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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM 10-K/A
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended Commission File Number
September 26, 1998 0-20242
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 68-0275553
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
___________________________
3697 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, California 94549
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Telephone Number: (925) 283-4573
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
- ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------
None None
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
Common Stock
------------
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K ((S) 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [_]
At December 21, 1998, the aggregate market value of the registrant's Common
Stock and Class B Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was
approximately $364,562,000 and $131,000, respectively.
At December 21, 1998, the number of shares outstanding of registrant's Common
Stock was 29,772,490. In addition, on such date the registrant had outstanding
1,661,762 shares of its Class B Stock which is convertible into Common Stock on
a share-for-share basis.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders - Part III of this Form 10-K.
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Central Garden & Pet Company
Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the fiscal year ended September 26, 1998
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Page
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PART I
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Item 1. Business.............................................................................. 3
Item 2. Properties............................................................................ 11
Item 3. Legal Proceedings..................................................................... 11
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................................... 11
<CAPTION>
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters............. 12
Item 6. Selected Financial Data............................................................... 13
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 14
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk............................. 19
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........................................... 20
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.. 37
<CAPTION>
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.................................... 37
Item 11. Executive Compensation................................................................ 37
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management........................ 37
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........................................ 37
<CAPTION>
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K....................... 37
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PART I
Item 1. Business
General
The Company is the leading national distributor of lawn and garden and pet
supply products. The Company also offers a broadening array of proprietary
branded lawn and garden and pet supply products, including Four Paws(R),
Zodiac(R), Pennington(R), Kaytee(R), Nylabone(R) and Grant's(R). The Company's
business strategy is to capitalize on its national presence, comprehensive
product selection, menu of value-added services and efficient operations.
Utilizing these capabilities, the Company strives to develop and enhance
servicing relationships with both large national and regional chain stores and
independent retailers as well as manufacturers.
The Company was incorporated in Delaware in June 1992 and is the successor to
a California corporation which was incorporated in 1955. Unless the context
otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include Central Garden &
Pet Company and its subsidiaries, and their predecessor companies and
subsidiaries. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 3697 Mt.
Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, California 94549 and its telephone number is (925)
283-4573.
Recent Developments
Acquisitions
In February 1998, the Company acquired Pennington Seed, Inc. ("Pennington"), a
manufacturer of proprietary branded grass and wild bird seed and a manufacturer
and distributor of lawn and garden products.
In December 1997, the Company acquired Kaytee Products Incorporated
("Kaytee"), a manufacturer of bird seed for caged and wild birds and of food for
small animals.
In December 1997, the Company acquired TFH Publications, Inc. ("TFH"), the
largest producer of pet books in the United States and the manufacturer of
premium dog chews and edible bones under the brand name Nylabone(R).
Financial
In December 1997 and January 1998, the Company completed the sale of
8,050,000 shares of Common Stock. The net proceeds to the Company were
approximately $201,171,000.
Other
Monsanto Company ("Monsanto") has announced that it intends to sell its
Solaris lawn and garden business exclusive of its Roundup herbicide products for
consumer use to The Scotts Company ("Scotts") and that it has entered into a
separate, long-term, exclusive agreement pursuant to which Monsanto will
continue to make Roundup herbicide products for consumer use and Scotts will
market the products. Scotts has been for many years a substantial supplier to
the Company and, in connection with its direct sales, a substantial purchaser of
the Company's services. For additional information, see "Business--The Solaris
Agreement" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Overview."
In October 1998, Pennington announced that it, in partnership with New
Zealand's AgResearch Institute and the University of Georgia Research Foundation
Inc., will produce, package and distribute endophyte-enhanced forage tall fescue
grass varieties beginning in the summer of 2000.
Products
The Company offers its customers a comprehensive selection of brand name lawn,
garden and pet supplies. This selection consists of approximately 45,000
products from approximately 1,000 manufacturers. The Company
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generally focuses on those lawn and garden brand name products that are suited
to distribution due to their seasonality, variable sales movements, complexity
to consumers and retailers, handling and transportation difficulties, and which
therefore generally require value-added services. The Company focuses on these
types of products because it believes that retailers cannot source these
products directly from suppliers as effectively as they can through distributors
and that manufacturers of these products are likely to view the services offered
by the Company as highly desirable and cost-effective. The Company carries many
of the best-known brands in pet foods and supplies and combines these products
into single shipments, providing its pet supplies customers a wide variety of
products on a cost-effective basis. The Company does not carry live plants,
power tools or high priced items which are generally sourced directly from
manufacturers. The Company believes that its broad and deep selection of
products permits retailers to fulfill substantially all of their lawn, garden
and pet supply requirements from a single source. In fiscal 1998, substantially
all of the Company's products had suggested retail prices of $20 or less.
In fiscal 1998, lawn and garden supplies accounted for approximately 60%,
pet supplies accounted for approximately 16% and proprietary branded products
accounted for approximately 24% of the Company's net sales.
Sales and Service
The Company's strategy is to offer a broad range of services to help retailers
and manufacturers maximize their sales and profitability. The Company has
implemented this strategy by developing a knowledgeable and profit-incented
sales force and by offering a broad menu of services.
Sales
At September 26, 1998, the Company employed approximately 1,150 sales and
marketing personnel located throughout its distribution center network. Sales
and marketing personnel typically service retail customers within a 250 mile
radius of the distribution centers. They are trained with knowledge of local
market conditions, the Company's products and merchandising skills. A
significant number of sales personnel are certified nurserymen, horticultural
graduates and/or master gardeners. The Company has divided its sales force into
key account managers, who act as consultants to the buyers of large retailers,
and field sales personnel, who are responsible for servicing specific retail
customers in their assigned territory.
Menu of Value-Added Services
The Company offers retailers and manufacturers a comprehensive menu of value-
added services with separate or combination prices from which each customer may
select according to its individual needs. Each value-added service is generally
designed either to increase a retailer's sales or decrease a retailer's costs.
The Company generally offers retailers deliveries within one business day from
the time the Company receives an order. In addition to the standard delivery
services, many of the Company's customers choose a high percentage of the value-
added services listed below.
Program Development. The Company's key account managers recommend and
assist retail buyers in developing national and local product listings,
advertising, promotions and shelf space planning at the beginning of and
during the peak selling season to optimize store sales and profits.
Training of Store Employees. The Company's sales personnel conduct formal
and informal product training sessions with store personnel to help them
provide informed consumer service. The Company believes that the demand for
this service is greater at larger regional and national retail chains due to
their higher employee turnover and employee inexperience with gardening
products.
Weekend Consumer Clinics. Sales personnel also conduct and assist in
preparing and giving in-store weekend consumer education clinics to help
increase retail sales and improve consumer relations.
Designing and Setting Store Displays. The Company's sales personnel assist
in designing and planning store shelves at the beginning of each season.
Their expertise in product knowledge, sales trends, in-season promotions and
consumer demand for specific products allows them to help each store adjust
shelf stock and displays to increase sales in a timely fashion.
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Point-of-Purchase. The Company assists the manufacturer and retailer in
the design and installation of point-of-purchase ("POP") material to increase
sales. The POP material is generally matched to manufacturers' advertising
and promotions as well as local lawn, gardening and insect problems.
Merchandising of Shelf Stock. The Company's store service personnel
physically restock store shelves with all the Company's merchandise on a
weekly basis. This service can also include price stickering for stores not
on electronic point-of-sale systems.
Electronic Data Interchange ("EDI"). The Company's systems offer EDI
capabilities to retailers which can include paperless invoices, payments and
product history movements to help retailers monitor, plan and order products
at a lower administrative cost.
"Hot Shot" Deliveries. The Company offers rush deliveries to help
retailers satisfy high consumer demand. This service is often critical to
keep retailers from being out-of-stock on a weekend during the peak selling
season.
The Company believes that retailers choose these services because the Company
can in many cases provide them more efficiently and effectively than
manufacturers or retailers themselves. The Company's sales force often advises
and assists store management to increase or decrease shelf space of certain
products to match the expected and unexpected seasonal demands. The Company
believes that a typical store needs to change the shelf space dedicated to lawn
and garden products several times during the peak selling season. The sales
force also often highlights specific products appropriate for the local market.
Retailers
The Company focuses on selling lawn and garden products to retailers with high
volume retail stores. The Company's customer base is comprised of a wide range
of retailers, including "do-it-yourself" superstores, mass merchants, warehouse
clubs, high volume local and regional nurseries, regional and national chains of
drug and grocery stores and specialty pet stores.
As a result of its national presence, the Company has an opportunity to enter
into relationships with national chains, whereby the Company, directly or
through its affiliates, provides services to all or substantially all of the
individual stores in the chain. From the point of view of the national
retailer, such an arrangement offers the benefit of a high level of service,
lower cost of doing business and administrative efficiencies. The Company
believes its customers also benefit from the in-depth local market knowledge of
the Company's sales personnel, in-store stocking, training of store employees
and other value added merchandising services. Because these arrangements are
not formalized in writing, these retailers may at any time purchase products
from competing distributors.
Most major retailers, including customers of the Company, currently purchase a
portion of their lawn and garden products and pet supplies directly from certain
large manufacturers rather than through distributors such as the Company. If a
number of the Company's major customers were to substantially increase their
direct purchases from manufacturers, the sales and earnings of the Company could
be adversely affected.
The Company's current practice on product returns generally is to accept and
credit the return of unopened cases of products from customers where the
quantity is small, where the product has been misshipped or the product is
defective. The Company has arrangements with its manufacturers and suppliers to
stock balance and/or credit the Company for a certain percentage of returned or
defective products. While in the past the Company's return practice has not
caused any material adverse impact on operations, there can be no assurance in
the future that the Company's operations will not be adversely impacted due to
the return of products.
Manufacturers and Suppliers
The Company believes that the reason manufacturers and suppliers in the lawn
and garden industry use distributors to ship a large percentage of their
products to retailers is because it is a highly efficient method of
distribution. In an industry with a large, diverse group of retailers combined
with a relatively short and dynamic
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selling season, the Company believes that in most instances during the peak
selling season each manufacturer or supplier would need to make weekly
deliveries of an uneconomical volume of products to a large number of retailers
in order to satisfy consumer demand. Similarly, each week retailers would have
to place multiple orders and manage separate deliveries from a large number of
manufacturers and suppliers rather than from a comparatively small number of
distributors. The Company can typically deliver many products with one truck
(often on one or more pallets for each store) as part of its delivery route to a
number of stores. On the other hand, the same order using direct shipments from
manufacturers or suppliers would require multiple deliveries from the various
manufacturers and suppliers.
The Company's national presence enables manufacturers and suppliers to access
retail outlets and end users through one primary distributor. In addition, the
Company's menu of value-added services to retailers includes product promotion
and merchandising support that the Company believes many manufacturers and
suppliers could not efficiently perform. While the Company purchases products
from approximately 1,000 different manufacturers and suppliers, the Company
believes that approximately 32% and 28% of the net sales of the Company for the
fiscal years ended September 27, 1997 and September 26, 1998, respectively, were
derived from products purchased from Solaris.
The Solaris Agreement
The Company entered into an agreement (the "Solaris Agreement") with Solaris
effective October 1, 1995 to become the master agent and master distributor for
sales of Solaris products nationwide. The Solaris Agreement runs through
September 30, 1999.
Under the Solaris Agreement, Solaris continues to negotiate prices directly
with its direct sales accounts. As a result of the Solaris Agreement a majority
of the Company's sales of Solaris products are derived from servicing direct
sales accounts, whereas prior to fiscal 1996, a majority of the Company's sales
of Solaris products were made by the Company as a traditional distributor. The
Company acts as the master agent on direct sales of Solaris products to certain
major retailers and the master distributor in connection with sales of Solaris
products to other distributors and retailers.
The Company believes that a significant portion of its net sales and operating
income since October 1996 has been attributable to its relationship with
Solaris. Under the Solaris Agreement, Solaris is obligated to reimburse the
Company for costs incurred in connection with services provided by the Company
to Solaris' direct sales accounts. In addition, the Company receives payments
based on the level of sales of Solaris products to these accounts, and these
payments are subject to increase based on the growth of sales of Solaris
products. The Company also shares with Solaris in the economic benefits of
certain cost reductions, to the extent achieved. It is possible that
disagreements could arise between Solaris and the Company as to measurement of
the costs incurred in servicing Solaris' direct sales accounts. The cost
reimbursement arrangement is based on estimates which are subject to
reconciliation at the end of each fiscal year. As a result, the Solaris
Agreement could contribute to variability in the Company's operating results and
could subject the Company to unanticipated losses. The relationship with
Solaris embodied in the Solaris Agreement does not assure that the Company will
be profitable overall.
