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EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.a2195586zex-32.htm
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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.a2195586zex-31_2.htm
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.a2195586zex-21_1.htm
EX-10.9 - EXHIBIT 10.9 - MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.a2195586zex-10_9.htm
EX-10.7 - EXHIBIT 10.7 - MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.a2195586zex-10_7.htm
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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-K



ý   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009
Commission file number 000-51468

OR

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                                    to                                   

MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction)
  02-0620757
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

651 S. Stratford Drive, Suite 100
Meridian, ID

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


83642
(Zip Code)

(208) 955-8930
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934:

Title of each class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value   The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934: NONE

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act") during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

          Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer o   Accelerated Filer ý   Non-Accelerated Filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller Reporting Company o

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o    No ý

          As of March 31, 2009 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $264,000,000. Shares of common stock held by each executive officer and director and by each person who owns 10% or more of our outstanding common stock have been excluded since such persons may be deemed affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

          The number of shares of the registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of November 11, 2009 was 12,209,351.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

          Listed hereunder are the documents, any portions of which are incorporated by reference and the Parts of this Form 10-K into which such portions are incorporated:

1.
The registrant's definitive proxy statement for use in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about February 9, 2010 to be filed within 120 days after the registrant's fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, portions of which are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.


Table of Contents

MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item
   
  Page  

PART I

 

 

Cautionary Statement

    1  

1.

 

Business

    2  

1A.

 

Risk Factors

    17  

1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

    29  

2.

 

Properties

    29  

3.

 

Legal Proceedings

    29  

4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

    29  


PART II


 

5.

 

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   
30
 

6.

 

Selected Financial Data

    33  

7.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    35  

7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    49  

8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    50  

9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    72  

9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

    72  

9B.

 

Other Information

    75  


PART III


 

10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of the Registrant

   
75
 

11.

 

Executive Compensation

    75  

12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

    75  

13.

 

Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

    76  

14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

    76  


PART IV


 

15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   
77
 


SIGNATURES


 

 

78

 

Table of Contents


PART I

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of "Safe Harbor Provisions" of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

        This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "may," "could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "target," "project," "intend" and similar expressions. These statements include, among others, statements regarding our expected business outlook, anticipated financial and operating results, our business strategy and means to implement our strategy, our objectives, the amount and timing of capital expenditures, the likelihood of our success in expanding our business, financing plans, budgets, working capital needs and sources of liquidity.

        Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of performance. These statements are based on our management's beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on currently available information. Important assumptions relating to the forward-looking statements include, among others, assumptions regarding demand for our products, the expansion of product offerings geographically or through new applications, the timing and cost of planned capital expenditures, competitive conditions and general economic conditions. These assumptions could prove inaccurate. Forward-looking statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

    the impact of vendor consolidation on our business;

    changes in or availability of vendor contracts or rebate programs;

    vendor rebates based upon attaining certain growth goals;

    changes in the way vendors introduce/deliver products to market;

    exclusivity requirements with certain vendors that may prohibit us from distributing competing products manufactured by other vendors;

    the impact of general economic trends on our business;

    the recall of a significant product by one of our vendors;

    extended shortage or backorder of a significant product by one of our vendors;

    seasonality;

    the timing and effectiveness of marketing programs or price changes offered by our vendors;

    the timing of the introduction of new products and services by our vendors;

    the ability to borrow on our revolving credit facility, extend the terms of our revolving credit facility or obtain alternative financing on favorable terms or at all;

    the impact of tightening credit standards and/or access to credit on behalf of our customers and suppliers;

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    unforeseen litigation;

    a disruption caused by adverse weather or other natural conditions;

    inability to ship products to the customer as a result of technological or shipping disruptions; and

    competition.

        Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), we are under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results or performance.

        Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, we have a policy against issuing or confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.

Item 1.    Business.

General

        Our business commenced operations as part of a veterinary practice in 1976 and was incorporated as MWI Drug Supply, Inc., an Idaho corporation, in 1980. MWI Drug Supply, Inc. was acquired by Agri Beef Co. in 1981. MWI Veterinary Supply Co. was incorporated as an independent subsidiary of Agri Beef Co. in September 1994. Effective June 18, 2002, MWI Holdings, Inc. was formed by Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. II, L.P. ("BRS") for the sole purpose of acquiring all of the outstanding stock of MWI Veterinary Supply Co. from Agri Beef Co. ("Agri Beef"). As a result of this transaction, MWI Veterinary Supply Co. ("MWI Co.") became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MWI Holdings, Inc. On April 21, 2005, we changed our name from MWI Holdings, Inc. to MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. References in this report to "we," "us," "our," and "MWI" refer to MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, all statistical information provided about our business in this report is as of September 30, 2009.

        We are a leading distributor of animal health products to veterinarians across the United States. In fiscal year 2009, we sold more than 30,000 products, of which over 15,000 are stocked in our distribution centers, sourced from over 500 vendors to more than 20,000 veterinary practices nationwide from twelve strategically located distribution centers. Products we sell include pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, capital equipment, supplies, specialty products, veterinary pet food and nutritional products. We market these products to veterinarians in both the companion animal and production animal markets. As of September 30, 2009, we had a sales force of 330 people covering the United States. We also offer our customers a variety of value-added services, including e-commerce platform, pharmacy fulfillment, inventory management system, equipment procurement consultation, special order fulfillment, educational seminars and pet cremation, which we believe closely integrates us

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with our customers' day-to-day operations and provides them with meaningful incentives to continue ordering from us.

        Historically, we estimate that approximately two-thirds of our total revenues have been generated from sales to the companion animal market and one-third from sales to the production animal market. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, our total revenues were $941.3 million, $831.4 million and $710.1 million, respectively. Our operating income for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $40.5 million, $32.4 million and $26.7 million, respectively.

Industry Overview

        According to the Animal Health Institute ("AHI"), an industry group representing manufacturers of animal health products, animal health product sales in the United States for calendar year 2007 (which is the most recent information available as of the filing date) grew to $6.8 billion, which represents an 8.6% compounded annual growth rate since calendar year 2002. The market for animal health products in the United States is split between products sold for companion and production animals. Companion animals include dogs, cats, other pets and horses, while production animals include cattle and other food-producing animals. AHI estimates that companion animal products accounted for 53% of the total market for animal health products in the United States in calendar year 2006.

        We believe the companion animal health products market's growth has slowed as a result of a decrease in consumer spending. Historically, the growth in the companion animal health market has been due to the increasing number of households with companion animals, an aging pet population, increased expenditures on animal health and preventative care, advancements in animal health products and extensive marketing programs sponsored by companion animal nutrition and pharmaceutical companies. Product sales in the production animal market have been negatively impacted by increasing volatility in commodity prices such as milk, corn, grain and feeder cattle, changes in weather patterns that allow cattle to graze for longer periods and changes in the general economy. We intend to continue to support production animal veterinarians with a broad range of products and value-added services. Historically, sales in this market have been largely driven by spending on animal health products to improve productivity, weight gain and disease prevention, as well as a growing focus on food safety. We believe that these growth factors have been mitigated by the downward influence of generic drugs on pricing.

        Veterinarians are one of the primary purchasers of animal health products, particularly in the companion animal market. As of December 31, 2008, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA, there were more than 59,000 veterinarians in private practice nationwide. We believe that distributors play a vital role for veterinary practices by providing access to a broad selection of products through a single channel and helping them efficiently manage their inventory levels. Distributors also offer product vendors substantial value by providing cost-effective access to a highly fragmented and geographically diverse customer base.

Competitive Strengths

        We believe that our strengths include:

    Leading Distributor to Veterinarians.  Based upon our total revenues for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, we are a leading animal health products distributor to veterinarians in the

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      United States. While most of our products are available from several sources and our customers typically have relationships with several distributors, we have achieved this position primarily through internal growth and currently serve more than 20,000 veterinary practices nationwide. We believe that our broad product offering, competitive pricing, superior customer service, rapid product fulfillment and value-added services provide meaningful incentives for our customers to continue ordering from us.

    Leading Sales and Marketing Franchise.  Our 330 sales representatives educate customers on new veterinary products, assist in product selection and purchasing, and offer inventory management solutions. As of September 30, 2009, we had 189 field sales personnel and 141 telesales representatives covering the United States. We also publish detailed product catalogs and monthly magazines, which are often utilized by our customers as reference tools. While salespeople and printed materials are vital to our marketing strategy, we also provide on-line ordering, valuable business information and value-added services through our Internet site, www.mwivet.com. For our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, approximately 31% of our product sales were generated through orders placed over the Internet.

    Strong, Established Relationships with Veterinarians and Vendors.  Our ability to serve as a single source for most of our customers' animal health product needs has enabled us to develop strong and long-term customer relationships. Approximately 53% of our product sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 were from customer accounts that were opened prior to fiscal year 2004 and approximately 83% of our product sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 were from customer accounts that were opened prior to fiscal year 2007. Independent veterinary practices have historically accounted for approximately 85% of our product sales. In addition, for more than thirteen years we have maintained distribution arrangements with Banfield, The Pet Hospital ("Banfield"), the nation's largest private veterinary practice, and with our non-controlled affiliate, Feeders' Advantage, L.L.C. ("Feeders' Advantage"), a related party and a buying group composed of several of the largest cattle feeders in the United States. Since we currently do not manufacture the vast majority of the products we sell, we are dependent on our vendors for the supply of our products. While our vendors often have relationships with multiple distributors, we have long-term relationships with many of our key vendors including Boehringer Ingelheim, IDEXX Laboratories, Intervet Schering-Plough, Merial, Pfizer and Vedco.

    Recurring Revenue Product Base.  Over 95% of our product sales for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were from consumable medicines and supplies commonly required by veterinarians in their practice. Historically, this aspect of our business has resulted in a recurring stream of revenues.

    Sophisticated Technology and Information Systems.  Over the past several years, we have continued to invest in our technology and information systems, which we believe has created a competitive advantage when delivering quality service to our customers. In 2007, we launched a new e-commerce platform that offers more enhanced online ordering capabilities for veterinarians. This platform provides many new features for our customers while at the same time significantly enhancing security and our capability to provide additional functionality in the future.

    Experienced Management Team.  We have a strong and experienced senior management team with substantial animal health industry expertise. The members of our senior management team

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      have been with us for an average of over fifteen years, and each member has demonstrated a commitment and capability to deliver growth in revenues and profitability.

Business Strategy

        Our mission is to strengthen our position as a leading national animal health products distributor while continuing to efficiently deliver substantial value and innovation to our customers, increase revenues and improve profitability. Our strategy to achieve our mission is outlined below.

        Increase Sales to Existing Customers.    We believe that veterinary practices typically purchase animal health products from multiple distributors. For our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, our average annual product sales per veterinary practice served was approximately $38,000. We intend to increase our share of these purchases by utilizing our proprietary customer database to focus our marketing efforts, expanding our sales force, selectively adding products to our portfolio and increasing and expanding the value-added services we provide to our customers. By increasing the dollar value of purchases made by each customer as well as their average order size, we intend to increase our profitability. Competition for hiring sales representatives who have existing customer relationships is intense and we focus on retaining our valued staff who have demonstrated the skills needed to successfully market our products and services. If we fail to hire or retain a sufficient number of qualified sales professionals, it could adversely impact our business.

        Expand Business Assistance Services for Veterinarians.    We intend to enhance our customer relationships by expanding our business assistance services for veterinarians. These value-added services include among others our e-commerce platform, pharmacy fulfillment, inventory management system, equipment procurement consultation, special order fulfillment, educational seminars and pet cremation. In addition, we have upgraded our Internet site, www.mwivet.com, in order to significantly enhance the e-commerce functionality available to our customers.

        Increase the Total Number of Customers.    We believe we provide products and services to more than 50% of all domestic veterinary practices. We intend to raise this percentage by increasing the number and productivity of our sales representatives, selectively acquiring competitors and expanding distribution centers. We believe the greatest opportunities to add new customers are in the Northeastern, Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States, areas where we do not hold the leading market position. We believe it is important to increase the total number of customers served in order to attain the growth goals that are a feature of many of our vendors' rebate programs. Changes to or elimination of any vendor rebate program or our failure to achieve these growth goals may have a material effect on our gross profit and operating results in any given quarter or year.

        Continuously Seek to Improve Operations.    We continuously evaluate opportunities to increase sales, lower costs and realize operating efficiencies. Current initiatives include investments in our databases and distribution center management systems. We also plan to pursue alternative product sourcing strategies and have implemented a private label program on selected products to reduce our procurement costs and increase our profitability, while maintaining strong relationships with key vendors.

        Make Selective Acquisitions.    The U.S. market for animal health products distribution is highly fragmented, with numerous national, regional and local distributors. Many of these companies are small, privately-held businesses, some of which may represent attractive acquisition candidates. In fiscal

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year 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Securos, Inc. and International Veterinary Distribution Network, Inc. (collectively "Securos"). In fiscal year 2008, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Tri V Services, Inc. ("Tri V"). Also in fiscal year 2008, we acquired substantially all of the assets of AAHA Services Corporation, operating as AAHA MARKETLink ("AAHA MARKETLink").

Products

        In fiscal year 2009, we sold more than 30,000 products with over 15,000 stocked in our twelve distribution centers, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, capital equipment, supplies, veterinary pet food and nutritional products. For our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, our product revenues were comprised of approximately 41% pharmaceutical products, 18% vaccine products, 7% parasiticide products, 8% diagnostic products, 3% capital equipment products and 23% of other supplies. In addition, we sell over 600 products under agency agreements with our vendors. Under an agency agreement, we typically solicit orders and provide customer service for a commission, while the vendor stocks and ships the products. We also have available on special order approximately 7,000 products that we do not normally stock in our warehouses. We continually seek to update and improve the range of products we offer to address our customer requirements. Over 95% of our product sales for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were from the sale of consumable medicines and supplies commonly required by veterinarians in their practice. Historically, this aspect of our business has resulted in a recurring stream of revenues.

Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Parasiticides

        We offer our customers a variety of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and parasiticides. Our pharmaceutical products typically include anesthetics, analgesics, antibiotics, ophthalmics and hormones. Our vaccine products are primarily comprised of small animal, equine and production animal biologicals. Our parasiticides are used for control of fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes and internal parasites.

Diagnostics, Capital Equipment and Supplies

        We offer a wide range of diagnostics, capital equipment and supplies to veterinarians. Diagnostic sales typically include consumable in-clinic tests for detecting heartworm, lyme, feline leukemia and parvovirus, as well as consumable products for measuring blood chemistry, electrolyte balance and cell counts. Our capital equipment sales include anesthesia machines, surgical monitors, diagnostic equipment, dental machines, cages, lights and x-ray machines. We employ a team of capital equipment specialists to analyze the latest technologies and recommend equipment that meets our customers' specific needs. Our sales of supplies include syringes, instruments, bandages, IV products, surgical consumables, grooming materials and other small equipment items used by veterinary practices.

Veterinary Pet Food and Nutritional Products

        We offer our customers a broad selection of veterinary pet foods and nutritional products. We consider veterinary pet food to consist of two categories: foods for specialty diets and premium pet foods. Specialty diets are recommended by veterinarians to address specific medical and nutritional needs. Premium pet foods are recommended by veterinarians to promote optimal nutrition in healthy animals. Pet foods are typically sold under agency agreements. Nutritional products include dietary supplements, vitamins, dental chews and specialty treats which either help address specific medical conditions or are compatible with recommended nutritional guidelines.

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Value-Added Services

        We offer our customers a variety of value-added services, which we believe closely integrate us with our customers' day-to-day operations and provide them with meaningful incentives to continue ordering from us. These services include the following:

Service
  Description

E-commerce platform

  On-line ordering system that provides information to veterinary practices on products, vendor programs and purchasing history

Pharmacy fulfillment

  Shipment of prescription production and companion animal health products to end-users on behalf of veterinarians from our four licensed pharmacies located in Edwardsville, Kansas; Grand Prairie, Texas; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Nampa, Idaho and a licensed veterinary food-animal drug retailer in Visalia, California

Inventory management system

  Flexible system that facilitates counting, maintaining and ordering inventory in veterinary practices

Equipment procurement consultation

  Consultation and demonstrations provided by our dedicated capital equipment specialists

Special order fulfillment

  Procurement and shipment of approximately 7,000 unique products that we do not normally stock in our warehouses

Educational seminars

  Seminars for our customers covering business and medical topics, frequently sponsored in conjunction with our vendors

Pet cremation

  Business units presently operating with facilities in Idaho and Wisconsin that serve veterinary practices and their clients by providing cremation services

Customers

        We currently serve more than 20,000 veterinary practices located throughout the United States. These veterinary practices are typically small, privately-held businesses that we believe place at least one order per week to avoid storing and managing large volumes of supplies. We believe that these veterinary practices usually purchase animal health products from multiple distributors. We seek to be the principal provider of animal health products to our customer base.

        We maintain a diverse and stable customer base. Independent veterinary practices have historically accounted for approximately 85% of our product sales. Also, for more than thirteen years, we have maintained distribution arrangements with Banfield, the nation's largest private veterinary practice with over 750 veterinary hospitals, and our non-controlled affiliate, Feeders' Advantage, a buying group composed of several of the largest cattle feeders in the United States. Banfield accounted for approximately 11% of our product sales for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, and approximately 10% for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. Feeders' Advantage accounted for approximately 5% of our product sales for each of our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The loss of Banfield or Feeders' Advantage or deterioration in our relations with either of them could significantly affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our ten largest customers, excluding Banfield and Feeders' Advantage, accounted for approximately 5%, 4%

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and 5% of our product sales for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, with no single customer representing more than 1% of our product sales for those years. We typically do not enter into long-term contracts with our independent veterinary customers.

        We are a party to three written agreements with Banfield, a First Amendment to the Agreement for Product Purchases, a First Amendment to the Agreement for Logistics Services and an Agreement for Home Delivery Logistics Services. These contracts are effective from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012, and can be terminated by either party with or without cause upon 150 days prior written notice. These contracts provide that we will be the supplier of logistics to Banfield, and these agreements govern the pricing, shipping and other terms and conditions under which we sell our products and provide logistics to Banfield. Under the Agreement for Product Purchases, as amended, we provide a limited warranty with respect to all goods sold by us and paid for by Banfield that good title to the products is conveyed, that the products are delivered free of any security interest, that the products will conform to the description, grade and condition of the products invoiced and that all products will be free of any defects arising while the products are either in our possession or control or in the control of any carrier transporting the goods from us to Banfield. We are also required to maintain insurance in an amount equal to at least the replacement cost of all property that is purchased by Banfield from third parties and is held by us on their behalf.

