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Patterson Companies

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Employees 1001-5000
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FY2008 Annual Report · Patterson Companies
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2008 ANNUAL REPORT

A year of strategic investment…  
a year of progress

About Patterson Companies, Inc.
Patterson is a value-added specialty distributor serving the 
dental, companion-pet veterinary and rehabilitation markets.

Patterson Dental, our largest business, provides a virtually 
complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and 
software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to 
dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America.

Webster Veterinary is one of the nation’s largest distributors 
of consumable veterinary supplies, equipment and software, 
diagnostic products, vaccines and pharmaceuticals to 
companion-pet veterinary clinics. 

Patterson Medical is the world’s leading distributor of 
rehabilitation supplies and assistive patient products to the 
physical and occupational therapy markets.

Progress in Fiscal 2008

• Sales of the CEREC® 3D dental restorative system strengthened significantly 

during the second half of the year. 

• Our Webster Veterinary business recorded another year of strong operating 

results. 

• Patterson Medical established a branch office structure as part of its plan to 

strengthen its value-added platform. 

• We returned $630 million to our shareholders through stock repurchases.

Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Year Ended  

Net sales  

Gross profit  

Operating income*  

Net income*  

Earnings per share-diluted*  

Cash and cash equivalents  

Working capital  

Total assets  

Total debt  

4/26/2008   4/28/2007   % Change  4/29/2006

$ 2,998,729   $ 2,798,398  

7%  

$ 2,615,123

 1,031,725   

968,872 

 359,203   

335,690  

 224,858   

208,336  

6% 

7%  

8%  

914,429

323,012

198,425

$           1.69  $          1.51  

12%  

$          1.43

$    308,164   $    241,791  

  $    224,392

 518,974   

509,021  

437,727

 2,076,373    1,940,320  

  1,911,718

 655,034   

180,024  

300,041

Stockholders’ equity  

 1,004,787    1,379,214  

  1,242,521

* Due to the adoption of FASB Statement No. 123(R), “Share Based Payment”, effective on April 30, 2006, operating income, net income and earnings 
per share - diluted were reduced by $7,723, $5,883 and  $0.04, respectively, during the year ended 4/26/2008 and by $7,757, $6,253, and $0.05, 
respectively, during the year ended 4/28/2007.

Fiscal 2008 
Business Platform Sales

Patterson Dental
$2.2 billion

Webster Veterinary
$446 million

Patterson Medical
$371 million

Strongly Profitable
Historic Growth

5-Year Compound Annual Growth Rates:
Sales: 13%
EPS: 15%

Net Sales in Millions

EPS

Sales

$3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

EPS

$1.80

1.50

1.20

0.90

0.60

04             05             06             07             08

1

 
 
To Our Shareholders

2008 was a year of substantial investment in Patterson’s 
future as we worked to further expand the market presence 
and value-added capabilities of our three businesses and 
increase the returns to our shareholders.

• We strengthened Patterson Dental’s competitive position 
in the northeastern U.S. with the acquisition of a highly 
respected regional dental distributor.

• Patterson Medical continued establishing a branch 

office structure in selected markets through acquisitions 
and internal start-ups.

• We acquired an industry-leading line of practice 

management software for physical therapists to further 
strengthen Patterson Medical’s value-added platform.
• Webster Veterinary continued to expand its equipment 

offerings, in addition to providing more product choices 
for its customers. 

• Webster bolstered its presence in the growing 

southwestern U.S. with the acquisition of an Arizona-
based veterinary distributor. 

• We repurchased approximately 18 million Patterson 
shares as part of our initiative to realign Patterson’s 
capital structure.

These and other initiatives are components of our drive 
to strengthen Patterson’s long-term operating results. As 
part of this ongoing commitment, each of our businesses 
is implementing additional strategies aimed at enhancing 
their future growth and profitability. We expect to realize the 
initial positive impact from these new strategies in fiscal 
2009, which should be a year of improved performance for 
Patterson.

Financial Review
Consolidated sales increased 7% in fiscal 2008 to $3.0 
billion from $2.8 billion in fiscal 2007. Net income of 
$224.9 million or $1.69 per diluted share was up 8% from 
$208.3 million or $1.51 in fiscal 2007. 

During the second half of fiscal 2008, we repurchased 
approximately 18 million shares under our 25 million-
share repurchase authorization. In the fourth quarter, we 
also closed on $525 million of long-term debt financing, 
part of which was used to acquire shares under an 
accelerated share repurchase (ASR) program. The positive 
impact of the accretion on Patterson’s earnings from our 
share repurchases was largely offset by increased interest 
expense and lower interest income on cash reserves in 

fiscal 2008. However, the accretion from this buyback 
activity is estimated at an incremental $0.06 per share in 
fiscal 2009.

Investing in our three businesses remains our first priority 
when it comes to capital deployment, but last year’s stock 
repurchasing and debt financing transactions accomplished 
several objectives:

•  We returned $630 million to our shareholders. 
•  By taking advantage of excellent pricing in the debt 
markets, we lowered our weighted average cost of 
capital by about 100 basis points. 

