Edgar Filing: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)



ý	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018



¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT OF SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-33268



Delaware		68-0275553
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597

(Address of principal executive offices)

(925) 948-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

_________ ______________________________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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. ý Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ý Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes ý No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



	Common Stock Outstanding as of April 30, 2018	12,145,135
	Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of April 30, 2018	38,227,508
	Class B Stock Outstanding as of April 30, 2018	1,652,262

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	PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited):
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018, March 25, 2017 and September 30, 2017	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017	7
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	30
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	41
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	42

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	42
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	42
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	42
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	42
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	42
Item 5.	Other Information	42
Item 6.	Exhibits	43

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, our competitive strengths and weaknesses, our business strategy and the trends we anticipate in the industries in which we operate and other information that is not historical information. When used in this Form 10-Q, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, our future earnings expectations, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but we cannot assure you that our expectations, beliefs and projections will be realized.

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 Form 10-Q. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this Form 10-Q are set forth in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, including the factors described in the section entitled “Item 1A – Risk Factors.” If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if any of our underlying assumptions are incorrect, our actual results may differ significantly from the results that we express in, or imply by, any of our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except as required by law. Presently known risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following factors:


•	seasonality and fluctuations in our operating results and cash flow;

•fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains and other raw materials;

•our inability to pass through cost increases in a timely manner;


•	our dependence upon key executives;

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•	risks associated with new product introductions, including the risk that our new products will not produce sufficient sales to recoup our investment;


•	fluctuations in energy prices, fuel and related petrochemical costs;

•declines in consumer spending during economic downturns;

•inflation, deflation and other adverse macro-economic conditions;

•supply shortages in pet birds, small animals and fish;

•adverse weather conditions;

•risks associated with our acquisition strategy;

•access to and cost of additional capital;

•dependence on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our business;

•consolidation trends in the retail industry;

•competition in our industries;

•potential goodwill or intangible asset impairment;

•continuing implementation of an enterprise resource planning information technology system;

•our inability to protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights;

•potential environmental liabilities;

•risk associated with international sourcing;

•litigation and product liability claims;

•regulatory issues;

•the impact of product recalls;

•potential costs and risks associated with actual or potential cyber attacks;

•the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

•the voting power associated with our Class B stock; and

•potential dilution from issuance of authorized shares.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	Financial Statements

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	March 31, 2018			March 25, 2017			September 30, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	132,265		$	6,169		$	32,397
Restricted cash	13,948			10,988			12,645
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,976, $20,227 and $21,436)	395,151			343,202			237,868
Inventories	465,522			426,385			382,101
Prepaid expenses and other	26,677			23,610			18,045
Total current assets	1,033,563			810,354			683,056
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment—net	210,563			175,940			180,913
Goodwill	268,243			230,385			256,275
Other intangible assets—net	141,530			91,424			116,067
Other assets	50,064			60,361			70,595
Total	$	1,703,963		$	1,368,464		$	1,306,906
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	150,975		$	141,791		$	103,283
Accrued expenses	116,414			101,421			116,549
Current portion of long-term debt	20			374			375
Total current liabilities	267,409			243,586			220,207
Long-term debt	691,084			495,870			395,278
Deferred taxes and other long-term obligations	40,368			34,517			54,279
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 12,145,135, 12,176,787, and 12,160,023 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018, March 25, 2017 and September 30, 2017	121			122			122
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value: 38,171,595, 37,731,149 and 38,019,736 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018, March 25, 2017 and September 30, 2017	382			377			380
Class B stock, $0.01 par value: 1,652,262 shares outstanding	16			16			16
Additional paid-in capital	393,852			391,541			396,790
Accumulated earnings	310,810			202,822			239,329
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(673		)	(1,658		)	(951		)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	704,508			593,220			635,686
Noncontrolling interest	594			1,271			1,456
Total equity	705,102			594,491			637,142
Total	$	1,703,963		$	1,368,464		$	1,306,906

