Central Garden & Pet Announces Vendor Awards for 2015

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Annual trade show attracts over 180 vendors and 2,500 plus retailers

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Targeting the independent retailer and garden center market, the Central Garden Distribution Dealer Show attracts a national audience of retailers looking for new products, information on trends in marketing, seminars on best business practices, and promotional activities. One of the highlights of the Las Vegas show is the annual recognition of Central’s vendor partners who have shown outstanding performance, excellent collaboration and sales support in the garden industry for the year.

Prior to the show’s opening on Tuesday, August 25, awards were presented in four key categories - Partner of the Year Award: The Espoma Company; Key Partnership Award: Bloem; Sales Excellence Award: H.D. Hudson; eBusiness Partner of the Year Award: Dramm Corporation.

“We think it’s vital to recognize the garden industry partnerships that have a positive impact on our distribution success,” said Wes Martin, vice president of garden distribution sales.

The Partner of the Year Award was presented to New Jersey based Espoma Company, a fourth generation managed company that started in 1929 and offers natural and organic products for the lawn and garden industry including plant and lawn foods, potting soils, supplements, and pesticides. Espoma demonstrated a solid alignment with the sales initiatives of Central Garden distribution resulting in positive financial impact, quality product offerings and superior sales support.

Bloem Living garnered the Key Partnership Award for its 2015 achievement in delivering innovative products and sales ideas including strategic initiatives in sales and product training, and field support. Established in 2012, Bloem Living is a designer and manufacturer of planters and accessories based in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area and has grown from just two series of planters to over 900 SKUs including bird baths, hanging baskets, window boxes, urns, watering cans and other gardening décor.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, the H.D. Hudson Company was recognized for the Sales Excellence Award which is presented for the ability to bring new and/or innovative products to the outdoor market and for success which translates into significant sales growth of the independent retail customer. Providing sprayer users in lawn and garden, industrial, agriculture, pest control, turf care and public health, H.D. Hudson brings its customers the broadest range of high-quality spraying products with a range of attractive price points to meet the needs of gardeners and others, worldwide.

Starting with a sprinkler nozzle called the 400 Water Breaker (for the 400 tiny holes that created a soft-flowing shower), the family-owned Dramm Corporation has grown in its 75 year history to a nationally known manufacturer of high-quality watering tools. Central saluted Dramm with the eBusiness Partner of the Year Award for its proven track record and exemplary support through various digital initiatives such as timely information upload and online product accuracy. The Dramm Corporation is located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

“Our vendor partner business is imperative to our distribution success, helping us control shelf space while supplementing our Central branded portfolio,” said Trey Merritt, general manager of garden vendor partners. “All of our vendor partners make significant contributions to the growth of the industry and are passionate about enhancing the gardening and outdoor experience.”

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) (NASDAQ:CENTA) is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn & Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON®, SMART SEED® and THE REBELS®; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON®; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO®, SEVIN®, IRONITE® and OVER-N-OUT®; and decorative outdoor patio products under the PENNINGTON ® brand. We also provide a host of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Participating categories in Pet include: Animal health and the brands ADAMS™ and ZODIAC®; aquatics and reptile and the brands OCEANIC®, AQUEON® and ZILLA®; bird & small animal and the brands KAYTEE®, SUPER PET® and CRITTER TRAIL®; dog & cat and the brands TFH™, NYLABONE®, FOUR PAWS®, PINNACLE® and AVODERM®; and equine and the brands FARNAM®, BRONCO® and SUPER MASK®. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden & Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has approximately 3,300 employees, primarily in North America. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet Company, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company’s website at www.central.com.

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Central Garden & Pet Company
Mark Newberg, 847-330-5367 (Office)
847-722-6754 (Mobile)
mnewberg@central.com

Source: Central Garden & Pet Company

Released August 25, 2015