Central Garden & Pet Company Announces Record Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Results

Fiscal 2021 net sales increased 23% to $3.3 billion

Fiscal 2021 diluted EPS of $2.75 vs. $2.20 for fiscal 2020

Initial outlook for fiscal 2022 EPS of $3.10 or better

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) ("Central"), a market leader in the Garden and Pet industries, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021 ended September 25, 2021.

“Central delivered another year of record results, thanks to the continued strength of the Garden and Pet industries and our teams' relentless execution as they adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the pandemic. We made meaningful progress against our Central to Home strategy, investing in capabilities such as consumer insights, digital marketing and innovation, to drive our organic growth. Moreover, we added four acquisitions to the Central portfolio,” said Tim Cofer, CEO of Central Garden & Pet. “As we look to fiscal 2022, we expect to face continued inflationary pressures and supply chain disruption. However, I am confident in the dedication of our people and their ability to perform in this challenging environment.”

Fiscal 2021 Results

Net sales of $3.3 billion increased 23% from $2.7 billion in the prior year, driven by the Company's four recent acquisitions, Hopewell Nursery, Green Garden, DoMyOwn and D&D, as well as organic growth in both the Garden and Pet segments. Organic net sales increased 13%, with the most significant contributions coming from dog treats and chews, distribution, wild bird feed, small animal supplies and outdoor cushions.

Net sales for the Pet segment for fiscal 2021 increased 13% to $1.9 billion compared to $1.7 billion a year ago, and net sales for the Garden segment increased 38% to $1.4 billion compared to $1.0 billion in the prior year.

Despite significant inflationary headwinds and the impact of inventory-related purchase accounting, gross margin was largely in line with the prior year, decreasing 20 basis points to 29.4%. The Company was able to mostly offset these headwinds through a combination of pricing actions and gross productivity efforts as well as favorable product mix.

Operating income of $254 million increased 29% from $198 million in fiscal 2020. Operating margin increased 40 basis points to 7.7% compared to 7.3% a year ago, due to improved overhead leverage, despite rising logistics costs and heightened investment spending.

Other expense was $1.5 million compared to $4.3 million in the prior year. The difference was due primarily to impairment in fiscal 2020 on two minority investments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Net interest expense was $58 million compared to $40 million in the prior year. The increase was mainly due to incremental interest expense related to recognizing the impacts of the call premium, unamortized debt issuance cost and double interest on the debt retired during the first quarter of fiscal 2021 as well as higher debt outstanding.

Net income was $152 million, an increase of 26% compared to $121 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share grew 25% to $2.75 compared to $2.20 in the prior year driven by strong operating results partially offset by a 1% increase in the number of shares outstanding and an increase in the Company's income tax rate, as compared to the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $329 million, an increase of 30% compared to fiscal 2020.

The effective tax rate for the fiscal year was 21.6% compared to 21.0% in the prior year.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Net sales increased 9% to $739 million compared to $676 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, driven by the Company's four recent acquisitions, partially offset by an organic sales decline of 1%. The organic sales decline was principally due to unprecedented growth in net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. On a two-year compound annualized growth rate basis, organic sales increased 11% in the fourth quarter.

Gross margin was largely in line with the prior year quarter, decreasing 20 basis points to 28.8%. The Company was able to mostly offset substantial inflationary cost pressure through a combination of aggressive pricing actions and gross productivity efforts as well as favorable product mix.

Operating income was $10 million compared to $25 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Operating margin was 1.3%, a decrease of 240 basis points compared to 3.7% in the prior year quarter, primarily driven by increasing costs for key commodities, freight and labor as well as heightened strategic investment spending, partially offset by pricing actions and favorable product mix as well as improved overhead leverage.

Other expense was $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to $35 thousand in the prior year quarter, mainly due to unfavorable minority investment activity.

Net interest expense was $14 million for the fourth quarter compared to $11 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to higher debt outstanding.

