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ScottsMiracle-Gro names CIO to accelerate technology transformation and SMG 2.0 Growth Strategy. MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Oct. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), home to North America's leading consumer lawn and garden brands, today announced the naming of Prathima Hegde to senior vice president and chief information officer. In this new role, Hegde will lead enterprise IT with a focus on driving technology modernization, operational excellence, AI integration and digital capabilities to advance the SMG multi-year growth strategy and the evolution into a consumer lifestyle company. She also will support the implementation of SAP S/4HANA. Hegde reports to President and CEO Nate Baxter as a key member of the leadership team. "The modernization of our enterprise systems will enhance our ability to exceed consumer expectations, complementing our high-performing products with seamless digital experiences and expert guidance to serve as the trusted partner for bringing their living spaces to life," Baxter said. "Our technology upgrades will also directly power each of our SMG 2.0 building blocks by enabling product innovation, omnichannel and retail expansion, category growth and operational efficiencies. "Prathima's experience is directly relevant to where we are headed. She brings exceptional expertise in leading complex digital transformations and aligning technology with business outcomes. She will play a vital role in modernizing our technology core, enhancing productivity through automation and AI, and further strengthening ScottsMiracle-Gro for sustainable growth." Hegde has more than two decades of enterprise technology leadership across consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, healthcare and education. Most recently, as CIO of Del Monte Foods, she spearheaded enterprise IT strategy, cloud modernization, data analytics and AI initiatives. Previously, as head of corporate applications at Tropicana Brands Group, she led the technology spinoff from PepsiCo, building modern digital platforms. She has also served in senior IT roles at Adtalem Global Education and Abbott Laboratories. Hegde holds an MBA in strategy and finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from Osmania University. SMG 2.0 Growth Strategy The Company previously announced its multi-year SMG 2.0 strategy for sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value. Its building blocks include: * Portfolio optimization and innovation to drive premium growth. * Omnichannel and retail expansion to engage broader consumer groups. * Category and market expansion to grow the Company's addressable market. * Technology-driven operational excellence with a focus on expanding margins via targeted AI, automation and supply chain efficiencies. About ScottsMiracle-Gro With approximately $3.3 billion in sales, the Company is the leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America. The Company's brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R), Ortho(R) and Tomcat(R) brands are market-leading in their categories. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com For investor inquiries: Brad Chelton Vice President Treasury, Tax and Investor Relations [email protected] (937) 309-2503 For media inquiries: Tom Matthews Chief Communications Officer [email protected] (937) 844-3864

ScottsMiracle-Gro to acquire Black Kow in alignment with SMG 2.0 growth strategy. Company will scale trusted 57-year-old brand and expand its availability nationwide. MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), the leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America, today announced that it intends to acquire the Black Kow brand to strategically expand its growing media and soil amendment portfolio. In January 2026, the Company became the exclusive producer, distributor and marketer of Black Kow under a licensing agreement with an option to purchase. The Company has informed Organics Management, owner of Black Kow, that it has exercised the purchase option with an expected close in October. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "The planned acquisition of Black Kow demonstrates continued progress with our multi-year SMG 2.0 growth plan and further strengthens our ability to achieve our mid-range financial targets," said Nate Baxter, president and CEO of ScottsMiracle-Gro. "Black Kow is a testament to our merger-and-acquisition strategy centered on tuck-in brands that we can seamlessly integrate into our core lawn and garden business. We will be good stewards of this trusted 57-year-old brand, scaling Black Kow from an innovation standpoint and expanding its availability nationally to engage broader demographic groups." Black Kow, a leading brand in the soil amendment category, will complement Miracle-Gro premium ready-to-use products, expanding the overall portfolio with an established line of organic amendments, mature manure and specialty soils essential for building long-term soil structure and ideal for consumers who like to tinker in their gardens. "Black Kow aligns with our mid-range growth algorithm as we expect it to drive topline sales and be consistent with the margin profile we have established moving forward," said Mark Scheiwer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. "This acquisition also reflects our disciplined approach to capital allocation, as it is a low-risk investment that will support our leverage ratio targets and be accretive to EPS beginning in year one." SMG 2.0 Building Blocks The acquisition of Black Kow is a tactical execution of SMG 2.0, whose building blocks include: * Portfolio optimization and innovation through revitalization of product lineups to drive premium growth. * Omnichannel and retail expansion to engage broader consumer groups through digital scale and retailer partnerships. * Category growth and market expansion through greater household penetration to grow the Company's addressable market. * Technology-driven operational excellence with a focus on expanding margins via targeted AI, automation and supply chain efficiencies. Mid-Range Growth Algorithm Black Kow supports the mid-range growth algorithm announced by the Company in August for fiscal 2027 through fiscal 2029 to deliver sustainable shareholder value. Elements include average annual: * Total Company net sales growth of 2 to 4%. * Adjusted gross margin rate improvement of 50 to 100 basis points. * Adjusted EPS growth of 5 to 8%. * Free cash flow greater than $275 million. About ScottsMiracle-Gro With approximately $3.3 billion in sales, the Company is the leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America. The Company's brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R), Ortho(R) and Tomcat(R) brands are market-leading in their categories. For additional information, visit Africa SMB Journal at www.scottsmiraclegro.com For investor inquiries: Brad Chelton Vice President Treasury, Tax and Investor Relations [email protected] (937) 309-2503 For media inquiries: Tom Matthews Chief Communications Officer [email protected] (937) 844-3864 Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. Africa SMB Journal do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.