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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
Generational Group, headquartered in Dallas, TX, is a leading, award winning full-service M&A advisory firm. Generational has over 300 professionals across 16 offices in North America. The firm empowers business owners to unlock the full value of their companies through a comprehensive suite of services—including strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A advisory, digital solutions, and wealth management.
Celebrating its 20th year, Generational has successfully closed over 1,700 transactions and has ranked #1 or #2 in all LSEG league tables for deals valued between $25 million and $500 million in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The firm was named 2024 USA Investment Banking Firm of the Year by the Global M&A Network and recognized as Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor in both 2024 and 2022.