WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2005--Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) today announced the appointment of Brad Johnson to the position of President -- Garden Group reporting to Glenn Novotny, Central's President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Brad is an important, strategic addition to Central's management team," noted Mr. Novotny. "Brad's extensive experience in consumer products brand building and operations management will be critical as we continue to execute our branded products growth strategy and strive to improve our operating margins."

Prior to joining Central, Mr. Johnson served as president of Elmer's Products, Inc. , a leading manufacturer of branded adhesives, office products, artists' supplies and craft tools. While leading Elmer's Products, Mr. Johnson expanded the company's retail presence of its brands, accelerated research and development, and achieved greater operating efficiencies. Mr. Johnson led the integration of Elmer's Products 2004 merger with Hunt Corporation, a manufacturer of branded office products such as X-Acto, of which he served as president and chief executive officer. Prior to Hunt Corporation, Mr. Johnson's background includes consumer packaged goods experience with notable branded products companies including H.J. Heinz and Kimberly-Clark Corporation with an emphasis on marketing and building brands.

Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the J.L. Kellogg School, Northwestern University.

Mr. Novotny concluded, "Brad will draw upon the deep knowledge and experience of Brooks 'Sonny' Pennington and Neil Pincus as they work together in our next phase of growth to build our Garden Group brands."

About Central Garden & Pet Company

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Our pet products include pet bird and small animal food, aquarium products, flea, tick, mosquito and other pest control products, edible bones, cages, carriers, pet books, and other dog, cat, reptile and small animal products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Kaytee, Super Pet, All-Glass Aquarium, Oceanic, Kent Marine, Energy Savers Unlimited, Zodiac, Pre-Strike, Altosid, Nylabone, TFH, Four Paws and Interpet. Our lawn and garden products include grass seed, wild bird food, weed and insect control products, decorative outdoor patio products and ant control products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Pennington, Norcal Pottery, New England Pottery, GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, Lilly Miller, Matthews Four Seasons, Cedar Works, AMDRO, Grant's, Sevin and Over'n Out. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet , including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at http://www.centralgardenandpet.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 possible operating margin improvement and growth in Garden Products, 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 Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Central undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

    CONTACT: Central Garden & Pet

             Paul Warburg, 925-948-3686

    SOURCE: Central Garden & Pet Company