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			March 25, 2017			March 31, 2018			March 25, 2017
Net sales	$	613,094		$	569,924		$	1,055,105		$	989,422
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	418,637			386,395			728,811			685,215
Gross profit	194,457			183,529			326,294			304,207
Selling, general and administrative expenses	128,671			119,669			237,987			220,409
Operating income	65,786			63,860			88,307			83,798
Interest expense	(10,575		)	(6,830		)	(17,980		)	(13,703		)
Interest income	693			8			880			46
Other income (expense)	1,505			(965		)	(1,584		)	(1,932		)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	57,409			56,073			69,623			68,209
Income tax (benefit) expense	11,643			20,824			(2,593		)	25,171
Income including noncontrolling interest	45,766			35,249			72,216			43,038
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	532			565			735			717
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	45,234		$	34,684		$	71,481		$	42,321
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic	$	0.89		$	0.69		$	1.41		$	0.85
Diluted	$	0.86		$	0.67		$	1.36		$	0.82
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic	50,871			50,079			50,816			49,872
Diluted	52,658			51,983			52,693			51,911

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	March 31, 2018		March 25, 2017		March 31, 2018		March 25, 2017
Income including noncontrolling interest	$	45,766	$	35,249	$	72,216	$	43,038
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	234		144		278		(364		)
Total comprehensive income	46,000		35,393		72,494		42,674
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	532		565		735		717
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	45,468	$	34,828	$	71,759	$	41,957

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, unaudited)



	Six Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			March 25, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	72,216		$	43,038
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	22,285			20,344
Amortization of deferred financing costs	833			681
Stock-based compensation	5,536			5,279
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	—			(13,166		)
Deferred income taxes	(14,763		)	6,530
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	(11		)	40
Gain on sale of facility	—			(2,050		)
Other	2,984			1,085
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable	(154,712		)	(139,319		)
Inventories	(57,965		)	(63,775		)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(10,273		)	6,919
Accounts payable	40,712			38,041
Accrued expenses	(1,848		)	502
Other long-term obligations	1,048			(391		)
Net cash used by operating activities	(93,958		)	(96,242		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(17,566		)	(26,794		)
Payments to acquire companies, net of cash acquired	(63,372		)	(60,042		)
Proceeds from the sale of business, facility and other assets	—			8,268
Change in restricted cash	(1,303		)	(78		)
Investments	(6,555		)	(2,000		)
Other investing activities	(2,180		)	(1,395		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(90,976		)	(82,041		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(360		)	(449		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	300,000			—
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	23,000			216,000
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(23,000		)	(115,000		)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(8,473		)	(20,172		)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(123		)	(894		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,597		)	(1,019		)
Payment of financing costs	(4,765		)	—
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	—			13,166
Net cash provided by financing activities	284,682			91,632
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	120			(162		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	99,868			(86,813		)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	32,397			92,982
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	132,265		$	6,169
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	$	13,397		$	13,612

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)


1.	Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

For the Company’s foreign business in the UK, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses because the Company expects earnings of its foreign subsidiary to be permanently reinvested. Transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations. See Note 8, Supplemental Equity Information, for further detail.

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s garden business, the results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2018 are not indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto, included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 30, 2017 balance sheet presented herein was derived from the audited financial statements.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was approximately $13.9 million, $11.0 million and $12.6 million as of March 31, 2018, March 25, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively, and is reflected in restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and U.S. Tax Reform

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

Stock Based Compensation

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Stock Compensation, which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions. ASU 2016-09 (i) requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, (ii) requires classification of excess tax benefits as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows rather than a financing activity, (iii) eliminates the requirement to defer recognition of an excess tax benefit until the benefit is realized through a reduction to taxes payable, (iv) modifies statutory withholding tax requirements and (v) provides for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on October 1, 2017. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company now records excess tax benefits currently in its provision for income taxes. Upon adoption, the Company determined it had no previously unrecognized excess tax benefits. Additionally, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur using a modified retrospective transition method, which requires the Company to record a cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated earnings, and the Company determined that the cumulative impact was immaterial. The Company presents its excess tax benefits as a component of operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows on a prospective basis.

