[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 136 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1700-E1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING VETERINARY SERVICE INC. (VSI)

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Veterinary Service Inc., VSI, which will be inducted as a member of the 
Stanislaus County Ag Hall of Fame ``Legends in Agriculture'' during a 
ceremony in Modesto, California, on November 8, 2012.
  VSI is a success story some fifty-two years in the making. 
Headquartered in Modesto, VSI provides a diverse supply of animal 
health products. The company was founded in the late 1950's when Frank 
Sweetman, a local sales representative for a chemical supply company, 
invited two veterinarians, Dr. Willis Woodward and Dr. Donald 
Rosenberg, to join him in establishing an animal health and nutrition 
distributorship. John Pugliese then teamed up with Sweetman to form the 
new company's sales team. These four leaders' decision to band together 
would forever change their lives.
  Poultry was a major focus for the company during its first 20 years. 
Dr. Woodward became a renowned poultry pathologist, spending much of 
his time developing innovative products for the poultry industry. The 
company gradually expanded its offerings from poultry nutrition, to 
feed additives, to sanitation products and more. As the company 
continued to succeed, it explored ways to expand the business to meet 
the needs of more agricultural industries. In 1979, John Scheuber was 
hired to be the General Manager for the company--which by this point, 
included locations in Modesto, Fresno, Perris and Petaluma. Soon 
thereafter, VSI expanded to the retail feed store business.
  In the 1990's, the company set out on an ambitious expansion plan 
that included establishing a distribution center in Oregon. In 1995, 
VSI ventured in to dairy sales in the southern San Joaquin Valley; and 
four years later, it purchased Merced Dairy Supply to improve sales to 
dairies throughout Central California. Over the years, the dairy market 
has provided the company with great growth and

[[Page E1701]]

continues to be a major share of the company's sales.
  As part of the company's expansion efforts, it diversified its 
product offerings to include pet products. Seeing increased opportunity 
in the pet segment, VSI purchased LA Pet, a primary pet food 
distributor, in 2001. With the acquisition, VSI became a one-stop 
supply option for all pet items needed by any retailer. VSI also 
expanded its efforts internationally when it teamed with a Chinese 
customer, Alix Co., to establish ASI, Animal Supplies International, 
which imported products into the U.S. VSI then became the owner of ASI 
and its sister company, JC Logistics, JCL--a freight forwarding company 
which moves containers for importing and exporting. With involvement in 
ASI and JCL, VSI became internationally connected.
  In 2004, Dr. Woodward passed away, and John Scheuber succeeded him as 
the President and CEO.
  The focus on innovation by VSI's founders established a solid 
foundation for the company, as well as a culture for success that 
remains today. The company not only supports the growing agricultural 
industry, but it has established a standard of employee relations which 
has greatly contributed to the company's success and positioned it for 
strong growth in the future. The four original stockholders established 
a company that thrives because of its successful strategy to retain 
talented employees. It introduced an innovative and motivational Profit 
Sharing Plan in 1972; and in 1991, it developed an Employee Stock 
Ownership Program, which enables each employee to own corporate stock.
  Today, at 52 years strong, VSI and its 220 employee-owners continue 
to provide quality products and customer-driven service for all 
segments of the animal health industry. VSI continues to be a strong 
supporter of the community, as well as a leader in the agricultural 
industry.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in praising VSI, Veterinary Services 
Inc., for their significant contributions to agriculture and to the 
people of our local community.

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