Monsanto has announced that it intends to sell its Solaris lawn and garden
business exclusive of its Roundup herbicide products for consumer use to The
Scotts Company ("Scotts") and that it has entered into a separate, long-term,
exclusive agreement pursuant to which Monsanto will continue to make Roundup
herbicide products for consumer use and Scotts will market the products. Scotts
has been for many years a substantial supplier to the Company and, in connection
with its direct sales, a substantial purchaser of the Company's services.
The Company expects to enter into a new relationship with Scotts effective
October 1, 1999. Since Scotts will then be the Company's largest lawn and
garden customer by a substantial margin, the terms of this new arrangement will
have a substantial impact on the Company's future profitability. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be successful in negotiating and implementing
a new relationship with Scotts or that the new relationship with Scotts will
provide the Company with comparable profitability to the profitability it has
experienced from its prior relationships with Solaris and Scotts.
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The pending sale of the Solaris business by Monsanto and the approaching end
of the Solaris Agreement subject the Company's lawn and garden business to
significant uncertainties. These include the negotiation of new relationships
with Scotts and the final accounting for all issues between the Company and
Monsanto under the Solaris Agreement, such as the amounts receivable from
Monsanto for cost reimbursements, payments for cost reductions and payments for
services; the amounts payable to Monsanto for inventory; and responsibility for
obsolete inventory and for non-payment by Solaris' direct sales accounts. The
resolution of such uncertainties could have a material effect, either positive
or negative, on the Company's results of operations.
Proprietary Branded Products
The principal lawn and garden product lines owned by the Company are the
Pennington Seed line of grass seed and lawn care products, the Matthew's line of
redwood products, the Grant's line of ant control products, the Greentouch line
of cutting tools and four proprietary brands of fertilizer. The Pennington Seed
line of grass seed and lawn and garden products includes the trademarks
Pennington Seed(R), Green Charm(R), Penkoted(R), Eliminator(R) and Procare(R).
The Matthew's line of redwood products consists of redwood tubs, planter boxes
and trellises. The Grant's line of ant control products consists of ant stakes,
granules and twists and ties. The Greentouch line of cutting tools consists of
small hand tools used for gardening which are supplied to the Company by a
contract manufacturer located in the Far East. The Company has four proprietary
brands of fertilizer -- Colorado's Own and Mountain States, which are
manufactured by the Company, and Easy-Gro and Turf-Magic, which are supplied to
the Company by contract manufacturers.
The principal pet supply product lines owned by the Company are the Four Paws
line of animal products, the flea and tick protection products acquired from
Sandoz, Kaytee bird seed and small animal food products, the TFH pet books and
premium dog chews and edible bones, the Pennington branded wild bird seed and
the Island Aquarium line of aquariums. In January 1997, the Company acquired
Four Paws, one of the largest manufacturers of dog, cat, reptile and small
animal products in the United States, including brand names such as Magic
Coat(R) and Four Paws(R). Four Paws products are distributed throughout the
United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. In May 1997, the Company acquired the
United States and Canada flea and tick protection business of Sandoz. The
acquisition includes ownership in the United States and Canada of Zodiac(R) and
Vet-Kem(R) trademarks as well as those of Ovitrol(R), Siphotrol(R), Fleatrol(R)
vIGRen(R), Petcor(R), Precor(R) and Natural Signature(R). These products which
include on-animal sprays, shampoos and powders, collars, indoor foggers,
aerosols, concentrates and pump-sprays are based on the active ingredient
methoprene to which the Company has acquired exclusive rights in the United
States and Canada. In connection with this acquisition, the Company acquired a
manufacturing, formulation, packaging and research facility in Dallas, Texas and
all existing inventory, along with a staff of highly trained technical
professionals. In December 1997, the Company acquired Kaytee Products
Incorporated, a manufacturer of bird seed for caged and wild birds and of food
for small animals. In December 1997, the Company acquired TFH Publications,
Inc., the largest producer of pet books in the United States and the
manufacturer of premium dog chews and edible bones under the brand name
Nylabone(R). In February 1998, the Company acquired Pennington Seed, Inc., a
manufacturer of proprietary branded grass and wild bird seed and a manufacturer
and distributor of lawn and garden products. Additionally, the Company
manufactures aquariums sold under the brand name Island(R) Aquarium.
The Company intends to pursue the acquisition of additional proprietary
branded products in both the lawn and garden and pet supply product industries
which would benefit from access to the Company's distribution system and
expertise and which the Company believes typically offer higher margins than
distributed products.
In connection with the expansion of its proprietary branded products, the
Company now currently operates 21 manufacturing facilities. In addition,
certain of its proprietary branded products are manufactured by contract
manufacturers. The Company also has a development team that is responsible for
developing new products within existing proprietary branded product lines and
the development of new proprietary branded product lines.
Management Information Systems
During their weekly visits to the retail stores, sales personnel transmit
orders to the appropriate distribution centers in any one of three methods:
remote order entry units (hand held, electronic devices), telephone or
facsimile. Generally, sales personnel transmit orders several times each day.
Certain retailers can also order products directly
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through the Company's EDI system or by purchasing items directly at each
distribution center. After customer orders are received and processed, shipping
tickets are printed and credit approved prior to the orders being sent to the
warehouse manager. The Company's warehouse employees then fill orders by manual
selection and packaging. The Company believes that due to the unusual shapes and
sizes of its products (e.g., hand held tools, wheelbarrows and bags of
fertilizer) current automatic order selection systems are not as efficient and
cost effective as the Company's current manual systems.
The Company's management information systems collect data needed for
receivables and inventory management, customer, product and facility
profitability analysis, as well as permit electronic data interface with
customers and suppliers. The Company is presently electronically connected with
several major customers with a variety of applications that range from purchase
order receipt to paperless invoicing. The Company also uses a shelf space
planning system that optimizes retail shelf space utilization and profitability.
The Company receives more than a majority of its daily order volume from field
sales representatives utilizing hand-held order entry computers. The Company's
systems enable it to provide delivery generally within one business day.
The Company is in the process of replacing both computer hardware and new
operating software for five companies it acquired during the past three years.
The conversion to these new systems is scheduled for completion by June 30,
1999.
For additional information concerning the Company's management information
systems, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations - Year 2000."
Distribution
In order to develop the most effective possible national distribution network,
the Company relies not only on its network of Company-operated distribution
centers (see "-- Properties"), but also on its affiliation arrangements with two
leading regional distributors of lawn and garden products and, in the case of
Solaris products, on agreements with a group of independent distributors for
specific geographic areas.
The Company generally will make deliveries from its distribution centers
within one to two days after receipt of the order and, if the customer requests,
will generally make "hot shot" deliveries within four hours after receipt of the
order. The Company organizes its truck and delivery routes to optimize each
truck's merchandise load and number of deliveries. The Company uses trucks to
deliver a substantial percentage of the Company's products and common carriers
for a small percentage of deliveries. Common carriers are typically used for
deliveries beyond a 200 mile radius from the distribution center.
The Company's affiliation arrangements are intended to permit the Company to
more effectively solicit national accounts and to assure that such accounts can
be effectively serviced on a national basis without requiring the Company to
incur the capital costs of opening new distribution centers or undertaking an
acquisition. The Company presently has affiliation agreements with Commerce
LLC, a distributor serving the Northeast in which the Company has a one-third
equity interest, and U.S. Garden Sales, a distributor serving Ohio and Michigan.
Under the affiliation arrangements, Company personnel negotiate transactions
with national retail chains and the affiliated distributors provide such retail
chains with products and related services in the geographic regions in which
they operate. The Company receives fees from the affiliated distributors to
compensate it for its costs, and sales of these affiliated distributors are not
reflected in the Company's statements. The Company earned no profits in fiscal
1998 from these arrangements as the Company set its fees in connection with such
arrangements at a level which was designed to cover only the Company's
administrative costs.
The Company has negotiated agreements with a group of 30 independent
distributors for the distribution of Solaris products by the independent
distributors. These agreements provide coverage of geographic areas where the
Company does not have facilities or where established relationships with
specific retailers make such arrangements desirable.
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In February 1997, the Company entered into an agreement relating to joint
development, marketing and distribution with HR Vet. The agreement provides HR
Vet with exclusive United States and Canada sales and marketing rights for the
Vet-Kem line of methoprene-based flea and tick products sold directly and
exclusively through veterinarians, and acquired by the Company in the Sandoz
Flea and Tick Acquisition. In addition, the Company received consumer marketing
rights to certain HR Vet products.
Competition
The lawn and garden products and pet supply distribution industries are highly
competitive. Traditionally, these industries have been characterized by intense
competition from large numbers of smaller local and regional distributors with
competition based on price, service and personal relationships. In recent
years, the Company has moved aggressively to insulate itself from this type of
competition through the development of a nationwide presence, forging
relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and major retailers and adding new
value-added services.
In addition to competition from other distributors, the Company also faces
existing and potentially increased competition from manufacturers and suppliers
which distribute some percentage of their products directly to retailers,
bypassing distributors, or through a dual distribution system in which the
manufacturer or supplier competes with distributors for sales to certain
accounts. Such competition is typically based on service and price. Although
the Company competes against direct sales by manufacturers and suppliers, it is
often able to participate in such direct sales by entering into agreements with
the manufacturers and suppliers pursuant to which it provides the manufacturers
and suppliers with order processing, warehousing, shipping and certain in-store
services in connection with such direct sales in return for a fee from the
manufacturers and suppliers.
Employees
As of September 26, 1998, the Company had approximately 4,500 employees of
which approximately 3,900 were full-time employees and 600 were temporary or
part-time employees. The Company hires substantial numbers of temporary
employees for the peak shipping season of February through June in order to meet
the increased demand experienced during the spring and summer months, including
merchandising in stores. All of the Company's temporary employees are paid on
an hourly basis. Except for certain employees at TFH Publications, Inc., none of
the Company's employees is represented by a labor union. The Company considers
its relationship with its employees to be good.
Environmental Considerations
Several of the Company's subsidiaries and many of the products distributed by
the Company are subject to regulation by federal, state and local authorities.
In addition, in connection with the Sandoz Flea and Tick acquisition, the
Company acquired a production facility in Texas which makes, among other things,
products based upon the active ingredient Methoprene, and is subject to
regulation by federal, state and local authorities. Such regulations are often
complex and are subject to change. Environmental regulations may affect the
Company by restricting the manufacturing or use of its products or regulating
their disposal. Regulatory or legislative changes may cause future increases in
the Company's operating costs or otherwise affect operations. Although the
Company believes it is and has been in substantial compliance with such
regulations and has strict internal guidelines on the handling and disposal of
its products, there is no assurance that in the future the Company may not be
adversely affected by such regulations or incur increased operating costs in
complying with such regulations. However, neither the compliance with
regulatory requirements nor the Company's environmental procedures can ensure
that the Company will not be subject to claims for personal injury, property
damages or governmental enforcement.
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Executive Officers
Certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company is set
forth below:
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Name Age Position
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William E. Brown....................... 57 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Glenn W. Novotny....................... 51 President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Robert B. Jones........................ 66 Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Brooks M. Pennington III............... 44 Chief Executive Officer of Pennington Seed, Inc. and Director
</TABLE>
William E. Brown has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since 1980. From 1977 to 1980, Mr. Brown was Senior Vice President of the
Vivitar Corporation with responsibility for Finance, Operations, and Research &
Development. From 1972 to 1977, he was with McKesson Corporation where he was
responsible for its 200-site data processing organization. Prior to joining
McKesson Corporation, Mr. Brown spent the first 10 years of his business career
at McCormick, Inc. in manufacturing, engineering and data processing.
Glenn W. Novotny has been President of the Company since June 1990 and was
President of the predecessor Weyerhaeuser Garden Supply ("WGS") since 1988.
Prior thereto, he was with Weyerhaeuser Corporation for 20 years with a wide
range of managerial experience including manufacturing, accounting, strategic
planning, sales, general management and business turnarounds.
Robert B. Jones joined the Company in July 1991 as Corporate Controller. He
became Chief Financial Officer in June 1993 and Secretary in May 1994.
Brooks M. Pennington III joined the Company in February 1998 when the Company
acquired Pennington Seed, Inc. Mr. Pennington has been the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Pennington Seed, Inc. since June 1994, and prior thereto,
he was the Senior Vice President, Legal, Finance and Administration of
Pennington Seed, Inc.
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Item 2. Properties
As of September 26, 1998, the Company operated 40 distribution centers
totaling approximately 3,554,000 square feet and 21 manufacturing facilities
totaling approximately 2,287,000 square feet. Most distribution centers consist
of office and warehouse space, and several large bays for loading and unloading.
Each distribution center provides warehouse, distribution, sales and support
functions for its geographic area under the supervision of a regional manager.
The Company's executive offices are located in Lafayette, California. The table
below lists the Company's distribution facilities.