•  We positioned Patterson to increase the returns to our 

shareholders.  

•  We maintained our financial flexibility to take 

advantage of acquisition opportunities.

Patterson Dental
Sales of Patterson Dental, our largest business, increased 
6% in fiscal 2008 to $2.2 billion. Sales of consumable 
dental supplies were solid throughout the year, reflecting 
the continued strength of the North American dental 
market. We are particularly encouraged by the strong 
rebound in sales of the CEREC® 3D dental restorative 
system during last year’s second half. This growing sales 
momentum reflected the positive impact of the new 
software and crown milling chamber introduced late in 
fiscal 2007. These enhancements have taken CEREC’s 
performance to a new level, which is drawing considerable 
attention in the marketplace. We believe the sales progress  
of our CEREC line should continue in fiscal 2009.

Sales of basic dental equipment, including digital x-ray 
systems and related software, fluctuated significantly 
between quarters during fiscal 2008, resulting in below-
forecasted levels for the full year. As the industry’s largest 
distributor of dental equipment, Patterson Dental is 
implementing new sales and marketing initiatives designed 
to strengthen the performance of its entire equipment 
offerings, including digital technology.

In April 2008, we acquired A. Leventhal & Sons, Inc., 
a full-service regional distributor of dental supplies and 
equipment with annual sales of $18 million. The addition 
of Leventhal, which serves customers in Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland, has 
strengthened Patterson’s existing market position in the 
northeastern U.S.

2

Webster Veterinary
Fiscal 2008 marked another year of strong results for 
Webster Veterinary, one of the nation’s largest distributors 
of companion-pet veterinary supplies. Webster’s sales 
grew 12% to $446 million, fueled in part by the strong 
performance of its consumable supply business. Our 
strategic decision to provide more choices for our customers 
in several key product categories, including vaccines and 
flea/tick and heartworm medications, is working as intended. 

Webster’s fiscal 2008 performance also benefited from its 
strategic emphasis on equipment and practice management 
software, which represents a major component of this unit’s 
drive to further strengthen its value-added platform. Webster 
is now selling such equipment as digital x-ray systems, 
tables, kennels and cabinetry in its markets. This initiative 
is supported by Webster’s steadily expanding capabilities in 
local technical support and financing. During fiscal 2009, 
Webster will focus a significant portion of its attention on 
refining and further expanding its relatively new equipment 
business.

Associated Medical Supply, Inc., a veterinary distributor 
serving companion-pet veterinarians in Arizona and 
Utah, was acquired late in fiscal 2008. This transaction 
was of strategic importance, since it strengthened 
Webster’s competitive position in the southwestern U.S. 
The acquisition of New England X-Ray, Inc., a specialty 
equipment and service business in the greater Boston  
market, provided a platform for expanding Webster’s 
equipment business in this important region. 

Patterson Medical
Patterson Medical, the world’s leading distributor of 
rehabilitation supplies and equipment, reported sales 
growth of 11% to $371 million. This business, which is 

starting to realize its potential in the large and growing 
rehabilitation market, is responding to strategies aimed 
at implementing a more extensive value-added business 
model. Patterson Medical has greatly expanded its 
field sales force, which currently totals more than 200 
representatives. In addition, it continued to establish a 
full-service branch office structure. By the end of fiscal 
2008, Patterson Medical had acquired or internally 
started 12 branch offices around the country. Also during 
fiscal 2008, Patterson Medical became the only national 
distributor of the industry-leading line of Chattanooga 
Medical Supply rehabilitation equipment.

In November 2007, we acquired PTOS software, a 
leading line of practice management software for physical 
therapists. Endorsed by the largest provider networks 
in the rehabilitation market, PTOS software is enabling 
Patterson Medical to garner new customers and deepen 
its relationships with existing customers. 

Fiscal 2008 was a year of investment and progress, and 
more work remains ahead of us. We are confident about 
getting this job done due to the quality and commitment 
of our many outstanding employees. We thank our people 
for their hard work, and we also appreciate the continued 
support of our shareholders, valued customers and 
business partners.

Sincerely,

James W. Wiltz
President and Chief Executive Officer

Daniel H. Peckskamp
Vice President 
Operations

R. Stephen Armstrong 
Executive Vice 
President and Chief 
Financial Officer

David P. Sproat 
President
Patterson Medical

James W. Wiltz 
President and Chief 
Executive Officer

Scott P. Anderson 
President
 Patterson Dental

George L. Henriques 
President 
Webster Veterinary

Jerome E. Thygesen 
Vice President 
Human Resources

3

Business Overview
Patterson Dental is one of North America’s largest dental distributors with an 
estimated 32% share of this large and growing market. This business accounted for 
73% of Patterson’s consolidated total sales in fiscal 2008. 

