BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bucks County-based W. Atlee Burpee Company, an iconic American brand known for its seed packets and trusted by gardeners for 150 years, has been acquired by California-based Central Garden & Pet Company in a transaction that closed on Sept. 30.
"Burpee is an iconic American brand with a remarkable 150-year legacy of innovation, quality and consumer trust," said Niko Lahanas, Chief Executive Officer of Central Garden & Pet. "Its high brand awareness, deep consumer relationships and established digital capabilities make it a compelling addition to our garden portfolio. Equally important, Burpee shares our values, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to delivering exceptional products to consumers. We are pleased that Burpee's experienced leadership team will continue to lead the business, preserving the culture and expertise that have made it successful. We see significant opportunities to build on Burpee's strong foundation, leverage Central's scale and capabilities, and drive long-term growth in an attractive and resilient garden market."
Founded in 1876, Burpee is a premier brand based on consumer awareness, satisfaction, and loyalty. Burpee's comprehensive portfolio, positioned around helping home gardeners succeed, is sold across a diversified set of channels including mass merchandise, grocery and club, eCommerce and catalog, home improvement, and farm and fleet retailers.
"Burpee is an unmatched, beloved brand in home gardening, and my goal in this transaction was to find it a home that would be a strong steward of that legacy," said George Ball, former owner and executive chair of Burpee. "Central Garden & Pet appreciates what makes Burpee special as a brand and a company and brings the resources to help accelerate our growth and create new opportunities for our employees. I'm confident Burpee will continue to flourish as a standalone business under its current leadership team, bringing new and innovative varieties to gardeners for years to come."
Burpee will operate as a separate entity and will continue to be headquartered in Pennsylvania. Jamie Mattikow, Burpee's Chief Executive Officer, will continue to lead the business following the transaction, ensuring continuity for the organization and its customers.
Central will provide additional details on the acquisition during its fourth-quarter and year-end earnings call.
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