A Relationship-First Legacy

This year, Midwest Veterinary Supply, Inc. celebrates a major milestone — 65 years of serving the veterinary profession with products, services and partnership. What began in a modest supply closet in West Fargo, North Dakota, has grown into a nationwide movement supporting thousands of veterinary practices across the United States.

In 1960, Dr. Robert “Doc” Flickinger, DVM, a large-animal veterinarian, recognized an unmet need among his peers for reliable access to quality veterinary products. Operating out of his own practice, he launched Fargo Vet Supply, personally filling orders for vaccines, biologicals and other essentials for area veterinarians. Demand quickly spread beyond the local community.

By August 1961, with business flourishing, Dr. Flickinger and five partners formally incorporated the company as Midwest Veterinary Supply, Inc., capturing its expanding footprint across the central United States. The name change reflected a broader mission — to serve veterinarians throughout the Midwest with dependable products backed by personal service.

Unlike many distributors of the time, Midwest did not launch with a formal sales team or advertising campaign. Instead, it relied on word-of-mouth referrals and strong relationships built on trust. “There was no sales team or marketing,” company leadership later reflected. “It was through listening to veterinarians and providing personalized service that Midwest evolved.”

From its early days focused on large animal practices, the company has adapted with the industry, expanding into companion animal, equine and bovine species segments and developing their line of private label products, mVet. Today, the company operates 10 distribution centers serving the lower 48 states, offering a broad portfolio of biologicals, pharmaceuticals, equipment and instruments.

Staying true to core values

Throughout its growth, the company has remained family and employee-owned, maintaining the core values established by its founder. Midwest continues to emphasize long-term partnerships, quick fulfillment and customer-focused solutions — principles that have guided its growth.

Reflecting on his tenure, now CEO and former president Jeff Burkhamer described the responsibilities he felt stepping into the president role: “I felt a strong responsibility to our company to continue our dream of becoming a nationwide distributor, maintaining our culture; as we stay true to our core values that are anchored in faith-based actions.”

One of the strongest responsibilities continues to be toward Midwest’s employees, providing an opportunity for them to have a successful and fulfilling future in this industry. This includes attracting and retaining employees by respecting their ideas and providing pathways forward to a stronger future, Burkhamer said. “We also work closely with our customers and vendors to understand their goals and align our strategies accordingly. We then develop and execute plans with clear KPIs that ensure alignment and deliver strong returns for all involved.”

Burkhamer credited Midwest’s employee-owned culture for fostering this commitment: “The ownership we reference isn’t that most employees are actual shareholders of Midwest, but rather the entrepreneurial spirit that is pervasive as we all support the health of the company and protect our culture,” he said. “We take very seriously our role in the industry of supporting and protecting God’s creations we impact every day with our education, service and products. We focus on key areas we know are irreplaceable in any relationship that is going to grow and prosper.”

He also emphasized the importance of staying true to the company’s core principles: “One of our guiding principles is that ‘if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers, and the customers will take care of your business.’ This has served us well for 65 years.”

Delivering value over transactions

Over the past 20 years through the manufacturing channel, Mark Van Buskirk has had the pleasure of working with the Midwest family in several roles, including as a sales rep and regional manager partnering in the field and call centers to a national account manager working with the corporate teams.

“At all levels they were always the easiest and most fun to work with,” Van Buskirk said, citing a consistent commitment to veterinarians, employees and the industry, along with a culture grounded in integrity, humility and service. Leadership, he added, emphasized mentorship and remained dedicated to keeping Midwest family-and employee-owned.

Now on board the company as Midwest’s president, Van Buskirk said he feels a strong responsibility to both honor and advance that legacy. He believes those same values will guide the company forward, even as it evolves.

“I believe our employees feel the same way,” he said, noting a shared understanding that the business must expand, modernize and invest to remain competitive. That includes moving beyond some legacy practices and embracing new ways of operating.

Van Buskirk also recognizes the expectations that come with following leaders who shaped Midwest’s identity. He emphasized a continued focus on servant leadership and investing in employees, ensuring future team members have the same opportunities for long-term careers and financial stability.

A cornerstone of Midwest’s approach remains its focus on relationships over transactions. “By delivering value over transaction, we build lasting relationships,” he said, describing a strategy centered on customized solutions rather than one-size-fits-all sales.

That philosophy is closely tied to the company’s culture. Employees are empowered to take ownership, protect that culture and support customers, with partners and clinics viewed as extensions of the Midwest family.

Van Buskirk credited employees for consistently going above and beyond, often stepping up to support colleagues and company initiatives. When he asked team members what mattered most, nearly all pointed to preserving the culture — reinforcing his belief that it is driven and sustained by employees themselves.

Midwest also keeps a close eye on the challenges facing veterinary practices, including staffing shortages, financial pressures, rising client expectations and the rapid pace of technological change. While the company continues to invest in new solutions, Van Buskirk stressed that people remain at the center of its support.

Looking ahead, Van Buskirk emphasized the importance of engaging younger veterinarians while maintaining strong relationships across generations. While innovation will play a role, he said trust and human connection remain at the core.

Much to celebrate

As Midwest Veterinary Supply reflects on its 65-year journey, the company’s leadership expresses gratitude to the veterinary community and looks toward the future.

Former president Guy Flickinger said, “As we celebrate 65 remarkable years in the animal health distribution industry, I want to express our deepest gratitude to the veterinary professionals, partners, and employees who have been integral to our journey. Midwest Veterinary Supply’s success is not just measured by years but by the trust, collaboration, and shared commitment we’ve built together. We are honored to support those who dedicate their lives to animal health and well-being.”

Jeff Burkhamer, CEO added, “With sincere appreciation to our loyal customers and trusted manufacturers we are grateful to be able to celebrate 65 years of Midwest Veterinary Supply. Your confidence and partnership have been the cornerstone of our success and growth in the animal health industry. We are honored to support veterinary professionals with high-quality products and dependable service, and we remain committed to fostering strong relationships that drive mutual success. Thank you for trusting us as your partner — together, we look forward to advancing veterinary care for many years to come.”

President Mark Van Buskirk emphasized the company’s future vision: “We are so proud to celebrate 65 years of success and service to the animal health industry. It is important to reflect and give thanks to our customers, partners and employees who made this possible and make animal health so special. We feel it’s equally important to look forward and ensure that the same values and traits that got us here will continue to drive success in the future. We are proud to remain a family and employee-owned company and we are committed to making sure our employees feel loved, supported and thrive in a place they see themselves able to retire at. We will remain a partner that is easy and enjoyable to work with.

“We will continue to fight every day to ensure veterinary voices are heard, valued, and can depend on us to deliver excellent products and service to them,” Van Buskirk continued. “Lastly, we will continue to invest and expand our business, ensuring we are always able to support this wonderful industry.”

All Photos Courtesy of Midwest Veterinary Supply, Inc.