Western Region Northwest Region Eastern Region
- -------------- ---------------- --------------
Algona, WA China Grove, NC
Phoenix, AZ Boise, ID Mahwah, NJ
Sacramento, CA(2) Denver, CO Petersburg, VA*
Santa Fe Springs, CA(2) Medford, OR
Visalia, CA Portland, OR Southwest Region
Salt Lake City, UT ----------------
Southeast Region Albuquerque, NM
- ---------------- Midwest Region Dallas, TX(2)
Atlanta, GA -------------- Hammond, LA
Columbia, SC* Bloomington, IL Houston, TX(3)
Cullman, AL* Greenfield, MO* Little Rock, AR
Greensboro, NC Kansas City, MO Lubbock, TX*
Madison, GA* Minneapolis, MN McAlester, OK
Miami, FL Wentzville, MO Ponchatoula, LA*
Orlando, FL San Antonio, TX
Tampa, FL
* company owned
The table below lists the Company's manufacturing facilities.
Abilene, KS* Fontana, CA Neptune City, NJ
Chilton, WI* Greenfield, MO (2)* Rialto, CA*
Cressona, PA* Hauppauge, NY Roll, AZ*
Dallas, TX* Lebanon, OR* San Leandro, CA
Damascus, OH Longmont, CO* Shady Dale, GA*
Eatonton, GA* Madison, GA* Sidney, NE*
El Centro, CA* Stockton, CA
* company owned
The Company's leases generally expire between 1999 and 2006. Substantially
all of the leases contain renewal provisions with automatic rent escalation
clauses. In addition to the facilities that are owned, the Company's fixed
assets are comprised primarily of trucks and warehousing, transportation and
computer equipment. As of September 26, 1998, the Company operated a fleet of
approximately 350 trucks of which most are leased. During the Company's peak
season it rents additional trucks.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is not a party to any material litigation.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Inapplicable.
11
<PAGE>
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters
The Common Stock of the Company has been traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol CENT since the Company's initial public offering on July 15,
1993. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the highest
and lowest closing sale prices for the Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
High Low
----------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Fiscal 1998
First Quarter..................... 32 25-3/4
Second Quarter.................... 39-3/8 26
Third Quarter..................... 40-1/16 27-3/8
Fourth Quarter.................... 32-1/2 14-1/8
Fiscal 1997
First Quarter..................... 24-5/8 18-7/8
Second Quarter.................... 28-3/4 16-1/8
Third Quarter..................... 24-15/16 16-1/4
Fourth Quarter.................... 31-1/16 20-1/2
</TABLE>
As of September 26, 1998, there were approximately 125 holders of record of
the Company's Common Stock and 9 holders of record of the Company's Class B
Stock.
In each of August 1996 and 1997, the Company paid cash dividends in the amount
of $45,000 to the holders of its Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A
Preferred Stock was converted into Common Stock in June 1998. Except as
mentioned in the previous sentence, the Company has not paid any cash dividends
in the past. The Company currently intends to retain any earnings for use in its
business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its Common Stock
in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company's line of credit restricts
the Company's ability to pay dividends. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
12
<PAGE>
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected income statement and balance sheet data of the Company
as of and for the fiscal year ended December 25, 1994, the nine-month period
ended September 30, 1995 and the fiscal years ended September 28, 1996,
September 27, 1997 and September 26, 1998 have been derived from the Company's
audited consolidated financial statements. The financial data set forth below
should be read in conjunction with "Item 8 - Financial Statements and
Supplemental Data - Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and related
Notes thereto and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Nine-Month Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Period Ended Ended Ended Ended
December 25, September 30, September 28, September 27, September 26,
1994 1995(1) 1996 1997 1998
------------ -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income Statement Data:
Net sales (2)........................ $421,427 $373,734 $619,622 $841,007 $1,294,864
Cost of goods sold and occupancy..... 354,096 316,832 535,189 694,925 1,009,143
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Gross profit....................... 67,331 56,902 84,433 146,082 285,721
Selling, general and administrative
expenses............................ 58,489 48,075 66,945 109,160 209,014
Other charges........................ - - - - 11,003
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Income from operations............... 8,842 8,827 17,488 36,922 65,704
Interest expense net................ (5,642) (5,891) (4,061) (6,554) (7,609)
Other income (expense) net.......... (859) (953) 1,038 - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Income before income taxes........... 2,341 1,983 14,465 30,368 58,095
Income tax expense................... 936 904 6,017 12,765 24,402
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Net income........................... $ 1,405 $ 1,079 $ 8,448 $ 17,603 $ 33,693
======== ======== ======== ======== ==========
Net income per common share (3)
Diluted (4)........................ $ 0.18 $ 0.71 $ 1.07 $ 1.15
Basic.............................. $ 0.24 $ 0.19 $ 0.74 $ 1.11 $ 1.18
Weighted average shares
outstanding (3)
Diluted (4)........................ 5,972 11,904 19,970 33,007
Basic.............................. 5,947 5,774 11,430 15,832 28,502
<CAPTION>
December 25, September 30, September 28, September 27, September 26,
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------------ -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital...................... $ 21,003 $ 25,316 $ 95,670 $253,926 $ 277,713
Total assets......................... 173,953 142,680 283,664 559,043 928,700
Short-term borrowings................ 44,995 39,670 29,508 72 8,095
Long-term borrowings................. 7,019 11,130 7,635 115,200 125,125
Shareholders' equity................. 36,376 38,402 129,559 281,807 588,774
</TABLE>
_________________
(1) In 1995, the Company changed its fiscal year end to the last Saturday in
September. Accordingly, the fiscal period ended September 30, 1995 was a
nine-month period.
(2) See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations herein for a discussion of sales fluctuations related to
internal growth and business acquisitions for fiscal years 1998, 1997 and
1996.
(3) The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
128 in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending September 26, 1998. All
share and per share amounts have been restated in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 128.
(4) For periods not presented diluted amounts were equal to basic as common
stock equivalents were anti-dilutive.
13
<PAGE>
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
The statements contained in this Form 10-K which are not historical facts 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. Factors that could cause or contribute
to such differences include those discussed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the factors
discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-41701), the factors discussed in
this Form 10-K under the captions "Business--Retailers," "Business--The Solaris
Agreement," "Business--Management Information Systems," "Business--Environmental
Considerations" and "--Liquidity and Capital Resources," as well as those
discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Overview
The Company entered into an agreement effective October 1, 1995 with Solaris
to become both the master agent and master distributor for sales of Solaris
products nationwide. Management believes that the relationship with Solaris
embodied in the Solaris Agreement has had a substantial impact on the Company's
results of operations. Under the Solaris Agreement, which runs through
September 30, 1999, the Company, in addition to serving as the master agent and
master distributor for sales of Solaris products, provides a wide range of
value-added services including logistics, order processing and fulfillment,
inventory distribution and merchandising. However, Solaris continues to
negotiate its sales prices directly with its direct sales accounts. As a
result of the Solaris Agreement, a majority of the Company's sales of Solaris
products are derived from servicing direct sales accounts, whereas in 1995 and
prior, a majority of the Company's sales of Solaris products were made by the
Company as a traditional distributor. A substantial portion of these sales
consists of large shipments to retail distribution centers which are
characterized by lower gross profit as a percentage of net sales compared with
sales made by the Company as a traditional distributor. The Company believes
that the operating expenses associated with this type of sale are lower than the
operating expenses associated with sales made by the Company as a traditional
distributor. The Company believes that the gross profit as a percentage of net
sales associated with the Company's services to Solaris direct sales accounts is
higher than the gross profit as a percentage of net sales associated with the
Company's historical agency sales due to the greater services provided pursuant
to the Solaris Agreement. The Company believes that the collective impact of
these factors has led to substantially increased sales of Solaris products,
increased gross profit from sales of Solaris products as well as lower gross
profit as a percentage of net sales.
In addition, under the Solaris Agreement, the Company's inventories of Solaris
products have increased significantly since the Company is not only carrying
inventories to support its own sales of Solaris products but also certain
inventory previously carried by Solaris as well as additional inventories to
support sales of Solaris products by the Company's network of independent
distributors.
The Solaris Agreement provides for the Company to be reimbursed for costs
incurred in connection with services provided to Solaris' direct sales accounts
and to receive payments based on the growth of sales of Solaris products. The
Company also shares with Solaris in the economic benefits of certain cost
reductions, to the extent achieved. As a result, management believes that the
Company's profitability is more directly attributable to the success of Solaris
than it has been in the past.
Monsanto has announced that it intends to sell its Solaris lawn and garden
business exclusive of its Roundup herbicide products for consumer use to The
Scotts Company ("Scotts") and that it has entered into a separate, long-term,
exclusive agreement pursuant to which Monsanto will continue to make Roundup
herbicide products for consumer use and Scotts will market the products. Scotts
has been for many years a substantial supplier to the Company and, in connection
with its direct sales, a substantial purchaser of the Company's services.
The Company expects to enter into a new relationship with Scotts effective
October 1, 1999. Since Scotts will then be the Company's largest lawn and
garden customer by a substantial margin, the terms of this new arrangement will
have a substantial impact on the Company's future profitability. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be successful in negotiating and implementing
a new relationship with Scotts or that the new relationship with Scotts will
provide the Company with comparable profitability to the profitability it has
experienced from its prior relationships with Solaris and Scotts.
14
<PAGE>
The pending sale of the Solaris business by Monsanto and the approaching end
of the Solaris Agreement subject the Company's lawn and garden business to
significant uncertainties. These include the negotiation of new relationships
with Scotts and the final accounting for all issues between the Company and
Monsanto under the Solaris Agreement, such as the amounts receivable from
Monsanto for cost reimbursements, payments for cost reductions and payments for
services; the amounts payable to Monsanto for inventory; and responsibility for
obsolete inventory and for non-payment by Solaris' direct sales accounts. The
resolution of such uncertainties could have a material effect, either positive
or negative, on the Company's results of operations.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the relative
percentages that certain income and expense items bear to net sales:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
----------------------------------------------------------
September 28, September 27, September 26,
1996 1997 1998
--------------- --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales......................................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of goods sold and occupancy.................................. 86.4 82.6 77.9
----- ----- -----
Gross profit...................................................... 13.6 17.4 22.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses...................... 10.8 13.0 16.1
Other charges..................................................... 0.0 0.0 0.9
----- ----- -----
Income from operations............................................ 2.8 4.4 5.1
Interest expense net............................................. 0.7 0.8 0.6
Other income (expense) net....................................... 0.2 0.0 0.0
----- ----- -----
Income before income taxes........................................ 2.3 3.6 4.5
Income taxes...................................................... 0.9 1.5 1.9
----- ----- -----
Net income........................................................ 1.4% 2.1% 2.6%
===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
Fiscal 1998 Compared with Fiscal 1997
Net sales for the year ended September 26, 1998 increased by 54.0% or $453.9
million to $1,294.9 million from $841.0 million for the year ended September
27, 1997. Of the $453.9 million increase, approximately $389.9 million was
attributable to businesses acquired. The increase related to the existing
business was attributable principally to the lawn and garden operations with
modest increases in branded product sales offset in part by a decline in pet
supplies distribution.
Gross profit increased by 95.6% or $139.6 million from $146.1 million during
the year ended September 27, 1997 to $285.7 million for the comparable 1998
period. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 17.4% for
fiscal year 1997 to 22.1% for fiscal year 1998. While gross profit from
existing operations increased compared with 1997, a substantial portion of the
total increase relates to newly acquired businesses. The increase in gross
profit as a percentage of net sales is due principally to a larger proportion of
higher margin branded product sales relative to total sales in fiscal 1997. The
change in sales mix is primarily attributed to businesses acquired since October
1997.
For the year ended September 26, 1998, selling, general and administrative
expenses increased by $99.8 million to $209.0 million from $109.2 million for
the year ended September 27, 1997. Of the $99.8 million increase, approximately
$91.9 million is attributable to newly acquired businesses. As a percentage of
net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 13.0% in
1997 to 16.1% in 1998. This percentage increase relates to the branded product
businesses acquired during fiscal 1998. This type of business has significantly
higher operating costs as a percentage of sales than the lawn and garden and pet
operations. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net
sales from existing operations decreased slightly from 13.0% for
15
<PAGE>
fiscal 1997 to 12.9% for fiscal year 1998. As branded products become a greater
percentage of total sales, selling, general and administrative expense as a
percentage of net sales should continue to increase.
