May 20, 2015 at 4:52 p.m.
Drs. Foster and Smith thriving after Petco sale
Drs. Foster and Smith thriving after Petco sale
By By Katie Perttunen-
Sales have been good, and employee and community feedback have been positive, although there have been some questions, Magee said.
The acquisition united one of the largest pet specialty retailers with one of the largest online pet retailers in the country, Petco said in a November news release.
The name will remain the same for Drs. Foster and Smith, Magee said. The company was founded in 1983 as a group of four veterinary clinics whose shared goal was to help pets live healthier and happier lives.
"Both companies' values and direction line up very well," Magee said.
The company's employees, or partners, as Petco calls them, according to Magee, are surprised when they still get questions from members of the public about the acquisition although "it is important to the local community and economy," Magee said.
Petco purchased the Rhinelander property as part of a deal on Feb. 2, Magee said, a sure sign of its intent to remain in the Rhinelander area as Oneida County's largest employer with over 500 employees. They currently employ around 125 call center employees and are looking to add more, Magee said.
"One of the reasons Petco was interested in Drs. Foster and Smith was the high quality ratings of our call center," Magee said, adding that the high ratings were earned due to excellent customer service.
"We're settling into being a part of a much larger organization," Magee said. "It's good news for the employees and Rhinelander."
Petco has upgraded the facility's IT department, equipment and warehouse, including state-of-the art video conferencing, Magee said. The video conferencing assists with communications with Petco's corporate offices.
Analysts have been added to the staff to assist with merchandising, marketing, and in the supply chain to grow Drs. Foster and Smith, Magee said. The analysts are both local and from other areas, but Magee was quick to tout the local workforce.
"We're a homegrown company," he said, committed to Rhinelander.
The analysts provide the ability to analyze data and understand customer needs better, Magee said.
Upgrades to the warehouse include systems and technology which will continue to be key as the company grows, Magee said.
The company has also invested in current leadership by providing additional training by Petco, Magee said.
"Keeping jobs is absolutely the plan," he said.
For three years in a row, Petco has been recognized as one of the world's most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute, said Magee, which fits well with Drs. Foster and Smith practice of looking out for animals first.
Dr. Race Foster and Dr. Marty Smith, co-founders of Drs. Foster and Smith, will be involved with the brand, in a guiding capacity, for the forseeable future as the company grows accustomed to being under the larger umbrella of Petco, Magee said.
Magee will speak to the Knights of Columbus on May 21 regarding the acquisition and how things are progressing.
"Across the board it's been a good transition. Any acquisition can make a community and employees nervous, but Petco's plan is to continue to grow in Rhinelander for months and years ahead," Magee said. "Things are going to be good here."
Katie Perttunen may be reached at [email protected].
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