Sales and Marketing

        Our sales and marketing strategies are designed to establish and maintain strong customer relationships through personal visits by field sales representatives, frequent telesales contact and direct marketing, emphasizing our broad product lines, competitive pricing, efficient ordering capabilities, high levels of customer support and service and other value-added services. The key elements of our sales and marketing strategy are:

    Field Sales Representatives:  Our sales force is a key component of our value-added approach. Due to the fragmented nature of the animal health products market, we believe that a large sales force is vital to effectively support existing customers and target potential customers. As of September 30, 2009, we had 189 field sales personnel throughout the United States. Our field sales representatives educate customers on new veterinary products, assist in product selection and purchasing and offer inventory management solutions. Once a field sales representative has established a relationship with a customer, the field sales representative encourages the customer to use our telesales representatives and online ordering capabilities for day-to-day customer needs. Field sales representatives work under the supervision of regional sales managers within an assigned sales territory to ensure effective communication and timely sales calls with customers. Our field sales representatives complement our telesales and direct marketing efforts and enable us to better market, service and support the sale of our products and services. Our field sales representatives are employees of our Company and are compensated with a combination of salaries and commissions.

    Telesales:  We support our field sales representatives and direct marketing efforts with telesales representatives in nine call centers covering the United States. As of September 30, 2009, we had 141 telesales representatives. Telesales representatives work as partners with our field sales representatives, providing a dual coverage approach for individual customers. Telesales representatives process orders and generate new sales through frequent and direct contact with customers. Telesales representatives are responsible for assisting customers with ordering,

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      purchasing decisions and general questions. Telesales representatives utilize our customized order entry system to process customer orders, access pricing, availability and promotional information about products, and research customer preferences and order history. Our nine call centers are connected by our telecommunications system which enables them to operate as one virtual call center.

    Direct Marketing:  We market to existing and potential customers by distributing product catalogs and monthly magazines. We publish our comprehensive animal health products catalog every other year. This catalog contains over 10,000 SKUs, includes detailed descriptions and specifications of our products and is often used as a reference tool by our customers and sales force. We also promote our products and services in our monthly magazine, the Messenger, which our field sales representatives use as a tool to educate customers on product and vendor programs. Additional marketing tools that we utilize include specialty catalogs, customer loyalty programs, specific product and vendor programs, flyers, faxes, order stuffers and other promotional materials. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, we distributed over 700,000 pieces of direct marketing materials to existing and potential customers. We also participate in national and regional trade shows to extend our customer reach and enhance customer interaction.

    E-Commerce Platform:  We provide on-line ordering, valuable business information and value-added services to veterinarians via our primary Internet site, www.mwivet.com, and customized Internet sites that we maintain for two of our largest customers, Banfield and Feeders' Advantage. Customers can use our Internet sites to order products, learn more about products and vendor programs, print forms needed for their veterinary practice, review their historical purchases and manage their inventory. For our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately 31%, 27% and 24%, respectively, of our product sales were generated through orders placed over the Internet.

Product Sourcing

        In fiscal year 2009, we sold more than 30,000 products, of which over 15,000 are stocked in our distribution centers, sourced from over 500 vendors, including most major vendors of animal health products that sell through distributors. We believe that we are a leading distributor for many of these vendors.

        We currently do not manufacture the vast majority of our products and are dependent on vendors for our supply of products. We believe that effective purchasing is a key factor in maintaining our position as a leading provider of animal health care products. We regularly assess our purchasing needs and our vendors' product offerings and prices to obtain products at favorable prices. While we purchase products from many vendors and there is generally more than one vendor for most animal health product categories, our concentration of aggregate purchases with key vendors is significant. Our ten largest vendors accounted for approximately 74%, 72% and 70% of our revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Pfizer supplied products that accounted for approximately 24%, 23% and 21% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Of the Pfizer supplied products, production animal products under a livestock products agreement accounted for approximately 14%, 17% and 17% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Fort Dodge supplied products that accounted for approximately 11%, 12% and 12% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended

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September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Intervet-Schering, a subsidiary of Schering Plough Corporation ("Schering Plough"), supplied products that accounted for approximately 11%, 9% and 8% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Merial Limited ("Merial"), a subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis, supplies the majority of their products to us under an agency relationship. Commission revenue generated from Merial products accounted for approximately 56%, 60% and 58% of total commission revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

        On October 15, 2009, Pfizer completed its acquisition of Wyeth, which includes Fort Dodge as a subsidiary. In connection with this acquisition, Pfizer divested certain animal health products to Boehringer Ingelheim. Fort Dodge supplied products that accounted for approximately 11% of our revenues for fiscal year 2009. Of this amount, based on information received from the Federal Trade Commission, Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim, we estimate that approximately 43% of such revenues were attributable to products now owned by Pfizer and 57% of such revenues were attributable to products now owned by Boehringer Ingelheim. We expect that we will continue to sell these products under the terms of the Fort Dodge contract through the end of calendar year 2009. We also expect that Pfizer will terminate the Fort Dodge contract during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2009 and we will negotiate new contracts with Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim for calendar year 2010.

        On November 3, 2009, Merck and Schering-Plough completed their merger under which Merck acquired all of the outstanding stock of Schering-Plough. Merial was a joint venture between Merck and Sanofi-Aventis, and Sanofi-Aventis acquired Merck's interest in Merial shortly before Merck and Schering-Plough completed their merger. Merck has announced that Sanofi-Aventis has an option to combine the Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health business with Merial to form an animal health joint venture that would be equally owned by the new Merck and Sanofi-Aventis. If the option is exercised by Sanofi-Aventis, the formation of the new animal health joint venture would be subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. We have contracts in place with both of these vendors that will remain in place through the end of calendar year 2009. We are currently negotiating new contracts with both of these companies for calendar year 2010.

        There are two major types of transactions that can affect the flow of our products from our vendors, through us, to our customers. The method of selling products to veterinarians is dictated by our vendors. Traditional "buy/sell" transactions, which account for the vast majority of our business, involve the direct purchase of products by us from vendors, which we manage and store in our warehouses. A customer then places an order with us, and the order is then picked, packed, shipped and invoiced by us to our customer, followed by payment from our customer to us.

        We also sell certain product lines to our customers under agency agreements with some of our vendors. Under this model, when we receive orders for products from the customer, we transmit the order to the vendor who then picks, packs and ships the products. In some cases our vendor invoices and collects payment from our customer, while in other cases we invoice and collect payment from our customer. We receive a commission payment for soliciting the order and for providing other customer service activities. Our operating expenses associated with agency sales transactions are lower than in traditional "buy/sell" transactions.

        We have written agreements with approximately 40 of our vendors. Our livestock products agreement with Pfizer provides that we shall supply selected customers in the livestock field with Pfizer products. In return, we are entitled to a fee for logistics. We are not entitled to any rebates under this contract. We are required to maintain sufficient inventory to meet our anticipated demand on a

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monthly basis and to store the Pfizer products in accordance with their respective label instructions. Pfizer also reserves the right to sell directly to our customers or any other party. The livestock products agreement has a one year term that expires on December 31, 2009 and can be terminated by either party with or without cause upon 30 days written notice.

        Our equine products marketing agreement with Pfizer provides that we shall distribute certain products to customers in the equine field. In return, we are entitled to receive certain service incentives and rebates. We are required to maintain sufficient staffing levels of sales representatives and store and handle inventory under appropriate conditions that will maintain the quality and integrity of the products. The agreement expires on December 31, 2009 and can be terminated by either party with or without cause upon 30 days prior written notice.

        Our 2009 strategic brands distribution agreement with Pfizer provides that we shall distribute the Rimadyl, Clavamox and Simplicef products offered by Pfizer. In return, we are entitled to receive certain service incentives and rebates. We are required to maintain sufficient staffing levels of sales representatives and store and handle inventory under appropriate conditions that will maintain the quality and integrity of the products. The agreement expires on December 31, 2010 and can be terminated by Pfizer with or without cause upon 30 days written notice, and either party can terminate the agreement immediately upon written notice for material breach of the contract.

        Our companion animal select brands distribution agreement with Pfizer provides that we shall distribute the Zeniquin, Temaril-P, Antirobe, Doxirobe, Medrol, Dexdomitor and Antisedan products offered by Pfizer. In return, we are entitled to receive a logistics fee and certain sales incentives. We are required to maintain sufficient staffing levels of sales representatives and store and handle inventory under appropriate conditions that will maintain the quality and integrity of the products. The agreement expires on December 31, 2010 and can be terminated by Pfizer with or without cause upon 30 days prior written notice, and either party can terminate the agreement immediately upon written notice for material breach of the contract.

        Our companion animal AAHA MARKETLink management agreement with Pfizer provides that we are entitled to purchase designated companion animal products from Pfizer and resell them to selected veterinary hospitals serviced by MWI who are members of the American Animal Hospital Association. In connection with its resale of the Pfizer companion animal products, MWI will be paid a logistics fee and may receive certain sales incentive payments from Pfizer. This agreement expires on December 31, 2009 and may be terminated by either party, with or without cause, upon 30 days written notice. Pfizer may also terminate the agreement upon 15 days written notice to MWI in the event it determines that MWI has failed to comply with certain terms and conditions of the agreement. Pfizer may also terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice to MWI in the event that MWI fails to meet certain sales goals for two consecutive months.

        Our independent sales agent agreement with Merial provides that we shall sell, market and provide services related to Merial's companion animal products to the veterinary trade. In return, we are entitled to receive commissions. The agreement expires on December 31, 2009 and may be terminated by either party without cause and without penalty upon 120 days prior written notice. The agreement may also be terminated by either party without cause upon less than 120 days prior written notice; however, financial penalties will apply. The agreement prohibits MWI from representing products that compete with certain of Merial's products, particularly those which are used for the treatment and/or control and/or prevention of fleas, ticks or heartworms.

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        Animal health product vendors may implement sales promotions or price changes for products distributed to veterinarians that can affect the period in which we recognize revenues. In addition, at the time we negotiate vendor agreements for the upcoming year, our vendors typically establish sales growth goals for us to meet in order to receive performance rebates or may reduce or eliminate rebate opportunities. These growth goals may be based on quarterly, semi-annual or annual targets.

        Product returns from our customers and to our vendors occur in the ordinary course of business. We extend our customers the same return of goods policies as are extended to us by our vendors. We do not believe that our operations will be adversely impacted due to the return of products.

Distribution

        As of September 30, 2009, we distributed our products from twelve strategically located distribution centers throughout the United States. During our fiscal year 2009, we moved our distribution center from Holland, Michigan to a larger facility in Whitestown, Indiana. We also moved our distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas to a larger facility, and consolidated our distribution center in San Antonio, Texas into our new Grand Prairie, Texas distribution center. During our fiscal year 2008, we opened our distribution center located in Edwardsville, Kansas. During our fiscal year 2007, we moved our distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia to a larger facility, expanded the capacity of our distribution centers in Glendale, Arizona, Nampa, Idaho and Denver, Colorado.

        We maintain inventory levels in our warehouses appropriate to satisfy customer demand for prompt delivery and fulfillment of their product orders. Inventory levels are managed on a daily basis through our information systems. In order to meet the rapid delivery requirements of our customers, we offer next-day delivery service on most of the products we stock in our warehouses. We estimate that as of September 30, 2009, we shipped same day from our warehouses approximately 98% of the dollar value of orders placed by our customers. We currently ship the majority of our orders through United Parcel Service, Inc. ("UPS") with the balance of our orders being shipped by our own delivery trucks, regional carriers and other national carriers.

Competition

        The distribution and manufacture of animal health products is highly competitive. We compete with numerous vendors and distributors based on customer relationships, service and delivery, product selection, price and e-commerce capabilities. Most of our products are available from several sources, including other distributors and vendors, and our customers tend to have relationships with several distributors. In addition, our competitors could obtain exclusive rights to distribute certain products, eliminating our ability to distribute those products. Consolidation in the veterinary distribution business could result in existing competitors increasing their market share, which could give them greater pricing power, decrease our revenues and profitability, and increase the competition for customers. Our primary competitors, excluding vendors, include the following:

    Animal Health International, Inc. (formerly Walco International, Inc.);

    Butler Animal Health Supply;

    Henry Schein, Inc.;

    Lextron Animal Health, Inc.;

    Professional Veterinary Products, Ltd.;

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    Webster Veterinary Supply, a division of Patterson Companies, Inc.; and

    other national, regional, local and specialty distributors.

        The role of the animal health product distributor has changed dramatically during the last decade. Successful distributors are increasingly providing value-added services in addition to the products they traditionally provided. We believe that to remain competitive we must continue to add value to the distribution channel, while removing unnecessary costs associated with product movement.

        Distribution of animal health products is characterized by either "ethical" or "over-the counter," commonly referred to as OTC, channels of product movement. Ethical distribution is defined as those sales of goods to licensed veterinarians for use in their professional practice. Many of these products are prescription and must be sold or prescribed by a licensed professional. OTC distribution is the movement of goods to the animal owner and the end-user. Many of these products also are purchased by licensed veterinarians for professional use or for resale to their client. There are numerous ethical and OTC distribution companies operating throughout the United States and competition in the veterinary distribution industry is intense.

Seasonality in Operating Results

        Our quarterly sales and operating results have varied significantly in the past, and will likely continue to do so in the future. Historically, our total revenues have typically been higher during the spring and fall months due to increased sales of production animal products. Product use cycles for production animal products are directly related to medical procedures performed by veterinarians on production animals during the spring and fall months. These buying patterns can also be affected by vendors' and distributors' marketing programs or price increase announcements, which can cause veterinarians to purchase production animal health products earlier than those products are needed. This kind of early purchasing may reduce our sales in the months these purchases would have otherwise been made. See "Risk Factors—Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly, and these fluctuations may cause our stock price to fall." Additionally, while we accrue rebates as they are earned, our rebates have historically been highest during the quarter ended December 31, since some of our vendors' rebate programs were designed to include targets to be achieved near the end of the calendar year. We do not expect this trend in vendor rebates to continue starting in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 due to the change in the Pfizer livestock contract that was effective January 1, 2009.

Trademarks

        We have registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office the marks "MWI," "MWI Design," "MWIVET.com," "VETONE," "PROXYRx" and "ANIMAL Rx PHARMACY". We believe that the MWI mark is well recognized in the animal health products industry and by veterinarians and is therefore a valuable asset of ours.

Employees

        As of September 30, 2009, we had 887 employees across the United States. We have not experienced a shortage of qualified personnel in the past, and believe that we will be able to attract such employees in the future. None of our employees are a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and we consider our relations with our employees to be good.

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Website

        Our website address is www.mwivet.com and can be used to access free of charge, through the investor relations category, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with or furnish it to the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated as a part of this annual report. The public can also obtain copies of these reports by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington DC 20549, or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330, or by accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Governmental Regulation

        Our vendors of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides and certain controlled substances are typically regulated by federal agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA"), the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), and the Drug Enforcement Agency ("DEA"), as well as most similar state agencies. Therefore, we are subject, either directly or indirectly, to regulation by the same agencies. Most states and the DEA require us to be registered or otherwise keep a current permit or license to handle controlled substances. Manufacturers of vaccines are required by the USDA to comply with various storage and shipping criteria and requirements for vaccines. To the extent we distribute such products, we must comply with the same requirements, including, without limitation, the storage and shipping requirements for vaccines.

        Most state boards of pharmacy require us to be licensed in their respective states for the sale of pharmaceutical products and medical devices within their jurisdictions. As a distributor of prescription pharmaceutical products, we are subject to the Prescription Drug Marketing Act ("PDMA"). The PDMA provides governance and authority to the states to provide minimum standards, terms and conditions for the licensing by state licensing authorities of persons who "engage" in wholesale distribution (as defined by each state regulatory agency) in interstate commerce of prescription drugs. With this authority, states require site-specific registrations for the parties that engage in the selling and/or physical distribution of pharmaceutical products into their state in the form of out-of-state registrations. The federal pedigree regulations of the FDA under the PDMA require tracking human labeled prescription products through the entire distribution chain and are applicable to distributors that do not have a written agreement with the manufacturer granting the wholesale distributor status as an "Authorized Distributor of Record." Selling and/or distributing products without the appropriate registrations may subject us to fines, penalties, misdemeanor or felony convictions, and/or seizure of the products involved. We have a Manager of Regulatory Compliance and have engaged outside consultants as needed to assist us in meeting and complying with the various state and federal licensure requirements to which we are subject.

        Our pet cremation business is subject to state and local zoning laws, and we are required to maintain permits for the construction and operation of an animal incineration device. We are also required to have an air pollution permit in connection with the operation of our pet cremation business.

        Some states (as well as certain cities and counties) require us to collect sales taxes/use taxes on certain types of animal products. We are also subject to laws governing our relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working conditions and citizenship

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requirements. In addition, we are subject to additional regulations regarding our hiring practices because several federal, state and local governmental agencies are our customers.

Environmental Considerations

        We do not currently manufacture or alter in any way the composition of the vast majority of the products that we distribute. All products are distributed in compliance with the relevant rules and regulations as approved by various state and federal agencies.

Executive Officers

        The following table sets forth the names, ages and titles, as well as a brief account of the business experience, of each person who was an executive officer of the Company as of September 30, 2009:

Name
  Age   Title
James F. Cleary, Jr.    46   Board Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mary Patricia B. Thompson   46   Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer
James W. Culpepper   55   Vice President of Inventory Management
Jeffrey J. Danielson   49   Vice President of Sales
John J. Francis   56   Vice President and General Manager of the Specialty Resources Group
James S. Hay   66   Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Bryan P. Mooney   41   Vice President of Operations
John R. Ryan   40   Vice President of Marketing

        James F. Cleary, Jr. has served as President since March 2000 and Chief Executive Officer since June 2002. Mr. Cleary has also been a member of the board of directors since June 2002. He joined MWI in January 1998 as Director of National Accounts and was promoted to Vice President of Demand Generation in 1999. Mr. Cleary was Vice President of Agri Beef Co., MWI's former parent, from 1996 to 1998. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Cleary was employed in management positions with Morrison Knudsen Corporation and its affiliate MK Rail Corporation. Mr. Cleary graduated from Dartmouth College in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and received his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1990. Mr. Cleary is also a member of the board of directors of Seroyal Holdings, L.P., and a manager of Feeders' Advantage, L.L.C. Mr. Cleary is the brother-in-law of Mr. Robert Rebholtz, a member of our board directors.