For the year ended September 26, 1998, the Company recorded other charges
totaling $11.0 million. These charges related principally to (1) the closure of
11 of the Company's branch locations and (2) costs associated with professional
and due diligence expenses principally related to a potential major acquisition
that was not completed. Of the 11 operations which were closed, seven were
related to the Company's pet supplies business; five in the Western U.S. and two
in the Northeast market. The closure and consolidation of these operations into
other existing pet supplies branches was principally due to the acquisition of
regional pet retailers by two major pet retailers, and in the Northeast market
the decision by one major retailer to purchase a larger percentage of their
products either directly from manufacturers into its retail store locations or
distribute these products through internal distribution centers. As a result of
these actions, the overall market for the Company's pet supplies business in
these geographic areas was reduced. The costs to realign and integrate the
affected operations amounted to approximately $6.7 million. The Company believes
that the closure of these locations will enable it to serve its customer base
more cost effectively. The closure of two of the Company's Southern California
garden branches was done in conjunction with the transfer of certain business
previously shipped from the Company's Central California facility. The
operations of these three branches were consolidated into a larger existing
facility in Southern California. The Company believes that the move will reduce
shipping costs within California while at the same time provide better service
to its customers. The remaining branches which were closed related to the
Company's vegetable seed distribution operation in Celaya, Mexico, and the
consolidation of the Pennington Seed operation in Arkansas into the Company's
branch in Arkansas. The Celaya branch was part of a larger acquisition made by
the Company several years ago. Since the sale of vegetable seed has never been
part of the Company's core business and revenues have remained modest with
little growth potential, the Company elected to exit this business.
Net interest expense for the year ended September 26, 1998 increased by 16.1%
or $1.1 million to $7.6 million from $6.6 million for the year ended September
27, 1997. The increase is due to higher average outstanding debt principally
related to debt assumed on the businesses acquired since October 1997, offset in
part by an increase in interest income. Interest income was earned from funds
available as a result of the public offering of the Company's common stock
completed in January 1998. Substantially all of these funds have been used to
acquire businesses during fiscal 1998.
Average short-term borrowings for fiscal 1998 were $42.8 million compared with
$9.2 million for fiscal 1997. The average interest rates for the fiscal years
ended September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997 were 8.7% and 7.4%,
respectively.
The Company's effective income tax rate was 42% for both fiscal years.
Fiscal 1997 Compared with Fiscal 1996
Net sales for the year ended September 27, 1997 increased by 35.7% or $221.4
million to $841.0 million from $619.6 million for the year ended September 28,
1996. Of the $221.4 million increase, approximately $146.5 million was
attributable to businesses acquired subsequent to October 1, 1995. The increase
related to the existing business was attributable principally to the lawn and
garden operations with modest sales increases in both the pet and branded areas
of the Company's operations.
Gross profit increased by 73.0% or $61.6 million from $84.4 million during the
year ended September 28, 1996 to $146.1 million for the same period in 1997.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 13.6% for the year
ended September 28, 1996 to 17.4% for the comparable 1997 period. While the
existing operations reported a modest increase in gross margin as a percentage
of net sales, the increase is due principally to a greater percentage of higher
margin pet and branded sales relative to total sales than was the case in fiscal
1996. The change in sales mix is primarily attributable to the newly acquired
businesses.
For the year ended September 27, 1997, selling, general and administrative
expenses increased by $42.3 million to $109.2 million from $66.9 million for the
comparable 1996 period. The increase in selling, general and administrative
expenses is attributable to a combination of increased sales and the addition of
the newly acquired businesses. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses
increased from 10.8% in the twelve months ended
16
<PAGE>
September 28, 1996 to 13.0% for the similar 1997 period. This percentage
increase relates principally to the pet and branded product operations which
have significantly higher operating costs as a percentage of sales than the lawn
and garden operations. As these two product areas become a greater percentage of
total sales, selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net
sales will continue to increase.
Interest expense-net for the year ended September 27, 1997 increased by 61.4%
or $2.5 million to $6.6 million from $4.1 million for the year ended September
28, 1996. The increase is due principally to the issuance of $115,000,000, 6%
convertible notes in November 1996 offset, in part, by interest income earned
from funds available resulting from proceeds from the issuance of both the
convertible notes and a public offering of the Company's common stock in July
1997. Average borrowings for fiscal 1997 were $105.2 million compared with
$28.2 million for the comparable 1996 period. The average interest rates for
the fiscal years ended September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996 were 7.4% and
10.5%, respectively.
The Company's effective income tax rate for fiscal 1997 was 42.0% compared
with 41.6% for the similar 1996 period.
Impact of Year 2000
State of Readiness. In early 1998, the Company conducted an overall
assessment of its computer systems, including Year 2000 readiness. Based on
this assessment, the Company has developed a plan to deal with the Year 2000
Issue, which covers both systems and vendor/customer issues. The plan includes
both upgrades to or replacement of current systems to bring all of the Company's
systems into compliance. Many of the existing information systems used by
subsidiaries or divisions acquired by the Company are being replaced, primarily
in response to business reasons apart from the Year 2000 Issue.
The Company will use primarily internal resources to reprogram or replace and
test its information systems for Year 2000 compliance. In addition, the Company
will use certain external resources to replace outdated information systems at
certain of its subsidiaries' operations. The Company expects that the majority
of the systems changes will be complete by early 1999, and that the remaining
issues will be resolved by the summer of 1999.
The plan developed to address vendor and customer issues includes systems
integration, testing and communication strategies. The Company has begun the
process of initiating formal communications with significant vendors and
customers to determine the extent to which the Company may be vulnerable to a
failure by any of these third parties to remediate their own Year 2000 Issues.
The Company is currently testing electronic data transmissions to and from its
major vendors and customers to ensure Year 2000 compliance. The Company expects
to conclude this testing by early 1999. In addition to vendors and customers,
the Company also relies upon governmental agencies, utility companies,
telecommunication service companies and other service providers outside of the
Company's control. There can be no assurance that the Company's vendors or
customers, governmental agencies or other third parties will not suffer a Year
2000 business disruption that could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations or financial position.
Costs to Address the Year 2000 Issue. To date, the Company has incurred no
significant incremental costs addressing Year 2000 Issues, although it has
incurred costs, independent of the Year 2000 Issue, relating to the
implementation of new systems for certain subsidiaries. The Company has no
separate budget and none is currently planned for Year 2000 Issues. The Company
does not expect expenditures relating to the Year 2000 Issue to be material or
to have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations or financial
position.
Risks Presented by the Year 2000 Issue. The Company presently believes that
with the planned upgrades and implementation of new systems and software, the
Year 2000 Issue will not pose significant operational problems for its computer
systems. However, if such conversions are not made, or are not completed in a
timely manner, the Year 2000 Issue could have a material impact on the
operations of the Company. In addition, if any third parties who provide goods
or services essential to the Company's business activities fail to address
appropriately their Year 2000 Issues, such failure could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
17
<PAGE>
Contingency Plans. The Company's Year 2000 plan includes the development of
contingency plans in the events that the Company has not completed all of its
remediation plans in a timely manner or any third parties who provide goods or
services essential to the Company's business fail to appropriately address their
Year 2000 issues. The Company expects to conclude the development of these
contingency plans by the end of the third quarter of 1999.
Inflation
The results of operations and financial condition are presented based upon
historical cost. While it is difficult to accurately measure the impact of
inflation, the Company believes that the effects of inflation on its operations
have been immaterial.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has financed its growth through a combination of bank borrowings,
supplier credit, internally generated funds and sales of securities to the
public. The Company received net proceeds (after offering expenses) of
approximately $431.0 million from its five public offerings of common stock in
July 1993, November 1995, July 1996, August 1997 and January 1998. In November
1996, the Company completed the sale of $115 million 6% subordinated convertible
notes generating approximately $112 million net of underwriting commissions.
The Company's business is highly seasonal and its working capital requirements
and capital resources track closely to this seasonal pattern. During the first
fiscal quarter accounts receivable reach their lowest level while inventory,
accounts payable and short-term borrowings begin to increase. Since the
Company's short-term credit line fluctuates based upon a specified asset
borrowing base, this quarter is typically the period when the asset borrowing
base is at its lowest and consequently the Company's ability to borrow is at its
lowest. During the second fiscal quarter, receivables, accounts payable and
short-term borrowings begin to increase, reflecting the build-up of inventory
and related payables in anticipation of the peak selling season. During the
third fiscal quarter, principally due to the Solaris Agreement, inventory levels
remain relatively constant while accounts receivable peak and short-term
borrowings start to decline as cash collections are received during the peak-
selling season. During the fourth fiscal quarter, inventory levels are at their
lowest, and accounts receivable and payables are substantially reduced through
conversion of receivables to cash.
For the twelve months ended September 26, 1998, the Company generated cash
from operating activities of $30.8 million. Net cash used in investing
activities of $238.8 million resulted from acquisitions and equity investments
during the first and second fiscal quarters and the acquisition of office and
warehouse equipment. Cash generated from financing activities of $118.2 million
consisted principally of net proceeds from the sale of 8,050,000 shares of the
Company's stock in December 1997 and January 1998, less repayment of $20.4
million of long-term debt and approximately $63.9 million of short-term debt.
The Company has a $150.0 million line of credit through December 31, 1998 and
$100 million thereafter with Congress Financial Corporation (Western). The
available amount under the line of credit fluctuates based upon a specific
asset-borrowing base. The line of credit bears interest at a rate equal to the
prime rate per annum and is secured by substantially all of the Company's
assets. At September 26, 1998, the Company had $6.9 million of outstanding
borrowings and had $143.1 million of available borrowing capacity under this
line. The Company's line of credit contains certain financial covenants such as
minimum net worth and minimum working capital requirements. The line also
requires the lender's prior written consent to any substantial acquisition of a
business. In connection with the acquisition of three companies in fiscal 1998,
the Company assumed combined lines of credit aggregating $86.7 million, of which
$60.0 million was available on the one line of credit that remains outstanding
from these acquisitions at September 26, 1998. Interest related to this line is
based on a rate either equal to the prime rate or LIBOR plus .875%, at the
Company's option.
The Company believes that cash flow from operations and funds available under
its lines of credit will be adequate to fund its presently anticipated working
capital requirements for the foreseeable future. The Company anticipates that
its capital expenditures will not exceed $10.0 million for the next 12 months.
18
<PAGE>
As part of its growth strategy, the Company has engaged in acquisition
discussions with a number of companies in the past and it anticipates it will
continue to evaluate potential acquisition candidates. If one or more potential
acquisition opportunities, including those that would be material, become
available in the near future, the Company may require additional external
capital. In addition, such acquisitions would subject the Company to the
general risks associated with acquiring companies, particularly if the
acquisitions are relatively large.
Weather and Seasonality
Historically, the Company's sales of lawn and garden products have been
influenced by weather and climate conditions in the markets it serves. For
example, during the first six months of both 1993 and 1995 and the first three
months of the calendar year in 1996, the Company's results of operations were
negatively affected by severe weather conditions in many parts of the country.
Additionally, the Company's business is highly seasonal. In fiscal 1998,
approximately 66% of the Company's sales occurred in the first six months of the
calendar year. Substantially all of the Company's operating income is typically
generated in this period which has historically offset the operating losses
incurred during the first fiscal quarter of the year.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risks, which include changes in U.S. interest
rates and commodity prices and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange rates. The
Company does not engage in financial transactions for trading or speculative
purposes.
Interest Rate Risk. The interest payable on the Company's bank line of credit
is based on variable interest rates and therefore affected by changes in market
interest rates. If interest rates on existing variable rate debt rose 85 basis
points, the Company's results from operations and cash flows would not be
materially affected. In addition, the Company has fixed income investments
consisting of cash equivalents and short-term investments in marketable debt
securities, which are also affected by changes in market interest rates. The
Company does not use derivative financial instruments in its investment
portfolio.
Commodity Prices. The Company is exposed to fluctuation in market prices for
grains, bird seed and grass seed. To protect against changes in market prices,
the Company purchases futures contracts for grains, bird seed and grass seed.
Foreign Currency Risks. The Company has minimal sales outside of the United
States and, therefore, has only minimal exposure to foreign currency exchange
risks. The Company does not hedge against foreign currency risks and believes
that foreign currency exchange risk is immaterial.