This resulted in a net loss of $3.0 million compared to net income of $14 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, and a loss per share of $0.06 compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.25 in the prior year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $32 million, down 23% from $41 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Pet Segment Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Fourth quarter net sales for the Pet segment increased 3% to $459 million. The most significant contributions to the segment's growth came from dog treats and chews, distribution, outdoor cushions and animal health. On a two-year compound annualized growth rate basis, sales increased 14% in the fourth quarter.

The Pet segment’s operating income was $32 million, compared to $36 million in the prior year quarter. Operating margin of 6.9% reflected a decrease of 110 basis points compared to 8.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily due to significant cost inflation across key commodities, freight and labor as well as heightened investment levels to build capacity and drive future growth, partially offset by pricing actions and favorable product mix.

Garden Segment Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Net sales for the Garden segment increased 21% to $280 million driven by a $78 million contribution from the Company's recent acquisitions. On an organic basis, net sales for the Garden segment declined 13%, as continued strength in wild bird feed was more than offset by softness across the rest of the Garden portfolio. On a two-year compound annualized growth rate basis, organic Garden segment sales increased 6% in the fourth quarter.

The Garden segment’s operating income was $1.1 million as compared to $14 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Operating margin was 0.4%, down 570 basis points compared to 6.1% in the prior year quarter, primarily driven by significant cost inflation and investment which more than offset of pricing and productivity initiatives.

Additional Information

At September 25, 2021, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents was $426 million, compared to $653 million a year ago. Cash flow from operations for fiscal 2021 was $251 million, compared to $264 million in the prior year.

Total debt at September 25, 2021 was $1.2 billion compared to $700 million at September 26, 2020. The Company's leverage ratio, as defined in the Company's credit agreement, at the end of the quarter and the fiscal year was 3.0x compared to 2.2x in the prior year.

Outlook for Fiscal 2022

The Company currently projects fiscal 2022 GAAP EPS of $3.10 or better. The outlook includes the Company's anticipated investments in capacity expansion and automation at or slightly above fiscal 2021 levels, increased investments in brand building and eCommerce to drive sustainable growth, increasing costs for key commodities, freight and labor, muted consumer demand patterns following extraordinary demand spanning the last two fiscal years, as well as pricing actions across the Company's portfolio to help mitigate inflationary headwinds. The Company expects the impact of the headwinds to be more heavily front-half weighted.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time | 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021 results. The conference call and related materials can be accessed on the Company's website, http://ir.central.com.

Alternatively, to listen to the call by telephone, dial (201) 689-8345 (domestic and international) using confirmation #13723027.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2021 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Pennington, Nylabone, Kaytee, Amdro and Aqueon, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central Garden & Pet is based in Walnut Creek, California and has over 7,000 employees across North America and Europe. For additional information about Central, please visit the Company’s website at www.central.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts, including expectations for increased investment levels to drive capacity expansion, brand building and eCommerce, increases in labor and freight cost as well as key commodities, price increases, in addition to resuming more normal levels of consumer activity and their impact on future growth, and earnings guidance for fiscal year 2022, 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. All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and various assumptions. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release including, but not limited to, the following factors:

• our ability to successfully manage the impact of COVID-19 on our business, including but not limited to, the impact on our workforce, operations, fill rates, supply chain, demand for our products and services, and our financial results and condition;
• the potential for future reductions in demand for product categories that benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic;
• the success of our Central to Home strategy;
• risks associated with our acquisition strategy, including our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and the impact of purchase accounting on our financial results;
• inflation and other adverse macro-economic conditions;
• fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains and other raw materials;
• fluctuations in energy prices, fuel and related petrochemical costs;
• our inability to pass through cost increases in a timely manner;
• supply chain delays and interruptions resulting in lost sales, reduced fill rates and service levels and delays in expanding capacity and automating processes;
• adverse weather conditions;
• seasonality and fluctuations in our operating results and cash flow;
• supply shortages in pet birds, small animals and fish;
• dependence on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our business;
• impacts of tariffs or a trade war;
• consolidation trends in the retail industry;
• declines in consumer spending during economic downturns;
• risks associated with new product introductions, including the risk that our new products will not produce sufficient sales to recoup our investment;
• competition in our industries;
• continuing implementation of an enterprise resource planning information technology system;
• potential environmental liabilities;
• risk associated with international sourcing;
• access to and cost of additional capital;
• potential goodwill or intangible asset impairment;
• our dependence upon our key executives and our ability to recruit employees generally;
• our inability to protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights;
• litigation and product liability claims;
• regulatory issues;
• the impact of product recalls;
• potential costs and risks associated with actual or potential cyber attacks;
• potential dilution from issuance of authorized shares;
• the voting power associated with our Class B stock; and
• the impact of new accounting regulations and the possibility our effective tax rate will increase as a result of future changes in the corporate tax rate or other tax law changes.