With operations in the U.S. and Canada, our dental 
business has attained a position of industry leadership by 
deploying a full-service, value-added strategy focused on 
meeting a virtually complete range of dental office needs. 
Our long-term success also is grounded in our recognition 
that we are engaged in a relationship business with our 
customers. Patterson Dental’s more than 1,500 field 
representatives, comprising the largest sales force in the 
industry, work closely with sole practitioners and small 
dental offices to provide unsurpassed customer service. 
Patterson Dental’s operations are also highly decentralized 
with 87 branches. This decentralization places decision-
making close to the customer, in addition to resulting in 
greater local accountability.

Competitive Strengths
Patterson Dental’s full-service, value-added strategy 
enables this business to provide dental offices with 
a virtually complete range of consumable supplies, 
equipment and software, and value-added services in a 
cost-effective and highly efficient manner.

• Consumables. We provide the industry’s broadest range 

of consumable products and front office supplies. 
These supplies, which generate a large base of 
recurring revenues, are marketed not only by our sales 
force, but also through a highly efficient electronic 
order/entry system at the disposal of our customers. 

• Equipment and software. Patterson Dental is the 

industry’s largest distributor 

of basic and new technology 

equipment. We have 

attained this position 
through our long-

technical support and market experience. As the table 
below indicates, Patterson Dental holds the largest 
market share of the industry’s leading equipment lines 
in virtually every major equipment category, from dental 
chairs and lights to CAD/CAM systems and digital 
radiography. Our equipment and software business is 
supported by the unique capabilities of the Patterson 
Technology Center, which is responsible for providing 
dentists with a total digital solution through software 
development, support and integration and office 
networking.

• Value-added services. Patterson Dental’s full-service 
business model extends to a broad range of services 
required by its customers. These value-added services 
include: equipment financing; technical service (local 
equipment repair, installation and customer support, 
networking and customer training); dental office 
design; electronic patient education services; electronic 
order-entry; and eBusiness solutions such as electronic 
claims and customer statements.

Dental Market Growth 
We estimate the North American dental market at more 
than $6 billion and growing at a 5%-6% annual rate. 
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services, total U.S. dental expenditures are expected to 

The Clear Industry 
Leader in Dental 
Equipment

Sold by 
Patterson 
Dental

Sold by 
Nearest 
Competitor

Manufacturer’s Category Rank

#1   #2   #3

#1   #2   #3

established 

reputation for 
unmatched 
credibility 
with dental 
practitioners 
and by offering 
leading equipment 
manufacturers 
unparalleled local 

Chairs

Cabinetry

Units

Digital X-ray: Intraoral

Digital X-ray: Extraoral

Handpieces

CAD/CAM

Patterson Dental is the only 
national distributor of A-dec 
chairs, the most widely used by 
the dental profession.

Patterson Dental sells more dental equipment and represents 
more of the industry-leading equipment manufacturers in the 
primary equipment categories than any other dental distributor.

4

Patterson Dental

1  1  1  1  1  1  1  continue growing at approximately 7% each year through 
2015. It also is estimated that the growth of dental 
expenditures during this period will rise roughly twice as fast 
as the forecasted growth of the U.S. economy as measured 
by gross domestic product.

Fueling the growth of the dental market are a series of 
powerful factors:
Favorable Demographics
Similar to overall health care, rising demand for dental 
services will be generated by an expanding adult population, 
whose numbers are growing three times the rate of the 
general population. Older patients are retaining their natural 
teeth longer, which will require more dental services over an 
extended period of time. 
Cosmetic and Specialty Procedures
Patient demand for specialty and cosmetic dental 
procedures has increased in recent years, and this growth 
is expected to continue 
over the foreseeable future. 
Procedures like tooth 
whitening, orthodontic 
treatment for adults and 
veneers— aimed at improving 
the patient’s appearance—
have become increasingly 
popular.
Technology
Converting to new dental 
procedures based on digital 
and CAD/CAM technologies 
also is fueling the growth of 
the dental market. Digital 
x-rays and the CEREC® 3D 
crown restoration system are 
increasing the efficiencies 
of dental offices, while improving dental outcomes and the 
overall patient experience. The efficiency-enhancing aspects 
of these new technologies are particularly critical in view of 
the declining number of dentists per capita. The looming 
shortage of dental practitioners will place an increasing 
premium on technologies that enable dentists to treat more 
patients within the same number of weekly office hours.
Insurance
Dental insurance has increased the percentage of the 
general population that can routinely access dental care, 
resulting in additional demand for dental services. 

Key Business Strategies
To further strengthen our ability to capitalize on the 
attractive opportunities that we see in the North American 
dental market, Patterson Dental recently implemented a 
series of related growth strategies.
• The commission structure of Patterson Dental’s sales 

force has been revamped to better align compensation 
with the growth objectives and strategies of the 
organization. 

