Blue Buffalo reports second-quarter gains

Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc. reported a net sales increase of $32.9 million or 12.9 percent and a net income increase of $14.0 million or 61.8 percent to $36.6 million in the second quarter of 2016, as compared to the second quarter of 2015.

Gross profit at the Wilton company increased $27.5 million, or 27.6 percent, to $127.3 million and gross margin was 44.4 percent, up 510 basis points compared with 39.3 percent in the second quarter of 2015.

The company said the increase in gross margin was driven primarily by supply chain efficiencies including the ramp-up of its Heartland facility in Joplin, Mo. and lower input costs.