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Inventory Measurement

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 (ASU 2015-11), Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under ASU 2015-11, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The standard defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. The Company adopted ASU 2015-11 on October 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This update was issued as Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606. The core principle of this amendment is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 28, 2019.

The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The Company expects to adopt under the modified retrospective approach, which recognizes the cumulative effect of adoption as an adjustment to retained earnings at the date of initial application. The Company has made progress on its evaluation of the amended guidance, including identification of revenue streams and customer contract reviews. The Company is applying the five-step model to those contracts and revenue streams to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative impacts the new standard will have on its business and reported revenues. Additionally, the Company is also analyzing the impact of the new standard on its current accounting policies and internal controls. Upon completion of these and other assessments, the Company will evaluate the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to generally recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2020 on a modified retrospective basis and earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements, and it currently expects that most of its operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and the Company will record material operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02.

Statement of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15) . The ASU provides additional clarification guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 28, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (ASU 2016-18). This ASU clarifies the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending cash balances on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company held restricted cash balances of $13.9 million, $11.0 million and $12.6 million as of March 31, 2018, March 25, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2016-18 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Business Combinations

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which requires an evaluation of whether substantially all of the fair value of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transaction does not qualify as a business. The guidance also requires an acquired business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. The Company is required to apply this guidance to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this ASC may have an impact on accounting for any future acquisitions the Company may have.

Goodwill

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. Based on the Company's most recent annual goodwill impairment test performed as of June 25, 2017, there were no reporting units for which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value; therefore, this ASU would not currently have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, if upon adoption the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would be impacted by the amount of impairment recognized.

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) was signed into law by the U.S. government. The Tax Reform Act significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax code by, among other things, lowering the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. U.S. GAAP requires that the impact of tax legislation be recognized in the period in which the law was enacted.

The Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) on December 22, 2017. This guidance allows registrants a “measurement period,” not to exceed one year from the date of enactment, to complete their accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. SAB 118 further directs that during the measurement period, registrants who are able to make reasonable estimates of the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act should include those amounts in their financial statements as “provisional” amounts. Registrants should reflect adjustments over subsequent periods as they are able to refine their estimates and complete their accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. The Company has made reasonable estimates and recorded provisional amounts within the meaning of SAB 118. Any adjustments recorded to the provisional amounts through the first quarter of fiscal 2019 will be included as an adjustment to tax expense. The provisional amounts incorporate assumptions made based upon the Company’s current interpretation of the Tax Reform Act and may change as the Company receives additional clarification and implementation guidance.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. This ASU adds guidance that answers questions regarding how certain income tax effects from the Tax Reform Act should be applied to companies’ financial statements. The guidance also lists which financial statement disclosures are required under a measurement period approach.

As a result of the Tax Reform Act, the Company recorded a provisional tax benefit of $16.3 million due to the remeasurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities in the three months ended December 30, 2017. The Company has not made any changes to this provisional tax benefit during the period ended March 31, 2018. This tax benefit represents provisional amounts and the Company’s current best estimates.


2.	Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of March 31, 2018 (in thousands):



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	9,148	$	9,148
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	9,148	$	9,148



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	4,420	$	4,420
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	4,420	$	4,420

The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 30, 2017:



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	9,343	$	9,343
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	9,343	$	9,343

(a)

The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015, and future performance-based contingent payment for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017 (in thousands):



	Amount
Balance September 30, 2017	$	9,343
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	(72		)
Performance-based payments	(123		)
Balance March 31, 2018	$	9,148

	Amount
Balance September 24, 2016	$	5,113
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	201
Performance-based payments	(894		)
Balance March 25, 2017	$	4,420

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. During the periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017, the Company was not required to measure any significant non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

In December 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2028 Notes as of March 31, 2018 was $285.4 million compared to a carrying value of $295.3 million.

