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Generational Group Advises Leading Edge Associates, Inc. in its Sale to Central Garden & Pet

By Generational Group

11/18/2024

Generational Group, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Leading Edge Associates, Inc. and Leading Edge Aero Technologies, Inc (together, Leading Edge), to Central Garden & Pet (“Central”). The acquisition closed November 6, 2024.

Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, Leading Edge is a manufacturer of large commercial drones used for mosquito/vector control, weed control, and precision farming. They are also a software developer for applications that serve the operations of their drones as well as asset management for municipalities and large landowners.

Based in Walnut Creek, California, Central is a market leader in the pet and garden industries. With over 40 years of experience, the company offers a diverse portfolio of more than 65 trusted brands, including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C and S®, Farnam®, Ferry Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, and Pennington®. Employing approximately 6,700 team members primarily across North America, Central is dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, and pets live healthier.

“This is a perfect outcome for the two brothers who founded Leading Edge. Central will now be able to take their business to levels they never thought possible just a short time ago. I’m extremely excited to see where this goes, and it’s been a privilege to work with them,” said Jack Sluiter, Managing Director of M&A, Generational Group.

Ryan Binkley, CEO of Generational Group, added, “At Generational Group, we are proud to facilitate such impactful transactions.”

Generational Group Executive Managing Director, M&A, David Fergusson, and his team led by Managing Director, M&A, Jack Sluiter, with the support of Senior Vice President, M&A, Tristan Keeffe, successfully closed the deal. Executive Managing Director, Ed Weber, and Senior M&A Advisor, Dave Heymann, established the initial relationship with Leading Edge Associates, Inc.

About Generational

Headquartered in Dallas, Generational is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 17 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their six-step approach features strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management.

The M&A Advisor named the company Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year. For more information, visit https://www.generational.com.