        Mary Patricia B. Thompson, CPA has served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer since August 2006, with oversight of finance, regulatory compliance, inventory management, information technology, and human resources. Prior to August 2006, Ms. Thompson had been the Vice President, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer since June 2002. Ms. Thompson joined Agri Beef Co. in 1989 as the Feedlot and Commodity Division Controller. In September 1991, Ms. Thompson was promoted to Controller of MWI Veterinary Supply Co., then a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agri Beef Co. Prior to joining Agri Beef Co., Ms. Thompson worked for Arthur Andersen LLP from 1985 to 1989, where she provided auditing and accounting services. Ms. Thompson graduated from the University of Idaho in 1985, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Ms. Thompson is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Idaho. Ms. Thompson is also a member of the board of directors of the American Veterinary Distributors Association.

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        James W. Culpepper has served as Vice President of Inventory Management since 1998. Mr. Culpepper joined MWI in 1997 as General Merchandise Manager. Prior to joining MWI, Mr. Culpepper worked for Payless Drug Stores for 20 years. During that period, Mr. Culpepper held various positions, including pharmacist, merchandiser and buyer of pharmaceutical supplies, and Inventory Control Manager. Mr. Culpepper graduated from Oregon State University's School of Pharmacy in 1977.

        Jeffrey J. Danielson has served as Vice President of Sales since 2001. Mr. Danielson joined MWI in 1985 as an Outside Sales Representative, serving the state of Washington. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Danielson served as Assistant Sales Manager and from 1991 to 2001 served as National Sales Manager. Mr. Danielson graduated from Colorado State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business.

        John J. Francis has served as Vice President and General Manager of the Specialty Resources Group since September 2006. Prior to joining MWI, Mr. Francis worked for Webster Veterinary Supply as the Vice President of Sales from April 2004 to September 2006. Mr. Francis was the Key Account Manager of Excel, a division of Cargill, Inc., from June 2002 to April 2004 and was the Vice President of Sales for Future Beef based in Parker, Colorado, from May 2000 to May 2002. From 1990 until 2000, Mr. Francis served as General Manager and then President of MWI Veterinary Supply Co. Mr. Francis graduated from Michigan State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry and holds a Master of Science in Animal Science obtained in 1977 from the University of Illinois.

        James S. Hay has served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer since September 2002. Mr. Hay joined Agri Beef Co. in 1996 as Vice President of Information Systems. Prior to joining Agri Beef Co., Mr. Hay served as Director of Management Information Systems at Natural Wonders Inc. from 1991 to 1995; Director of Management Information Systems at the Oakland Tribune from 1989 to 1991; Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Liquor Barn, Inc. from 1987 to 1989; Director of Information Services at Genstar Corporation from 1974 to 1987; management consultant at Price Waterhouse from 1968 to 1974; and as a systems engineer at IBM Corporation from 1965 to 1968. Mr. Hay graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics.

        Bryan P. Mooney has served as Vice President of Operations since May 2005. Mr. Mooney joined MWI in January 1994 as the Operations Manager of our Denver, Colorado distribution operation and served in that capacity until May 1998. From May 1998 until February 2005, Mr. Mooney served as Manager of Transportation and Logistics and from January 2005 until May 2005 as the Western Regional Operations Manager. Mr. Mooney graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business.

        John R. Ryan has served as Vice President of Marketing since 2000. Mr. Ryan joined MWI in June 1995 as an Outside Sales Representative and served in such capacity until June 2000. Prior to joining MWI, Mr. Ryan worked for the Virbac Corporation (a companion animal pharmaceutical company) as a Territory Manager from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Ryan graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Physiology.

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Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

        In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the following are important factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.

Our operating results may fluctuate due to factors outside of management's control.

        Our future revenues and results of operations may significantly fluctuate due to a combination of factors, many of which are outside of management's control. The most notable of these factors include:

    the impact of vendor consolidation on our business;

    changes in or availability of vendor contracts or rebate programs;

    vendor rebates based upon attaining certain growth goals;

    changes in the way vendors introduce/deliver products to market;

    exclusivity requirements with certain vendors that may prohibit us from distributing competing products manufactured by other vendors;

    the impact of general economic trends on our business;

    the recall of a significant product by one of our vendors;

    extended shortage or backorder of a significant product by one of our vendors;

    seasonality;

    the timing and effectiveness of marketing programs or price changes offered by our vendors;

    the timing of the introduction of new products and services by our vendors;

    the ability to borrow on our revolving credit facility, extend the terms of our revolving credit facility or obtain alternative financing on favorable terms or at all;

    the impact of tightening credit standards and/or access to credit on behalf of our customers and suppliers;

    unforeseen litigation;

    a disruption caused by adverse weather or other natural conditions;

    inability to ship products to the customer as a result of technological or shipping disruptions; and

    competition.

        These factors could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. We may be unable to reduce operating expenses quickly enough to offset any unexpected shortfall in revenues or gross profit. If we have a shortfall in revenues or gross profit without a corresponding reduction to expenses, operating results may suffer. Our operating results for any particular fiscal year or quarter may not be indicative of future operating results. You should not rely on year-to-year or quarter-to-quarter comparisons of results of operations as an indication of our future performance.

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Consolidation among our vendors could be harmful to our business.

        On October 15, 2009, Pfizer completed its acquisition of Wyeth. Pfizer and Fort Dodge, a division of Wyeth, are our two largest vendors as measured by our revenues. In connection with this acquisition, Pfizer divested certain animal health products to Boehringer Ingelheim. Fort Dodge supplied products that accounted for approximately 11% of our revenues for fiscal year 2009. Of this amount, based on information received from the Federal Trade Commission, Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim, we estimate that approximately 43% of such revenues were attributable to products now owned by Pfizer and approximately 57% of such revenues were attributable to products now owned by Boehringer Ingelheim. We expect that we will continue to sell these products under the terms of the Fort Dodge contract through the end of calendar year 2009. We also expect that Pfizer will terminate the Fort Dodge contract during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2009 and we will negotiate new contracts with Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim for calendar year 2010.

        On November 3, 2009, Merck and Schering-Plough completed their merger under which Merck acquired all of the outstanding stock of Schering-Plough. Merial was a joint venture between Merck and Sanofi-Aventis, and Sanofi-Aventis acquired Merck's interest in Merial shortly before Merck and Schering-Plough completed their merger. Merck has announced that Sanofi-Aventis has an option to combine the Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health business with Merial to form an animal health joint venture that would be equally owned by the new Merck and Sanofi-Aventis. If the option is exercised by Sanofi-Aventis, the formation of the new animal health joint venture would be subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. Merial and Intervet-Schering are also two of our largest vendors. We have contracts in place with both of these vendors that will remain in place through the end of calendar year 2009. We are currently negotiating new contracts with each of these companies for calendar year 2010.

        The surviving companies from these transactions will have high market shares with respect to certain animal health products, and they could use their increased leverage in the channel to negotiate terms with distributors that are materially worse to the distributor than the terms that we have been able to negotiate with Pfizer, Fort Dodge, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merial and Intervet-Schering individually while they were competing with each other. There also remains uncertainty related to any changes to the terms that may be included in the vendor contracts we negotiate for the upcoming year as a result of these transactions. There is also a possibility of product disruption as these companies integrate their operations which could adversely impact our financial results. Further consolidation among animal health products vendors could result in our vendors further increasing their market share, which could give vendors greater pricing power and make it easier for such vendors to sell their products directly to animal health customers, both of which could decrease our net sales and profitability.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations depend upon maintaining our relationships with vendors.

        During the year ended September 30, 2009, we sold more than 30,000 products, of which over 15,000 were stocked in our distribution centers, sourced from over 500 vendors to over 20,000 veterinary practices. We currently do not manufacture the vast majority of our products and are dependent on these vendors for our supply of products. Our ten largest vendors supplied products that accounted for approximately 74%, 72% and 70% of our revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Pfizer supplied products that accounted for approximately 24%, 23% and 21% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008

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and 2007, respectively. Of the Pfizer supplied products, production animal products under a livestock agreement accounted for approximately 14%, 17% and 17% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Fort Dodge supplied products that accounted for approximately 11%, 12% and 12% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Intervet-Schering, a subsidiary of Schering Plough, supplied products that accounted for approximately 11%, 9% and 8% of our revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Merial, a subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis, supplies the majority of their products under an agency relationship. Commission revenue generated from Merial products accounted for approximately 56%, 60% and 58% of total commission revenues for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

        Our ability to sustain our gross profits has been, and will continue to be, dependent in part upon our ability to obtain favorable terms and access to new and existing products from our vendors. These terms may be subject to changes from time to time by vendors, such as changing from a "buy/sell" to an agency relationship, or from an agency to a "buy/sell" relationship which could adversely affect our revenues and operating income. The loss of one or more of our large vendors, a material reduction in their supply of products to us or material changes in the terms we obtain from them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Vendors may also choose to change the method in which products are taken to market. For example, a vendor may change our relationship from a complete distribution provider, including logistics and sales support, to only a logistics provider or only a sales support provider. Only doing one of these services would reduce our margin on any sale. A change in the method in which products are taken to market caused by any vendor could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        Some of our current and future vendors may decide to compete with us in the future by pursuing or increasing their efforts in direct marketing and sales of their products. These vendors could sell their products at lower prices and maintain a higher gross margin on their product sales than we can. In this event, veterinarians or animal owners may elect to purchase animal health products directly from these vendors. Increased competition from any vendor of animal health products could significantly reduce our market share and adversely impact our financial results.

An adverse change in vendor rebates could negatively affect our business.

        The terms on which we purchase or sell products from many vendors of animal health products may entitle us to receive a rebate based on the attainment of certain growth goals. Vendors may adversely change the terms of or eliminate some or all of these rebate programs at any time without notice. Because the amount of rebates we earn is directly related to the attainment of pre-determined sales growth goals, and because the nature of the rebate programs and the amount of rebates available are determined by the vendors, there can be no assurance as to the amount of rebates that we will earn in any given year. Changes to or elimination of any rebate program initiated by our vendors may have a material effect on our gross profit and our operating results in any given quarter or year. Vendors may reduce or eliminate rebates offered under their programs, interpret the terms of their rebate programs in a way that is adverse to us or increase the growth goals or other conditions we must meet to earn rebates to levels that we cannot achieve. Additionally, factors outside of our control, such as customer preferences or vendor supply issues, can have a material impact on our ability to achieve the growth goals established by our vendors, which may reduce the amount of rebates we receive. The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

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Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly, and these fluctuations may cause our stock price to fall.

        Our quarterly revenues and operating results have varied significantly in the past, and may continue to do so in the future. While we accrue rebates from vendors as they are earned, our rebates have historically been highest during the quarter ended December 31, since most of our vendors' rebate programs were designed to include targets to be achieved during the calendar year. We do not expect this trend in vendor rebates to continue starting in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 due to the change in the Pfizer livestock contract that was effective January 1, 2009. Historically, our revenues have been seasonal, with peak sales in the spring and fall months. The seasonal nature of our business is directly tied to the buying patterns of veterinarians for production animal health products used for certain medical procedures performed on production animals during the spring and fall months. These buying patterns can also be affected by vendors' and distributors' marketing programs or price increase announcements, which can cause veterinarians to purchase production animal health products earlier than those products are used. This kind of early purchasing may reduce our sales in the months these purchases would have otherwise been made. Additionally, the production animal market can be affected by volatility in commodity prices such as milk, corn, grain and feeder cattle, changes in weather patterns that allow cattle to graze for longer periods or a change in the general economy, which can shift the timing of when animals are treated and to what extent they are treated. This shift in treatment may have a significant impact on the timing of purchases. While companion animal products tend to have a different product use cycle than production animal health products, and approximately two-thirds of our revenues have been generated from sales to the companion animal market, we cannot assure you that our revenues and operating results will not continue to fluctuate on a quarter-to-quarter basis. We believe period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful as our future revenue and results of operations may vary substantially. It is also possible that in future quarters our results of operations will be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In either case, the price of our common stock could decline, possibly materially.

Our market is highly competitive. Failure to compete successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        The market for veterinary distribution services is highly competitive, continually evolving and subject to technological change. We compete with numerous vendors and distributors based on customer relationships, service and delivery, product selection, price and e-commerce capabilities. Our primary competitors, excluding vendors, include the following:

    Animal Health International, Inc. (formerly Walco International, Inc.);

    Butler Animal Health Supply;

    Henry Schein, Inc.;

    Lextron Animal Health, Inc.;

    Professional Veterinary Products, Ltd.;

    Webster Veterinary Supply, a division of Patterson Companies, Inc.; and

    other national, regional, local and specialty distributors.

        Some of our competitors may have more customers, stronger brand recognition or greater financial and other resources than we do. Most of our products are available from several sources, including

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other distributors and vendors, and our customers typically have relationships with several distributors and vendors. Many of our competitors have comparable product lines, technical expertise or distribution strategies that directly compete with us. Our competitors could obtain exclusive rights to distribute certain products, eliminating our ability to distribute those products. The entry of new or additional distributors in the industry could also have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete. Additionally, some of our vendors may decide to compete with us by selling their products directly to our customers. If we do not compete successfully against these organizations, it could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Consolidation in the veterinary distribution business and veterinary practices may decrease our revenues and profitability.

        Consolidation in the veterinary distribution business could result in existing competitors increasing their market share, which could give them greater pricing power, decrease our revenues and profitability, and increase the competition for customers. Consolidation of the many small, privately-held veterinary practices would result in an increasing number of larger veterinary practices, which could have increased purchasing leverage and the ability to negotiate lower product costs. This could reduce our operating margins and negatively impact our revenues and profitability. Any of these developments could result in increased marketing expenses and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Exclusivity requirements and failures to continue relationships with vendors may cause us to lose access to certain products and erode our market share.

        We may not be able to establish or maintain relationships with key vendors in the animal health industry if we have established relationships with competitors of these key vendors. We have written agreements with approximately 40 of our vendors. Some of our agreements with vendors are for one-year periods. Upon expiration, we may not be able to renew our existing agreements on favorable terms, or at all.

        In addition, during the course of our negotiation of these agreements certain vendors may require us to distribute their products on an exclusive basis, which would cause us to forego distributing competing products that may also be profitable, including generic products that may gain increased market share. In this situation we are often forced to project future sales of competing products so that we can elect to distribute the product that we believe will be more profitable. Our projections may not be correct, and we may be contractually prohibited from distributing products that gain market share, including generic products, at the expense of the products that we distribute. In fact, we are currently in the process of reviewing a contract with one of our vendors for 2010 that contains such an exclusivity requirement. If we choose not to distribute this product and instead to distribute competing products, our revenues and agency commissions could change significantly. Competitors of ours could also obtain exclusive rights to market particular products, which we would be unable to market. If we lose the right to distribute products under such agreements, or are required to exclusively distribute certain products at the expense of others that may be more profitable, we may lose access to certain products and lose a competitive advantage. Potential competitors could sell products from vendors that we fail to continue with and erode our market share.

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An economic downturn could materially adversely affect our business.

        Our business may be materially adversely affected by negative trends in the general economy that could reduce consumer discretionary spending on animal health products and reduce or eliminate sources of credit available to our customers. Levels of consumer spending have recently deteriorated significantly in the United States and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Some of the factors that could influence the levels of consumer spending include continuing increases in fuel and other energy costs, conditions in the residential real estate and mortgage markets, unemployment levels, healthcare costs, access to credit, consumer confidence and other macroeconomic factors affecting consumer spending behavior. In addition, volatility in commodity prices such as milk, corn, grain and feeder cattle, changes in weather patterns causing cattle to graze for longer periods and changes in the general economy may adversely impact the amount spent by animal owners in the production animal market. Such volatility and/or tightening of credit available to our customers could further deteriorate the financial condition of our customers, and may ultimately lead our customers to reduce their working capital available to purchase our products.

        Our business ultimately depends on the ability and willingness of animal owners to pay for our products. This dependence could make us more vulnerable to any reduction in consumer confidence or disposable income than companies in other industries that are less reliant on consumer spending, such as the human health care industry, in which a large portion of payments are made by insurance programs. Additionally, any cost-cutting measures taken to offset the effects of an economic downturn could materially impact our ability to generate future revenue growth. For all of these reasons, an economic downturn could materially affect our business.

Any inability of our customers to pay us for our products and services due to their deteriorating financial condition or otherwise may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

        We generally extend some level of credit to our customers without requiring collateral, which exposes us to credit risk. For example, milk price declines in the dairy market over the last two years have had a significant impact on dairy farmers. This has created cash-flow challenges for these farmers and, in turn, has impacted the time it takes for us to collect on outstanding accounts receivable from these customers. If customers' cash flow or operating and financial performance deteriorates, or if they are unable to make scheduled payments or obtain other sources of credit, they may not be able to pay or may delay payment to us, or in some cases may return products to us. The financial difficulties of a customer could cause us to curtail business with that customer or the customer to reduce its business with us and cancel orders. Any inability of current and/or potential customers to pay us for our products and/or services due to their deteriorating financial condition or otherwise may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We rely substantially on third-party vendors, and the loss of products or delays in product availability from one or more third-party vendors could substantially harm our business.

        We must contract for the supply of current and future products of appropriate quantity, quality and cost. These products must be available on a timely basis and be in compliance with any regulatory requirements. Failure to do so could substantially harm our business.

        We often purchase products from our vendors under agreements that typically have a term of one year and can be terminated on a periodic basis. There can be no assurance, however, that our vendors

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will be able to meet their obligations under these agreements or that we will be able to compel them to do so. Risks of relying on vendors include:

    If an existing agreement expires or a certain product line is discontinued or recalled, then we would not be able to continue to offer our customers the same breadth of products and our sales and operating results would likely suffer unless we are able to find an alternate supply of a similar product.

    If market demand for our products increases suddenly, our current vendors might not be able to fulfill our commercial needs, which would require us to seek new manufacturing arrangements or find new sources of supply, and may result in substantial delays in meeting market demand. If we consistently generate more demand for a product than a given vendor is capable of handling, it could lead to large backorders and potentially lost sales to competitive products that are more readily available.

    We may not be able to control or adequately monitor the quality of products we receive from our vendors. Poor quality products could damage our reputation with our customers.

    Some of our third party vendors are subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by regulatory authorities, including the FDA, the USDA, the EPA, the DEA and the PDMA, as well as other federal and state agencies for compliance with strictly enforced regulations. We do not have control over our vendors' compliance with these regulations and standards. Violations could potentially lead to interruptions in supply that could lead to lost sales to competitive products that are more readily available.