In November 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The estimated fair value of the Company’s 2023 Notes as of March 31, 2018, March 25, 2017 and September 30, 2017 was $419.0 million, $422.4 million and $427.9 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $395.6 million, $394.8 million and $395.2 million, respectively.


3.	Acquisitions

Bell Nursery Holdings, LLC

On March 12, 2018, the Company purchased Bell Nursery Holdings, LLC ("Bell"), a leading grower and distributor of live flowers and plants in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, for a purchase price of approximately $62 million plus contingent consideration of up to $10 million. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $12.7 million, which is included in other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018. The Company has not yet finalized the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the tangible assets, intangible assets and liabilities acquired. Financial results of Bell have been included in the results of operations within the Garden segment since the date of acquisition. The acquisition is expected to complement the Company's existing garden portfolio.

K&H Manufacturing

On April 28, 2017, the Company purchased K&H Manufacturing ("K&H"), a producer of premium pet supplies and the largest marketer of heated pet products in the country, for a purchase price of approximately $48.0 million. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $41.8 million, of which $29.2 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $12 million is included in goodwill in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018. Financial results of K&H have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of

acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments.



In thousands	Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1)			Measurement Period Adjustments			Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted)
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	5,439		$	613		$	6,052
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment - net	315			—			315
Goodwill	—			11,968			11,968
Other assets	41,781			(41,781		)	—
Other intangible assets - net	—			29,200			29,200
Current liabilities	(757		)	—			(757		)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$	46,778		$	—		$	46,778

(1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended June 24, 2017 and December 30, 2017, and the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2017.

Proforma financial information has not been presented as the Bell and K&H acquisitions were not considered material to the Company's overall consolidated financial statements during the periods presented.


4.	Inventories, net

Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		March 25, 2017		September 30, 2017
Raw materials	$	117,370	$	122,029	$	116,591
Work in progress	40,491		21,636		16,394
Finished goods	293,988		273,752		241,420
Supplies	13,673		8,968		7,696
Total inventories, net	$	465,522	$	426,385	$	382,101


5.	Goodwill

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and, accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization.


6.	Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:



	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Accumulated Impairment			Net Carrying Value
						(in millions)
March 31, 2018
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	16.9	$	(13.4	)	$	—		$	3.5
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—			(26.0		)	44.6
Total	87.5		(13.4		)	(26.0		)	48.1
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	115.7		(37.5		)				78.2
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	22.1		(13.5		)				8.6
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.8					(1.2		)	6.6
Total	29.9		(13.5		)	(1.2		)	15.2
Total other intangible assets	$	233.1	$	(64.4	)	$	(27.2	)	$	141.5
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Accumulated Impairment			Net Carrying Value
						(in millions)
March 25, 2017
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	14.9	$	(11.7	)	$	—		$	3.2
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	62.7		—			(26.0		)	36.7
Total	77.6		(11.7		)	(26.0		)	39.9
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	64.3		(28.0		)	—			36.3
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	20.8		(12.2		)	—			8.6
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.8		—			(1.2		)	6.6
Total	28.6		(12.2		)	(1.2		)	15.2
Total other intangible assets	$	170.5	$	(51.9	)	$	(27.2	)	$	91.4
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Accumulated Impairment			Net Carrying Value
						(in millions)
September 30, 2017
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	16.9	$	(12.7	)	$	—		$	4.2
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	62.7		—			(26.0		)	36.7
Total	79.6		(12.7		)	(26.0		)	40.9
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	91.6		(32.2		)	—			59.4
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	22.1		(12.9		)	—			9.2
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.8		—			(1.2		)	6.6
Total	29.9		(12.9		)	(1.2		)	15.8
Total other intangible assets	$	201.1	$	(57.8	)	$	(27.2	)	$	116.1

Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets.

