Scotts Miracle-Grow Agrees to Acquire Tomcat from Bell Laboratories (SMG)

Early on Monday, lawn and garden care products maker Scotts Miracle-Gro Co (SMG) announced that it has reach an agreement to acquire Tomcat, a consumer rodent control business, from Bell Laboratories. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“This transaction is consistent with the strategic direction we have articulated,” said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive officer of Scotts Miracle-Grow. “It is complementary to our existing controls business and fills a gap in our current product offering.”

The acquisition includes the Tomcat brand, as well as a long-term partnership to bring innovative technologies to the consumer rodent control market. Tomcat products are sold in home centers, mass retailers, and other stores in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

“Consumer rodent control is an attractive and growing category in which a vast number of our consumers already participate,” said Barry Sanders, president and chief operating officer. “While our limited-line of Ortho Home Defense rodent control products have brought innovation to the category since 2009, the addition of the Tomcat consumer business allows us to significantly expand our global commercial footprint. With a strong consumer brand and full line of rodent control products we are better able to serve both our consumers and our retail partners.”

The integration of Tomcat consumer business into Scotts Miracle-Gro is expected to start in the beginning of fiscal 2014.

Scotts Miracle-Grow shares were inactive during pre-market trading on Monday. The stock is up 25.74% year-to-date.