    If a vendor is unable to obtain the necessary credit to manage their business, they may not be able to deliver their products to us.

        Potential problems with vendors such as those discussed above could substantially decrease sales of our products, lead to higher costs and damage our reputation with our customers.

We rely upon third parties to ship products to our customers and interruptions in their operations could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        We use UPS as our primary delivery service for our air and ground shipments of products to our customers. If there were any significant service interruptions, there can be no assurance that we could engage alternative service providers to deliver these products in either a timely or cost-efficient manner, particularly in rural areas where many of our customers are located. Any labor disputes, slowdowns, transportation disruptions or other adverse conditions in the transportation industry experienced by UPS could impair or disrupt our ability to deliver our products to our customers on a timely basis, and could have a material adverse effect upon our customer relationships, business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, rising fuel costs may result in continued increases in shipping costs charged by UPS, or other delivery service providers, and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The loss of one or more significant customers could adversely affect our profitability.

        Our two largest customers, Banfield and Feeders' Advantage (a related party), accounted for approximately 11% and 5%, respectively, of our product sales for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, and 10% and 5%, respectively, of our product sales for our fiscal years ended September 30,

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2008 and 2007. Our ten largest customers, excluding Banfield and Feeders' Advantage, accounted for approximately 5%, 4% and 5% of our product sales for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our business and results of operations could be adversely affected if the business of these customers was lost. We cannot guarantee that we will maintain or improve our relationships with these customers or that we will continue to supply these customers at current levels. Banfield, Feeders' Advantage and other customers may seek to purchase some of the products that we currently sell directly from the vendors or from one or more of our competitors. Furthermore, our customers are not required to purchase any minimum amount of products from us. The loss of Banfield or Feeders' Advantage or deterioration in our relations with either of them could significantly affect our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, deterioration in the financial condition of one or more of our customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Difficulties with the integration of acquisitions or the improvement of the performance of acquired companies may impose substantial costs and delays and cause other unanticipated problems for us.

        Acquisitions involve a number of risks relating to our ability to integrate an acquired business into our existing operations. The process of integrating or improving the performance of the operations of an acquired business, particularly its personnel, could cause interruptions to our business. Some of the risks we face include:

    the need to spend substantial operational, financial and management resources in integrating new businesses, technologies and products, and difficulties management may encounter in integrating or improving the performance of the operations, personnel or systems of the acquired business;

    retention of key personnel, customers and vendors of the acquired business;

    the occurrence of a material adverse effect on our existing business relationships with customers or vendors, or both, resulting from future acquisitions or business combinations could lead to a termination of or otherwise affect our relationships with such customers or vendors;

    impairments of goodwill and other intangible assets; and

    contingent and latent risks associated with the past operations of, and other unanticipated costs and problems arising in, an acquired business.

        If we are unable to successfully integrate the operations of an acquired business into our operations, we could be required to undertake unanticipated changes. These changes could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        In addition, it may be difficult to manage rapid growth from our acquired companies in the future, and the future success of our acquisitions depends on our ability to implement and/or maintain:

    sales and marketing programs;

    customer service levels;

    current and new product and service lines and vendor relationships;

    technological support which equals or exceeds our competitors;

    recruitment and training of new personnel; and

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    operational and financial control systems.

        If we are not able to manage our rapid growth from our acquisitions, there is a risk our customer service quality could deteriorate which may in turn lead to decreased sales or profitability. Also, due to acquisitions the cost of our operations could increase faster than growth in our revenues, negatively impacting our profitability.

Increases in over-the-counter sales of animal health products could adversely affect our business.

        We rely, and will continue to rely, on animal owners who purchase their animal health products directly from veterinarians, which we refer to as the ethical channel. There can be no assurance that animal owners will continue to use the ethical channel with the same frequency as they have in the past, and will not increasingly purchase animal health products from sources other than veterinarians, such as the Internet and other over-the-counter channels. Increased competition from any distributor of animal health products making use of an over-the-counter channel could significantly reduce our market share and adversely impact our financial results.

If we fail to comply with or become subject to more onerous government regulations, our business could be adversely affected.

        The veterinary distribution industry is subject to changing political and regulatory influences. Both state and federal government agencies regulate the distribution of certain animal health products and we are subject to regulation, either directly or indirectly, by the FDA, the USDA, the EPA, the DEA and comparable state agencies. As a distributor of prescription pharmaceutical products, we are also subject to the PDMA, which provides for minimum standards, terms and conditions to be maintained for licensing as a distributor. The regulatory stance these agencies take could change. Our vendors are subject to regulation by the FDA, the USDA, the EPA, the DEA, and the PDMA, as well as other federal and state agencies, and material changes to the applicable regulations could affect our vendors' ability to manufacture certain products, which could adversely impact our product supply. In addition, some of our customers may rely, in part, on farm and agricultural subsidy programs. Changes in the regulatory positions that impact the availability of funding for such programs could have an adverse impact on our customers' financial positions, which could lead to decreased sales.

        We strive to maintain compliance with these and all other applicable laws and regulations. We retain a Manager of Regulatory Compliance and have engaged outside consultants as needed to assist us in meeting and complying with the various state licensure requirements to which we are subject. If we are unable to maintain or achieve compliance with these laws and regulations, however, we could be subject to substantial fines or other restrictions on our ability to provide competitive distribution services, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition.

        We cannot assure you that existing laws and regulations will not be revised or that new, more restrictive laws will not be adopted or become applicable to us or the products that we distribute or dispense. The federal pedigree regulations of the FDA under the PDMA require tracking human labeled prescription products through the entire distribution chain and are enforceable for distributors that do not have a written agreement with the manufacturer granting the wholesale distributor status as an "Authorized Distributor of Record." We cannot assure you that the vendors of products that may become subject to more stringent laws will not try to recover any or all increased costs of compliance from us by increasing the prices at which we purchase products from them, or, that we will be able to

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recover any such increased prices from our customers. We also cannot assure you that our business and financial condition will not be materially and adversely affected by future changes in applicable laws and regulations.

Loss of key management or sales representatives could harm our business.

        Our future success depends to a significant extent on the skills, experience and efforts of management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. James F. Cleary, Jr. While we have not experienced problems in the past attracting and maintaining members of our management team, the loss of any or all of these individuals could adversely impact our business. We do not carry key-man life insurance on any member of management. In addition we do not have employment agreements with key members of our senior management team. We must continue to develop and retain a core group of individuals if we are to realize our goal of continued expansion and growth. We cannot assure you that we will be able to do so in the future.

        Also, due to the specialized nature of our products and services, generally only highly qualified and trained sales representatives have the necessary skills to market our products and provide our services. These individuals develop relationships with our customers that could be damaged if these employees are not retained. We face intense competition for the hiring of these professionals, and many professionals in the field that may otherwise be attractive candidates for us to hire may be bound by non-competition agreements with our competitors. Any failure on our part to hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified professionals would damage our business. We do not generally enter into agreements that contain non-competition provisions with our employees, other than with members of our senior management team, former owners of acquired companies and certain other employees.

Failure of, or security problems with, our information systems could damage our business.

        Our information systems are dependent on third party software, global communications providers, telephone systems and other aspects of technology and Internet infrastructure that are susceptible to failure. Though we have implemented security measures and some redundant systems, our customer satisfaction and our business could be harmed if we or our vendors experience any system delays, failures, loss of data, power outages, computer viruses, break-ins, unauthorized access by competitors or similar disruptions. We currently process all customer transactions and data at our facilities in Meridian, Idaho. Although we have safeguards for emergencies, including, without limitation, sophisticated back-up systems, the occurrence of a major catastrophic event or other system failure at any of our distribution facilities could interrupt data processing or result in the loss of stored data. This may result in the loss of customers or a reduction in demand for our services. Only some of our systems are fully redundant and although we do carry business interruption insurance, it may not be sufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of system failures. If a disruption occurs, our profitability and results of operations may suffer.

The outbreak of an infectious disease within either the production animal or companion animal population could have a significant adverse effect on our business and our results of operations.

        An outbreak of disease affecting animals, such as foot-and-mouth disease, various forms of influenza or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly referred to as "mad cow disease," could result in the widespread destruction of affected animals and consequently result in a reduction in demand for animal health products. In addition, outbreaks of these or other diseases or concerns of

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such diseases could create adverse publicity that may have a material adverse effect on consumer demand for meat, dairy and poultry products, and, as a result, on our customers' demand for the products we distribute. The outbreak of a disease among the companion animal population which could cause a reduction in the demand for companion animals could also adversely affect our business. Although we have not been adversely impacted by the outbreak of a disease in the past, there can be no assurance that a future outbreak of an infectious disease will not have an adverse effect on our business.

We may be subject to product liability and other claims in the ordinary course of business.

        Our business involves a risk of product liability and other claims in the ordinary course of business, for example arising from shipping mislabeled or outdated product, product recalls or disputes among competing vendors. We maintain general liability insurance with policy limits of $1.0 million per incident and $2.0 million in the aggregate, and in many cases we have indemnification rights against such claims from the manufacturers of the products we distribute. We do not maintain a separate product liability insurance policy because we do not currently manufacture the vast majority of the products that we sell. Our ability to recover under insurance or indemnification arrangements is subject to the financial viability of the insurers and manufacturers. We cannot assure you that our insurance coverage or the manufacturers' indemnity will be available or sufficient in any future cases brought against us.

We may not be able to raise needed capital in the future on favorable terms or at all.

        We expect that our existing sources of cash, together with any funds generated from operations, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated capital needs for at least the next twelve months. However, we may require additional capital to finance our growth strategies or other activities in the future. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the costs associated with our growth and expansion. Additional financing may not be available when needed and, if such financing is available, it may not be available on terms favorable to us. Our failure to raise capital when needed could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.

        Any borrowings on the revolving credit facility will be at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk based on market rates. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on any future variable rate indebtedness that we may incur on our revolving credit facility would increase even if the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash available for servicing our indebtedness would decrease. Our variable rate debt as of September 30, 2009 was $0.1 million (comprised of $0 revolving credit facility and $0.1 million promissory note). Our interest expense for fiscal year 2009 was approximately $0.2 million and was approximately $0.3 million for fiscal year 2008. A 1% increase in the average interest rate would not have a material impact on our operations assuming our current level of debt. However, if we had to borrow additional funds to operate our business, the change in interest rates could affect our operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources."

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Our lenders may have suffered losses related to the weakening economy and may not be able to fund our borrowings.

        Our lenders, including the lenders participating in our revolving credit facility, may have suffered losses related to their lending and other financial relationships, especially because of the general weakening of the national economy and increased financial instability of many borrowers. As a result, lenders may become insolvent or tighten their lending standards, which could make it more difficult for us to borrow under our revolving credit facility or to obtain other financing on favorable terms or at all. Our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected if we were unable to draw funds under our revolving credit facility because of a lender default or to obtain other cost-effective financing.

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Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

        None.

Item 2.    Properties.

        The table below provides a summary of the Company's principal facilities which are all leased as of September 30, 2009:

Location
  Total Square
Feet(1)
  Principal Function

Meridian, Idaho

    34,000   Headquarters and call center

Edwardsville, Kansas

    105,000   Distribution center and pharmacy

Denver, Colorado

    75,000   Distribution center and call center

Grand Prarie, Texas

    70,000   Distribution center, call center and pharmacy

Visalia, California

    52,000   Distribution center and veterinary food-animal drug retailer

Atlanta, Georgia

    41,000   Distribution center

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

    40,000   Distribution center and pharmacy

Whitestown, Indiana

    40,000   Distribution center

Nampa, Idaho

    36,000   Distribution center and pharmacy

Fife, Washington

    30,000   Distribution center

Orlando, Florida

    30,000   Distribution center

Clear Lake, Wisconsin

    25,000   Distribution center and call center

Glendale, Arizona

    20,000   Distribution center

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

    15,000   Securos office and call center

Holland, Michigan

    5,000   Call center

Rochester Hills, Michigan

    3,000   Call center

San Antonio, Texas

    3,000   Call center

Sioux City, Iowa

    3,000   Call center

(1)
Rounded to the nearest thousand square feet.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

        From time to time, in the normal course of business, we may become a party to legal proceedings that may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or overall trends in results of operations. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable outcomes could occur. An unfavorable outcome could include the payment of monetary damages or, in cases for which injunctive relief is sought, an injunction prohibiting us from selling one or more products or taking certain other actions. Were an unfavorable outcome to occur, our business or results of operations could be materially harmed.

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

        None.

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PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

        Our common stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq under the symbol "MWIV" since August 3, 2005. Prior to that date there was no public market for our common stock. The following table sets forth, for the two most recent fiscal years, the high and low sales prices of our common stock, reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

 
  Common Stock
Price
 
 
  High   Low  

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008

             
 

First Quarter

  $ 44.60   $ 36.05  
 

Second Quarter

  $ 43.85   $ 32.40  
 

Third Quarter

  $ 39.27   $ 32.16  
 

Fourth Quarter

  $ 45.11   $ 32.15  

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009

             
 

First Quarter

  $ 41.60   $ 20.16  
 

Second Quarter

  $ 31.00   $ 20.37  
 

Third Quarter

  $ 36.39   $ 27.14  
 

Fourth Quarter

  $ 42.21   $ 29.68  

        At the close of business on November 11, 2009, we had 12,209,351 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. As of that date, there were 191 registered holders of record. This does not reflect beneficial stockholders who hold their stock in nominee or "street" name through brokerage firms.

        We have not paid or declared any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings to finance the ongoing operations and growth of our business. Any future determination relating to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on conditions at that time, including our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.

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        The table below provides information concerning our repurchase of shares of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period
  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
 

July 1, 2009 to July 31, 2009

                 

August 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009

    331 (1) $ 38.46          

September 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009

    1,109 (1) $ 39.30          
                   

Total

    1,440   $ 39.11          
                   

(1)
These shares were withheld upon the vesting of employee stock grants in connection with payment of required withholding taxes.

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        The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on $100 invested at the market close on August 2, 2005, the date the Company's initial public offering was priced for initial sale, through and including September 30, 2009, the last trading day before the end of our most recently completed fiscal year, with the cumulative total return of the same time period on the same amount invested in the Russell 2000 Index, the Standard and Poor's SmallCap 600 Index and a Peer Group Index, consisting of 11 companies that compete or operate in a comparable industry as the Company. The chart below the graph sets forth the actual numbers depicted on the graph.

GRAPHIC

 
  8/2/2005   9/30/2005   9/30/2006   9/30/2007   9/30/2008   9/30/2009  

MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. 

  $ 100.00   $ 117.35   $ 197.24   $ 222.06   $ 231.12   $ 235.00  

S&P SmallCap 600 Index

    100.00     97.86     103.89     118.32     100.79     88.70  

Russell 2000 Index

    100.00     96.99     105.39     116.98     98.70     87.77  

Peer Group(1)

    100.00     101.37     117.62     130.54     120.73     116.99  

(1)
Peer Group consists of Amerisourcebergen Corp. (ABC), Animal Health International Inc. (AHII), Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH), Henry Schein Inc. (HSIC), IDEXX Laboratories Inc. (IDXX), Owens & Minor Inc. (OMI), McKesson Corp. (MCK), Patterson Companies Inc. (PDCO), PetMed Express Inc. (PETS), PSS World Medical Inc. (PSSI) and VCA Antech Inc. (WOOF).

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Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

        The selected consolidated financial and operating data below represent portions of our financial statements and are not complete. You should read this information together with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes to these statements included in this annual report. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

 
  Year Ended September 30,  
 
  2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
 
  (In thousands, except per share amounts)
 

Revenues:

                               
 

Product sales

  $ 880,703   $ 778,953   $ 664,351   $ 564,289   $ 463,272  
 

Product sales to related party

    46,406     39,452     36,122     34,123     28,473  
 

Commissions

    14,223     12,959     9,632     7,782     4,910  
                       
   

Total revenues

    941,332     831,364     710,105     606,194     496,655  

Cost of product sales

    806,677     711,812     607,756     518,068     426,709  
                       
 

Gross profit

    134,655     119,552     102,349     88,126     69,946  

Selling, general and administrative expenses(1)

    90,827     84,123     73,215     62,470     52,647  

Depreciation and amortization

    3,365     3,078     2,424     1,964     1,528  
                       
 

Operating income

    40,463     32,351     26,710     23,692     15,771  

Other income (expense):

                               
 

Interest expense(2)

    (242 )   (265 )   (545 )   (1,959 )   (6,515 )
 

Earnings of equity method investees

    230     179     169     161     131  
 

Other

    540     642     756     338     268  
                       
   

Total other income (expense)

    528     556     380     (1,460 )   (6,116 )
                       

Income before taxes

    40,991     32,907     27,090     22,232     9,655  

Income tax expense

    (16,086 )   (12,990 )   (10,215 )   (8,396 )   (5,098 )
                       

Net income

  $ 24,905   $ 19,917   $ 16,875   $ 13,836   $ 4,557  
                       

Earnings per common share:

                               
 

Basic

  $ 2.06   $ 1.65   $ 1.43   $ 1.28   $ 0.76  
 

Diluted

  $ 2.02   $ 1.62   $ 1.40   $ 1.25   $ 0.68  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                               
 

Basic

    12,088     12,053     11,764     10,773     5,970  
 

Diluted

    12,306     12,301     12,044     11,072     6,697  

 

 
  As of September 30,  
 
  2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Cash

  $ 14,302   $ 3,419   $ 8,599   $ 37   $ 31  

Total assets

    337,919     314,805     267,194     230,559     188,244  

Total debt

    97     194     292     10,948     25,177  

Total stockholders' equity

    207,927     181,003     160,011     129,626     86,694  

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  Year Ended September 30,  
 
  2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  

Other Data (unaudited):(3)

                               
 

Product sales from Internet as a percentage of sales

    31 %   27 %   24 %   23 %   21 %
 

Field sales representatives (at end of period)

    189     186     163     155     134  
 

Telesales representatives (at end of period)

    141     135     117     106     93  
 

Distribution centers

    12     13     13     12     10  
 

Fill rate(4)

    98 %   98 %   98 %   98 %   98 %

(1)
Includes management fees expense of $2,456 for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 as a result of payments to BRS and Agri Beef Co. The management and consulting services agreement was terminated in August 2005 for a termination fee of $2,000 that is included in the management fee expense of $2,456.

(2)
Includes accretion of our Series A preferred stock dividends, which is nondeductible for income tax purposes. Accretion expense included as a component of interest expense was $4,055 for fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. We used a portion of the proceeds from our initial public offering in August 2005 to redeem all the Series A preferred stock.

