DARBY GROUP COMPANIES TO SELL THREE DIVISIONS

July 21, 2006 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
JERICHO, N.Y. – [July 21, 2006] – Darby Group Companies, one of the nation’s largest privately owned healthcare distributors, today announced the sale of Island Dental Co., Inc., Darby Medical Supply Co. and Darby Dental Laboratory Supply Co., Inc to Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC). Darby Dental Supply will continue to be owned and operated by Darby Group Company. The decision to sell the three divisions was made in an effort to focus company resources on growing Darby Dental Supply to become the world’s leading dental supply telesales group.

Since 1948, Darby Dental Supply has had a strong commitment to personal customer attention providing thousands of dentists nationwide with the latest merchandise and supplies. With over 40,000 dental products available for immediate delivery, Darby’s state-of-the-art distribution facility boasts some of the best service levels in the industry allowing the company to maintain its position as one of the leading distributors in the dental industry.

“We are extremely excited about the opportunity this presents for all of our valued employees. While this acquisition will allow us to grow our dental telesales group, our medical, lab and Island employees will now have opportunity for professional growth we could not have previously provided,” states, Gary Rosenberg, President, Darby Group Companies.

Island Dental is a full-service distributor of dental merchandise and equipment with a nationwide presence, with particular strength in the Northeast, Southeast and Western United States. The Island Dental business will be integrated into Henry Schein’s Sullivan-Schein Dental division.

Darby Medical Supply provides medical supplies and pharmaceutical products including generic drugs, branded drugs and vaccines to small medical practices nationwide, primarily through telesales and direct marketing. Darby Medical Supply will become part of Henry Schein’s Medical Group.

Darby Dental Laboratory Supply is a full-line distributor serving the dental lab community nationwide, primarily through direct marketing, with more than 25,000 products. Darby Dental Laboratory Supply will be integrated into Henry Schein’s Zahn Dental Laboratory division.

Darby Dental Supply operates four state-of-the-art call center facilities located in Jericho, NY, Pompano, FL, Phoenix, AZ East Lansing, MI. Each facility encompasses telesales as well as serves as a customer service center for each respective region.

About Darby Group Companies

For over 50 years, Darby Group Companies has continued to thrive and evolve in the dental, medical and veterinary communities. Darby’s reach extends into nearly 20 distribution facilities and it fulfills over 3 million shipments per year from leading national & local manufacturers of medical, dental and veterinary supplies, laboratory equipment and pharmaceutical products. With the recent sale of its medical, lab and dental equipment divisions, the company’s focus is now solely directed on Darby Dental Supply.

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