Central Garden & Pet Co (CENTA) News & EventsCENTACentral Garden & Pet Co

Nylabone Launches First Meat-Based Dog Chew Toys

Nylabone is redefining chew time with the brand's first chew toys made with real chicken, bison, venison, bacon, and beef. To share this indulgent chewing experience for dogs with pet parents, Nylabone is partnering with actress, entrepreneur, and devoted dog mom Ashley Tisdale.

Central Garden & Pet Company Announces Leadership Transition in Garden Segment

Central Garden & Pet Company "announced a planned leadership transition for its Garden segment. J.D. Walker, President, Garden Consumer Products, will retire from that role effective September 26, 2026, at which point Jason Barnes, Executive Vice President, Garden Consumer Products, will assume responsibility for sales, marketing and service across Central's Garden segment, as well as management of the Branded Controls, Grass Seed, Live Plants, Packet Seeds and Vendor Partner businesses. After the transition, Mr. Walker will continue to support Central in a consulting capacity."

Central Garden & Pet Company Acquires Majority Stake in TRIXIE

Central Garden & Pet Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co., a European pet supplies and pet snacks company from founder, Bonnik Hansen, and current shareholders Dirk Jessen and Volker Haak. The acquisition aligns with the Central to Home strategy of strengthening Central's portfolio of pet and garden brands and represents a major step in expanding the Company's presence in Europe. Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Tarp, Germany, TRIXIE has grown into the leading European pet supplies and pet snacks company. The company employs close to 600 people and serves over 30,000 pet retail stores internationally, offering a broad assortment of more than 6,000 products for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and small animals, including accessories, toys, treats, snacks, habitats, apparel, bedding, and travel solutions. Approximately 90% of sales are generated from TRIXIE's own-brand portfolio, supported by strong in-house design team that introduces around 500 new products per year. TRIXIE is recognized for its product innovation, category expertise, and industry-leading logistics and fulfillment capabilities. Together, Central and TRIXIE create the leading global player in pet supplies. The European pet supplies and snacks market, representing approx. EUR 10B in annual sales, is expected to grow at a mid-single digit growth rate, supported by favorable long-term trends including increased focus on pet health, pet tech, humanization and premiumization. TRIXIE's established portfolio and market position allow it to participate in these trends while providing Central with an attractive platform for future expansion in Europe. The combination is expected to drive organic growth through winning innovation and a strong channel presence, and to accelerate pet supplies growth, particularly in Europe, by leveraging TRIXIE's logistics and fulfillment capabilities along with its expertise in navigating diverse European markets. This also gives Central a differentiated presence with approx. 10% of net sales generated outside of the United States and establishes a scaled platform to consolidate the fragmented European pet specialty market. TRIXIE will operate within Central's Pet segment. Central plans to leverage its scale, sourcing capabilities, and product development expertise to support TRIXIE's continued growth while preserving the entrepreneurial culture, customer focus, and market strengths that have made the company a leader in the European pet supplies market. TRIXIE's proven leadership will remain in place following completion of the transaction. Management will continue to be led by Dirk Jessen, Burkhard Friedrichsen, and Danny Bollerey. In addition, Dirk Jessen and Volker Haak will remain minority shareholders in TRIXIE. Their continued involvement underscores their long-term confidence in the company's future and provides continuity for employees, customers, trading partners, and suppliers. Volker Haak will also continue to support TRIXIE as a consultant, contributing his extensive experience to the company's ongoing development and its activities across European markets. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of Central's fiscal 2027, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.