The Independent Veterinary Buying Group [IVBG], originally known as the Northeast Essex Buying Group, was formed in the mid-eighties by Howard Hellig, a former BVA president and forward-thinking vet.
At that time, veterinary buying groups were a new initiative. The group initially comprised three practices, and the primary objective was to negotiate as a unified entity with the veterinary pharmaceutical companies. Members of the group also agreed to support one another professionally, crossing historical practice boundaries without the need to feel threatened by a ‘rival practice’. To this day, the values of our buying group remain the same.
In 2012, IVBG was born. The running of the group was taken over by Jürgen Theinert , Neil MacRae Smith and Mike Probert, each a principal of an independent practice in Essex.
Since IVBG’s inception, we have developed firm financial and professional relationships with several preferred suppliers. We continue to grow as a buying group, attracting new members and therefore increasing our purchasing power. The group aims to provide the lowest net-net prices for our member practices by pooling our purchasing power for the mutual benefit and support of each practice.
Penrose Veterinary Group is an independent 8 FTE Vet small animal practice in Colchester, and we have been a member of the IVBG for many years (including in its previous incarnation as the Northeast Essex Buying Group).
We have always appreciated the friendly, collaborative structure of the group. Good compliance in product use between practices within the group is achieved voluntarily through "enlightened self-interest" as this compliance ensures the highest discounts.
These discounts are excellent and certainly comparable to those achievable with larger buying groups but with a significantly lower overall cost structure, as well as the input and flexibility that we value.
Discounts are paid promptly and efficiently through a centralised system.
Highly recommended