(3)
The non-financial information included in this table is derived from reports from various departments, including human resources, operations, inventory management and sales.

(4)
Defined as, for any period, the dollar value of orders shipped the same day they were placed from any warehouse expressed as a percentage of the total dollar value of the orders placed by customers in the period.

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Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

    All dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except for per share amounts.

Overview

        We are a leading distributor of animal health products to veterinarians across the United States. We market our products to veterinarians in both the companion and production animal markets. Our growth has primarily been from internal growth initiatives and, to a lesser extent, selective acquisitions. We operate within a single reporting segment and are primarily located within the United States.

        Historically, we estimate that approximately two-thirds of our total revenues have been generated from sales to the companion animal market and one-third from sales to the production animal market. The state of the overall economy and consumer spending have impacted both markets, with tightening credit markets, volatile commodity prices in milk, grain, corn and feeder cattle, and changes in weather patterns also affecting demand in the production animal market. Both markets have been integral to our financial results and we intend to continue supporting both markets.

        We believe that the companion animal market has slowed as a result of a decrease in consumer spending. Historically, growth in the companion animal market has been due to the increasing number of households with companion animals, increased expenditures on animal health and preventative care, an aging pet population, advancements in pharmaceuticals and diagnostic testing and extensive marketing programs sponsored by companion animal nutrition and pharmaceutical companies. While the average order size for companion animal health products is often smaller than production animal health products, companion animal health products typically have higher margins. We intend to continue to penetrate this market through internal growth initiatives and selective acquisitions. We believe that some of our customers in this market have experienced liquidity issues as a result of the tightening credit markets.

        Product sales in the production animal market have been negatively impacted by increasing volatility in commodity prices such as milk, corn, grain and feeder cattle, changes in weather patterns that allow cattle to graze for longer periods and changes in the general economy. Milk price declines in the dairy market over the last two years have had a significant impact on dairy farmers. This has created cash-flow challenges for these farmers and in turn, has impacted the time it takes for us to collect our outstanding accounts receivable from these customers. However, we still believe that it is important to our business to service this market and we intend to continue to support production animal veterinarians with a broad range of products and value-added services. Historically, sales in this market have been largely driven by spending on animal health products to improve productivity, weight gain and disease prevention, as well as a growing focus on food safety.

        We generally extend some level of credit to our customers without requiring collateral, which exposes us to credit risk. If customers' cash flow or operating and financial performance deteriorates, or if they are unable to make scheduled payments or obtain other sources of credit, they may not be able to pay or may delay payment to us, or in some cases may return products to us. We continually assess our customers' ability to pay us and adjust our allowance for doubtful accounts, as necessary.

        Our quarterly sales and operating results have varied significantly in the past, and will likely continue to do so in the future. Historically, our total revenues have typically been higher during the spring and fall months due to increased sales of production animal products. Product use cycles for

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production animal products are directly related to medical procedures performed by veterinarians on production animals during the spring and fall months. These buying patterns can also be affected by the marketing programs or price increase announcements of vendors and distributors, which can cause veterinarians to purchase production animal health products earlier than those products are needed. This kind of early purchasing may reduce our sales in the months these purchases would have otherwise been made.

        We sell products that we source from our vendors to our customers through either a "buy/sell" transaction or an agency relationship with our vendors. In a "buy/sell" transaction, we purchase or take inventory of products from our vendors. When a customer places an order with us, we pick, pack, ship and invoice the customer for the order. We record sales from "buy/sell" transactions, which account for the vast majority of our business, as revenues in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. In an agency relationship, we generally do not purchase and take inventory of products from our vendors. When we receive an order from our customer, we transmit the order to our vendor, who picks, packs and ships the order to our customer. In some cases, our vendor invoices and collects payment from our customer, while in other cases we invoice and collect payment from our customer on behalf of our vendor. We receive a commission payment for soliciting the order from our customer and for providing other customer service activities. The aggregate revenues we receive in agency transactions constitute the "commissions" line item on our consolidated statements of income and are recorded in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our vendors determine the method we use to sell our products. Historically, vendors have occasionally switched between the "buy/sell" and agency models for particular products in response to market conditions related to that particular product. A switch between models can impact our revenues and our operating income. We cannot know in advance when a vendor will switch between the "buy/sell" and agency models or what impact, if any, such a change may have. A switch can occur even with vendors with whom we have written agreements, because most of our agreements with vendors have relatively short terms and are terminable with or without cause on short notice, normally 30 to 90 days. The impact of any individual change from a "buy/sell" to an agency model depends on the costs and expenses associated with a particular product, and can have either a positive or a negative effect on our profitability.

        We typically renegotiate vendor contracts annually. These vendor contracts may include terms defining margins, rebates, commissions, exclusivity requirements and the manner in which we go to market. For example, vendors could require us to distribute their products on an exclusive basis, which could cause us to forego distributing competing products which may also be profitable. Conversely, competitors could obtain exclusive rights to market particular products, which we would be unable to market. If we lose the right to distribute products under such exclusive agreements, we may lose access to certain products and lose a competitive advantage. Exclusivity agreements could allow potential competitors to sell products that we cannot offer and erode our market share. In addition, vendors have the ability to expand the distributors that they use which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        Many of our vendors' rebate programs are based on a calendar year. Historically, the three months ended December 31 has been our most significant quarter for recognition of rebates. We do not expect this trend in vendor rebates to continue starting in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 due to the change in the Pfizer livestock contract that was effective January 1, 2009. Vendor rebates based on sales are classified in our accompanying consolidated statements of income as a reduction to cost of product

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sales at the time the sales performance measures are achieved. Purchase rebates are measured against inventory purchases from the vendors and are a reduction of inventory until the product is sold. When the inventory is sold, purchase rebates are recognized as a reduction to cost of product sales.

        Total Revenues.    Our total revenues increased from $496,655 for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 to $941,332 for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Our revenue growth has been driven by our ability to offer a broad product selection at competitive prices with high levels of customer service and support and an expansion in the number of veterinary practices to which we distribute products. We have continually added new vendor relationships to expand our product offering and field sales representatives to increase our customer reach, principally in the Southeast, Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States.

        Operating Expenses.    Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased from $52,647 for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 to $90,827 for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist mainly of compensation and benefits, warehouse operating supplies, occupancy and location expenses and other general corporate expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 10.6% for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, compared to 9.6% for the same period in 2009.

        Acquisitions.    In fiscal year 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Securos, including an ownership interest in Securos Europe. Based in Charlton, Massachusetts, Securos was a provider of veterinary orthopedic products in the United States and select countries abroad and sourced private label products in the categories of veterinary surgical consumables and equipment and handheld instruments.

        In fiscal year 2008, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Tri V. Based near Detroit, Michigan, Tri V was a distributor with an 11-year history of providing animal health products to approximately 850 veterinary practices, with a particular focus on emergency clinics and ophthalmology specialists.

        Also in fiscal year 2008, we acquired substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink. Based near Denver, Colorado, AAHA MARKETLink was a distributor of animal health products to members of American Animal Hospital Association.

        Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of these acquisitions are discussed in Note 3 "Business Acquisitions" to the consolidated financial statements.

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Results of Operations

        The following tables summarize our historical results of operations for our fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Summary Consolidated Results of Operations Table

 
  Year Ended September 30,  
 
  2009   %   2008   %   2007   %  
 
  (In thousands, except per share data)
 

Revenues:

                                     
 

Product sales

  $ 880,703     93.6 % $ 778,953     93.7 % $ 664,351     93.5 %
 

Product sales to related party

    46,406     4.9 %   39,452     4.7 %   36,122     5.1 %
 

Commissions

    14,223     1.5 %   12,959     1.6 %   9,632     1.4 %
                           
   

Total revenues

    941,332     100.0 %   831,364     100.0 %   710,105     100.0 %

Cost of product sales

    806,677     85.7 %   711,812     85.6 %   607,756     85.6 %
                           

Gross profit

    134,655     14.3 %   119,552     14.4 %   102,349     14.4 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    90,827     9.6 %   84,123     10.1 %   73,215     10.3 %

Depreciation and amortization

    3,365     0.4 %   3,078     0.4 %   2,424     0.3 %
                           

Operating income

    40,463     4.3 %   32,351     3.9 %   26,710     3.8 %

Other income (expense):

                                     
 

Interest expense

    (242 )   0.0 %   (265 )   0.0 %   (545 )   (0.1 )%
 

Earnings of equity method investees

    230     0.0 %   179     0.0 %   169     0.0 %
 

Other

    540     0.1 %   642     0.1 %   756     0.1 %
                           
   

Total other income (expense)

    528     0.1 %   556     0.1 %   380     0.0 %

Income before taxes

    40,991     4.4 %   32,907     4.0 %   27,090     3.8 %

Income tax expense

    (16,086 )   (1.7 )%   (12,990 )   (1.6 )%   (10,215 )   (1.4 )%
                           

Net income

  $ 24,905     2.7 % $ 19,917     2.4 % $ 16,875     2.4 %
                           

Earnings per common share:

                                     
 

Basic

  $ 2.06         $ 1.65         $ 1.43        
 

Diluted

  $ 2.02         $ 1.62         $ 1.40        

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                                     
 

Basic

    12,088           12,053           11,764        
 

Diluted

    12,306           12,301           12,044        

Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

        Total Revenues.    Total revenues increased $109,968, or 13.2%, to $941,332 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from $831,364 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. This increase was attributable to an increase in product sales volumes of a wide variety of products to both existing and new customers. Revenues attributable to new customers represented approximately 65% of the growth in total revenues during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Revenues attributable to existing customers represented approximately 35% of the growth in total revenues during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. For the purpose of calculating growth rates of new and existing customer revenue,

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we have defined a new customer as a customer that did not purchase product from us in the corresponding fiscal quarter of the prior year, with the remaining customer base being considered an existing customer. Revenues from new customers for each fiscal quarter are summed to arrive at the estimated year-to-date revenue for new customers. Included in the new customer growth were approximately $8,937 of revenues attributable to new customers acquired as a result of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink as of July 1, 2008. Additionally, we had $17,628 of incremental revenues as a result of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink from customers who had previously been purchasing from both MWI and AAHA MARKETLink.

        Commission revenues increased $1,264, or 9.8%, to $14,223 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from $12,959 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The increase of commission revenues was due to the increase in gross agency billings of $24,012, or 9.8%, to $269,057 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from $245,045 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

        Gross Profit.    Gross profit increased $15,103, or 12.6%, to $134,655 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from $119,552 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The change in gross profit is primarily a result of increased total revenues as discussed above. Vendor rebates decreased by approximately $1,600 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. This decrease in vendor rebates was primarily due to the elimination of the Pfizer livestock rebate opportunity, partially offset by increases in rebates from other vendors, including a strong performance on a significant vendor rebate program offered from a certain vendor during the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in vendor rebates was partially offset by an improvement in freight costs as a percentage of total revenues compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues was 14.3% and 14.4% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A").    SG&A increased $6,704, or 8.0%, to $90,827 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from $84,123 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. This increase was primarily due to increased compensation and benefits costs and an increase in our allowance for doubtful accounts, partially offset by a decrease in travel expenses. SG&A as a percentage of revenue was 9.6% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 and 10.1% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. This improvement was primarily due to improvements in compensation costs, outside fees and services, and travel expenses.

        Depreciation and Amortization.    Depreciation and amortization expense increased $287, or 9.3%, to $3,365 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from $3,078 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The move of the Grand Prairie, Texas distribution center and the implementation of new technologies contributed to the increase in depreciation expense. In addition, amortization expense increased as a result of intangible assets acquired in the purchase of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink.

        Other Income/Expenses.    Other income decreased $28, or 5.0%, to $528 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 from $556 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in other income was primarily due to a reduction in interest revenue of during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in the prior year. This was a result of lower

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interest rates during fiscal year 2009 as compared to fiscal year 2008. This decrease in interest revenue was partially offset by an increase earnings from equity method investees.

        Income Tax Expense.    Our effective tax rate was 39.2% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 and 39.5% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

        Total Revenues.    Total revenues increased $121,259, or 17.1%, to $831,364 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $710,105 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This increase was attributable to an increase in product sales volumes of a wide variety of products to both existing and new customers. Revenues attributable to new customers represented approximately 57% of the growth in total revenues during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Revenues attributable to existing customers represented approximately 43% of the growth in total revenues during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. For the purpose of calculating growth rates of new and existing customer revenue, we have defined a new customer as a customer that did not purchase product from us in the corresponding fiscal quarter of the prior year, with the remaining customer base being considered an existing customer. Revenues from new customers for each fiscal quarter are summed to arrive at the estimated year-to-date revenue for new customers. Included in the new customer growth were approximately $2,762 of revenues attributable to new customers acquired as a result of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink as of July 1, 2008. Additionally, we had $5,474 of incremental revenues as a result of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets AAHA MARKETLink from customers who had previously been purchasing from both MWI and AAHA MARKETLink.

        Commission revenues increased $3,327, or 34.5%, to $12,959 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $9,632 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase of commission revenues was due to the increase in gross agency billings of $50,694, or 26.1%, to $245,045 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $194,351 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The growth in commissions was due to an increase in sales volume to customers and additional incentives that were achieved during the fiscal year.

        Gross Profit.    Gross profit increased $17,203, or 16.8%, to $119,552 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $102,349 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The change in gross profit is a result of increased total revenues as discussed above. Vendor rebates increased by approximately $989 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues was 14.4% for both of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

        Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.    SG&A increased $10,908, or 14.9%, to $84,123 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $73,215 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. This increase was primarily due to increased compensation and benefits costs and occupancy and location costs. Compensation and benefit costs increased due to the addition of 81 employees during the fiscal year, which includes 23 new field sales representatives and 18 new telesales representatives. Compensation costs also increased as a result of increased sales commissions that are directly correlated with the sales growth. Occupancy and location costs increased as a result of the addition of our distribution center in Edwardsville, Kansas. This distribution center commenced operations in October 2007. We also experienced higher credit card fees as a result of increased revenues and usage.

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SG&A as a percentage of revenue was 10.1% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and 10.3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.

        Depreciation and Amortization.    Depreciation and amortization expense increased $654, or 27.0%, to $3,078 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $2,424 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The addition of the Kansas distribution center and the implementation of new technologies contributed to the increase in depreciation expense. In addition, amortization expense increased as a result of intangible assets acquired in the purchases of the assets of Securos, Tri V and AAHA MARKETLink.

        Other Income/Expenses.    Other income increased $176, or 46.3%, to $556 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 from $380 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase in other income was primarily due to a reduction in interest expense of $280 in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year. This was a result of the issuance of additional shares of common stock in April 2007, the proceeds of which were partially used to pay down borrowings on our revolving credit facility. This resulted in less outstanding indebtedness during fiscal year 2008 under the revolving credit facility as compared to fiscal year 2007. Additionally, for most of fiscal year 2008, interest rates were lower which also resulted in lower interest expense.

        Income Tax Expense.    Our effective tax rate was 39.5% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and 37.7% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate for the year ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the year ended September 30, 2007 was primarily attributable to the change in our estimates related to state taxes as a result of our adoption of a new tax accounting standard.

Seasonality in Operating Results

        Our quarterly sales and operating results have varied significantly in the past, and will likely continue to do so in the future. Historically, our total revenues have typically been higher during the spring and fall months due to increased sales of production animal products. Product use cycles for production animal products are directly related to medical procedures performed by veterinarians on production animals during the spring and fall months. These buying patterns can also be affected by vendors' and distributors' marketing programs or price increase announcements, which can cause veterinarians to purchase production animal health products earlier than those products are needed. This kind of early purchasing may reduce our sales in the months these purchases would have otherwise been made. See "Risk Factors—Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly, and these fluctuations may cause our stock price to fall." Additionally, while we accrue rebates as they are earned, our rebates have historically been highest during the quarter ended December 31, since some of our vendors' rebate programs were designed to include targets to be achieved near the end of the calendar year. We do not expect this trend in vendor rebates to continue starting in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 due to the change in the Pfizer livestock contract that was effective January 1, 2009.

        Our companion animal products tend to have a different product use cycle that minimally overlaps with that of production animal products. In the companion animal market, sales of flea, tick and mosquito products are highest during the spring and summer months. The differing product use cycles of companion animal products partially offsets the seasonality we typically experience due to our sales of production animal products.

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        For the reasons and factors discussed above our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly. Accordingly, results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for any year and our sales for any particular future period may decrease. In the future, operating results may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. If this occurs, the price of our stock would likely decrease.

 
  For the three-months ended (unaudited)  
 
  Dec. 31,
2007
  Mar. 31,
2008
  Jun. 30,
2008
  Sept. 30,
2008
  Dec. 31,
2008
  Mar. 31,
2009
  Jun. 30,
2009
  Sept. 30,
2009
 
 
  (In thousands, except per share amounts)(1)
 

Revenues:

                                                 
 

Product sales

  $ 189,303   $ 182,461   $ 196,325   $ 210,864   $ 216,616   $ 199,620   $ 231,743   $ 232,724  
 

Product sales to related party

    11,117     8,922     8,689     10,724     12,330     11,137     12,075     10,864  
 

Commissions

    2,941     3,577     3,263     3,178     2,873     3,755     3,645     3,950  
                                   
   

Total revenues

    203,361     194,960     208,277     224,766     231,819     214,512     247,463     247,538  

Cost of product sales

    173,576     166,692     177,970     193,574     198,164     182,878     212,980     212,655  
                                   

Gross profit

    29,785     28,268     30,307     31,192     33,655     31,634     34,483     34,883  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    21,303     20,410     20,802     21,608     23,133     21,498     22,748     23,448  

Depreciation and amortization

    747     746     757     828     835     867     844     819  
                                   

Operating income

    7,735     7,112     8,748     8,756     9,687     9,269     10,891     10,616  

Other income (expense):

                                                 
 

Interest expense

    (51 )   (114 )   (53 )   (47 )   (64 )   (75 )   (63 )   (40 )
 

Earnings of equity method investees

    51     41     37     50     66     55     53     56  
 

Other

    235     117     115     175     149     127     130     134  
                                   
   

Total other income (expense)

    235     44     99     178     151     107     120     150  

Income before taxes

    7,970     7,156     8,847     8,934     9,838     9,376     11,011     10,766  

Income tax expense

    (3,270 )   (2,778 )   (3,429 )   (3,513 )   (3,889 )   (3,589 )   (4,395 )   (4,213 )
                                   

Net income

  $ 4,700   $ 4,378   $ 5,418   $ 5,421   $ 5,949   $ 5,787   $ 6,616   $ 6,553  
                                   

Earnings per common share:

                                                 
 

Basic

  $ 0.39   $ 0.36   $ 0.45   $ 0.45   $ 0.49   $ 0.48   $ 0.55   $ 0.54  
 

Diluted

  $ 0.38   $ 0.36   $ 0.44   $ 0.44   $ 0.48   $ 0.47   $ 0.54   $ 0.53  

(1)
The sums of the quarterly line items may not agree to the year-to-date amounts as a result of rounding.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations and borrowings on our revolving credit facility under our credit agreement. We use capital primarily to fund day-to-day operations and to maintain sufficient inventory levels in order to promptly fulfill customer orders and to expand our operations and sales growth. We believe our capital resources, including our ability to borrow funds from our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next twelve months. Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo, N.A. are the lenders under our revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility allows for borrowings in the aggregate of $70,000, with the right to request an increase in the commitment to $100,000. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of December 1, 2011 and a variable interest rate equal to the Daily LIBOR

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Floating Rate or the LIBOR 1-month fixed rate plus a margin ranging from 0.7% to 1.25% or the Prime Rate (at our option). The lenders also receive an unused line fee and letter of credit fee equal to 0.125% of the unused amount of the revolving credit facility. Our outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2009 was $0, and the interest rate for the revolving credit facility was approximately 0.9% as of September 30, 2009.