19
<PAGE>
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Central Garden & Pet Company
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report .............................................................................. 21
Consolidated Balance Sheets, September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997 .................................... 22
Consolidated Statements of Income for Fiscal Years Ended September 26, 1998,
September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996 ............................................................... 23
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for Fiscal Years Ended September 26,
1998, September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996 ......................................................... 24
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Fiscal Years Ended September 26, 1998,
September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996 ............................................................... 25
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for Fiscal Years Ended September 26, 1998,
September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996 ............................................................... 26
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Board of Directors
Central Garden & Pet Company
Lafayette, California
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Central
Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 26, 1998
and September 27, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-
year period ended September 26, 1998. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 26,
1998 and September 27, 1997, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended September 26,
1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
San Francisco, California
December 18, 1998
21
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 26, September 27,
1998 1997
------------- -------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents............................ $ 10,328 $100,125
Accounts receivable, less allowance for
doubtful accounts of $6,458 and $5,204.............. 142,293 85,028
Inventories.......................................... 292,809 218,796
Prepaid expenses and other assets.................... 26,884 10,470
-------- --------
Total current assets............................. 472,314 414,419
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment:
Land................................................. 5,138 2,216
Buildings and improvements........................... 37,929 8,935
Transportation equipment............................. 5,873 3,968
Machinery and warehouse equipment.................... 41,319 12,748
Office furniture and equipment....................... 21,928 12,541
-------- --------
Total............................................ 112,187 40,408
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization....... 25,805 17,720
-------- --------
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment--net. 86,382 22,688
Goodwill.............................................. 339,430 113,018
Other assets ........................................ 30,574 8,918
-------- --------
Total............................................ $928,700 $559,043
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable........................................ $ 6,956 $ 72
Accounts payable..................................... 153,739 136,220
Accrued expenses..................................... 32,767 24,201
Current portion of long-term debt.................... 1,139 --
-------- --------
Total current liabilities........................ 194,601 160,493
Long-term debt........................................ 125,125 115,200
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations. 20,200 1,543
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)............... -- --
Shareholders' equity:
Series A convertible preferred stock................. -- --
Class B stock........................................ 16 16
Common stock......................................... 298 191
Additional paid-in capital........................... 519,933 245,783
Retained earnings.................................... 69,984 36,291
Restricted stock deferred compensation............... (39) (110)
Treasury stock....................................... (1,418) (364)
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity....................... 588,774 281,807
-------- --------
Total............................................ $928,700 $559,043
======== ========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
22
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
---------------------------------------------
September 26, September 27, September 28,
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- -------------
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales.................................... $1,294,864 $841,007 $619,622
Cost of goods sold and occupancy............. 1,009,143 694,925 535,189
---------- -------- --------
Gross profit.............................. 285,721 146,082 84,433
Selling, general and administrative expenses. 209,014 109,160 66,945
Other charges................................ 11,003 -- --
---------- -------- --------
Income from operations.................... 65,704 36,922 17,488
Interest expense -- net...................... 7,609 6,554 4,061
Other income -- net.......................... -- -- 1,038
---------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes................ 58,095 30,368 14,465
Income taxes................................. 24,402 12,765 6,017
---------- -------- --------
Net income................................... $ 33,693 $ 17,603 $ 8,448
========== ======== ========
Net income per common share:
Basic..................................... $ 1.18 $ 1.11 $ .74
========== ======== ========
Diluted................................... $ 1.15 $ 1.07 $ .71
========== ======== ========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic..................................... 28,502 15,832 11,430
========== ======== ========
Diluted................................... 33,007 19,970 11,904
========== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
23
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Series A
Convertible
Preferred Stock Class B Stock Common Stock
---------------- ------------------ -------------------
Shares Amount Shares Amount Shares Amount
------- ------ --------- ------ ---------- ------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, October 1, 1995......... 100 -- 2,178,874 $22 3,606,964 $ 36
Amortization, restricted stock
deferred compensation...........
Treasury stock...................
Conversion of Class B stock
into common stock............... (245,299) (3) 245,299 3
Issuance of common stock......... 8,710,258 86
Net income.......................
Preferred dividends paid.........
------ ------ --------- --- ---------- ----
Balance, September 28, 1996...... 100 -- 1,933,575 19 12,562,521 125
Amortization, restricted stock
deferred compensation...........
Conversion of Class B stock
into common stock............... (270,408) (3) 270,408 3
Issuance of common stock......... 6,310,396 63
Net income.......................
Preferred dividend paid..........
Redemption of stock warrant......
------ ------ --------- --- ---------- ----
Balance, September 27, 1997...... 100 -- 1,663,167 16 19,143,325 191
------ ------ --------- --- ---------- ----
Amortization, restricted stock
deferred compensation...........
Tax benefit from exercise of
stock options...................
Conversion of Class B stock
into common stock............... (1,405) 1,405
Conversion of Class A preferred
stock into common stock......... (100) -- 100,000
Issuance of common stock......... 10,473,800 107
Treasury stock...................
Net income.......................
------ ------ --------- --- ---------- ----
Balance, September 26, 1998...... -- $ -- 1,661,762 $16 29,718,530 $298
====== ====== ========= === ========== ====
<CAPTION>
Restricted
Additional Stock
Paid-in Retained Deferred
Capital Earnings Compensation Treasury Stock
----------- -------- ------------- ------------------
Shares Amount Total
-------- ------- --------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, October 1, 1995......... $ 28,267 $10,330 $(253) -- $ -- $ 38,402
Amortization, restricted stock
deferred compensation........... 71 71
Treasury stock................... (26,000) (364) (364)
Conversion of Class B stock
into common stock............... --
Issuance of common stock......... 82,961 83,047
Net income....................... 8,448 8,448
Preferred dividends paid......... (45) (45)
-------- ------- ----- ------- ------- --------
Balance, September 28, 1996...... 111,228 18,733 (182) (26,000) (364) 129,559
Amortization, restricted stock
deferred compensation........... 72 72
Conversion of Class B stock
into common stock............... --
Issuance of common stock......... 141,571 141,634
Net income....................... 17,603 17,603
Preferred dividend paid.......... (45) (45)
Redemption of stock warrant...... (7,016) (7,016)
-------- ------- ----- ------- ------- --------
Balance, September 27, 1997...... 245,783 36,291 (110) (26,000) (364) 281,807
-------- ------- ----- ------- ------- --------
Amortization, restricted stock
deferred compensation........... 71 71
Tax benefit from exercise of
stock options................... 2,566 2,566
Conversion of Class B stock
into common stock............... --
Conversion of Class A preferred
stock into common stock......... --
Issuance of common stock......... 271,584 271,691
Treasury stock................... (46,000) (1,054) (1,054)
Net income....................... 33,693 33,693
-------- ------- ---- ------- ------- --------
Balance, September 26, 1998...... $519,933 $69,984 $ (39) (72,000) $(1,418) $588,774
======== ======= ===== ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
24
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
---------------------------------------------
September 26, September 27, September 28,
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- -------------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income........................................... $ 33,693 $ 17,603 $ 8,448
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization....................... 16,114 5,373 3,057
Deferred income taxes............................... 5,918 983 596
Gain on sale of land, building and improvements..... (107) 72 (260)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables....................................... 3,851 (7,107) (15,959)
Inventories....................................... 16,637 (20,830) (89,454)
Prepaid expenses and other assets................. (1,396) (1,322) (154)
Accounts payable.................................. (24,830) 18,853 57,750
Accrued expenses.................................. (22,374) (3,413) 4,166
Other long-term obligations....................... 3,324 -- (595)
--------- --------- --------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities. 30,830 10,212 (32,405)
--------- --------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to land, buildings, improvements and
equipment........................................... (18,904) (4,605) (3,015)
Proceeds from sale of land, buildings,
improvements and equipment.......................... -- -- 3,676
Payments to acquire companies, net of cash acquired.. (219,892) (96,793) (34,950)
--------- --------- --------
Net cash used by investing activities............ (238,796) (101,398) (34,289)
--------- --------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of notes payable, net..................... (63,859) (27,832) (10,067)
Payments on long-term debt........................... (20,375) (14,247) (3,590)
Payments to reacquire stock.......................... (1,054) -- (364)
Payment to redeem warrant............................ -- (7,016) --
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt............. -- 111,227 --
Proceeds from issuance of stock...................... 203,457 127,952 81,889
Preferred dividends paid............................. -- (45) (45)
--------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities........ 118,169 190,039 67,823
--------- --------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash....................... (89,797) 98,853 1,129
Cash at beginning of year............................. 100,125 1,272 143
--------- --------- --------
Cash at end of year................................... $ 10,328 $ 100,125 $ 1,272
========= ========= ========
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest............................... $ 8,216 $ 7,049 $ 3,141
Cash paid for income taxes........................... 28,847 12,682 4,115
Assets (excluding cash) acquired through purchase of
subsidiaries........................................ 222,710 58,280 18,169
Liabilities assumed through purchase of subsidiaries. 171,969 34,897 2,318
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
25
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Fiscal Years Ended September 26, 1998, September 27, 1997
and September 28, 1996
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Organization -- Central Garden & Pet Company, a Delaware corporation, and
subsidiaries (the "Company"), is the leading national distributor of lawn and
garden and pet supply products. The Company also offers an array of proprietary
branded lawn and garden and pet supply products. The Company's business strategy
is to capitalize on its national presence, comprehensive product selection, menu
of value-added services and efficient operations. Utilizing these capabilities,
the Company strives to develop and enhance servicing relationships with both
large national and regional retailers as well as manufacturers.
The Solaris Agreement -- The Company entered into an agreement effective
October 1, 1995 with The Solaris Group ("Solaris"), a strategic business unit of
Monsanto Company, the manufacturer of Ortho, Round-up and Green Sweep lawn and
garden products (the "Solaris Agreement"). Under the Solaris Agreement, which
has an initial four year term, the Company, in addition to serving as the master
agent and master distributor for sales of Solaris products, provides a wide
range of value-added services including logistics, order processing and
fulfillment, inventory distribution and merchandising. However, Solaris
continues to negotiate its sales prices directly with its direct sales accounts.
The Solaris Agreement provides for the Company to be reimbursed for costs
incurred in connection with services provided to Solaris' direct sales accounts
and to receive payments based on the growth of sales of Solaris products. The
Company also shares with Solaris in the economic benefits of certain cost
reductions, to the extent achieved. In June 1998, pursuant to the terms of the
agreement, the Company was notified that the agreement will be terminated on
September 30, 1999.
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation -- The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of the Company. All transactions between the
consolidated companies are eliminated.
Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires that management make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition -- Sales are recorded, net of estimated returns and
discounts, when merchandise is shipped from Company warehouses, because title
passes to its customer and the Company has no further obligations to provide
services related to such merchandise. The Company's current practice on product
returns generally is to accept and credit the return of unopened cases of
products from customers where the quantity is small, where the product has been
misshipped or the product is defective.
Other Charges -- In fiscal 1998, the Company recorded other charges
totaling $11.0 million. These charges include approximately $6.7 million in
costs related to the closure of 11 of the Company's branch locations and
approximately $4.3 million in costs associated with professional and due
diligence expenses principally related to a potential major acquisition that was
not completed. Of the $6.7 million of closure related costs, there were
approximately $0.9 million of accrued liabilities at September 26, 1998 for
remaining facility operating lease obligations.
Income Taxes are accounted for under the liability method in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt
allowances, inventory reserves, depreciation and nondeductible reserves.
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments
purchased with a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition.
Inventories, which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies
finished goods are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Cost includes
certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs.
26
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost.
Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over thirty years for
buildings. Improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter
of the useful life of the asset or the terms of the related leases. Depreciation
on equipment is computed by the straight-line and accelerated methods over the
estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years.
Goodwill is amortized using the straight-line method over periods ranging
from 20 to 40 years. The Company reviews goodwill periodically for potential
impairment by comparing the carrying amount to the expected future cash flows of
acquired entities over the remaining amortization period. Accumulated
amortization totaled $12,516,000 and $4,558,000 at September 26, 1998 and
September 27, 1997, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments -- At September 26, 1998 and September
27, 1997, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable,
accounts payable and non convertible debt approximates its fair value. The fair
value of the Company's convertible subordinated notes was $101,217,000 and
$138,575,000 at September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997, respectively, which
was computed by using quoted market prices.
Reclassifications -- Certain 1996 and 1997 balances have been reclassified
to conform with the 1998 presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements -- In February 1997, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share." The Company adopted
SFAS 128 in December 1997. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net
earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding each
period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the
diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution from common shares
issuable through stock options, convertible notes and convertible preferred
stock.
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the
basic and diluted earnings per-share (EPS) computations:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended
September 26, 1998 September 27, 1997 September 28, 1996
------------------------ ------------------------- -------------------------
Per Per Per
Income Shares Share Income Shares Share Income Shares Share
------- ------ ----- -------- ------ ----- -------- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Basic EPS:
Net income..................... $33,693 $17,603 $8,448
Stock dividend payment......... (45) (45)
Net income available to ------- ------- ------
common stock................... 33,693 28,502 $1.18 17,558 15,832 $1.11 8,403 11,430 $.74
===== ===== ====
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase
common stock.................. 324 473 374
Convertible notes.............. 4,314 4,107 3,730 3,565
Series A convertible
preferred stock............... 74 100 100
Diluted EPS:
Net income attributed to ------- ------ ------- ------ ------ ------
common shareholders........... $38,007 33,007 $1.15 $21,288 19,970 $1.07 $8,403 11,904 $.71
======= ====== ===== ======= ====== ===== ====== ====== ====
</TABLE>
27
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income," which requires that an enterprise report, by
major components and as a single total, the change in its net assets during the
period from nonowner sources; and No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes annual and interim
reporting standards for an enterprise's operating segments and related
disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas, and major customers.