As part of its acquisition of K&H in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company acquired approximately $7.9 million of indefinite-lived marketing- related intangible assets and $21.3 million of customer-related intangible assets, which will be amortized over a ten year life.

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. Other factors indicating the carrying value of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in fiscal 2017 or during the six months ended March 31, 2018, and accordingly, no impairment testing was performed on these assets.

The Company amortizes its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of 4 years for marketing-related intangibles, 10 years for customer-related intangibles and 11 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $2.9 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017, respectively, and $5.7 million and $2.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017, respectively, and is classified within operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $10 million per year from fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2022


7.	Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:



	March 31, 2018			March 25, 2017			September 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023	$	400,000		$	400,000		$	400,000
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028	300,000			—			—
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(9,053		)	(5,237		)	(4,840		)
Net carrying value	690,947			394,763			395,160
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021	—			101,000			—
Other notes payable	157			481			493
Total	691,104			496,244			395,653
Less current portion	(20		)	(374		)	(375		)
Long-term portion	$	691,084		$	495,870		$	395,278

Senior Notes

$300 Million 5.125% Senior Notes

On December 14, 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

The Company incurred approximately $4.8 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

The 2028 Notes require semiannual interest payments on February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2018. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company's existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries who are borrowers under or guarantors of Central's senior secured revolving credit facility or who guarantee the 2023 Notes.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to January 1, 2023 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to January 1, 2021, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 35% of the original

aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at its option, at any time on or after January 1, 2023 for 102.563%, on or after January 1, 2024 for 101.708%, on or after January 1, 2025 for 100.854%, and on or after January 1, 2026 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2028 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2028 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of March 31, 2018.

$400 Million 6.125% Senior Notes

On November 9, 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). In December 2015, the Company used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash, to redeem its $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 ("2018 Notes") at a price of 102.063% of the principal amount and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company incurred approximately $6.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with these transactions, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes.

The 2023 Notes require semiannual interest payments on May 15 and November 15. The 2023 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of Central’s senior secured revolving credit facility. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to November 15, 2018 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to November 15, 2018, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes, at its option, at any time on or after November 15, 2018 for 104.594%, on or after November 15, 2019 for 103.063%, on or after November 15, 2020 for 101.531% and on or after November 15, 2021 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2023 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of March 31, 2018.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

On April 22, 2016, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement which provides up to a $400 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on April 22, 2021. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full. As of March 31, 2018, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $3.3 million outstanding as of March 31, 2018.

The Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, calculated using a formula based upon eligible receivables and inventory, minus certain reserves and subject to restrictions. As of March 31, 2018, the borrowing base and remaining borrowing availability was $354.3 million. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated senior leverage ratio. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.25% - 1.50%, and was 1.25% as of March 31, 2018, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings

fluctuates between 0.25%-0.5%, and was 0.25% as of March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2018, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 5.0%, and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 3.1%.

The Company incurred approximately $1.2 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees, legal and accounting expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon reaching certain borrowing levels. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.


8.	Supplemental Equity Information

The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017.



	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock			Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital			Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total			Noncontrolling Interest			Total
Balance September 30, 2017	$	122		$	380	$	16	$	396,790		$	239,329	$	(951	)	$	635,686		$	1,456		$	637,142
Comprehensive income											71,481		278			71,759			735			72,494
Amortization of share-based awards								4,464								4,464						4,464
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(1		)					(6,270		)						(6,271		)				(6,271		)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options				2				(1,132		)						(1,130		)				(1,130		)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest																			(1,597		)	(1,597		)
Balance March 31, 2018	$	121		$	382	$	16	$	393,852		$	310,810	$	(673	)	$	704,508		$	594		$	705,102



