Financial results and new appointment at Central Garden

The Central Garden & Pet Company, marketer and producer of products for the lawn and garden and pet supplies markets, has announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter. Sales increased to $459.4 mio compared to $438 mio for the third quarter of 2014. The operating income for the third quarter increased to $39 mio compared to $18.4 mio for the third quarter of 2014 and the net income for the third quarter increased to $18.8 mio compared to $4.7 mio in 2014.
Pet segment third-quarter details
The pet segment played a major part in the company’s satisfactory performance. Third-quarter sales for this segment increased $11 mio from the same period a year ago to $238.1 mio. The pet segment's branded product sales were $183.3 mio in the third quarter of 2015, and sales of other manufacturers' products yielded $54.8 mio. The pet segment's operating income was $32.9 mio compared to $28.4 mio in the third quarter of 2014.
New chief financial officer
The company also announced changes at the top along with its financial results. The resignation was announced of Lori Varlas, senior vice-president and chief financial officer. Varlas is leaving the company on 2 September 2015 and has accepted a senior level position at another company. The board of directors has named David N. Chichester as acting chief financial officer. Chichester has served for 13 years on Central's board as audit committee financial expert.