Adoption of these statements will not impact the Company's consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and any effect will be
limited to the form and content of its disclosures. Both statements are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in either assets or
liabilities. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June
15, 1999 and is not to be applied retroactively to financial statements for
prior periods. If adopted at September 26, 1998, the application of the standard
would not have had a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial
position or results of operations.
2. Acquisitions
Fiscal 1996
In July 1996, the Company acquired the pet supply distribution operations
of Kenlin Pet Supply, Inc. ("Kenlin") and Longhorn Pet Supply ("Longhorn"). The
aggregate cash purchase price of these acquisitions was approximately
$34,560,000, which exceeded the fair market value of the net assets acquired by
$18,540,000, which was recorded as goodwill and is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over 40 years.
Fiscal 1997
In January 1997, the Company acquired Four Paws Products, Ltd., a
manufacturer of branded dog, cat, reptile and small animal products, for
$55,000,000, including the issuance of 449,944 shares of common stock at a value
of $10,000,000. The purchase price exceeded the fair market value of net assets
acquired by $39,607,000, which was recorded as goodwill and is being amortized
on a straight-line basis over 40 years.
In February 1997, the Company's wholly owned Kenlin Pet Supply subsidiary
acquired the pet supplies business of Country Pet Supply, N.W., Inc., a
distributor of pet supply and pet food products. In March 1997, the Company
acquired a 33.3% equity interest in Commerce, a distributor of lawn and garden
products. In May 1997, the Company acquired Ezell Nursery Supply, Inc., a
distributor of lawn and garden, barbecue and patio products. The purchase price
for these three acquisitions totaled $24,438,000, including the issuance of
193,104 shares of common stock at a value of $3,645,000. The purchase price
exceeded the fair market value of net assets acquired by $18,683,000, which was
recorded as goodwill and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40
years.
In May 1997, the Company completed its acquisition of the United States and
Canada flea and tick business of Sandoz Agro, Inc., for $31,000,000, which
exceeded the fair market value of net assets acquired by $22,205,000, which was
recorded as goodwill and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40
years. The acquisition includes all methoprene-based products produced by Sandoz
for use in the U.S. and Canada, and certain other specialty products.
The fiscal 1997 net assets acquired were based on preliminary estimates and
included liabilities totaling $6.7 million related to the planned closures of
facilities and involuntary termination benefits, of which $.9 and $5.5 million
remained outstanding at September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997, respectively.
The reduction from 1997 to 1998 reflects cash payments of $.9 million and a
purchase price allocation adjustment of $3.7 million.
28
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
Fiscal 1998
In December 1997, the Company acquired Kaytee Products Incorporated
("Kaytee"), one of the nation's largest manufacturers of bird and small animal
food. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid approximately $50
million. An additional payment not to exceed $3 million, may be made based on
future earnings of Kaytee. The purchase price of Kaytee exceeded the fair value
of net assets acquired by approximately $46 million which was recorded as
goodwill and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The fair
value of net assets acquired are based on preliminary estimates which are
subject to change.
In December 1997, the Company acquired TFH Publications, Inc. ("TFH"), a
manufacturer of premium dog chews and the largest producer of pet books in the
U.S. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid approximately $71
million, and will pay $13 million for the stock of a related company over the
next four years, subject to adjustments. Additional amounts may be paid based on
future earnings over a five-year period. The purchase price of TFH exceeded the
fair value of net assets acquired by approximately $82 million, which was
recorded as goodwill and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40
years. The fair value of net assets acquired are based on preliminary estimates
which are subject to change.
In February 1998, the Company acquired Pennington Seed, Inc.
("Pennington"), a manufacturer of proprietary branded grass and wild bird seed,
and a manufacturer and distributor of lawn and garden products. Under the terms
of the agreement, the Company paid approximately $83 million in cash and
2,178,866 shares of common stock at a value of approximately $68 million. The
purchase price exceeded the fair market value of net assets acquired by
approximately $109 million, which was recorded as goodwill and is being
amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The fair value of net assets
acquired is based on preliminary estimates which are subject to change.
The fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 acquisitions, except for Commerce, which is
being accounted for under the equity method, have been accounted for under the
purchase method and have been included in the Company's consolidated statements
of income from date of acquisition.
Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations -- The following table summarizes
on a pro forma basis the combined results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries for fiscal years 1998 and 1997 as if the fiscal year 1998 and 1997
acquisitions were made on September 29, 1996. The pro forma results of
operations also reflect pro forma adjustments for stock issued to facilitate the
acquisitions, adjustments to conform inventory methods and facilities costs, for
the amortization of goodwill and additional interest expense which would have
been incurred. Although this pro forma combined information includes the results
of operations of the acquisitions, it does not necessarily reflect the results
of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions been managed by the
Company prior to their acquisition.
29
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
-----------------------------
September 26, September 27,
1998 1997
------------- -------------
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except
per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales.................................... $1,396,521 $1,314,963
Gross profit................................. 315,777 297,006
Income from operations....................... 65,331 59,200
Income before taxes.......................... 53,697 30,483
Net income................................... 31,137 17,728
Net income per share:
Basic...................................... $ 1.07 $ 0.97
Diluted.................................... $ 1.05 $ 0.94
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic...................................... 29,228 18,231
Diluted.................................... 29,626 18,804
</TABLE>
3. Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers
Customer Concentration -- Approximately 48%, 47% and 50% of the Company's net
sales for fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, were derived from
sales to the Company's top ten customers. The Company's largest customer
accounted for approximately 22%, 19% and 23% of the Company's net sales for
fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company's second largest
customer accounted for approximately 8%, 8% and 11% of the Company's net sales
for fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company's third largest
customer accounted for approximately 6% of the Company's net sales for fiscal
year 1998. The loss of, or significant adverse change in, the relationship
between the Company and these three customers could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business and financial results. The loss of or reduction
in orders from any significant customer, losses arising from customer disputes
regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters, or the
Company's inability to collect accounts receivable from any major customer could
have a material adverse impact on the Company's business and financial results.
As of September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997, accounts receivable from the
Company's top ten customers comprised 35% and 22%, respectively, of the
Company's total accounts receivable.
Supplier Concentration -- While the Company purchases products from over 1,000
different manufacturers and suppliers, approximately 42% of the Company's net
sales in fiscal year 1998 were derived from products purchased from the
Company's five largest suppliers. The Company believes that approximately 28%,
32% and 44% of the Company's net sales during fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, were derived from sales of products purchased from Solaris, the
Company's largest supplier. Because of the dependence of the Company on sales of
Solaris products, future changes implemented by Solaris to its marketing and
sales programs or any overall decrease in the sales of Solaris products could
have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Solaris agreement runs
through September 30, 1999.
30
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
4. Notes Payable
The Company has a line of credit providing for aggregate borrowings of up to
$150,000,000 through December 31, 1998 and for up to $100,000,000 after December
31, 1998, which expires on July 12, 2001. The available amount under the line of
credit fluctuates based upon a specific asset borrowing base. At September 26,
1998 and September 27, 1997, balances of $6,956,000 and $72,000, respectively,
were outstanding under this agreement, bearing interest at a rate related to the
prime rate (8.50% at September 26, 1998 and 9.25% at September 27, 1997).
Available borrowings at September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997 were
$143,044,000 and $74,928,000, respectively. This line is secured by
substantially all of the Company's assets, and contains certain financial
covenants requiring maintenance of minimum levels of working capital and net
worth, and does not allow the Company to pay dividends. The Company was in
compliance with such covenants at September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997.
The Company also has available through its Pennington subsidiary a $60,000,000
line of credit. As of September 26, 1998, the Company did not have any
borrowings under this line of credit facility. Interest related to this line
is based on a rate either equal to the prime rate or LIBOR plus .875%, at the
Company's option. The line of credit contains certain restrictive financial
covenants. The Company was in compliance with such covenants at September 26,
1998.
5. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 26, September 27,
1998 1997
------------- -------------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Convertible subordinated notes, interest at 6% payable semi-annually,
principal due 2003; convertible at the option of the holder into shares of
common stock of the Company, at any time prior to redemption or
maturity, at a conversion price of $28.00 per share (equal to a conversion
rate of 35.7143 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes).................. $115,000 $115,000
Industrial development revenue bonds due in annual sinking fund installments
of $305,000 to $310,000 through July 2010, bearing interest at varying rates,
secured by an unconditional letter of credit.................................. 3,695 --
Industrial development revenue bonds due in annual sinking fund installments
of $300,000 through December 2005, bearing interest at varying rates,
secured by an unconditional letter of credit.................................. 2,400 --
Mortgage note payable to bank, interest based on a formula (7.1% at
September 26, 1998), principal and interest due in monthly installments
through March 2012............................................................ 1,785 --
Industrial development revenue bonds due in annual sinking fund installments
ranging from $130,000 to $195,000 through July 2005, bearing interest at
varying rates, secured by an unconditional letter of credit................... 1,295 --
Mortgage note payable to bank, interest based on a formula (7.2% at
September 26, 1998), principal and interest due in monthly installments
through December 2019......................................................... 1,038 --
Industrial development revenue bonds due in quarterly sinking fund
installments of $30,000, with a final principal installment of $90,000 due
March, bearing interest at varying rates, secured by an unconditional
letter of credit.............................................................. 720 --
Note payable to a former owner of an acquired company, interest at 10%,
payable quarterly, principal due 2000......................................... 200 200
Other notes payable............................................................. 131 --
-------- --------
Total....................................................................... 126,264 115,200
Less current portion of long-term debt.......................................... 1,139 --
-------- --------
Total.................................................................. $125,125 $115,200
======== ========
</TABLE>
31
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
Principal repayments on long-term debt are scheduled as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands)
Fiscal year:
<S> <C>
1999.................................................... $ 1,139
2000.................................................... 1,241
2001.................................................... 1,040
2002.................................................... 1,048
2003.................................................... 116,058
Thereafter.............................................. 5,738
--------
Total................................................. $126,264
========
</TABLE>
6. Operating Leases
The Company has operating lease agreements principally for office and
warehouse facilities and equipment. Such leases have remaining terms, inclusive
of renewal options, of 1 to 8 years. Rent expense for all operating leases
amounted to $13,948,000, $12,669,000 and $9,896,000 for fiscal years 1998, 1997
and 1996, respectively.
Certain facility leases have renewal options and provide for additional rent
based upon increases in the Consumer Price Index.
Aggregate minimum annual payments on noncancelable operating leases at
September 26, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands)
Fiscal year:
<S> <C>
1999........................................... $13,228
2000........................................... 12,843
2001........................................... 11,617
2002........................................... 8,671
2003........................................... 5,234
Thereafter..................................... 9,088
-------
Total...................................... $60,681
=======
</TABLE>
7. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
------------------------------------------
September 26, September 27, September 28,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal.................... $15,277 $ 9,578 $4,523
State...................... 3,207 2,204 1,040
------- ------- ------
Total........................ 18,484 11,782 5,563
Deferred..................... 5,918 983 454
------- ------- ------
Total.................. $24,402 $12,765 $6,017
======= ======= ======
</TABLE>
32
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate with the Company's
effective income tax rate is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
------------------------------------------
September 26, September 27, September 28,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory rate............................... 35% 35% 34%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit... 5 5 5
Nondeductible expenses....................... 6 6 6
Other........................................ (4) (4) (3)
---- ---- ----
Effective tax rate........................... 42% 42% 42%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of "temporary differences" between
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such
amounts as measured by tax laws. The tax effect of temporary differences and
carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 26, 1998 September 27, 1997
------------------------- --------------------------
Deferred Deferred Deferred Deferred
Tax Tax Tax Tax
Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
----------- ----------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable..... $1,213 $1,566
Inventory reserves............................. 246 973
Prepaid expenses............................... $ 473 $ 492
Nondeductible reserves......................... 1,001 2,823
Net operating loss carryforwards............... 97
Other.......................................... 172 369
------ ------ ------ ------
Total...................................... 2,632 473 5,828 492
Valuation allowance.............................. (25)
------ ------ ------ ------
Current.......................................... 2,632 473 5,803 492
Noncurrent:
Depreciation and amortization.................. 5,137 1,436
Joint venture income........................... 822
Other.......................................... 63 82
------ ------ ------ ------
Noncurrent....................................... - 6,022 82 1,436
------ ------ ------ ------
Total...................................... $2,632 $6,495 $5,885 $1,928
====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
8. Shareholders' Equity
At September 26, 1998, there were 1,000 shares of Series A convertible
preferred stock ($.01 par value) authorized, of which none were outstanding. In
July 1995, in connection with an agreement to become the master agent and
distributor for Solaris, the Company received from Monsanto Company $900,000 in
exchange for its issuance of 100 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock
and a warrant to purchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock with an exercise
price of $9.00 per share. Each share of Series A convertible preferred stock is
entitled to a liquidation preference of $9,000 per share, is convertible into
1,000 shares of common stock, is entitled to an annual 5% cumulative dividend,
votes together with common stock, and has a number of votes equal to the number
of shares of common stock into which it is convertible. In July 1997, the
Company redeemed the warrant for $7.0 million. In June 1998, the 100 shares of
Series A convertible preferred stock were converted into 100,000 shares of
common stock.