        The revolving credit facility allows for the issuance of up to $10,000 in letters of credit. The letters of credit typically act as guarantees of payment to certain third parties in accordance with specified terms and conditions. We had no outstanding letters of credit at September 30, 2009 and four letters of credit totaling $400 at September 30, 2008. There were no outstanding borrowings on these letters of credit at September 30, 2008.

        Our lenders may have suffered losses related to their lending and other financial relationships, especially because of the general weakening of the national economy and increased financial instability of many borrowers. As a result, the lenders may become insolvent or tighten their lending standards, which could make it more difficult for us to borrow under our revolving credit facility, extend the terms of our revolving credit facility or obtain alternative financing on favorable terms or at all. Our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected if we were unable to draw funds under our revolving credit facility because of a lender default or if we fail to obtain other cost-effective financing.

        We generally extend some level of credit to our customers without requiring collateral, which exposes us to credit risk. If customers' cash flow or operating and financial performance deteriorates, or if they are unable to make scheduled payments or obtain other sources of credit, they may not be able to pay or may delay payment to us, or in some cases may return products to us. Any inability of current and/or potential customers to pay us for our products and/or services due to their deteriorating financial condition or otherwise may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Volatility in commodity prices, such as milk, corn, grain and feeder cattle, and deteriorating economic conditions can have a significant impact on the financial results of our customers. We continually assess our customers' ability to pay us and adjust our allowance for doubtful accounts, as necessary. Our allowance for doubtful accounts increased $2,128 to $3,006 as of September 30, 2009, compared to $878 as of September 30, 2008. This change was due to bad debt expense of $2,769, offset by write-offs of $641.

        Operating Activities.    For fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, cash provided by operating activities was $11,939, and was primarily attributable to net income of $24,905, a decrease in inventory of $2,072 and an increase in accrued expenses of $2,091. This amount was partially offset by an increase in receivables of $14,019 and a decrease in accounts payable of $4,712. The increase in net income is a result of the factors discussed above in "Results of Operations". The increase in accounts receivable is primarily related to the increase in sales as well as an increase in receivables with extended payment terms due to a vendor promotion offered during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009. We provide financing terms to our customers that we believe are customary for our industry. There are occasions when we offer extended terms based on market conditions and customer demand. Our inventory levels decreased in the current year due to focused inventory management. Our accounts payable decreased primarily due to the decrease in inventory and the timing of payments for inventory.

        For fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, cash provided by operating activities was $10,622, and was primarily attributable to net income of $19,917 and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $23,163. This amount was partially offset by an increase in receivables of $11,180 and

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inventories of $23,543. The increase in net income is a result of the factors discussed above in "Results of Operations". The increase in accounts receivable is primarily related to the increase in sales. Additionally, we opened a new distribution center in Edwardsville, Kansas and we increased our inventory levels at that facility during the year. We also increased our inventory to accommodate the growth in sales to AAHA MARKETLink customers. Our accounts payable is primarily used to offset the increases in inventory.

        For fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, cash provided by operating activities was $15,379, and was primarily attributable to net income of $16,875 and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $17,311. This amount was partially offset by an increase in receivables of $11,797 and inventories of $8,795. The increase in accounts receivable is primarily related to the increase in sales and the offering of extended payment terms to production animal veterinarians in response to market conditions. The increased levels of inventory and accounts payable are related to purchases to correspond to increased sales, purchases to achieve target volumes and service levels and the opening of a new distribution center located in Edwardsville, Kansas.

        Investing Activities.    For fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, net cash used in investing activities was $2,520. Significant transactions impacting cash used in investing activities include capital expenditures of $2,662 primarily related to the relocation of our distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas and the opening of our distribution center in Whitestown, Indiana. Additionally, we continue to improve our information technology infrastructure.

        For fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, net cash used in investing activities was $16,198. Significant transactions impacting cash used in investing activities include the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of AAHA MARKETLink for $8,676, net of cash received of $1,320, the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Tri V for $4,606, capital expenditures of $3,246 primarily related to the relocation of our distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas and expansion and improvements made to our existing distribution centers. Additionally, we continue to improve our information technology infrastructure and had multiple projects related to improving our technology.

        For fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, net cash used in investing activities was $8,749. Significant transactions impacting cash used in investing activities include the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Securos for $4,661 and capital expenditures of $3,872 primarily related to the new distribution center in Edwardsville, Kansas and expansion and improvements made to our existing distribution centers. Additionally, we added new technology to our distribution centers to improve receiving inventory. We also used cash to improve our e-commerce site at www.mwivet.com.

        Financing Activities.    For fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, net cash provided by financing activities was $1,464, and was primarily attributable to the tax benefit of $1,178 from the exercise of common stock options. We had proceeds of $143 from the stock option exercises and $240 related to the sale of stock under our employee stock purchase plan.

        For fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, net cash provided by financing activities was $396, and was primarily attributable to the proceeds of $218 from stock option exercises. We also had a tax benefit from the stock option exercises of $216.

        For fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, net cash provided by financing activities was $1,932, and was primarily attributable to net proceeds of $11,252 from the issuance of 348,974 shares of common

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stock completed in the third quarter ended June 30, 2007. The proceeds were primarily used to reduce outstanding debt under our revolving credit facility.

        Capital Resources.    On December 13, 2006, MWI Co., (our wholly-owned subsidiary) as borrower, entered into an unsecured credit agreement with us and Memorial Pet Care, as guarantors, and Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., (collectively, the "lenders") for the provision of a revolving credit facility (the "facility"). The facility allows for borrowings in the aggregate of $70,000, with the right to request an increase in the commitment of the lenders to $100,000. The facility has a maturity date of December 1, 2011 and a variable interest rate equal to the Daily LIBOR Floating Rate or the LIBOR 1-month fixed rate plus a margin ranging from 0.7% to 1.25% or the Prime Rate (at our option). The lenders also receive an unused line fee and letter of credit fee equal to 0.125% of the unused amount of the facility. Our outstanding balance on the facility at September 30, 2009 was $0.

        From time to time we issue letters of credit to act as guarantee of payment to specified third parties. We had no letters of credit at September 30, 2009 and four letters of credit totaling $400 at September 30, 2008. There were no outstanding borrowings on these letters of credit at September 30, 2008.

        In January 2005, we issued a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $487 in partial consideration for the purchase of substantially all the assets of Vetpo. The note bears interest at the Prime Rate, payable quarterly. The principal of the note is payable in five equal annual installments, which began on January 1, 2006. At September 30, 2009, we owed $97 on this note payable.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

        At September 30, 2009, we had no significant investments that were accounted for under the equity method in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States except for Feeders Advantage. Feeders Advantage has no liabilities associated with them that were guaranteed by or that would be considered material to us. Accordingly, we do not have any off balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities.

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Contractual Obligations

Contractual Obligations

        Our contractual obligations at September 30, 2009 mature as follows (in thousands):

 
  Payments Due by Period  
 
  Total   1 Year or less   2-3 Years   4-5 Years   More than 5 Years  

Revolving credit facility(1)

  $   $   $   $   $  

Operating lease commitments

    14,805     3,168     5,036     2,986     3,615  

Long-term debt obligations (including current portion)

    97     97              

Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility(2)

    191     89     102          

Other long-term obligations(3)

    1,452     804     531     47     70  
                       

Total contractual obligations

  $ 16,545   $ 4,158   $ 5,669   $ 3,033   $ 3,685  
                       

(1)
The revolving credit facility balance at September 30, 2009 was $0.

(2)
For debt instruments with variable interest rates and unused commitment fees, interest has been calculated for all future periods using the rates in effect at September 30, 2009.

(3)
Other long-term obligations include contracts related to information technology services, telecommunications and financial services. This also includes $242, which is an estimate of certain tax positions that are expected to be settled within the next fiscal year.

Guarantees

        We provide guarantees, indemnifications and assurances to others in the ordinary course of our business. We have evaluated our agreements that contain guarantees and indemnification clauses in accordance with the guidance of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("Codification" or "ASC") 460, Guarantees.

        We enter into a wide range of indemnification arrangements in the ordinary course of business. These include tort indemnities, tax indemnities, indemnities against third party claims arising out of arrangements to provide services to us, indemnities in merger and acquisition agreements and indemnities in agreements related to the sale of our securities. Also, our governance documents and the governance documents of all of our subsidiaries provide for the indemnification of individuals made party to any suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the individual was acting as an officer, director or agent of the relevant company or as a fiduciary of a company-sponsored welfare benefit plan. We also provide guarantees and indemnifications for the benefit of our wholly-owned subsidiaries for the satisfaction of performance obligations, including certain lease obligations. We are not aware of any material liabilities arising from these indemnification arrangements.

Inflation

        Most of our operating expenses are inflation-sensitive, with inflation generally producing increased costs of operations. During the past three years, the most significant effects of inflation have been on employee wages, costs of products and fuel-intensive costs including freight, packing supplies and travel.

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We manage the effects of inflation by controlling increases in compensation expense, renegotiating freight carrier contracts and utilizing a central source for warehouse shipping supplies.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to sales returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, customer incentives, vendor rebates, inventories, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, impairment of long-lived assets, depreciation and amortization, employee benefits and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions and factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We, based on our ongoing review, will make adjustments to our judgments and estimates where facts and circumstances dictate. Historically, actual results have not significantly deviated from those determined using the estimates described above.

        We believe the following critical accounting policies are important to understand our financial condition and results of operations and require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition

        We sell products that we source from vendors to our customers through either a "buy/sell" transaction or an agency relationship with our vendors. In a "buy/sell" transaction, we purchase and take inventory of products from the vendor. When a customer places an order with us, we pick, pack, ship and invoice the customer for the order. We recognize revenue from "buy/sell" transactions as product sales when the product is delivered to the customer. We accept product returns from our customers. We estimate sales returns based on historical experience, and returns are recognized as a reduction of product sales. Product returns have not been significant to our financial statements. In an agency relationship, we generally do not purchase and take inventory of products from our vendors. We receive an order from a customer, then transmit the order to the vendor, who picks, packs and ships the order to the customer. In some cases, the vendor invoices and collects payment from the customer, while in other cases we invoice and collect payment from the customer on behalf of the vendor. We receive a commission payment for soliciting the order from the customer and for providing other customer service activities. Commissions are recognized when the services upon which the commissions are based are complete.

Vendor Rebates

        Vendor rebates are recorded based on the terms of the contracts with each vendor and in accordance with the provisions of ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. We may receive quarterly, semi-annual and annual performance-based rebates from third-party vendors based upon attainment of certain sales and/or purchase goals. Sales rebates are classified in our accompanying consolidated

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statements of income as a reduction to cost of product sales at the time the sales performance measures are achieved. Purchase rebates are measured against inventory purchases from the vendors and are a reduction of inventory until the product is sold. When the inventory is sold, purchase rebates are recognized as a reduction to cost of product sales.

        Historically, actual results have not significantly deviated from those determined using the estimates described above. We expect that our estimates in the future will continue to be reasonable as our rebates are based on specific vendor program goals and are principally recorded upon achievement of sales or purchase performance measures. Vendors may change or eliminate rebate programs from year to year.

Customer Incentives

        Customer incentives are accrued based on the terms of the contracts with each customer and in accordance with the provisions of ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. These incentive programs provide that the customer receives an incentive based on their product purchases or attainment of performance goals. Incentives are estimated based on the specific terms in each agreement, historical experience and product growth rates. The incentives are recognized as a reduction of product sales.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        We assess the potential impairment of goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets annually and on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider important and may trigger an interim impairment review include:

    significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

    significant changes in the manner of our use of acquired assets or the strategy of our overall business; and

    significant negative industry or economic trends.

        If we determine through the impairment review process that goodwill or non-amortizing intangible assets are impaired, an impairment charge is recognized in our consolidated statement of income.

        Goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets were evaluated for impairment in our fourth quarter of 2009 and we determined that the recorded amount was not impaired. The fair value calculations used for these tests require us to make assumptions about items that are inherently uncertain. Assumptions related to future market demand, market prices and product costs could vary from actual results, and the impact of such variations could be material. Factors that could affect the assumptions include changes in economic conditions, changes in government regulations, success in marketing products and competitive conditions in our industry. The factors that most significantly affect the fair value calculation are market multiples and estimates of future cash flows. Fair value was determined using the discounted cash flow method.

Recently Issued and New Accounting Pronouncements

        On July 1, 2009, the FASB ASC became the single source of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles (other than rules and interpretive releases of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). The Codification is topically based with topics organized by ASC number and updated

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with Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs"). ASUs will replace accounting guidance that historically was issued as FASB Statements ("SFAS"), FASB Interpretations, FASB Staff Positions, Emerging Issue Task Force Issues or other types of accounting standards. The Codification became effective September 15, 2009 and disclosures within this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been updated to reflect the change.

        In December 2007, the FASB issued a new accounting standard included in ASC 805, Business Combinations. The new standard retains the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, but requires a number of changes, including changes in the way assets and liabilities are recognized in the purchase accounting. It changes the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, requires the capitalization of in-process research and development at fair value and requires the expensing of acquisition-related costs as incurred, among other items. The standard will apply prospectively to any business combinations occurring in our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009.

        In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), which amends the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities and requires additional disclosures concerning an enterprise's continuing involvement with variable interest entities. The statement is effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010. We are currently evaluating the expected impact, if any, that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

        In September 2009, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, as summarized in Accounting Standards Update 2009-13 (ASC 605, Revenue Recognition). This standard amends the criteria for when to evaluate individual delivered items in a multiple deliverable arrangement and how to allocate consideration received. This standard is effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010. We are currently evaluating the expected impact, if any, that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

        We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates in the United States. We do not engage in financial transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

        The interest payable on the revolving credit facility is based on variable interest rates and is affected by changes in market interest rates. The outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2009 was $0. Therefore, there was no exposure to market risks as of this date. If there had been a balance on the revolving credit facility of $70,000, which is the maximum available amount on the revolving credit facility, a change of 10% from the interest rate as of September 30, 2009, which was approximately 0.9% (Daily LIBOR Floating Rate plus a margin of 0.70%), would have changed interest by $63.

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Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.


MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.
Meridian, Idaho

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2009. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

        As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, on October 1, 2007 the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 740 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109).

        We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 20, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boise, Idaho
November 20, 2009

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the Years Ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007

Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts

 
  2009   2008   2007  

Revenues:

                   
 

Product sales

  $ 880,703   $ 778,953   $ 664,351  
 

Product sales to related party

    46,406     39,452     36,122  
 

Commissions

    14,223     12,959     9,632  
               
   

Total revenues

    941,332     831,364     710,105  

Cost of product sales

    806,677     711,812     607,756  
               

Gross profit

    134,655     119,552     102,349  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    90,827     84,123     73,215  

Depreciation and amortization

    3,365     3,078     2,424  
               

Operating income

    40,463     32,351     26,710  

Other income (expense):

                   
 

Interest expense

    (242 )   (265 )   (545 )
 

Earnings of equity method investees

    230     179     169  
 

Other

    540     642     756  
               
   

Total other income (expense), net

    528     556     380  
               

Income before taxes

    40,991     32,907     27,090  

Income tax expense

    (16,086 )   (12,990 )   (10,215 )
               

Net income

 
$

24,905
 
$

19,917
 
$

16,875
 
               

Earnings per common share:

                   
 

Basic

  $ 2.06   $ 1.65   $ 1.43  
 

Diluted

  $ 2.02   $ 1.62   $ 1.40  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                   
 

Basic

    12,088     12,053     11,764  
 

Diluted

    12,306     12,301     12,044  

See notes to consolidated financial statements

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of September 30, 2009 and 2008

Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts

 
  2009   2008  

Assets

             

Current Assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 14,302   $ 3,419  
 

Receivables, net

    142,485     128,564  
 

Inventories

    116,119     118,403  
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    3,946     3,168  
 

Deferred income taxes

    1,517     809  
           
   

Total current assets

    278,369     254,363  

Property and equipment, net

    9,313     9,687  

Goodwill

    37,610     37,727  

Intangibles, net

    10,194     10,945  

Other assets, net

    2,433     2,083  
           

Total assets

  $ 337,919   $ 314,805  
           

Liabilities And Stockholders' Equity

             

Current Liabilities:

             
 

Line-of-credit

  $   $  
 

Accounts payable

    117,830     123,003  
 

Accrued expenses

    10,767     9,854  
 

Current maturities of long-term debt

    97     97  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    128,694     132,954  

Deferred income taxes

    1,298     751  

Long-term debt

        97  

Commitments and contingencies

             

Stockholders' Equity

             
 

Common stock $0.01 par value, 40,000 authorized; 12,196 and 12,098 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

    122     121  
 

Additional paid in capital

    124,337     122,319  
 

Retained earnings

    83,468     58,563  
           
   

Total stockholders' equity

    207,927     181,003  
           

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 337,919   $ 314,805  
           

See notes to consolidated financial statements

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

For the Years Ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007

Dollars and shares in thousands

 
  Shares of
Common
Stock
  Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid In
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
  Total  