• Patterson Dental is offering its EagleSoft® practice 

management software free of charge to any dentist with 
the goal of converting non-Patterson customers to our 
digital x-ray solution. We believe this strategy, which could 

Patterson Dental is the industry leader at introducing important new 
dental technologies, including wireless digital radiography (pictured 
above) and the CEREC® 3D dental restorative system (below), which 
is based on CAD/CAM technology. 

also lead prospective customers to purchase consumable 
supplies and other dental equipment from us, will enable 
Patterson Dental to more fully capitalize on the digital 
radiography opportunity, which is the fastest growing 
product niche in dentistry.

• Our customer loyalty program, now called Patterson 

AdvantageSM, has been redesigned to incent customers to 
partner with Patterson Dental to meet all of their needs.

• The selection process and training of field sales 

representatives have been materially strengthened with 
the goal of attracting and retaining the best people.

5

 
Business Overview
Webster Veterinary is one of the nation’s largest distributors of companion-pet 
veterinary supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals with an estimated 15% national 
market share. Accounting for 15% of Patterson’s consolidated sales in fiscal 2008, 
Webster is the leading companion-pet veterinary distributor in the eastern half of the 
U.S. and is establishing a steadily growing presence west of the Mississippi. 

Expanding Value-Added Platform
Over the past few years, Webster has focused on 
strengthening its full-service, value-added business 
platform, with the goal of functioning as a single-source 
solution for companion-pet veterinarians. Webster’s 
progress on this front is evident in its solid growth during 
this period of time. As a result, we believe that Webster, 
which remains the industry’s top financial performer, 
represents the vehicle for establishing a leading national 
position in the companion-pet veterinarian market.

Growing Sales Force
By the end of fiscal 2008, Webster’s sales force had 
grown to more than 180 field sales representatives 
operating from 12 branch offices. In addition to growth 
in numbers, Webster’s sales force has also become 
increasingly specialized to include equine, equipment 
and technology specialists. Webster’s sales force also 
is augmented by a large group of knowledgable and 
experienced inside customer service representatives, who 
consistently rank as the best in the industry.

Extensive Product Choice
In the area of consumable supplies, Webster offers the 
widest range of products in the industry. Moreover, the 
strategic decision to provide more pharmaceutical choices 
for our customers in several key product categories, 
including vaccines, flea/tick, and heartworm is working as 
planned. As a result of this initiative, Webster currently 
supports offerings from Fort Dodge Animal Health, 
Intervet/Schering-Plough, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Bayer, Virbac 
and other leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. Webster 
also offers its customers a full range of front office 
business forms and supplies.

Expanding Equipment Business
As part of its plan to strengthen its full-service platform, 
Webster is strongly focusing on sales of veterinary 
equipment. Webster is now selling an expanding range 
of equipment, including digital x-ray systems, tables, 
kennels, and cabinetry, in most of its markets. Webster 
is supporting this initiative through its steadily expanding 
capabilities in local technical service. In addition, several 
Webster branches include equipment showrooms. 

Webster is also developing a more open architecture for its 
IntraVet® practice management software, which will enable 
veterinary professionals to integrate digital x-ray images, as 
well as lab results from other equipment, into a digitized 
patient record. By leveraging the full capabilities of the 
Patterson Technology Center, Webster will be the only 
veterinary distributor capable of offering a single-source 
digital solution. Other practice-enhancing functionalities 
are being evaluated for integration into IntraVet software.

Growing Range of Value-Added Services
Webster is expanding its offerings of value-added services 
in order to meet a more complete set of customer needs. 
These services currently include veterinary clinic and 
hospital design, equipment financing, electronic order/
entry and customer education programs. 

Total U.S Pet Industry Expenditures

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

$50 Bil

$40 Bil

$34.4

$36.3

$38.5

$43.4 
(est)

$41.2

$30 Bil

$20 Bil

$10 Bil

0

2004  2005  2006  2007  2008

Many households consider their pets a part of the family and are 
spending more on pet care, products and services.

6 Webster Veterinary

Efficient Distribution
A significant portion of Webster’s distribution has been 
consolidated into combined, full-service veterinary, dental 
and rehabilitation facilities in the Northeast, Middle 
Atlantic and Northwest regions under the management of 
Patterson Logistics Services. Veterinary products will be 
integrated into an expanded multi-use distribution center 
in California later this fiscal year, which will support 
Webster’s growing position in this key market.  Webster’s 
remaining stand-alone distribution centers have been 
functionally separated from its branch offices under 
Patterson Logistics.

Attractive Market Characteristics
The U.S. companion-pet market 
is estimated at approximately $3 
billion, encompassing approximately 
24,000 veterinary practices. As 
the fastest growing segment of 
the overall veterinary market, 
the companion-pet market is 
being fueled by highly attractive 
demographics and consumer 
spending trends. 
•  Industry sources estimate that 
63% or 71 million households 
own one or more companion pets, 
including dogs, cats and horses. 
This ownership level is up from 
56% of all U.S. households in 
1988. 