33
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
At September 26, 1998, there were 3,000,000 shares of Class B stock ($.01 par
value) authorized, of which 1,661,762 were outstanding. The voting powers,
preferences and relative rights of the Class B stock are identical to common
stock in all respects except that (i) the holders of common stock are entitled
to one vote per share and the holders of Class B stock are entitled to the
lesser of ten votes per share or 49% of the total votes cast, (ii) stock
dividends on common stock may be paid only in shares of common stock and stock
dividends on Class B stock may be paid only in shares of Class B stock and (iii)
shares of Class B stock have certain conversion rights and are subject to
certain restrictions on ownership and transfer. Each share of Class B stock is
convertible into one share of common stock, at the option of the holder.
Additional shares of Class B stock may only be issued with majority approval of
the holders of the common stock and Class B stock, voting as separate classes.
At September 26, 1998, there were 80,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par
value) authorized, of which 29,646,530 were outstanding.
On November 15, 1995, the Company completed an offering of 5,750,000 shares of
its common stock at $6.75 per share before deduction for underwriting commission
and expenses related to the offering. The net proceeds were used to reduce the
Company's borrowings under its principal line of credit.
On July 19, 1996, the Company completed an offering which consisted of
2,752,500 shares of its common stock at $18.00 per share before deduction for
underwriting commission and expenses related to the offering. The net proceeds
were used to repay the Company's borrowings (including borrowings used for the
Kenlin acquisition) under its principal line of credit.
On August 8, 1997, the Company completed an offering which consisted of
5,540,000 shares of its common stock at $24.25 per share before deduction for
underwriting commission and expenses related to the offering. The net proceeds
were used to repay the Company's borrowings under its principal line of credit
(including borrowings used for the acquisition of the flea and tick business of
Sandoz Agro, Inc.) and to provide the Company with a source of funds for working
capital and possible acquisitions of complementary businesses.
On January 15, 1998, the Company completed an offering of 8,050,000 shares of
its common stock at $26.25 per share before deduction for underwriting
commission and expenses related to the offering. The net proceeds were used to
finance recent acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.
In August 1998, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to
repurchase up to $25 million of common shares. On December 18, 1998, the
Company's Board of Directors increased the share repurchase program to a maximum
of $55 million. As of December 18, 1998, the Company had repurchased 1,450,000
shares for a total of $18.6 million.
In 1993, the Company adopted the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan")
which provided for the grant of options to key employees and consultants of the
Company for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 900,000 shares of common stock
of the Company. In 1995, the Company amended the Plan to increase the number of
shares authorized for issuance by an additional 300,000, in 1996 the Company
amended the Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance by an
additional 800,000 and in 1998 the Company further amended the Plan to increase
the number of shares authorized for issuance by an additional 2,000,000. The
Plan is administered by the Audit and Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors, comprised of outside independent directors only, who determine
individual awards to be granted, vesting and exercise of share conditions.
Additional Stock Plan Information - The Company continues to account for its
stock-based awards using the intrinsic value method in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,
and its related interpretations.
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, requires the disclosure
of pro forma net earnings and earnings per share had the Company adopted the
fair value method as of the beginning of fiscal 1996.
34
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
These calculations require subjective assumptions, including future stock
price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the
calculated values. The Company's calculations were made using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: expected
life of four years from date of grant; stock volatility, 59% in fiscal 1998 and
64% in fiscal 1997 and 1996; risk free interest rates, 5.83% in fiscal 1998,
6.07% in fiscal 1997 and 6.25% in fiscal 1996; and no dividends during the
expected term.
The Company's calculations are based on a single option valuation approach and
forfeitures are recognized as they occur. If the computed fair values of the
fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997, and fiscal 1996 awards had been amortized to expense
in the consolidated financial statements over the vesting period of the awards,
pro forma net earnings would have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
----------------------------------------
September 26, September 27, September 28,
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Pro forma net earnings........... $31,398,000 $15,444,000 $8,054,000
Net earnings per common share:
Basic.......................... $ 1.10 $ 0.98 $ 0.70
Diluted........................ $ 1.08 $ 0.94 $ 0.68
</TABLE>
However, the impact of outstanding non-vested stock options granted prior to
fiscal 1996 has been excluded from the pro forma calculation; accordingly, the
fiscal 1998, fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996 pro forma adjustments are not
indicative of future period pro forma adjustments, when the calculation will
apply to all stock options.
Option activity under the Plan is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted
Number of Average
Options Exercise Price
--------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance October 1, 1995 570,551 $ 3.60
Granted (weighted average fair value of $7.93) 458,500 13.24
Exercised (148,016) 3.51
Cancelled (4,500) 7.24
---------
Balance at September 28, 1996 876,535 8.64
Granted (weighted average fair value of $10.65) 660,402 18.26
Exercised (72,918) 3.15
Cancelled (16,129) 9.25
---------
Balance at September 27, 1997 1,447,890 13.38
Granted (weighted average fair value of $13.32) 918,224 21.75
Exercised (215,297) 5.28
Cancelled (35,264) 14.84
---------
Balance at September 26, 1998 2,115,553 17.83
=========
Exercisable at September 27, 1997 122,310 5.39
Exercisable at September 26, 1998 265,474 9.14
</TABLE>
35
<PAGE>
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
September 26, 1998 September 26, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Weighted
Average Weighted Weighted
Range Number of Remaining Average Number Average
of Exercise Options Contractual Exercise of Options Exercise
Prices Outstanding Life (Years) Price Exercisable Price
- --------------- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 1.30 - $ 4.99 204,404 2.7 $ 2.76 101,624 $ 2.99
5.00 - 9.99 119,750 1.1 6.12 80,250 5.59
10.00 - 14.99 385,500 3.9 13.46 2,000 14.75
15.00 - 19.99 507,260 2.9 17.18 22,500 17.19
20.00 - 24.99 359,000 2.3 21.37 59,100 21.30
25.00 - 33.94 539,639 3.6 27.52 -- --
--------- ------- ------
$ 1.30 - $33.94 2,115,553 3.0 $17.83 265,474 $ 9.14
========= ======= ======
</TABLE>
In October 1998, options to purchase 712,000 shares of common stock were
repriced from a weighted average exercise price of $22.43 to an exercise
price of $14.50 which was equal to the fair market value at the date of
repricing.
The Company has a 401(k) plan for which it accrued a contribution of $296,000
for fiscal year 1998 and contributed $293,000 for fiscal year 1997 and $209,000
for fiscal year 1996.
9. Transactions with Related Parties
The Company leases certain warehouse facilities and equipment from related
entities which are controlled by the Company's principal shareholder. Rental
expense under these leases totaled $156,000 annually in fiscal years 1998, 1997
and 1996, respectively.
10. Baton Rouge Fire
On July 14, 1992, the Company's warehouse in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and two
adjoining warehouse spaces leased by third parties were damaged as the result of
a fire that originated while an environmental contractor was removing broken
containers of a swimming pool water purifier maintained in the Company's
inventory. The warehouse was one of the Company's smallest and the inventory,
although substantially damaged, was an immaterial portion of the Company's total
inventories at that time.
The lawsuits arising out of the fire were settled in September 1996, and in
connection with the settlement the Company recorded approximately $1 million as
other income.
The Company is not currently a party to any material litigation.
*****
36
<PAGE>
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from pages
2 and 3 of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company's 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions "Election of Directors" and
"Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance." See also Item 1
above.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from pages
3, 4 and 5 of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company's 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Executive Compensation."
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from page
11 of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company's 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Ownership of Management and Principal
Stockholders."
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from page 5
of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company's 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the captions "Compensation Committee Interlocks
and Insider Participation" and "Transactions with the Company."
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are included in
Part II, Item 8:
Independent Auditors' Report
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Consolidated Supplementary Financial Statement Schedule for the
fiscal years ended September 26, 1998 and September 27, 1997:
37
<PAGE>
Independent Auditors' Report on Consolidated Supplementary Financial
Statement Schedule
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under
which they are required or because the required information is included in the
consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits:
See attached Exhibit Index.
(b) The Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1998:
(1) A report dated June 26, 1998 disclosing the issuance of a press
release with respect to the proposed sale by Monsanto to Scotts of a substantial
portion of the Solaris lawn and garden business.
(2) A report dated August 31, 1998 disclosing the issuance of a press
release with respect to the Company's stock repurchase program.
38
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: January 19, 1999
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
By /s/ William E. Brown
-----------------------------------
William E. Brown
Chairman of the Board
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Capacity Date
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ William E. Brown Chairman and Chief Executive January 19, 1999
- ----------------------------------- Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
William E. Brown
/s/ Robert B. Jones Vice President, Chief Financial January 19, 1999
- ----------------------------------- Officer (Principal Financial Officer
Robert B. Jones and Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Glenn W. Novotny Director January 19, 1999
- -----------------------------------
Glenn W. Novotny
/s/ Daniel P. Hogan, Jr. Director January 19, 1999
- -----------------------------------
Daniel P. Hogan, Jr.
/s/ Lee D. Hines, Jr. Director January 19, 1999
- -----------------------------------
Lee D. Hines, Jr.
/s/ Brooks M. Pennington, III Director January 19, 1999
- -----------------------------------
Brooks M. Pennington, III
</TABLE>
39
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors of Central Garden & Pet Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden
& Pet Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 26, 1998 and
September 27, 1997 and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-
year period ended September 26, 1998, and have issued our report thereon dated
December 18, 1998; such report is included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our
audits also included the consolidated supplementary financial schedule of the
Company listed in Item 14(a). This consolidated supplementary financial
schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated
supplementary financial schedule, when considered in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects the information set forth therein.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
San Francisco, California
December 18, 1998
40
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Fiscal Years Ended September 26, 1998,
September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
ADDITIONS
------------------------
BALANCES AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO BALANCES AT
BEGINNING COSTS AND OTHER END OF
DESCRIPTION OF PERIOD EXPENSES ACCOUNTS DEDUCTIONS PERIOD
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AMOUNTS DEDUCTED FROM ASSETS TO
WHICH THEY APPLY:
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 4,161 1,708 517(1) 1,108 5,278
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE............
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 27 1997 5,278 1,950 450(1) 2,474 5,204
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE............
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 1998 5,204 2,138 3,266(1) 4,150 6,458
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE............
</TABLE>
NOTE: (1) RECORDED ON THE BOOKS OF COMPANIES ACQUIRED
41
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Set forth below is a list of exhibits that are being filed or incorporated by
reference into this Form 10-K:
Exhibit
Number Exhibit
- ------- -------
3.1 Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-98544).
3.1.1 Certificate of Amendment of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1.1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-46437).
3.2 Copy of Registrant's Bylaws (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to
Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
4.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
4.2 Indenture dated as of November 15, 1996 between the Company and Chemical
Trust Company of California, as Trustee, including the form of Notes
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement No.
333-21603).
4.3 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 15, 1996 among the
Company, Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, Hambrecht & Quist LLC and Wasserstein Perella
Securities (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Registration
Statement No. 333-21603).
10.1 Lease between Central Garden Supply and Road 80 Investors dated as of
December 31, 1985 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.11 to
Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
10.2 Amendment to Lease between Central Garden & Pet and Road 80 Investors
dated as of May 29, 1998.
10.3 Supplementary Retirement Benefit Agreement for Key Employees between
Central Garden & Pet Supply Company and Glenn W. Novotny dated as of July
1, 1991 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.12 to Registration
Statement No. 33-48070).
10.4 Supplementary Retirement Benefit Agreement for Key Employees between
Central Garden & Pet Supply Company and Neill J. Hines dated as of July 1,
1991 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.13 to Registration
Statement No. 33-48070).
10.5 Form of Indemnification Agreement between Registrant and Executive
Officers and Directors (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.18 to
Registration Statement No. 33-48070).
10.6 Loan and Security Agreement by and among Congress Financial Corporation
(Western) and Central Garden & Pet Company, Matthews Redwood and Nursery
Supply, Inc., Four Paws Products, Ltd. and Ezell Nursery Supply, Inc.,
dated December 17, 1997 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27,
1998).
10.7 Intercreditor Agreement between Congress Financial Corporation (Western)
and Monsanto Corporation dated as of January 28, 1994 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.32.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1993).
10.8 Forms of Restricted Stock Grant Agreements (Incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 10.35 to Registration Statement No. 33-48070).*
10.9 1993 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibits 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statements Nos. 33-7236, 33-
89216, 333-1238 and 333-41931).
10.10 Master Agreement by and between The Solaris Group, a Strategic Business
Unit of Monsanto Company, and the Company dated July 21, 1995
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.66 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 25, 1995).
