall), part of Anima Care international pet crematorium business. Provides cremation services with full traceability.
• PCS (Pet Cremation Services)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReduced rates on cremation and waste disposal services.
• Meadow View CremationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent crematorium based in Warwickshire providing cremation services.
• Beacon PlusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTelecommunications (fixed lines, systems, data and mobiles) and utilities (electricity, gas and water) services.
• Blink Payment ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayment provider offering payment processing services.
• RotaCloudminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlan rotas, record working hours and manage annual leave for veterinary teams.
• VetsecminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTelephone answering solution for veterinary practices.
• VidiVetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor24/7 triage for clients without the consults, providing veterinary advice services.
• Waters & GateminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier veterinary debt collection agency.
• Pharmaceutical Labelling & StationeryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialists in dispensing products and pharmaceutical labelling.
• PHE (Public Health England)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecially agreed prices on dosage meters for veterinary practices.
• Rubric LawminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorporate lawyers specialising in mergers and acquisitions, commercial, employment, and property law for veterinary practices.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Veterinary Services (NVS): One of the UK's largest veterinary wholesalers, part of the PHOENIX Group. NVS serves veterinary practices with distribution, buying-group-style rebate arrangements, and product portfolios comparable to PBG's manufacturer relationships.
• MWI Animal Health: US-based veterinary distributor (now part of Covetrus) serving companion animal and production animal practices with buying-group-style programs and manufacturer rebate arrangements.
• Covetrus: Global animal-health technology and services company (and PBG's sister company under Animal Healthcare Services Ltd). Provides wholesale distribution, practice management software, and manufacturer partnerships that overlap with PBG's offering.
• Patterson Veterinary: US-based full-line veterinary distributor offering buying group services, practice management software, and manufacturer rebate programs to independent veterinary practices. Comparable business model at significantly larger scale.
• Henry Schein Animal Health: Global distributor of animal health products with veterinary buying group and distribution services. Operates at much larger scale than PBG with comparable veterinary practice customer base and manufacturer rebate economics.
• Centaur Services: UK veterinary wholesaler and member-owned buying cooperative serving independent practices. Centaur is a direct comparable as a UK veterinary buying group/wholesaler with similar member economics, though it operates a much larger scale and broader distribution infrastructure than PBG.

Others

• iM3 Dental: Global veterinary dental equipment manufacturer partnered with PBG. Connected through the PBG member partner network and serves the same veterinary practice end customers, though as a supplier rather than buying group competitor.

Regional players

• VetProcure: Australian veterinary buying group negotiating group purchasing discounts for independent vet practices. Operates the same GPO/buying-group business model as PBG but serves the Australian market rather than UK.
• Victor Medical Company: US veterinary distributor with buying-group-style programs serving independent veterinary practices. Comparable intermediary model between manufacturers and vet practices though serving North American market.

Emerging players

• Vet Dynamics: UK veterinary business support and consultancy firm offering practice management support to independent vets. Adjacent peer providing non-clinical business services to the same UK independent practice customer base PBG serves.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/premier-buying-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Premier Buying Group (pbg)