	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock			Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital			Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total			Noncontrolling Interest			Total
Balance September 24, 2016	$	120	$	374		$	16	$	393,297		$	160,501	$	(1,294	)	$	553,014		$	1,573		$	554,587
Comprehensive income											42,321		(364		)	41,957			717			42,674
Amortization of share-based awards								4,222								4,222						4,222
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement			(1		)			(5,501		)						(5,502		)				(5,502		)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	2		4					(13,619		)						(13,613		)				(13,613		)
Tax benefit on stock option exercise, net of tax deficiency								13,142								13,142						13,142
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest																			(1,019		)	(1,019		)
Balance March 25, 2017	$	122	$	377		$	16	$	391,541		$	202,822	$	(1,658	)	$	593,220		$	1,271		$	594,491


9.	Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $5.5 million and $5.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017, respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense for the six months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017 was $1.5 million and $1.9 million, respectively.


10.	Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations.



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 31, 2018						March 31, 2018
	Income		Shares	Per Share			Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	45,234	50,871	$	0.89		$	71,481	50,816	$	1.41
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock			1,092	(0.02		)			1,120	(0.03		)
Restricted shares			695	(0.01		)			757	(0.02		)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	45,234	52,658	$	0.86		$	71,481	52,693	$	1.36



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 25, 2017						March 25, 2017
	Income		Shares	Per Share			Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	34,684	50,079	$	0.69		$	42,321	49,872	$	0.85
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock			1,156	(0.01		)			1,273	(0.02		)
Restricted shares			748	(0.01		)			766	(0.01		)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	34,684	51,983	$	0.67		$	42,321	51,911	$	0.82

Options to purchase 2.7 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $6.43 to $36.94 per share were outstanding at March 31, 2018, and options to purchase 3.1 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $6.43 to $31.76 per share were outstanding at March 25, 2017.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 25, 2017, all options outstanding were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

For the six months ended March 31, 2018, all options outstanding were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the six months ended March 25, 2017, options to purchase 0.2 million shares of common stock were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would be anti-dilutive.


11.	Segment Information

Management has determined that the Company has two operating segments, which are also reportable segments based on the level at which the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews the results of operations to make decisions regarding performance assessment and resource allocation. These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands).



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			March 25, 2017			March 31, 2018			March 25, 2017
Net sales:
Pet segment	$	321,653		$	298,393		$	646,737		$	602,439
Garden segment	291,441			271,531			408,368			386,983
Total net sales	$	613,094		$	569,924		$	1,055,105		$	989,422
Operating Income
Pet segment	32,784			34,645			68,960			68,051
Garden segment	50,746			46,005			53,046			48,681
Corporate	(17,744		)	(16,790		)	(33,699		)	(32,934		)
Total operating income	65,786			63,860			88,307			83,798
Interest expense - net	(9,882		)	(6,822		)	(17,100		)	(13,657		)
Other income (expense)	1,505			(965		)	(1,584		)	(1,932		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	11,643			20,824			(2,593		)	25,171
Income including noncontrolling interest	45,766			35,249			72,216			43,038
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	532			565			735			717
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	45,234		$	34,684		$	71,481		$	42,321
Depreciation and amortization:
Pet segment	$	6,944		6,174			$	14,089		$	12,004
Garden segment	1,707			1,528			3,276			3,035
Corporate	2,471			2,633			4,920			5,305
Total depreciation and amortization	$	11,122		$	10,335		$	22,285		$	20,344



	March 31, 2018		March 25, 2017		September 30, 2017
Assets:
Pet segment	$	660,344	$	612,189	$	612,337
Garden segment	581,105		478,919		311,026
Corporate	462,514		277,356		383,543
Total assets	$	1,703,963	$	1,368,464	$	1,306,906
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Pet segment	$	262,770	$	224,912	$	250,802
Garden segment	5,473		5,473		5,473
Total goodwill	$	268,243	$	230,385	$	256,275


12.	Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries

Certain 100% wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company (as listed below, collectively the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have guaranteed fully and unconditionally, on a joint and several basis, the obligation to pay principal and interest on the Company’s 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes. Certain subsidiaries and operating divisions are not guarantors of the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes. Those subsidiaries that are guarantors and co-obligors of the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes are as follows:

Farnam Companies, Inc.

