Betty Jo Gigot, Editor and Publisher

Do you ever wonder where some of the tools we use in the industry come from? I don’t mean corn and hay. How about the needles and vaccines and other items that are a very real part of our everyday world?

For many of you who are now testing for PI BVD when cattle come into your feedyard, you are more than likely using the technology and expertise of IDEXX Laboratories, a worldwide leader in bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) testing.

According to John Lawrence, senior research scientist, the company has worked on the BVD project since 1999. Acquisition of a smaller company with additional technology enabled entry into the U.S. market in 2004 with the current IDEXX test.

“This test is less invasive with the use of ear-notch samples and is more economical than other options. Development efforts have already improved shelf life and allowed increased production to support the growth we’ve seen in this market,” Lawrence said. “We believe in continuous improvement of our products and we will do more to improve this test over time.”

According to Lawrence, cattlemen and European governments have been very, very diligent in identifying and wiping out BVD. Instances of BVD in many countries are subject to mandatory reporting and tracking. There, ear-tag tissue samples are often taken with a specially designed ear-tagging system and tested for the virus.

 The IDEXX mission statement reads, “To be a great company by creating exceptional long-term value for our employees, customers and stockholders through worldwide leadership in our businesses.” On a tour through their headquarters just outside Portland, Maine, with Russ Shoberg, Ph.D., senior operations manager for Production Animal Services, the employee factor becomes obvious immediately. The “ten acres under roof” facility teems with excitement and professionalism throughout the laboratories, robotic manufacturing complexes, and packaging and shipping operations. Employees wave and smile as they go about the work of a company that has become a worldwide leader of innovative, technology-based products and services for veterinary, food and water applications.

IDEXX’s largest business segment focuses on pet health where they develop, produce and sell an integrated portfolio of products and services to companion-animal veterinarians. Other business areas include products for monitoring the health of production animals such as cattle, swine and poultry, as well as diagnostics for detection of microbiological contamination of drinking water, and for screening of antibiotic residues in milk.

A venture capital company started by David Shaw in 1984 with five employees and a vision for growth, IDEXX has developed into a publicly traded, international business with over 40 locations about the world, and employing over 3,200.

“Under Jonathan Ayers, the current CEO, the company has stayed true to its original vision,” remarked Quentin Tonelli, Ph.D., corporate vice president for Rapid Assay/Production Animal Services. Tonelli came to IDEXX from Abbott Labs, and wears the number 007 on his badge. According to IDEXX’s employee numbering system, he was the seventh person hired. Tonelli wears his seniority proudly.

A core element of the company’s original vision was to fund growth with profitability. The growth includes 230 scientists, 47 life scientists and 78 board-certified veterinarians, to say nothing of the support staff that it takes in legal, human resources and communications.

“This is a great place for a scientist to work,” Tonelli said. “It is a place where a scientist can produce useful products. We are ready to help the cattle industry manage problems such as BVD, brucellosis and BSE.”

Current projects at IDEXX include a massive building addition, and they hope to have their ISO 9001:2000 accreditation by early summer. Since IDEXX believes strongly in inno vation, investing over $40.9 million in research and development last year, the company is a good one to have on our side as we look for new ways to manage old problems.

Tonelli knows that the next big step for the PI BVD project is educating possible customers on the ease and affordability of the test and its benefits to their operations. The fact that several movers and shakers in the industry have embraced the technology and are establishing labs across the country will help get the word out quickly. Meanwhile IDEXX will be looking for other possible projects for an industry it respects.