Central Garden & Pet Announces Vendor Awards for 2020

Central Garden & Pet is thrilled to announce its Garden Vendor Awards for 2020, which recognize the company’s vendor partners that have demonstrated outstanding performance, excellent collaboration, and sales support in the garden industry for the year.

The awards go the following vendors across three categories:

• Vendor of the Year Award: Collier Manufacturing
• Independent Channel Vendor of the Year Award: Dr. Earth
• Sales Excellence Awards: EcoClear, PF Harris, EYE Hortilux, Down to Earth, Back to the Roots, and Bond Manufacturing

These annual awards serve as an exciting kickoff to the company’s annual Central Garden Distribution Dealer Show, which brings together a premier vendor group, and leaders in the independent retailer and garden center market. While the format of this year’s event has changed to a virtual show for 2020, Central’s commitment to the industry is stronger than ever. Celebrating "all things garden” for the 13th consecutive year, the Central Garden Distribution Dealer Show brings together a premier vendor group, and leaders in the independent retailer and garden center market. The event attracts a national audience of retailers looking for new products, information on trends in marketing, and seminars on best business practices and promotional activities.

"Spring of 2020 has been an extraordinary lawn and garden season driven by increased consumer engagement in this product category. We are extremely grateful to our vendor base for performing above and beyond the standard call of duty during this unprecedented time of uncertainty and heightened demand. These vendor awards give us the opportunity to highlight and thank vendors that have truly excelled over the past 12 months,” said Jordan Downs, Vice President of the Central Garden Vendor Partner group.

Vendor of the Year Award: Collier Manufacturing

Collier Manufacturing has been producing 30 Seconds outdoor cleaning products for over 40 years and has demonstrated extraordinary resilience during 2020 as consumer interest in cleaning products surged beyond normal levels. Collier Manufacturing continues to innovate and grow their class-leading outdoor cleaning solutions and successfully launched 30 Seconds Indoor Cleaner in the American market during the 2020 spring season.

Independent Channel Vendor of the Year Award: Dr. Earth

Focused on providing organic lawn and garden products to the retail market, Winters, California-based Dr. Earth is receiving the Independent Channel Vendor of the Year Award. Founded in 1991, Dr. Earth demonstrated a commitment to excellence through alignment with the 2020 sales initiatives of Central Garden Distribution. Over the years, Dr. Earth has a proven track record of success and thought leadership in the lawn and garden industry, resulting in positive financial impact, a deep catalog of OMRI listed product offerings, and superior sales support.

Sales Excellence Award: EcoClear, PF Harris, Eye Hortilux, Down to Earth, Back to the Roots, and Bond Manufacturing

The Sales Excellence Award is given to a vendor that "hits it out of the park” and brings new and/or innovative products to Central Garden Distribution. This year we are celebrating six vendor partners that capture the spirit of the Sales Excellence Award.

EcoClear focuses on bringing effective pest control products to the retail market that are safe for pets, family and wildlife. Founded in 2011, EcoClear demonstrated a commitment to excellence through alignment with the 2020 sales initiatives of Central Garden Distribution and continued expansion of their RatX and MouseX product placements. Over the years of working with Central Garden Distribution, EcoClear has established a proven track record of success in the lawn and garden industry.

PF Harris continues to deliver innovative products and sales ideas, advanced through various strategic initiatives. Leveraging America’s oldest EPA registered brand (Harris Famous Roach Tablets) as a springboard, PF Harris has been a key partner in developing and sourcing a broad portfolio of innovative pest control solutions. This year, PF Harris expanded into the cleaning and herbicide categories with vinegar-based solutions that have resonated well with consumers.

EYE Hortilux designs and manufactures premium horticulture lighting products ranging from LED, HID and Fluorescent grow lamps and fixtures to electronic ballasts, LED drivers and lighting controls. From starting seeds, to cloning, through fruit and flower production and maintaining mother plants, EYE Hortilux products provide the highest quality, most reliable and efficient solution to maximize plant growth. Additionally, the majority of their products are proudly made in the USA.

Down to Earth has been producing natural and organic fertilizer solutions for over 43 years. Their comprehensive portfolio and authentic packaging have performed well in our western markets for many years and the brand has generated strong interest in our eastern markets with increased consumer demand for organic plant foods and professionals seeking OMRI listed nutrients for hemp production.

Back to the Roots, began as a college kitchen collaboration and has evolved into a nationally recognized unique line of products that reflect the founders’ passion for urban gardening and reconnecting families back to food. From their innovative Water Garden, which combines a fish tank and microgreens garden to their home Mushroom Grow Kits and indoor gardening kits, Back to the Roots offers innovative solutions to share the experience of growing edible plants in your home.

Bond Manufacturing is committed to bringing to market the most innovative, highest-quality lawn and garden products at the best prices. The firm began importing bamboo products over 70 years ago and has evolved into a leading manufacturer and distributor of essential gardening tools, hoses, and outdoor living products.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading innovator, producer and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn & Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON^® and THE REBELS^®; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON^®; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO^®, SEVIN®, and OVER-N-OUT^®; fertilizer and the brands PENNINGTON^® and IRONITE^®; live plants from BELL NURSERY; outdoor cushions and pillows from ARDEN COMPANIES^™; and decorative outdoor patio products under the PENNINGTON^® brand. We also provide a host of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Participating categories in Pet include: Animal health and the brands ADAMS^™, COMFORT ZONE^®, FARNAM^®, HORSE HEALTH^™ and VITA FLEX^®; aquatics and reptile and the brands AQUEON^®, CORALIFE^®, SEGREST^™ and ZILLA^®; bird & small animal and the brands KAYTEE^®, Forti-Diet^®, CRITTER TRAIL^{® ,} and C&S Products^®; and dog & cat and the brands TFH^™, NYLABONE^®, FOUR PAWS^®, IMS^®, CADET^®, DMC^™, K&H Pet Products^™, PINNACLE^® and AVODERM^®. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden & Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has over 6,000 employees, primarily in North America. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet Company, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company’s website at www.central.com.

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