Central Garden & Pet Company Acquires ASP Research
Deepens Proprietary Grass Seed Portfolio Strengthens Leading Research & Technology Capabilities for Future Seed Development
WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) today announced that is has acquired DLF Trifolium Oregon (dba "ASP Research") for approximately $3 million.
ASP Research is a leading developer and breeder of turf grass for both consumer and professional use. ASP Research combines internally developed genetic technology with partnerships with major universities to create proprietary, durable, environmentally friendly grasses.
"ASP Research is a leading innovator in the breeding and development of high technology grass seed varieties," commented Brad Johnson, President of the Garden Group of Central Garden & Pet. "The acquisition further strengthens Central's proprietary grass seed portfolio and expands our research and technology capabilities. We will leverage these competencies with the production and marketing expertise of our Pennington Seed operation to provide superior, innovative grass seed varieties for both the consumer and professional markets."
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 in the following categories: In Lawn & Garden: Grass seed including the brands Pennington and The Rebels; Wild bird feed and the brands Pennington and Kaytee; Weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO, Sevin, Ironite and OverNOut and; Decorative outdoor patio products and the brands Norcal, New England Pottery and Matthews Four Seasons. We also provide a host of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Pet categories include: Animal health and the brands bio-Spot, Adams and Zodiac; Aquatics and reptile and the brands Oceanic, Aqueon and RZilla; Bird & Small animal and the brands Kaytee, Super Pet and CritterTrail; Dog & Cat and the brands TFH/Nylabone, Four Paws, Pinnacle, ActiveCare 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 is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has approximately 5,000 employees, primarily in North America and Europe. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at http://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 future earnings guidance, 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 Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and 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.
Source: Central Garden & Pet Company
Released March 28, 2007