•  Households have significantly 

increased spending on veterinary 
care as a percentage of their real 
disposable income. Many households consider their 
pets a part of the family and are willing to pay for 
advanced and intensive veterinary care. Reflecting 
this concern for their pets, household expenditures 
on veterinary care have increased from $28.5 billion 
in 2001 to $38.5 billion in 2006, representing a 6% 
compound annual growth rate. 

Fiscal 2009 Goals
During the coming fiscal year, Webster will be 
communicating more actively its position as a single-
source solution for the companion-pet veterinary market. 
At the same time, Webster will be expanding and refining 
its relatively new equipment business. This effort will 
include further development of its technical service 
capabilities. Webster also will remain alert to attractively 
priced acquisition opportunities that would result in 
expansion into new geographic markets or product 
offerings.

7

As part of its plan to strengthen its full-service, 
value-added platform, Webster is focusing on sales 
of veterinary equipment. Webster is now selling an 
expanding range of equipment, including digital 
x-ray systems, tables, kennels, and cabinetry, in 
most of its markets.

Business Overview
Patterson Medical is the world’s leading distributor 
of supplies, equipment and assistive living product 
focused on rehabilitation and sports medicine 
specialists. With an estimated 6% share of this global 
market, which reflects the highly fragmented nature 
of this market, Patterson Medical accounted for 12% 
of Patterson’s consolidated sales in fiscal 2008.

Patterson Medical is the only one-stop shop in the 
rehabilitation market, providing its customers with the 
convenience of a single source of supply for virtually 
all of their product needs. The business is significantly 
larger than its nearest competitor, and no other distributor 
can match the scope of Patterson Medical’s offerings. 
It manufactures approximately 25% of the products it 
distributes and owns many of the leading brands in the 
global rehabilitation market, including Sammons Preston 
in the Americas, Medco in the U.S. sports medicine 
market and Homecraft Rolyan in Europe and Asia. During 
fiscal 2008, Patterson Medical also began distributing 
Chattanooga Medical Supply’s 
industry-leading line of rehabilitation 
equipment on a national basis.

With operations in North America 
and the U.K., Patterson Medical 
serves a wide range of customers 
on a global basis. Outside the U.S., 
Patterson Medical’s products are sold 
to customers in 70 countries through 
a network of 200 dealers. Physical 
and occupational therapists working 
in hospitals and clinics constitute 
Patterson Medical’s largest base 
of customers. This unit also sells 
rehabilitation supplies and equipment to athletic directors 
and sports trainers, long-term care facilities, schools, local 
equipment dealers and end-user consumers. A wide range 
of sales channels is used to reach this diverse customer 
base, including the industry’s largest direct mail catalog 
operation; a growing sales force; contracts, some exclusive, 
with virtually every major national healthcare purchasing 
group; telemarketing; country-specific distributors; and the 
internet.

Patterson Medical does not engage in third-party 
billing. Instead, it sells to and collects directly from its 
customers, who provide third-party services. In addition, 
Patterson Medical’s products generally are not subject to 
reimbursement pressures from Medicare and Medicaid.

Patterson Medical owns many of the leading 
brands on the global rehabilitation market, 
including Sammons Preston in the Americas, 
Medco in the U.S. sports medicine market and 
Homecraft Rolyan in Europe and Asia. 

Expanding Value-Added Platform
Over the past few years, Patterson Medical has been 
implementing plans and strategies aimed at strengthening 
and expanding its value-added business platform. 
Increasing the size and quality of its field sales force and 
establishing a branch office structure rank among the most 
important of these strategies.

Growing Field Sales Force
Back in 2005, Patterson Medical’s U.S. field sales force 
totaled 85 representatives, which was already the largest 
in the rehabilitation industry. At the end of fiscal 2008, 
this sales force had more than doubled to over 200 
representatives worldwide. The rationale for this strategy 
is based on the fact that rehabilitation, like dentistry and 
veterinary medicine, is a relationship business. Physical 

8

Patterson Medical

U.S. Population Growth (millions) 65+ Age Group

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Population will double between 2000 and 2030

s
n
o
i
l
l
i

m

90

60

30

0

1990  1995  2000  2005  2010  2015  2020  2025  2030  2035  2040  2045  2050

The aging baby boomer generation will generate growing demand for rehabilitation supplies and equipment.

strategy, the local sales staff is able to build strong 
customer relationships, while locally-based decision-making 
results in greater accountability. Branch office equipment 
showrooms and availability of local technical service have 
provided Patterson Medical with an added measure of 
credibility among manufacturers of premium equipment 
lines. 