Balance at October 1, 2006

    11,549   $ 115   $ 107,483   $ 22,028   $ 129,626  

Net income

   
   
   
   
16,875
   
16,875
 

Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs of $383

    349     4     11,248         11,252  

Issuance of restricted stock for purchase of Securos

    13         486         486  

Exercises of common stock options

    98     1     337         338  

Tax benefit of common stock exercises

            1,122         1,122  

Issuance of stock awards, net of forfeitures

    15         312         312  
                       

Balance at September 30, 2007

    12,024     120     120,988     38,903     160,011  

Net income

   
   
   
   
19,917
   
19,917
 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                (257 )   (257 )

Issuance of common stock

    2         59         59  

Issuance of restricted stock for purchase of Tri V

    13         505         505  

Exercises of common stock options

    19         218         218  

Tax benefit of common stock exercises

            216         216  

Issuance of stock awards, net of forfeitures

    40     1     333         334  
                       

Balance at September 30, 2008

    12,098     121     122,319     58,563     181,003  

Net income

   
   
   
   
24,905
   
24,905
 

Issuance of common stock

    9         240         240  

Exercises of common stock options

    81     1     142         143  

Tax benefit of common stock exercises

            1,178         1,178  

Issuance of stock awards, net of forfeitures

    8         458         458  
                       

Balance at September 30, 2009

    12,196   $ 122   $ 124,337   $ 83,468   $ 207,927  
                       

See notes to consolidated financial statements

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007

Dollars in thousands

 
  2009   2008   2007  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

                   
 

Net income

  $ 24,905   $ 19,917   $ 16,875  
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:

                   
   

Depreciation and amortization

    3,377     3,089     2,435  
   

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    43     43     63  
   

Stock-based compensation

    482     334     312  
   

Deferred income taxes

    (161 )   (14 )   (47 )
   

Earnings of equity method investees

    (230 )   (179 )   (169 )
   

Tax benefit of common stock options

    (1,178 )   (216 )   (1,122 )
   

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

    29     2     18  
   

Other

            (9 )
   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions):

                   
     

Receivables

    (14,019 )   (11,180 )   (11,797 )
     

Inventories

    2,072     (23,543 )   (8,795 )
     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (760 )   (794 )   304  
     

Accounts payable

    (4,712 )   22,203     15,654  
     

Accrued expenses

    2,091     960     1,657  
               
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    11,939     10,622     15,379  

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

                   
     

Business acquisitions

    117     (13,224 )   (4,661 )
     

Purchases of property and equipment

    (2,662 )   (3,246 )   (3,872 )
     

Other

    25     272     (216 )
               
       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (2,520 )   (16,198 )   (8,749 )

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

                   
     

Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

    240     59     11,252  
     

Proceeds from stock options

    143     218     338  
     

Tax benefit of common stock options

    1,178     216     1,122  
     

Payment on debt

    (97 )   (97 )   (97 )
     

Net payments on line-of-credit

            (10,559 )
     

Debt issuance costs

            (124 )
               
       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    1,464     396     1,932  

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    10,883     (5,180 )   8,562  

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

    3,419     8,599     37  
               

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

  $ 14,302   $ 3,419   $ 8,599  
               

See notes to consolidated financial statements

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

1. Business Description and Basis of Presentation

        MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. is a leading distributor of animal health products to veterinarians across the United States. We market our products to veterinarians in both the companion and production animal markets. We operate twelve distribution centers located across the United States. We also provide supplies to Feeders' Advantage, L.L.C. ("Feeders'Advantage"), a 50% owned entity that sells to various feedlot companies.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

        Principles of Consolidation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements consist of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as "MWI." All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in entities in which we have significant influence; generally this represents an ownership interest between 20% and 50%. Our share of income or loss from these investments is reported as increases or decreases in the respective investment with a corresponding amount reported as other income. We have evaluated all subsequent events through November 20, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

        Basis of Accounting and Use of Estimates—The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In preparing financial information, we use certain estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Some of these estimates require difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for sales returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, customer incentives, vendor rebates, inventories, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, impairment of long-lived assets, depreciation and amortization, employee benefits, and contingencies. The estimates of fair value of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the periods are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable.

        Segment Information—We are a distributor of animal health products to veterinarians. These operations are within a single reporting segment and are primarily located within the United States.

        Revenue Recognition—We sell products we source from vendors to our customers through either a "buy/sell" transaction or an agency relationship with our vendors. In a "buy/sell" transaction, we purchase or take inventory of products from the vendor. When a customer places an order with us, we pick, pack, ship and invoice the customer for the order. We recognize revenue from "buy/sell" transactions as product sales when the product is delivered to the customer. We accept product returns from our customers. We estimate returns based on historical experience and recognize these estimated returns as a reduction of product sales. Product returns have not been significant to our financial statements. We record revenues net of sales tax. In an agency relationship, we generally do not

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


purchase and take inventory of products from vendors. We receive an order from a customer, then transmit the order to the vendor, who picks, packs and ships the order to the customer. In some cases, the vendor invoices and collects payment from the customer, while in other cases we invoice and collect payment from the customer on behalf of the vendor. We receive a commission payment for soliciting the order from the customer and for providing other customer service activities. Commissions are recognized when the services upon which the commissions are based are complete. Gross billings from agency contracts were $269,057, $245,045 and $194,351 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and generated commission revenue of $14,223, $12,959 and $9,632 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

        Cost of Product Sales and Vendor Rebates—Cost of product sales consist of our inventory product cost, including shipping costs to and from our distribution centers. Vendor rebates are recorded based on the terms of the contracts or programs with each vendor. We receive quarterly, semi-annual and annual performance-based rebates from third-party vendors based upon attainment of certain sales and/or purchase goals. Sales rebates are classified in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as a reduction to cost of product sales at the time the sales performance measures are achieved. Purchase rebates are measured against inventory purchases from the vendors and are classified as a reduction of inventory until the product is sold. When the inventory is sold and purchase measures are achieved, purchase rebates are recognized as a reduction to cost of product sales.

        Historically, actual results have not significantly deviated from those determined using the estimates described above. We expect that our estimates in the future will continue to be reasonable as our rebates are based on specific vendor program goals and are principally recorded upon achievement of sales or purchase performance measures. Vendors may change or eliminate rebate programs from year to year.

        Customer Incentives—Customer incentives are accrued based on the terms of the contracts with each customer. These incentive programs provide that the customer receive an incentive based on their product purchases or attainment of performance goals. Incentives are estimated based on the specific terms in each agreement, historical experience and product growth rates. Incentives are recognized as a reduction to product sales.

        Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase. Our banking arrangements allow us to fund outstanding checks when presented to the financial institution for payment.

        Inventories—Inventories, consisting of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, capital equipment, supplies and nutritional products, are stated at the lower of cost (on a moving-average basis) or market.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        Property and Equipment—Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

Machinery, furniture and equipment

    3 to 7 years  

Computer hardware and software

    3 to 7 years  

Leasehold improvements

    Shorter of useful life or lease term  

        The cost and accumulated depreciation of items sold or retired are removed from the property accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in net income. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred and renewals and improvements are capitalized.

        We periodically review long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. No impairments were identified during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

        Goodwill and Intangible Assets—We recognize the excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination as goodwill on the consolidated balance sheet. Goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets, consisting of trade names and patents, are tested for impairment at least annually. We perform an annual impairment test as of September 30 each year and we have concluded that there was no impairment at September 30, 2009 or 2008. These impairment tests will continue to be performed at least annually and more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Amortizing intangible assets primarily include customer relationships and covenants not to compete and are amortized over their useful lives or contractual term which range from 1-20 years.

        We periodically review identifiable intangible assets, excluding goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. No impairments were identified during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

        Other Assets—Included in other assets are investments that consist of our equity method investment in one entity and two entities accounted for under the cost method of accounting. Other assets also consist of debt issuance costs that are being amortized over the life of the related debt.

        Earnings Per Common Share—Basic earnings per common share is calculated based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares plus the weighted-average number of potential outstanding common shares. Potential common shares that would increase earnings per share amounts or decrease loss per share amounts are antidilutive and are,

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


therefore, excluded from the earnings per common share computations. Earnings per common share is computed separately for each period presented.

        Income Taxes—Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized to provide for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are measured using enacted tax rates in effect during the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.

        Concentrations of Risk—Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of our receivables. Our customers are geographically dispersed throughout the United States. We routinely assess the financial strength of our customers and review their credit history before extending credit. In addition, we establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.

        Product sales to Banfield were approximately 11% of our total product sales in fiscal year 2009, and 10% in fiscal years 2008 and 2007. Product sales to Feeder's Advantage, a related party (See Note 13), were approximately 5% of our total product sales in the fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007.

        Advertising—Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and are included as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising costs were $783, $563 and $392 in fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

        Recently Issued and New Accounting Pronouncements—On July 1, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC became the single source of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles (other than rules and interpretive releases of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). The Codification is topically based with topics organized by ASC number and updated with Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs"). ASUs will replace accounting guidance that historically was issued as FASB Statements ("SFAS"), FASB Interpretations, FASB Staff Positions, Emerging Issue Task Force Issues or other types of accounting standards. The Codification became effective September 15, 2009 and disclosures within this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been updated to reflect the change.

        In December 2007, the FASB issued a new accounting standard included in ASC 805, Business Combinations. The new standard retains the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, but requires a number of changes, including changes in the way assets and liabilities are recognized in the purchase accounting. It changes the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, requires the capitalization of in-process research and development at fair value and requires the expensing of acquisition-related costs as incurred, among other items. The standard will apply prospectively to any business combinations occurring in our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009.

        In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), which amends the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities and requires additional

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


disclosures concerning an enterprise's continuing involvement with variable interest entities. The statement is effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010. We are currently evaluating the expected impact, if any, that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

        In September 2009, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, as summarized in Accounting Standards Update 2009-13 (ASC 605, Revenue Recognition). This standard amends the criteria for when to evaluate individual delivered items in a multiple deliverable arrangement and how to allocate consideration received. This standard is effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010. We are currently evaluating the expected impact, if any, that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

3. Business Acquisitions

        In June 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Securos Inc. and International Veterinary Distribution Network, Inc. (collectively "Securos") for approximately $5,147 consisting of $4,661 in cash (including direct acquisition costs of approximately $177) and 13,058 shares of restricted common stock valued at the time of issuance at approximately $486. The purchase price was reduced by $50 as a result of a post closing working capital adjustment. Based in Charlton, Massachusetts, Securos was a provider of veterinary orthopedic products in the United States and select countries abroad and sourced private label products in the categories of veterinary surgical consumables and equipment and handheld instruments.

        In October 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Tri V Services, Inc. ("Tri V") for approximately $5,111, consisting of $4,606 in cash (including direct acquisition costs of approximately $106) and 12,692 shares of restricted common stock valued at the time of the issuance at approximately $505. The purchase price was reduced by $8 as a result of a post closing working capital adjustment. Based near Detroit, Michigan, Tri V was a distributor with an 11-year history of providing animal health products to approximately 850 veterinary practices, with a particular focus on emergency clinics and ophthalmology specialists.

        In July 2008, we acquired substantially all of the assets of AAHA Services Corporation, operating as AAHA MARKETLink ("AAHA MARKETLink") for approximately $8,676, net of cash acquired of $1,320 (including direct acquisition costs of approximately $212). The purchase price was reduced by $117 as a result of a post closing working capital adjustment. Based near Denver, Colorado, AAHA MARKETLink was a distributor of animal health products to members of the American Animal Hospital Association.

        The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of each acquisition, as adjusted during the allocation period as defined in ASC 805, Business Combinations. These purchase price allocations are based on a combination of

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

3. Business Acquisitions (Continued)


valuations and internal analyses. The impact of our acquisitions was not material to our consolidated financial statements.

 
  2009   2008   2007  

Receivables

  $   $ 5,705   $ 352  

Inventories

        237     746  

Property and equipment

        5     286  

Intangibles

        6,569     2,947  

Goodwill

    (117 )   4,763     1,403  

Other assets

        12     39  
               

Total assets acquired

    (117 )   17,291     5,773  
               

Accounts payable

        3,562     611  

Other liabilities

            15  
               

Total liabilities assumed

        3,562     626  
               

Net assets acquired

  $ (117 ) $ 13,729   $ 5,147  
               

        The amount recorded as goodwill for all acquisitions is expected to be deductible for tax purposes over 15 years.

4. Receivables

        Receivables consist of the following at September 30:

 
  2009   2008  

Trade

  $ 132,369   $ 118,242  

Vendor rebates and programs

    13,122     11,200  
           

    145,491     129,442  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

    (3,006 )   (878 )
           

  $ 142,485   $ 128,564  
           

        Approximately 13% and 10% of our trade receivables resulted from transactions with a single customer as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

5. Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment consists of the following at September 30:

 
  2009   2008  

Land

  $ 20   $ 20  

Leasehold improvements

    3,566     3,094  

Machinery, furniture and equipment

    12,792     11,587  

Computer hardware and software

    3,325     3,428  

Construction in progress

    1,140     1,626  
           

    20,843     19,755  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

    (11,530 )   (10,068 )
           

  $ 9,313   $ 9,687  
           

        We recorded depreciation expense of $2,546, $2,441 and $2,110 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

6. Intangibles

        Intangible assets consists of the following at September 30:

 
  Useful Lives   2009   2008  

Amortizing:

                   
 

Customer relationships

    9-20 years   $ 9,076   $ 9,076  
 

Covenants not to compete

    1-5 years     686     686  
 

Other

    3-5 years     257     257  
                 

          10,019     10,019  

Accumulated amortization

          (2,177 )   (1,346 )
                 

          7,842     8,673  

Non-Amortizing:

                   
 

Trade names and patents

          2,352     2,272  
                 

        $ 10,194   $ 10,945  
                 

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

6. Intangibles (Continued)

        We recorded amortization expense of $831, $648 and $325 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets as of September 30, 2009 is as follows:

 
  Amount  

2010

  $ 804  

2011

    786  

2012

    758  

2013

    674  

2014

    668  

Thereafter

    4,152  
       

  $ 7,842  
       

7. Revolving Credit Facility and Long-Term Debt

        Revolving Credit Facility—On December 13, 2006, MWI Co., (our wholly-owned subsidiary) as borrower, entered into an unsecured credit agreement with us and Memorial Pet Care, as guarantors, and Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., (collectively, the "lenders") for the provision of a revolving credit facility (the "facility"). The facility allows for borrowings in the aggregate of $70,000, with the right to request an increase in the commitment of the lenders to $100,000. The facility has a maturity date of December 1, 2011 and a variable interest rate equal to the Daily LIBOR Floating Rate or the LIBOR 1-month fixed rate plus a margin ranging from 0.7% to 1.25% or the Prime Rate (at our option). The lenders also receive an unused line fee and letter of credit fee equal to 0.125% of the unused amount of the facility. Our outstanding balance on the facility at September 30, 2009 was $0. The interest rate for the facility was approximately 0.9% as of September 30, 2009.

        The facility contains certain financial covenants as well as other restrictive covenants. As of September 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants. The facility allows for the issuance of up to $10,000 in letters of credit. The letters of credit typically act as a guarantee of payment to certain third-parties in accordance with specified terms and conditions. We had no outstanding letters of credit at September 30, 2009 and four letters of credit totaling $400 at September 30, 2008. There were no outstanding borrowings on these letters of credit at September 30, 2008.

        Long-Term Debt—In January 2005, we issued a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $487 in partial consideration for the purchase of substantially all the assets of Vetpo. The note bears interest at the Prime Rate (3.25% at September 30, 2009), payable quarterly. The principal of the note is payable in five equal annual installments, the first of which was due on January 1, 2006. The balance on this promissory note was $97 and $194 at September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

8. Common Stock and Stock-Based Awards

2002 Stock Plan

        We have a 2002 Stock Plan (the "2002 Plan") to provide our directors, executives and other key employees with additional incentives by allowing them to acquire an ownership interest in us and, as a result, encouraging them to contribute to our success. At September 30, 2009 and 2008, we had 344,220 and 417,798 shares, respectively, of our common stock available for issuance under the 2002 Plan. The options granted under the 2002 Plan are nonqualified stock options that have an exercise price per share equal to fair market value of the common stock at the time of grant. The term of each option is determined by our board of directors or by a designated committee of the board. The term of any option may not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

2005 Stock Plan

        In July 2005, we adopted the 2005 Stock-Based Award and Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2005 Plan"). Under the 2005 Plan as amended, we may offer restricted shares of our common stock and grant options to purchase shares of our common stock to selected employees and non-employee directors. The purpose of the 2005 Plan is to promote our long-term financial success by attracting, retaining and rewarding eligible participants. At September 30, 2009 and 2008 we had 1,064,752 and 1,089,706 shares, respectively, of our common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Plan.

        The 2005 Plan permits us to grant stock options (both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options), restricted stock and deferred stock. The compensation committee will determine the number and type of stock-based awards to each participant, the exercise price of each award, the duration of the award (not to exceed ten years), vesting provisions and all other terms and conditions of such award in individual award agreements. The 2005 Plan provides that upon termination of employment with us, unless determined otherwise by the compensation committee at the time options are granted, the exercise period for vested awards will generally be limited, provided that vested awards will be canceled immediately upon a termination for cause or voluntary termination. The 2005 Plan provides for the cancellation of all unvested awards upon termination of employment with us, unless determined otherwise by the compensation committee at the time awards are granted.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

8. Common Stock and Stock-Based Awards (Continued)

        A summary of common stock options activity under the 2002 and 2005 Plans are as follows:

 
  2009   2008   2007  
 
  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
 

Outstanding at beginning of year

    420,898   $ 2.87     441,502   $ 3.27     540,895   $ 3.32  

Granted

                         

Exercised

    (81,004 )   1.77     (19,618 )   11.11     (98,533 )   3.42  

Cancelled or expired

    (490 )   17.57     (986 )   17.00     (860 )   17.00  
                                 

Outstanding at end of year

    339,404   $ 3.11     420,898   $ 2.87     441,502   $ 3.27  

Exercisable at end of year

    339,404   $ 3.11     364,490   $ 3.28     328,686   $ 4.33  

Expected to vest

            56,408   $ 0.18     112,816   $ 0.18  

        The intrinsic value of the shares outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2009 was $12,504.