Four Paws Products Ltd.

Gulfstream Home & Garden, Inc.

Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc.

IMS Trading, LLC

IMS Southern, LLC

K&H Manufacturing, LLC

Kaytee Products, Inc.

Matson, LLC

New England Pottery, LLC

Pennington Seed, Inc. (including Gro Tec, Inc., NEXGEN Turf Research, LLC and All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.)

Pets International, Ltd.

Segrest, Inc. (including Blue Springs Hatchery, Inc., Segrest Farms, Inc., Florida Tropical Distributors International, Inc., Sun Pet, Ltd, Aquatica Tropicals, Inc., Quality Pets, LLC and Midwest Tropicals, LLC)

T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

Wellmark International (including B2E Corporation, B2E Microbials, LLC, B2E Manufacturing, LLC, Four Star Microbial Products, LLC and B2E Biotech LLC)

In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Company has included the accompanying consolidating condensed financial statements based on the Company’s understanding of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s interpretation and application of Rule 3-10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X.



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	195,464		$	32,433		$	412,348		$	(27,151	)	$	613,094
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	151,868			24,192			268,072			(25,495		)	418,637
Gross profit	43,596			8,241			144,276			(1,656		)	194,457
Selling, general and administrative expenses	41,677			6,532			82,118			(1,656		)	128,671
Operating income (loss)	1,919			1,709			62,158			—			65,786
Interest expense	(10,510		)	(62		)	(3		)				(10,575		)
Interest income	692			1			—						693
Other (expense) income	1,108			200			197						1,505
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(6,791		)	1,848			62,352			—			57,409
Income tax expense (benefit)	(13,753		)	(1,549		)	26,945						11,643
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	38,272			—			3,841			(42,113		)	—
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	45,234			3,397			39,248			(42,113		)	45,766
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			532			—			—			532
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	45,234		$	2,865		$	39,248		$	(42,113	)	$	45,234



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended March 25, 2017
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	190,791		$	26,092		$	378,673		$	(25,632	)	$	569,924
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	145,593			20,128			244,680			(24,006		)	386,395
Gross profit	45,198			5,964			133,993			(1,626		)	183,529
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39,347			4,874			77,074			(1,626		)	119,669
Operating income (loss)	5,851			1,090			56,919			—			63,860
Interest expense	(6,759		)	(65		)	(6		)	—			(6,830		)
Interest income	7			1			—			—			8
Other expense	(737		)	(194		)	(34		)	—			(965		)
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(1,638		)	832			56,879			—			56,073
Income tax expense (benefit)	(718		)	448			21,094			—			20,824
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	35,604			—			384			(35,988		)	—
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	34,684			384			36,169			(35,988		)	35,249
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			565			—			—			565
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	34,684		$	(181	)	$	36,169		$	(35,988	)	$	34,684



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Six Months Ended March 31, 2018
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	354,525		$	46,176		$	698,772		$	(44,368	)	$	1,055,105
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	277,347			36,008			457,123			(41,667		)	728,811
Gross profit	77,178			10,168			241,649			(2,701		)	326,294
Selling, general and administrative expenses	78,316			10,437			151,935			(2,701		)	237,987
Operating income	(1,138		)	(269		)	89,714			—			88,307
Interest expense	(17,895		)	(78		)	(7		)	—			(17,980		)
Interest income	878			2			—			—			880
Other income (expense)	(1,810		)	254			(28		)	—			(1,584		)
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(19,965		)	(91		)	89,679			—			69,623
Income tax expense (benefit)	672			(267		)	(2,998		)	—			(2,593		)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	92,118			—			941			(93,059		)	—
Net income including noncontrolling interest	71,481			176			93,618			(93,059		)	72,216
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			735			—			—			735
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	71,481		$	(559	)	$	93,618		$	(93,059	)	$	71,481