DEVELOPING DE SOTO
FROM CANINE to cattle ARTICLE BY Jackie Hostetler PHOTOS BY Casey Rooman Smith
Merck Animal Health provides unconditional support for all creatures, great and small.
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erck Animal Health is one of many successful corporations within the De Soto business landscape, providing goods and services, most generally, in the field of animal health and science. The manufacturer offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and government agencies one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services, as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products. “We cover both the livestock business, as well as the animal companion business,” says Tom Schad, director of North American communications. “Everything from horses, to cows, to pigs, to cats, to dogs.” It’s evident that Merck’s commitment to animals is serious business, quite literally, starting from behind the desk. “I’ve got my assistant right here to help,” says Schad, as he playfully strokes one of several cats in his home office. In the role since 2018, Schad came to Merck Animal Health from outside the animal health industry.
“I didn’t have the animal health background, but I was attracted to this company for what it represents,” Schad says. “When I looked at Merck Animal Health, I saw what they were doing. This company isn’t just about the profits. They really want to make sure those animals are safe and healthy. They care about their communities, and they care about their customers. We believe if we do the right thing, the business will take care of itself.” And their customers come in all sizes. Merck Animal Health serves everyone from large corporations to single farmers. “Animals need the same care,” Schad says, “whether you have a herd of 10 or a herd of 10,000.” Merck Animal Health has been active in the De Soto area since 2001; however, its parent company, Merck, has been in existence for 130 years. It has undergone several tweaks over the decades, in terms of acquisitions and mergers. As it stands today, Merck Animal Health has been around since 2007 and is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. Impressive, to say the least. But maybe even more impressive than their vast catalogue of products and services or their rich history is Merck’s approach to doing business. The vision of Merck Animal Health involves a commitment to their motto “the Science of Healthier Animals.” It is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them.
Photo courtesy Merck Animal Health
2021–2022
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