Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) Investor presentation summary

Strategic positioning and industry overview

• Operates as a market leader in the U.S. pet and garden industries, with over 60 brands and $3.1B in FY25 net sales, split 58% pet and 42% garden.

• Pet and garden sectors are resilient, growing, and have high household penetration, with strong consumer engagement and loyalty.

• Maintains a broad, diversified portfolio with leading positions in categories such as pet supplies, wild bird, packet seed, and insect control.

• Demonstrates a proven M&A track record, acquiring over 60 companies in 45 years, and strong retail partnerships with major U.S. chains.

• Focuses on sustainability, community impact, and employee empowerment as core strategic pillars.

Financial performance and resilience

• FY25 net sales reached $3.1B, with non-GAAP EPS of $2.73 and operating income of $265M, up 19% year-over-year.

• Maintains a strong balance sheet with $882M in cash and equivalents and a gross leverage ratio of 2.8x.

• Five-year CAGR: 3% for net sales, 5% for gross profit, 6% for operating income, and 8% for adjusted EBITDA.

• Multi-year cost reduction and simplification initiatives have improved margins and operational efficiency.

• Capital allocation prioritizes growth investments, targeted M&A, share repurchases, and debt repayment.

Growth strategy and innovation

• Long-term strategy centers on building beloved brands, winning with key customers and channels, fortifying the portfolio, reducing costs, and nurturing a growth culture.

• Invests in digital marketing, eCommerce, and product innovation, with notable campaigns and new product launches exceeding expectations.

• M&A remains a key growth driver, focusing on core categories, adjacencies, and capability enhancement.

• Emphasizes sustainability in product development and operations, with measurable environmental and community impact.

• Targets organic net sales growth at or above category average, with operating income and EPS growing faster than sales.