Market Growth Drivers
The growth of the estimated $6 billion rehabilitation market 
is being fueled by a combination of factors. Perhaps most 
importantly is the aging baby boomer population. The U.S. 
Census Bureau estimates that the population over the age 
of 65 will double in size between 2000 and 2030, growing 
from 35 million to 72 million. Aging population trends 
in the U.K., Patterson Medical’s largest overseas market, 
mirror those in the U.S. It is estimated that the U.K.’s over-
65 population will nearly double to almost 16.5 million 
over the next 30 years. Moreover, the over-85 population 
is projected to nearly triple over this same period. Growing 
demand for rehabilitation services also is being generated 
by today’s more active lifestyles, resulting in growing 
numbers of sports and recreation-related injuries. In 
addition, there is a trend toward less invasive treatment 
and intervention, which frequently involves a rehabilitation 
protocol for the recovery process.

Fiscal 2009 Goals
During the coming year, Patterson Medical will focus 
on strengthening the operations of its branch structure, 
including the implementation of Patterson’s management 
systems at each branch. Additional branches will be 
opened but probably at a slower rate than in fiscal 2008. 
In addition, Patterson Medical will continue expanding its 
field sales force. Patterson Medical also will continue to 
evaluate acquisition opportunities, reflecting its market-
leading position as a consolidator of a highly fragmented 
industry. Of particular interest would be local/regional 
dealers and specialty distributors, including those serving 
the sports medicine market. Finally, Patterson Medical will 
work to continue strengthening its international operations 
and extending its brands throughout the world.

9

Physical and occupational therapists working in hospitals 
and clinics constitute Patterson Medical’s largest base of 
customers. 

and occupational therapists and athletic trainers want 
relationships with sales representatives based on product 
knowledge, industry expertise and quality service. Patterson 
Medical’s growing sales force has been augmented by 
electronic order/entry and the launch of a customer loyalty 
program.

Branch Office Structure
Patterson Medical has been establishing a branch office 
structure through acquisitions and internal start-ups over 
the past two years. At the end of fiscal 2008, the unit 
was operating 12 branches, serving such major markets 
as New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and San 
Francisco. Each branch deploys a full-service, value-added 
model, based upon a commissioned sales staff, equipment 
showrooms, and a service department for equipment 
installation, repair and warranty service. Through this 

$ 1,415,515   $ 1,156,455  $ 1,045,883   $ 883,268 

921,335  

494,180  

347,000  

147,180  

5,043  

747,301  

409,154  

294,039  

115,115  

7,081  

678,766   571,698 

367,117   311,570 

269,658   234,098 

97,459  

5,540  

77,472 

2,239 

$    331,413   $    310,046  $    238,502   $ 187,952 

718,376  

549,180  

451,976   373,250 

976  

990  

1,719  

2,097 

514,360  

408,515  

330,470   265,199 

Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

  Year ended 

4/26/08 

4/28/07 

4/29/06 

4/30/05 

4/24/04 

4/26/03 

4/27/02 

4/28/01   

  4/29/00 

4/24/99

Statement of Operations Data: 
Net sales 
Cost of sales 
Gross margin 
Operating expenses (2) 
Operating income 
Other income (expense) – net 

 $ 2,998,729   $ 2,798,398   $ 2,615,123   $ 2,421,457  $ 1,969,349  $ 1,656,956  
1,700,694   1,558,946   1,267,005   1,082,370  
   1,967,004  
574,586  
   1,031,725  
395,638  
 672,522  
178,948  
 359,203  
7,454  
 (1,775) 

1,829,526 
968,872  
633,182  
335,690  
(6,082) 

702,344  
459,844  
242,500  
(2,980) 

914,429  
591,417  
323,012  
(6,039 ) 

862,511  
560,375  
302,136  
(8,689 ) 

Income taxes 

 132,570  

121,272  

118,548  

109,749  

90,055  

70,082  

56,933  

45,721  

38,527  

29,815 

Income before cumulative effect of
 accounting change 

 $    224,858   $    208,336   $    198,425   $    183,698  $    149,465  $    116,320  

$      95,290   $      76,475  $      64,472   $   49,896 

Diluted earnings per share (1) (2) 

  $          1.69   $          1.51  $          1.43   $          1.32  $          1.08  $          0.85  

$          0.70   $          0.56  $          0.48   $       0.37 

Weighted average shares and potentially 
dilutive shares outstanding (1) 

 132,910  

137,769  

139,234  

138,873  

137,768  

136,894  

136,402  

135,526  

135,088   133,986 

Dividends per common share 

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—  

Balance Sheet Data: 
Working capital 
Total assets 
Total debt 
Stockholders’ equity 

Operating Data: 
(as of fiscal year-end) 
Number of sales representatives  
Number of employees  
Number of service technicians 

  $    518,974   $    509,021   $    437,727   $    470,439  $    507,145  $    422,093  
823,978  
   2,076,373  
274  
 655,034  
633,686  
   1,004,787  

