Scaling with Purpose: The Story of Solvet
When you walk through the doors of Solvet’s manufacturing facility, it’s hard not to be struck by the sense of purpose that drives the company’s growth. Founded by Dr. Merle Olson and Dr. Barb Olson, Solvet has evolved from a small veterinary compounding operation into one of Canada’s leading innovators in animal health — a business that has grown from the ground up, much like the Western Canadian farms that inspired it.
Roots in the Prairies
Merle and Barb’s story begins on the Prairies, where Merle grew up on a mixed farm and learned firsthand the resilience and innovation that agriculture demands. Those early lessons still shape the company’s ethos today. “Everybody needs to know where they come from,” he says, gesturing to the company’s Heritage Room, lined with family photos dating back to the early 1900s. The Olsons’ belief in preserving heritage while embracing innovation is the cornerstone of Solvet’s culture.
From the Lab to the Herd
“We’re not just manufacturing products. We’re ensuring farmers have access to the essential medicines their animals need.”
-Dr. Merle Olson
After careers that spanned veterinary medicine, chemistry, and government relations, Merle and Barb combined their expertise to build Solvet — a company that fills a critical gap in the market for veterinary pharmaceuticals and animal health products.
What began as a modest operation has grown into a $60-million enterprise, employing around 90 people and serving veterinarians and producers across Canada and beyond. “We’re not just manufacturing products,” says Merle. “We’re ensuring farmers have access to the essential medicines their animals need.”
Solvet’s batch-compounding model allows it to produce pharmaceuticals for entire herds, not just individual animals. This scale, combined with stringent quality control, has made Solvet indispensable to Canada’s livestock industry.
One of their flagship products — an antiparasitic pour-on — now treats over 90% of cattle in Canada, with production expanding to meet FDA standards for the U.S. market.
Innovation at Every Step
Innovation is woven through Solvet’s operations — from its Acumatica-based digital tracking system that traces ingredients to the gram, to in-house label printing that ensures complete control and traceability. Every product is tested in Solvet’s microbiology and R&D labs, maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficacy. “Health Canada is happy with what we’re doing — and that’s the gold standard for us,” says Merle.
Beyond compliance, innovation extends to problem-solving and process improvement. “Constraints drive innovation,” notes Merle. “When we had to free up space, we outsourced warehousing — and it made us better and more focused on what we do best.”
Partnership and Purpose
While Merle leads research and development, Barb oversees quality and regulatory affairs, ensuring Solvet remains trusted across stakeholder and industry circles. Together, they have built not just a business, but a model of partnership — one rooted in complementary strengths and a shared commitment to Canadian agriculture. Their collaboration with CEO Lionel Gibbs, who now oversees daily operations, reflects a maturing organization ready for its next stage of growth.
From Local Roots to Global Reach
With operations running two shifts and plans to expand further, Solvet is poised for continued growth in international markets. Yet, at its heart, it remains deeply connected to the community and the land that shaped its founders. “Farmers love their animals,” says Merle. “They treat them like family — and that’s why our work matters.”
At the ScaleUP Social
Drs. Merle and Barb Olson shared their journey from farm fields to pharmaceutical leadership in a fireside chat moderated by Mark Starratt, Solvet’s Board Chair at our first ScaleUP Social in Calgary. Their candid story exemplifies what it means to scale with purpose — building a company that innovates, sustains, and gives back to the ecosystem that made it possible.
Published December 2, 2025. Written by Dr. Simon Raby.