42
<PAGE>
10.11 Exclusive Agency and Distributor Agreement by and between The Solaris
Group and the Company dated July 21, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.68 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 25, 1995).
10.12 Compensation Agreement by and between The Solaris Group and Central Garden
& Pet Company dated July 21, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.69 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 25, 1995).
10.13 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of December 17, 1996 among the Company
and the stockholder of Four Paws Products, Ltd. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated January 20,
1997).
10.14 Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement among Novartis Inc. and the
Company dated as of February 3, 1997, as amended by Amendment No. 1
thereto, dated as of April 22, 1997, and Amendment No. 2 thereto, dated as
of May 23, 1997 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's
Report on Form 8-K dated May 26, 1997).
10.15 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of December 10, 1997 among the Company
and the shareholders of Kaytee Products Incorporated (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's Report n Form 8-K dated December
16, 1997).
10.16 Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of December 5, 1997 among the Company
and the shareholders of T.F.H. Publications, Inc. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K/A dated
December 18, 1997)
10.17 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of February 17, 1998 among
Pennington Seed, Inc., the stock holders of Pennington Seed, Inc., the
Company and PS Sub, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 99.1 and
99.2 the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated February 27, 1998).
10.18 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of Registration Statement No. 333-09865).
10.19 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of
Registration Statement No. 333-26387).
10.20 Employment Agreement dated as of February 27, 1998 between Pennington
Seed, Inc. of Delaware and Brooks Pennington III.
12 Statement re Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
21 List of Subsidiaries
23 Independent Auditors' Consent
27 Financial Data Schedule
____________________
43
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT TO REAL PROPERTY LEASE
--------------------------------
This Amendment ("Amendment") to Real Property Lease dated December 31, 1985
is made and entered as of May 29, 1998 by and between Road 80 Investors, a
California general partnership (hereafter "Lessor") and Central Garden & Pet
Company, a Delaware corporation, successor in interest to Central Garden Supply,
a California corporation (hereafter "Lessee").
RECITALS
--------
A. Lessor and Lessee executed the Real Property Lease dated December 31,
1985 attached hereto as Exhibit A ("Lease").
B. Lessor and Lessee desire to amend the Lease and various Sections
thereof as set forth below as reference to Section numbers in the Lease and in
the Addendum to Lease of even date therewith as follows:
1. Parties.
-------
Lessee is Central Garden & Pet Company, a Delaware corporation, successor
in interest to Central Garden Supply, a California corporation.
2. Premises.
--------
The Premises consist of an existing warehouse structure, inclusive of all
additions thereto since inception of the Lease, comprising approximately 57,700
square feet situated on Parcel 1 of Parcel 2 of Parcel Map No. 1298 containing
2.4 acres located at 747 Road 80, Visalia, California.
3.1 Term.
----
The Term of the Lease is hereby extended for a period of five years,
commencing July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2003. Lessor and Lessee acknowledge
that Lessee is currently occupying the Premises on a month-to-month basis, the
original Lease Term having expired March 31, 1996. Upon not less than 6 months
prior written notice from Lessee to Lessor, Lessee may extend the Term for an
additional 5 years at a rental rate determined in accordance with Section 4
below; provided however that Lessee is not in material default of any provision
of this Lease at the time the option to extend is exercised.
4. Rent.
----
Lessor and Lessee acknowledge that the current rate of rent payable by
Lessee to Lessor is $12,974.00 per month and that the monthly rent per square
foot of warehouse space is $.22.
1
<PAGE>
Lessor and Lessee agree that the Minimum Rent payable during the Term as set
forth in Section 48.1 of the Lease shall be $12,974.00 per month and that the
Minimum Rent shall be adjusted annually effective each July 1st during the Term
as provided in Section 48.3 of the Lease; provided however that the base year
for calculating rent increases based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index
shall be the year commencing July 1, 1998 and that the percentage increase shall
be determined as of each July 1 during the term of the Lease. Minimum Rent
payable during any extension period shall be determined in the same manner as
set forth above; namely, the increase in the Consumer Price Index shall be
applied to the Minimum Rent payable during the last year of the Term in order to
determine rent payable during the first and each successive year of the
extension period.
6.1 Use.
---
The Premises shall be used and occupied only for warehouseing and
distribution of garden, pool and pet supply products, or any other use which is
reasonably comparable and for no other purpose.
Sections 49 and 52 of the Lease are deleted in their entirety.
Except as expressly modified herein, all of the provisions of the Lease
shall remain in full force and effect, including, without limitation, the
unamended portions of those Sections of the Lease which are the subject of this
Amendment. In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Lease and
this Amendment, the provisions of this Amendment shall prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Amendment to Lease
as of the date set forth on page 1.
LESSOR: LESSEE:
ROAD 80 INVESTORS, a CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY,
California general partnership a Delaware corporation
By /s/ BRADFORD M. WAIT By /s/ GLENN W. NOVOTNY
------------------------------- --------------------------------
Bradford M. Wait Glenn W. Novotny
Co-Managing Partner President & COO
By /s/ WILLIAM E. BROWN By /s/ ROBERT B. JONES
------------------------------- --------------------------------
William E. Brown Robert B. Jones
Co-Managing Partner Chief Financial Officer
2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10.20
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
--------------------
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made this 27th day of
February, 1998 is entered into by Pennington Seed, Inc. of Delaware, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Brooks Pennington III (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive was an executive and shareholder of Pennington Seed,
Inc., a Georgia corporation ("PSI").
WHEREAS, PSI has been acquired by Central Garden & Pet Company, a Delaware
corporation ("Central"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
dated as of February 17, 1998, pursuant to which PSI has been merged into the
Company.
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive
desires to be employed by the Company.
In consideration of mutual covenants and promises contained herein, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Term of Employment: Executive will be employed by the Company for a period
of five (5) years, subject to termination as set forth below.
2. Title; Capacity: The Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. He shall perform those duties and responsibilities
assigned to him by the Board of Directors Company; provided, however, that
Executive shall not be asked to perform any duties that are of a materially
different type or nature than he was performing while he was an executive
of PSI prior to its acquisition by Central. In no event shall the Company
assign to Executive duties which would necessitate his relocation.
3. Salary: The Company will pay Executive a base, annualized salary of a
maximum of $300,000 in accordance with Central's prevailing practices for
executives of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
4. Benefits: Executive shall be furnished, at his request, every 24 months
with a new automobile with a list price of not more than $20,000. All
costs and expenses of operation, insurance and maintenance of automobile
shall be paid by the Company. Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of
paid vacation each year during the term of this Agreement. In addition to
the foregoing, Executive shall receive fringe benefits and shall
participate in bonus and other compensation and benefit programs on
substantially the same terms and conditions as are generally available to
other senior executives of Central and its subsidiaries.
5. Reimbursement of Expenses: The Company will reimburse Executive for all
reasonable travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred or paid by the
Executive in
<PAGE>
connection with, or related to, the performance of his duties,
responsibilities or services under this Agreement in accordance with the
Company's policies, upon presentation by Executive of documentation,
expense statements, vouchers, and/or other supporting information as the
Company may request.
6. Incapacity: In the event that Executive becomes physically or mentally
disabled or incapacitated such that it is the reasonable, good faith
opinion of the Company that Executive is unable to perform the services
required under this Agreement, then four (4) months after the onset of said
physical or mental disability, this Agreement will terminate; provided
however, that during this four (4) month period, Executive shall be
entitled to the continuation of his compensation as provided by this
Agreement; however such continued payments by the Company shall be
integrated with any disability, workers' compensation, or other insurance
payments received, such that the total amount does not exceed the
compensation as provided by this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, physical or mental disability does not include any disability
arising from alcoholism, drug abuse, or related issues.
7. Termination by the Company For Cause: The Company may terminate Executive
for cause. If Executive is terminated for cause, he will receive only his
compensation earned pro rata to the date of his termination. All other
benefits including stock option vesting under Section 5 above will cease on
the date of Executive's termination. Cause shall be defined as:
(a) An intentional act of fraud, embezzlement or theft;
(b) An act or omission constituting negligence or misconduct which is
materially injurious to the Company;
(c) A material violation of the Noncompetition Agreement between the
parties incorporated herein by reference;
(d) A material violation of this Agreement by Executive, which is not
cured within 30 days after written notice thereof; or
(e) Executive's death.
8. Confidential Business Information: The Company has and will continue to
spend significant time, effort and money to develop proprietary information
which is vital to the Company's business. In the course of Executive's
employment with the Company, he will acquire certain proprietary
information. Executive agrees that he will not disclose or utilize any
confidential business information (not already otherwise made public or
already in possession of the person to whom it was disclosed) or trade
secrets to any competitor of the Company or any other person or entity
outside the Company other than the agents representatives or consultants
acting on behalf of the Company. Any confidential materials that come into
Executive's
2
<PAGE>
possession during his employment shall remain the exclusive property of the
Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon any termination
of employment.
9. Separability: Each provision of this Agreement is separable and independent
of the other provisions. If any part of this Agreement is found to be
invalid, the remainder shall be given full force and effect as permissible
by law.
10. Complete Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
Executive and the Company regarding the subjects covered by this Agreement.
No other agreement, understanding, statement or promise other than those
contained in this Agreement is part of their employment agreement or will
be effective. Any modification of this Agreement will be effective only if
it is in writing and signed by the parties.
11. Governing Law: This Agreement will be governed and construed consistent
with the laws of the State of Georgia
12. Notice: All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (except as
may otherwise be specifically provided herein to the contrary) if delivered
by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other
communication shall have been directed or mailed by certified or registered
mail with postage prepaid:
(a) If to the Company Pennington Seed, Inc.
Subsidiary to: c/o Central Garden & Pet Company
3697 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Lafayette, CA 94107-0933
Attention: William E. Brown
with a copy to: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
The Old Federal Reserve Bank Building
400 Sansome Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Attention: John F. Seegal
(b) If to the Brooks Pennington III
Executive to: Pennington Seed, Inc.
1280 Atlanta Highway
Madison, Georgia 30650
with a copy to: King & Spalding
191 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Attention: Michael J. Egan, III
3
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement the day and
year first above written.
BROOKS PENNINGTON III
/s/ Brooks Pennington III
-------------------------------------
PENNINGTON SEED, INC. OF DELAWARE
/s/ Neill J. Hines
-------------------------------------
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 12
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Nine-Month Fiscal Year
Ended Period Ended Ended
December 25, September 30, September 28,
1994 1995 1996
------------ ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income before income taxes $2,341 $1,983 $14,465
Fixed charges (1) 6,037 6,414 4,826
------ ------ -------
Total earnings and fixed charges 8,378 8,397 19,291
Fixed charges (1) $6,037 $6,414 $ 4,826
Ratio of earnings to fix charges 1.39 1.31 4.00
====== ====== =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended
September 27, September 26,
1997 1998
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Income before income taxes $30,368 $58,095
Fixed charges (1) 7,609 8,807
------- -------
37,977 66,902
Fixed charges (1) $ 7,609 $ 8,807
Ratio of earnings to fix charges 4.99 7.60
======= =======
</TABLE>
(1) Fixed charges consist of interest expense incurred and the portion of
rental expense under operating leases deemed by the Company to be
representative of the interest factor.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 21
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the principal
subsidiaries of the Company.
State or Other
Name Jurisdiction of Incorporation
---- -----------------------------
Ezell Nursery Supply, Inc. California
Four Paws Products, Ltd. New York
Kaytee Products Incorporated Wisconsin
Pennington Seed, Inc. Delaware
TFH Publications, Inc. Delaware
Wellmark International California
The names of certain subsidiaries have been omitted because such unnamed
subsidiaries, considered in the aggregate, would not constitute a significant
subsidiary as that term is defined in Regulation S-X.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to incorporation by reference in Central Garden & Pet Company's
Registration Statement Nos. 333-09065, 333-01238, 33-96816, 33-89216, 33-72326,
333-22209 and 333-41931 on Form S-8, Registration Statement Nos. 333-05261, 333-
26387 and 333-46437 on Form S-4 and Registration Statement Nos. 33-86284, 333-
21603 and 333-48617 on Form S-3 of our reports dated December 18, 1998 appearing
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Central Garden & Pet Company for the year
ended September 26, 1998.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
San Francisco, California
December 23, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 10-K AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-26-1998
<PERIOD-START> SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-26-1998
<CASH> 10,328
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 142,293
<ALLOWANCES> 6,458
<INVENTORY> 292,809
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 472,314
<PP&E> 112,187
<DEPRECIATION> 25,805
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 928,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 194,601
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 298
<OTHER-SE> 16
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 928,700
<SALES> 1,294,864
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,294,864
<CGS> 1,009,143
<TOTAL-COSTS> 220,017
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,609
<INCOME-PRETAX> 58,095
<INCOME-TAX> 24,402
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 33,693
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.18
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.15
</TABLE>