1,911,718   1,685,301   1,588,957  
499,587  
801,758  

321,557  
300,041  
1,379,214   1,242,521   1,015,072  

1,940,320 
180,024  

 1,998  
 6,857  
 1,217  

 1,923  
 6,577  
 1,143  

 1,864  
 6,438  
 1,124  

 1,683  
 5,948  
 1,037  

 1,582  
 5,741  
 991  

 1,353  
 4,772  
 976  

 1,308  

 4,637  

 911  

 1,087  

 3,853  

 807  

 1,046  

 3,789  

 793  

 986 

 3,623 

 721 

(1) Amounts are adjusted for two-for-one stock splits on September 14, 2004 and June 13, 2000. 
(2) Reflects the adoption of FASB Statement No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” in fiscal year 2003. Had this standard been 

adopted at the beginning of fiscal 1999, income in fiscal years 1999 through 2002 would have been positively impacted by no more than 
$0.02 per diluted share. In addition, FASB Statement No. 123(R) “Share-Based Compensation” was adopted at the beginning of fiscal 
year 2007 and reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.04 and $0.05 in fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively. All prior years in this 
summary do not reflect expense under Statement 123(R). 

(3) See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.  

Market Information
The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select 
Market® under the symbol PDCO.

The following table sets forth the range of high and low sale prices 
for the Company’s common stock for each full quarterly period within 
the two most recent fiscal years. Such quotations reflect inter-dealer 
prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may 
not necessarily represent actual transactions. 

10

Fiscal 2008

Fiscal 2007

High

Low

High

Low

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

$38.27  $33.81 
$40.08  $35.03 
$39.93  $28.32 
$37.78  $30.89 

$36.13  $31.51 
$34.25  $29.61 
$38.29  $31.80 
$39.76  $31.71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Year ended 

4/26/08 

4/28/07 

4/29/06 

4/30/05 

4/24/04 

4/26/03 

4/27/02 

4/28/01   

  4/29/00 

4/24/99

$ 1,415,515   $ 1,156,455  $ 1,045,883   $ 883,268 
678,766   571,698 
367,117   311,570 
269,658   234,098 
77,472 
2,239 

921,335  
494,180  
347,000  
147,180  
5,043  

747,301  
409,154  
294,039  
115,115  
7,081  

97,459  
5,540  

Income taxes 

 132,570  

121,272  

118,548  

109,749  

90,055  

70,082  

56,933  

45,721  

38,527  

29,815 

 accounting change 

 $    224,858   $    208,336   $    198,425   $    183,698  $    149,465  $    116,320  

$      95,290   $      76,475  $      64,472   $   49,896 

Diluted earnings per share (1) (2) 

  $          1.69   $          1.51  $          1.43   $          1.32  $          1.08  $          0.85  

$          0.70   $          0.56  $          0.48   $       0.37 

Weighted average shares and potentially 

dilutive shares outstanding (1) 

 132,910  

137,769  

139,234  

138,873  

137,768  

136,894  

136,402  

135,526  

135,088   133,986 

Dividends per common share 

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—  

Statement of Operations Data: 

Net sales 

Cost of sales 

Gross margin 

Operating expenses (2) 

Operating income 

Other income (expense) – net 

Income before cumulative effect of

Balance Sheet Data: 

Working capital 

Total assets 

Total debt 

Stockholders’ equity 

Operating Data: 

(as of fiscal year-end) 

 $ 2,998,729   $ 2,798,398   $ 2,615,123   $ 2,421,457  $ 1,969,349  $ 1,656,956  

   1,967,004  

   1,031,725  

 672,522  

 359,203  

 (1,775) 

1,829,526 

1,700,694   1,558,946   1,267,005   1,082,370  

968,872  

633,182  

335,690  

(6,082) 

914,429  

591,417  

323,012  

(6,039 ) 

862,511  

560,375  

302,136  

(8,689 ) 

702,344  

459,844  

242,500  

(2,980) 

574,586  

395,638  

178,948  

7,454  

  $    518,974   $    509,021   $    437,727   $    470,439  $    507,145  $    422,093  

   2,076,373  

1,940,320 

1,911,718   1,685,301   1,588,957  

823,978  

 655,034  

180,024  

300,041  

321,557  

   1,004,787  

1,379,214   1,242,521   1,015,072  

499,587  

801,758  

274  

633,686  

$    331,413   $    310,046  $    238,502   $ 187,952 
451,976   373,250 
2,097 
330,470   265,199 

718,376  
976  
514,360  

549,180  
990  
408,515  

1,719  

Unaudited Quarterly Results
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Quarterly results are determined in accordance with the accounting 
policies used for annual data and include certain items based upon 
estimates for the entire year. All fiscal quarters include results for 
13 weeks. The following table summarizes results for fiscal 2008 
and 2007. 

