- What products does Central sell?
Central is a market leader in the Pet and Garden industries. We are a highly diversified, leading innovator, producer and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets in the United States. Driven by a portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands such as Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, along with a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture, we are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger.
Our pet supplies for dogs and cats include premium edible chews and treats, dog chew and play toys, natural dog treats and chews, pet dental chews and solutions, dog training pads, pet carriers, grooming supplies and other accessories; products for birds, small animals and specialty pets, including food, habitats, toys, chews and related accessories; animal and household health and insect control products; live fish and products for fish, reptiles and other aquarium-based pets, including aquariums, furniture and lighting fixtures, pumps, filters, water conditioners, food and supplements, and information and knowledge resources; and products for horses and livestock.
Our lawn and garden supplies include proprietary and non-proprietary grass seed; wild bird feed, bird feeders, bird houses and other birding accessories; weed, grass, and other herbicides, insecticide and pesticide products; fertilizers; and live plants.
Our domestic sales and distribution network exists to promote our proprietary brands and third-party partner brands. It provides value-added service to independent specialty retail stores: over 9,800 pet retailers and more than 6,400 vet clinics as well as approximately 4,400 garden customers. By selling many other manufacturers’ brands of pet & garden supplies and combining these products with our branded products into single shipments, we are enabling our independent customers to deal with us on a cost-effective basis to meet their pet and garden supplies requirements. We also operate a Pet sales and distribution facility in the United Kingdom.
- What year was Central incorporated and in what state?
We were founded in 1980, initially as a distribution company, and incorporated in Delaware in 1992.
- How many employees does Central have?
As of 9/30/23, we had 6,700 employees, of whom approximately 400 were temporary or part-time employees, primarily in the United States.
- Where do I find available job openings for Central?
At the top of any page of the website you will find a link labeled Careers which will take you to the page.
- What companies has Central acquired and when?
This section of our site has several of our most prominent acquisitions.
- Who are Central’s primary competitors?
Garden – Scotts Miracle Gro, Spectrum Brands and S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Pet – Mars, Inc., Spectrum Brands and the J.M. Smucker Co.
General Information
Financial
- What are Central’s stock symbols and CUSIP?
Central has two listings on the Nasdaq OMX:
CENT - Voting shares (1 vote per share) - CUSIP 153527106
CENTA - Non-voting shares - CUSIP 153527205
- Which indices contain Central’s stock as a component?
Nasdaq Composite (IXIC)
Nasdaq Industrial (IXID)
Russell 3000 (RUA)
Russell 2000 (RUT)
S&P 600 Small Cap (SPCY)
S&P Small Cap 600 Value (CVK)
S&P 600 Consumer Staples (SPSMCS)
S&P Composite 1500 Consumer Staples (SPCOMS)
STOXX Global Pet Care (STXPCV)
- How many Central shares are issued and outstanding?
As of July 31, 2024, the total number of Common Stock CENT shares outstanding was 11,077,612 and the total number of Class A Common Stock CENTA shares outstanding was 54,743,741. In addition, we had outstanding 1,602,374 shares of our Class B stock, which are convertible into Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.
- What are the CUSIPs on Central’s senior notes?
5.125% senior notes due on 2/1/2028 - CUSIP 153527AM8
4.125% senior notes due on 10/15/2030 - CUSIP 153527AN6
4.125% senior notes due on 4/30/2031 - CUSIP 153527AP1
- When did Central go public?
July 14, 1993
- Where can I find historical stock price information?
On Central's Investor Relations website.
- When has Central had stock splits?
In February 2007, Central spun-off the non-voting CENTA shares. Each holder of CENT received two shares of CENTA for each share of CENT held.
In February 2024, Central paid a dividend of one share of Central Class A common stock (“Class A Stock”) for each four shares of Central common stock (“Common Stock”), Class A Stock and Central Class B stock (“Class B Stock”) outstanding. Please find related documents here.- Does Central pay a dividend or offer a dividend reinvestment program (DRIP)?