 
  Outstanding options   Exercisable options  
Range of exercise prices   Number of
Shares
  Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
life (in years)
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
 

$  0.18 - $16.99

    283,780     2.7   $ 0.18     283,780   $ 0.18  

$17.00 - $19.99

    45,014     5.8   $ 17.00     45,014   $ 17.00  

$20.00 - $23.06

    10,610     6.0   $ 22.51     10,610   $ 22.51  

        During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we issued stock awards of 11,500 and 40,100 shares, respectively. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, there were 3,210 and 611 shares forfeited, respectively, related to the vesting stock awards. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we recognized $583 and $352, respectively, in compensation expense related to common stock awards.

2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

        In February 2008, we approved the 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). The plan allows substantially all employees to purchase shares of our common stock at 95% of the fair market value on the date of purchase. The purchase date is the last trading date of the purchase period, which begins in March, June, September and December. Employees accumulate amounts through payroll deductions during the purchase period of between 1% and 10% but no more than $20,000 annually. An employee is allowed to purchase a maximum of 200 shares per purchase period. We issued 8,998 and

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

8. Common Stock and Stock-Based Awards (Continued)


1,571 shares of our common stock under the ESPP during fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

9. Computation Of Earnings Per Common Share (In thousands, except per share data)

 
  2009   2008   2007  
 
  Basic   Diluted   Basic   Diluted   Basic   Diluted  

Net income

  $ 24,905   $ 24,905   $ 19,917   $ 19,917   $ 16,875   $ 16,875  
                           

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    12,088     12,088     12,053     12,053     11,764     11,764  

Effect of diluted securities Stock options and restricted stock

          218           248           280  
                                 

Weighted average shares outstanding

          12,306           12,301           12,044  

Earnings per share

  $ 2.06   $ 2.02   $ 1.65   $ 1.62   $ 1.43   $ 1.40  
                           

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation

                               
                                 

10. Income Taxes

        The components of the U.S. Federal and state income tax expense consist of the following:

 
  2009   2008   2007  

Current payable:

                   
 

U.S. Federal

  $ 13,868   $ 10,752   $ 9,367  
 

State

    2,379     1,964     895  
               

    16,247     12,716     10,262  

Deferred:

                   
 

U.S. Federal

    (136 )   236     (42 )
 

State

    (25 )   38     (5 )
               

    (161 )   274     (47 )
               

  $ 16,086   $ 12,990   $ 10,215  
               

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

10. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Our deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following at September 30:

 
  2009   2008  

Deferred tax assets:

             
 

Investments

  $ 149   $ 144  
 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

    1,166     339  
 

Inventories

    312     341  
 

Revenue recognition

    182     185  
 

Lease expense

    226     183  
 

Federal benefit of state taxes

    8     56  
 

Other

    45     93  
           

Total deferred tax assets

    2,088     1,341  

Deferred tax liabilities:

             
 

Property and equipment

    (1,447 )   (895 )
 

Prepaid expenses

    (284 )   (269 )
 

Other

    (138 )   (119 )
           

Total deferred tax liabilities

    (1,869 )   (1,283 )
           

Net deferred tax assets

  $ 219   $ 58  
           

        We believe realization of these deferred assets is more likely than not. Accordingly, no valuation allowance has been recorded.

        Income tax expense differed from income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for all periods presented as follows:

 
  2009   2008   2007  

Taxes computed at statutory rate

    35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

State income taxes (net of federal income tax benefit)

    3.8     3.8     2.0  

Other

    0.4     0.7     0.7  
               

    39.2 %   39.5 %   37.7 %
               

        In 2006, the FASB issued a new accounting standard included in ASC 740, Income Taxes, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This standard requires that management evaluate its tax positions for all open tax years to determine if the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities having full knowledge of all relevant information. We adopted the provisions of this standard as of October 1, 2007, the beginning of our 2008 fiscal year. As a result of the adoption of this standard, we reported a cumulative effect adjustment of $257 which reduced our retained earnings.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

10. Income Taxes (Continued)

        A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 
  2009   2008  

Unrecognized tax benefits—Beginning of year

  $ 523   $ 449  

Gross increases related to prior period tax positions

         

Gross decreases related to prior period tax positions

    (54 )   (8 )

Gross increases related to current period tax positions

    182     185  

Settlements

    (428 )   (103 )
           

Unrecognized tax benefits—End of year

  $ 223   $ 523  
           

        For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, our income tax expense included $7 of tax-related interest and penalties. Of the $223 unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2009, $27 would impact our effective rate, if recognized. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, our income tax expense included $40 of tax-related interest and penalties. Of the $523 unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2008, $220 would have impacted our effective rate, if recognized. Our policy for classifying interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits is to include such items in income tax expense.

        We filed Form 3115 Application of Change in Accounting Method with the Internal Revenue Service during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. We filed an advance consent request for a non-automatic account method change for tax purposes for which we had not received approval prior to our reporting period end. The method change will make revenue recognition for tax purposes the same as revenue recognized for book purposes. We expect resolution within the next twelve months which would decrease the liability for unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $182.

        Additionally, we are in the process of entering into voluntary disclosure agreements with certain state jurisdictions and it is possible that these matters may be settled within the next twelve months, which would decrease the liability for unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $41 as a result of the payment of additional tax expected to be due. Settlement of any particular position would usually require the use of cash. The resolution of a matter would be recognized as an adjustment to our income tax expense and our effective tax rate in the period of resolution. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to income tax examination for years before 2004 in the U.S. and significant state and local jurisdictions.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

11. Statements of Cash Flows—Supplemental and Noncash Disclosures

 
  2009   2008   2007  

Supplemental Disclosures

                   

Cash paid for interest

  $ 173   $ 189   $ 531  

Cash paid for income taxes

    15,251     12,865     8,842  

Noncash Activities

                   

Issuance of restricted common stock for asset acquisition

        505     486  

Equipment acquisitions financed with accounts payable

    119     580     254  

12. Commitments and Contingencies

        We have operating leases for office and distribution center space and equipment for varying periods. Certain leases have renewal options and require contingent payments for increases, including executory costs, property taxes, insurance and certain other costs in excess of a base year amount. Total rent expense for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $3,968, $3,629 and $3,048, respectively.

        The aggregate future noncancelable minimum rental payments on operating leases at September 30, 2009 are as follows:

2010

  $ 3,168  

2011

    2,686  

2012

    2,350  

2013

    1,823  

2014

    1,163  

Thereafter

    3,615  
       

  $ 14,805  
       

13. Related Party Transactions

        MWI Co., our subsidiary, holds a 50% membership interest in Feeders' Advantage that is accounted for as an investment using the equity method. Sales of products to Feeders' Advantage, which are at our cost, were $46,406, $39,443 and $36,116 for the fiscal years ended September 30 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. MWI Co. charged Feeders' Advantage for certain operating and administrative services of $771, $562 and $550 for the fiscal years ended September 30 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors are each members of the board of managers of Feeders' Advantage.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

13. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

        MWI Co. provides Feeders' Advantage with a line-of-credit to finance its day-to-day operations. This line-of-credit bears interest at the prime rate. The interest due on the line-of-credit is calculated and charged to Feeders' Advantage on the last day of each month. Conversely, to the extent MWI Co. has a payable balance due to Feeders' Advantage, the payable balance accrues interest in favor of Feeders' Advantage at the average federal funds rates in effect for that month. As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, MWI Co. had a payable balance to Feeders' Advantage of $210 and $429, respectively.

14. Employee Benefit Plans

        We have a multi-employer defined contribution profit sharing plan with a 401(k) arrangement. To become eligible for the profit sharing portion of the plan, an employee must complete two years of service and attain the age of twenty-one. Participation is automatic beginning the following January or July. To become eligible for the 401(k) portion of the plan, the employee must complete three-months of service and attain the age of twenty-one.

        Both portions of the plan allow for employer contributions. We are required to match 50% of the employee's contribution to the 401(k) portion of the plan up to 6% of the employee's salary. Our matching contributions for the 401(k) portion of the plan were $975, $911 and $794 for the fiscal years ended September 302009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Employee's contributions are fully vested immediately while employer contributions vest over a five-year period.

        Contributions to the profit sharing portion of the Plans are discretionary, ranging from 0% to 3%, and are approved by our Board of Directors. Total profit sharing expense for the fiscal years ended September 30 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $1,106, $956 and $817, respectively. Employer contributions are fully vested immediately.

15. Financial Instruments

        Financial Instruments—The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by us, using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, investments, accounts payable, long-term debt and the facility are a reasonable estimate of their fair value based on their short-term nature.

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MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data

16. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 
  Three-Months Ended    
 
 
  Dec. 31,   Mar. 31,   June 30,   Sept. 30,   Year  
 
  (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)(1)
 

2009

                               

Total revenues

  $ 231,819   $ 214,512   $ 247,463   $ 247,538   $ 941,332  

Gross profit

    33,655     31,634     34,483     34,883     134,655  

Operating income

    9,687     9,269     10,891     10,616     40,463  

Net income

    5,949     5,787     6,616     6,553     24,905  

Earnings per common share—basic

  $ 0.49   $ 0.48   $ 0.55   $ 0.54   $ 2.06  

Earnings per common share—diluted

  $ 0.48   $ 0.47   $ 0.54   $ 0.53   $ 2.02  

Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic

    12,071     12,076     12,079     12,125     12,088  
 

Diluted

    12,295     12,296     12,303     12,331     12,306  

2008

                               

Total revenues

  $ 203,361   $ 194,960   $ 208,277   $ 224,766   $ 831,364  

Gross profit

    29,785     28,268     30,307     31,192     119,552  

Operating income

    7,735     7,112     8,748     8,756     32,351  

Net income

    4,700     4,378     5,418     5,421     19,917  

Earnings per common share—basic

  $ 0.39   $ 0.36   $ 0.45   $ 0.45   $ 1.65  

Earnings per common share—diluted

  $ 0.38   $ 0.36   $ 0.44   $ 0.44   $ 1.62  

Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic

    12,046     12,050     12,051     12,063     12,053  
 

Diluted

    12,296     12,298     12,298     12,311     12,301  

(1)
The sums of the quarterly net income and earnings per share amounts do not agree to the year-to-date earnings per common share amount as a result of rounding.

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Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

        None.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures.

        Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2009. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our Company's disclosure controls and procedures, including the accumulation and communication of disclosures to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

        Management's annual report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm are set forth below on this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

        There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        The management of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f)).

        There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

        Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in "Internal Control—Integrated Framework," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management believes that , as of September 30, 2009, internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

        The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Their report is included herein.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.
Meridian, Idaho

        We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

        In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

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        We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended September 30, 2009, of the Company, and our report dated November 20, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 740 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109).

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boise, Idaho
November 20, 2009

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Item 9B.    Other Information.

        None.


PART III

Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of the Registrant.

        The information regarding directors and nominees for directors of the Company, including identification of the audit committee and audit committee financial expert, is presented under the headings "Corporate Governance—Committees of the Board of Directors," and "Election of Directors—Nominees For Directors" in the Company's definitive proxy statement for use in connection with the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. The information contained under these headings is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding the executive officers of the Company is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1 of Part I as permitted by Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K.

        The Company has adopted a code of conduct that applies to its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. This code of conduct is available on the Company's Web site at www.mwivet.com. If the Company makes any amendments to this code other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grants any waivers, including implicit waivers, from a provision of this code to the Company's Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, the Company will disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date and to whom it applies in a report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

Item 11.    Executive Compensation.

        Information concerning executive compensation is presented under the headings "Executive Compensation" and "Compensation Committee Report" in the Proxy Statement. The information contained under these headings is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

        Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is set forth under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Directors and Officers" in the Proxy Statement. Information with respect to equity compensation plans is set forth under the heading "Equity Compensation Plan Information" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 5 of Part II. The information contained under these headings is incorporated herein by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

        The following table provides information as of September 30, 2009 about the common stock that may be issued under all of our existing equity compensation plans, including the 2002 Stock Plan and

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2005 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans. Both of these plans have been approved by our stockholders.

 
  Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
  Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)
  Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities reflected
in column (a))
(c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    339,404   $ 3.11     1,069,568  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

             
               

Total

    339,404   $ 3.11     1,069,568  

Item 13.    Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence.

        Information concerning related transactions is presented under the heading "Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence" in the Proxy Statement. The information contained under this heading is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

        Information concerning principal accountant fees and services is presented under the heading "Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the Proxy Statement. The information contained under this heading is incorporated herein by reference.

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PART IV

Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1)
Consolidated Financial Statements: See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8 on page 44 of this report.

2)
Financial Statement Schedule: Schedule II—Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

3)
Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed with this report as set forth in the Index to Exhibits on pages 68 through 70 hereof.

MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.
SCHEDULE II—CONSOLIDATED VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(Amounts in thousands)

 
  Balance at
Beginning of
Period
  Charged
(Credited) to
Costs and
Expenses
  Deductions/
Write-offs
  Balance at
End of Period
 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

                         
 

Year ended September 30, 2007

  $ 1,154   $ 208   $ (488 ) $ 874  
 

Year ended September 30, 2008

    874     454     (450 )   878  
 

Year ended September 30, 2009

    878     2,769     (641 )   3,006  

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Signatures

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MARY PATRICIA B. THOMPSON

Mary Patricia B. Thompson
(Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Chief Financial Officer)
Date: November 20, 2009        

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated as of November 20, 2009.

/s/ JAMES F. CLEARY, JR.

James F. Cleary, Jr.
Director, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  /s/ MARY PATRICIA B. THOMPSON

Mary Patricia B. Thompson
Senior Vice President of Finance and
Administration, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ KEITH E. ALESSI

Keith E. Alessi (Director)

 

/s/ BRUCE C. BRUCKMANN

Bruce C. Bruckmann (Director)

/s/ JOHN F. MCNAMARA

John F. McNamara (Director)

 

/s/ A. CRAIG OLSON

A. Craig Olson (Director)

/s/ ROBERT N. REBHOLTZ

Robert N. Rebholtz (Director)

 

/s/ WILLIAM J. ROBISON

William J. Robison (Director)

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Index to Exhibits

Filed with the Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the
Year Ended September 30, 2009

Number   Description
  2.1   Asset Purchase Agreement among MWI Veterinary Supply Co., AAHA Services Corporation and American Animal Hospital Association effective July 1, 2008, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed November 24, 2008.

 

3.1

 

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 1, 2007.

 

3.2

 

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed August 1, 2007.

 

4.1

 

Form of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. common stock certificate, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).

 

4.2

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 18, 2002 by and between MWI Holdings, Inc., Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. II, L.P., Agri Beef Co. and the other parties thereto, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).

 

4.3

 

Executive Stock Agreement dated as of June 18, 2002 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply Co., MWI Holdings, Inc. and James Cleary, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.4

 

Executive Stock Agreement dated as of June 18, 2002 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply Co., MWI Holdings, Inc. and Jeff Danielson, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.5

 

Executive Stock Agreement dated as of June 18, 2002 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply Co., MWI Holdings, Inc. and James Hay, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.6

 

Executive Stock Agreement dated as of June 18, 2002 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply Co., MWI Holdings, Inc. and James Ross, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.7

 

Executive Stock Agreement dated as of June 18, 2002 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply Co., MWI Holdings, Inc. and Mary Pat Thompson, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

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Number   Description
  4.8   First Amendment to Executive Stock Agreement dated as of May 6, 2005 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and James F. Cleary, Jr., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.9

 

First Amendment to Executive Stock Agreement dated as of May 5, 2005 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and Jeffrey J. Danielson, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.10

 

First Amendment to Executive Stock Agreement dated as of May 6, 2005 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and James S. Hay, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.11

 

First Amendment to Executive Stock Agreement dated as of May 6, 2005 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and James M. Ross, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

4.12

 

First Amendment to Executive Stock Agreement dated as of May 6, 2005 by and among MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and Mary Patricia B. Thompson, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.13 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

10.1

 

2002 Stock Option Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).*

 

10.2

 

Third Amendment to Office Lease Agreement dated February 28, 2008 between Rafanelli and Nahas and MWI Veterinary Supply Co., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10Q, filed February 4, 2009.

 

10.3

 

Ethical Distribution Agreement dated as of January 1, 2004 by and between Fort Dodge Animal Health and MWI Veterinary Supply Co., as amended, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).

 

10.4

 

MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. 2005 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan, adopted July 27, 2005, as Amended and Restated, effective July 24, 2006, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 8, 2007.*

 

10.5

 

Form of Option Letter, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg No. 333-124264).

 

10.6

 

First Amendment to 2007 - 2008 Merial Independent Sales Agent Agreement effective as of January 1, 2008 by and between Merial Limited and MWI Veterinary Supply Co., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 1, 2008.†

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Table of Contents

Number   Description
  10.7   First Amendment to the Agreement for Product Purchases effective as of July 1, 2009 by and between MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and Medical Management International, Inc., dba Banfield, The Pet Hospital®.†

 

10.8

 

First Amendment to the Agreement for Logistics Services effective as of July 1, 2009 by and between MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and Medical Management International, Inc., dba Banfield, The Pet Hospital®.†

 

10.9

 

Agreement for Home Delivery Logistics Services effective as of July 1, 2009 by and between MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and Medical Management International, Inc., dba Banfield, the Pet Hospital®.†

 

10.10

 

Credit Agreement dated as of December 13, 2006 by and between MWI Veterinary Supply Co., as Borrower, MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. and Memorial Pet Care, Inc. as Guarantors, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Lenders, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed February 5, 2007.

 

10.11

 

Livestock Products Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009 by and between Pfizer Inc. and MWI Veterinary Supply Co., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed February 4, 2009.†

 

10.12

 

Pfizer Equine Products Marketing Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009 by and between Pfizer Inc. and MWI Veterinary Supply Co., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed April 30, 2009.†

 

10.13

 

2009 Strategic Brands Distribution Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009 by and between Pfizer Inc. and MWI Veterinary Supply Co., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed April 30, 2009.†

 

10.14

 

Companion Animal Select Brands Distribution Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009 by and between Pfizer Inc. and MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed April 30, 2009.†

 

10.15

 

MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 1, 2008.

 

10.16

 

License Agreement dated and effective July 1, 2008 between MWI Veterinary Supply Co. and American Animal Hospital Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed November 24, 2008.†

 

10.17

 

Sponsorship Letter Agreement dated June 30, 2008 between American Animal Hospital Association and MWI Veterinary Supply Co, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed November 24, 2008.

 

10.18

 

Companion Animal AAHA MARKETLink Management Agreement dated and effective as of September 1, 2009 between Pfizer, Inc. and MWI Veterinary Supply Co.†

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.

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Table of Contents

Number   Description
  23   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

*
Identifies management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as an exhibit hereto.

Certain portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request submitted to and approved by the SEC.

82