Central Garden & Pet Acquires FourStar Microbial Products, LLC

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA), a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn and garden and pet supplies markets, announced today that it has purchased the remaining majority interest in New York based FourStar Microbial Products, LLC to complement its mosquito control business.

FourStar microbial products are derived from naturally-occurring soil bacteria and stop juvenile mosquitoes from emerging into flying and breeding adult flying insects that can bite and spread disease. The product’s residual lasts from 7 to 180 days and is formulated into granules and briquets for ease of application into various mosquito breeding sites. While the acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s 2013 financial results, it will enhance its capability to service professional providers of mosquito abatement.

“Our Altosid product line set the standard for controlling juvenile mosquitoes and created the insect growth regulator category. With the addition three years ago of Zenivex products to stop adult mosquitoes and the current addition of the B2E FourStar microbials, Central will have a full range of products to help mosquito control professionals protect the public from West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and other mosquito-borne diseases,” said Frank Jusich, Senior Vice President, Professional Brands for Central Garden & Pet.

Nearly 2,000 mosquito control entities in the United States are charged with making decisions on the types of products used in their districts to reduce mosquito populations in an effort to protect the public and halt the spread of disease.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company 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 and the brands NORCAL POTTERY®, NEW ENGLAND POTTERY® and MATTHEWS FOUR SEASONS™. 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 SYSTEMS®, 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®, VITA FLEX® and HORSE HEALTH^TM PRODUCTS. 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 3,600 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.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts, including expectations for improved execution and sustainable profitability from the Company’s transformation initiatives, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks are described in the Central’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 13, 2012, as well as the Company’s other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Central undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

Central Garden & Pet Company
Steven Zenker, 925-948-3657
Vice President of Investor Relations & Communications

Source: Central Garden & Pet Company

Released January 22, 2013