Currently, Central does not issue dividends, nor does Central have a DRIP plan.
- Does Central have a direct share purchase plan in place?
Central does not offer a direct stock purchase plan at this time.
- Who are the financial analysts that follow Central?
A current list of analysts following us can be found on our website. Click on this link to be directed to the page.
- When is the annual report available?
The annual report on Form 10-K is available within 60 days following the end of our fiscal year on either www.sec.gov or on our website.
The annual report, which includes the Letter to Shareholders, is published approximately 45 days prior to our annual meeting and can be found on our Investor Relations website. Click on this link to be directed to the page.
- When is your next earnings release scheduled?
We announce the date of our earnings release by press release at least 3 days prior to the release. You can find the press release on this page of the Investor Relations website or sign-up for notice of all our press releases by clicking on “Investor Alerts” on the bottom of every page on the Investor Relations website.
- When do Central’s fiscal quarters and fiscal years end?
Our fiscal year ends in September, but the exact date varies based on the number of weeks in the month. Note that fiscal 2024 will have the usual 52 weeks compared to 53 weeks in fiscal 2023.
Q1 FY 2024 10/1/23 – 12/30/23 Q2 FY 2024 12/31/23 – 3/30/24 Q3 FY 2024 3/31/24 – 6/29/24 Q4 FY 2024 6/30/24 – 9/28/24 Q1 FY 2025 9/29/24 – 12/28/24 Q2 FY 2025 12/29/24 – 3/29/25 Q3 FY 2025 3/30/25 – 6/28/25 Q4 FY 2025 6/29/25 – 9/27/25
Special Stock Dividend
- Where can find Form 8937 and tax information for recipients of Central Class A Common Stock distribution?
Form 8937 and tax information are provided on the Investor Relations Website.
Governance
- Who is Central’s auditor?
Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Who is Central’s outside legal counsel?
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Where can I find out more about Central’s business practices and social responsibility?
We have posted on our website information about the way we do business.
- Who are the members of Central’s Board of Directors? Who are Central’s Executive Officers?
On our Investor Relations website, you will find a list of our Board of Directors as well as our Leadership.
- What are the board committees and their members?
A chart of the members of committees can be found here on our Investor Relations website.
- How do I contact members of the Board?
Please send communications c/o Central Garden & Pet Company, 1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600, Walnut Creek, CA 94597. Any correspondence addressed to the Board or to any director in care of Central’s offices is forwarded by Central to the addressee.
- What are the latest Annual Meeting voting results?
Within four business days of the date of the Annual Meeting, Central publishes an 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can find that document by going to the SEC page of our Investor Relations website.
- How do you select individuals to serve on your Board of Directors?
When the need arises, Central may engage independent search firms and consultants to identify potential director nominees and assist the Board in identifying a diverse pool of qualified candidates and evaluating and pursuing individual candidates at the direction of the Chairman of the Board.
- What are Central’s independence standards? How many of Central’s directors are independent?
Central uses the criteria and requirements set forth in NASDAQ Rule 5605. By those standards of independence, seven of our directors–Messrs. Dougher, Griffith, Metz, Ranelli, and Mses. Chun, Coleman, and Springer–are independent.
- Will you allow stockholders to submit nominations for the Board of Directors via the Company’s proxy statement?
The Board will consider any director candidate recommended by stockholders, provided that the candidate satisfies the minimum qualifications for directors as established from time to time by the Board. Stockholders must submit recommendations to Central’s Secretary for consideration by the Board no later than 120 days before the annual meeting of stockholders. To date, the Board has not received any recommendations for nominees to be considered at the Annual Meeting from any non-management stockholder or group of stockholders that beneficially owns five percent or more of Central’s voting stock.
- How can I submit a shareholder proposal to the Board of Directors?
Proposals should be addressed to Central Garden & Pet Company, 1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600, Walnut Creek, CA 94597, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Any proposal must be received on or before a date in September. Please see the most current proxy – section labeled Stockholder Proposals - for further information.