Fiscal 2008

Quarter

Fourth

Third

Second

First

Net sales
Gross profit 
Operating income

$778,388          
273,154
101,269

$776,946          
269,138
97,114

$741,992          
252,299
85,613

$701,403          
237,134
75,207

Net income

63,209

60,364

53,741

47,544

Earnings per share 
    basic
    diluted

$      0.52
   $      0.51 

$      0.45
   $      0.45 

$      0.40
   $      0.39 

$      0.35
   $      0.35 

Fiscal 2007

Quarter

Fourth

Third

Second

First

Net sales
Gross profit 
Operating income

$739,143          
260,563
96,446

$709,494          
250,266
92,686

$694,273          
235,629
78,021

$655,488          
222,414
68,537

Net income

59,924

58,591

48,237

41,584

Earnings per share 
    basic
    diluted

$      0.44
   $      0.44 

$      0.43
   $      0.43 

$      0.35
   $      0.35

$      0.30
   $      0.30

Number of sales representatives  

Number of employees  

Number of service technicians 

 1,998  

 6,857  

 1,217  

 1,923  

 6,577  

 1,143  

 1,864  

 6,438  

 1,124  

 1,683  

 5,948  

 1,037  

 1,582  

 5,741  

 991  

 1,353  

 4,772  

 976  

 1,308  
 4,637  
 911  

 1,087  
 3,853  
 807  

 1,046  
 3,789  
 793  

 986 
 3,623 
 721 

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Headquarters

Directors

1031 Mendota Heights Road
St. Paul, MN 55120-1419
651/686-1600
www.pattersoncompanies.com

John D. Buck (3), (4)
Chief Executive Officer
Whitefish Ventures, LLC
Minneapolis, MN

Independent Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, MN

Legal Counsel
Briggs and Morgan, P.A.
Minneapolis, MN

Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
South St. Paul, MN

Investor Relations Counsel
Equity Market Partners
Amelia Island, FL

Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of shareholders 
will be held at 4:30 p.m. on 
September 8, 2008 at the Minnesota 
Branch of Patterson Dental, 2930 
Waters Road, Suite 100, Eagan, 
Minnesota.

Form 10-K
A copy of our annual report on Form 
10-K is available to shareholders 
without charge in the investor 
relations section of the Patterson 
website
(www.pattersoncompanies.com) or 
by writing to: R. Stephen Armstrong, 
Executive Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer

Ronald E. Ezerski (2), (4)
Private Investor

Peter L. Frechette (1)
Chairman
Patterson Companies, Inc.

Andre B. Lacy (2), (4)
Chairman
LDI Ltd., LLC
Indianapolis, IN

Charles Reich (2), (4)
Executive Vice President (retired)
3M Company
St. Paul, MN

Ellen A. Rudnick (3), (4)
Executive Director
Michael P. Polsky Center for 
Entrepreneurship
University of Chicago Graduate 
School of Business
Chicago, IL

Harold C. Slavkin (3), (4)
Dean
School of Dentistry
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

James W. Wiltz (1)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Patterson Companies, Inc.

(1) Member of Executive Committee

(2) Member of Audit Committee

(3) Member of Compensation Committee

(4) Member of Governance Committee

Executive Officers

Peter L. Frechette
Chairman

James W. Wiltz
President and Chief Executive Officer

R. Stephen Armstrong (1)
Executive Vice President, Chief 
Financial Officer and Treasurer

Corporate Officers and 
Officers of Operating Units

Lynn E. Askew
Vice President
Management Information Systems

Daniel H. Peckskamp
Vice President 
Operations

Matthew L. Levitt
Secretary and General Counsel

Scott P. Anderson
President
Patterson Dental

George L. Henriques
President
Webster Veterinary

David P. Sproat
President
Patterson Medical

Jerome E. Thygesen
Vice President
Human Resources

12

This report contains forward-looking statements as defined 
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 
Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical 
nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties which 
are beyond the Company’s ability to control. The Company 
cautions shareholders and prospective investors that the 
following factors, among others, may cause actual results to 
differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking 
statements: the ability to integrate recent acquisitions into 
Patterson’s operations in a timely manner; competition within 
the dental, veterinary, and rehabilitative and assistive living 
supply industries; changes in the economics of dentistry, 
including reduced growth in expenditures by private dental 
insurance plans, the effects of economic conditions and the 
effects of healthcare reform, which may affect future per capita 
expenditures for dental services and the ability and willingness 
of dentists to invest in high-technology products; the effects 
of healthcare related legislation and regulation which may 
affect expenditures or reimbursements for rehabilitative 
and assistive products; changes in the economics of the 
veterinary supply market, including reduced growth in per 
capita expenditures for veterinary services and reduced growth 
in the number of households owning pets; the ability of the 
Company to maintain satisfactory relationships with its sales 
force; unexpected loss of key senior management personnel; 
unforeseen operating risks; and risks associated with the 
dependence on manufacturers of the Company’s products. 
Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by 
the cautionary language set forth in the Company’s filings with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

1031 Mendota Heights Road
St. Paul, MN 55120-1419
651/686-1600
www.pattersoncompanies.com

Patterson Dental
1031 Mendota Heights Road
St. Paul, MN 55120-1419
651/ 686-1600

Webster Veterinary
86 Leominster Road
Sterling, MA 01564
978/422-8211

Patterson Medical
1000 Remington Boulevard, Suite 210
Bolingbrook, IL 60440-5117
630/378-6300