These risks and others are described in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). However, to supplement the financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted EBITDA, organic sales; and non-GAAP net income and diluted net income per share.

Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of specific items (described below) may be useful to investors in their assessment of our ongoing operating performance and provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as income before income tax, net other expense, net interest expense and depreciation and amortization (or operating income plus depreciation and amortization expense). We present adjusted EBITDA because we believe that adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure in evaluating the cash flows and performance of our business and provides greater transparency into our results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management to perform such evaluation. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flow from operations, income from operations or other income statement measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies, many of which present adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently and it may not be comparable.

We have also provided organic net sales, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of businesses purchased or exited in the prior 12 months, because we believe it permits investors to better understand the performance of our historical business without the impact of recent acquisitions or dispositions.

The reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are shown in the tables below. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and other users of our financial statements, by allowing for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operating performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our performance, and we believe these measures similarly may be useful to investors in evaluating our financial and operating performance and the trends in our business from management's point of view. While our management believes that non-GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our GAAP financial results and should be read in conjunction with those GAAP results. Management does not attempt to provide reconciliations of forward-looking non-GAAP EPS guidance to projected GAAP EPS guidance because the combined impact and timing of recognition of these potential charges or gains is inherent uncertain and difficult to predict and is unavailable without unreasonable efforts. In addition, the Company believes such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision and certainty that could be confusing to investors. Such items could have a substantial impact on GAAP measures of financial performance.

Non-GAAP financial measures reflect adjustments based on the following items:

• Incremental expenses from note redemption and issuance: we have excluded the impact of the incremental expenses incurred from the note redemption and issuance as they represent an infrequent transaction that occurs in limited circumstances that impacts the comparability between operating periods. We believe the adjustment of these expenses supplements the GAAP information with a measure that may be used to assess the sustainability of our operating performance.
• Loss on sale of business: we have excluded the impact of the loss on the sale of a business as it represents an infrequent transaction that occurs in limited circumstances that impacts the comparability between operating periods. We believe the adjustment of this loss supplements the GAAP information with a measure that may be used to assess the sustainability of our operating performance.

From time to time in the future, there may be other items that we may exclude if we believe that doing so is consistent with the goal of providing useful information to investors and management.

The non-GAAP adjustments made reflect the following:

(1) During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we issued $500 aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due October 2030. We used a portion of the proceeds to redeem all of our outstanding 6.125% senior notes due 2023. As a result of our redemption of the 2023 Notes, we incurred incremental expenses of approximately $10.0 million, comprised of a call premium payment of $6.1 million, overlapping interest expense of approximately $1.4 million and a $2.5 million non-cash charge for the write-off of unamortized financing costs in interest expense. These amounts are included in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(2) During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we recognized a loss of $2.6 million, included in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations, from the sale of our Breeder's Choice business unit after concluding it was not a strategic business for our Pet segment.

(3) During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge for two private company investments. The impairment was recorded as part of other (expense) income.

Organic Net Sales Reconciliation

We have provided organic net sales, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of recent acquisitions and dispositions, because we believe it permits investors to better understand the performance of our historical business. We define organic net sales as net sales from our historical business derived by excluding the net sales from businesses acquired or exited in the preceding 12 months. After an acquired business has been part of our consolidated results for 12 months, the change in net sales thereafter is considered part of the increase or decrease in organic net sales.

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

The following is a reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA:

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