Zep Inc. Announces Agreement with Advance Auto Parts

John K. Morgan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zep Inc., stated, "I am pleased to announce the agreement with Advance Auto Parts, a leading and well known automotive aftermarket retailer. Leveraging Advance Auto Parts' customer reach and broad geographic presence will allow Zep to access a new sub-set of customers. The size of the automotive aftermarket, coupled with Zep's heritage and expertise in providing superior cleaning and maintenance solutions, make this a prime opportunity for our Company. This agreement aligns well with our goal of increasing our retail presence into previously untapped markets. Further leveraging the Retail distribution opportunity for Zep Commercial products will be important to Zep's continued growth. While we don't expect this agreement to have an immediate impact to our earnings results, we do believe this initiative will enhance our long-term value proposition."

Initial Product Line

Advance Auto Parts Commercial Sales will initially carry the following products:

-- Zep Commercial Orange Pumice Hand Cleaner -- an industrial-strength hand cleaner that's easy on the hands. Fortified with natural citrus solvents and fine volcanic pumice, the cleaner spreads easily to provide exceptional coverage. It cleans away tough grease and grime quickly and rinses easily. The product is available in one-gallon jugs.

-- Zep Commercial Concentrated Cherry Hand Cleaner -- a premium, professional-strength liquid hand cleaner fortified with pumice and mild solvents. It removes stubborn soils such as grease, tar, carbon, asphalt, inks, resins, paints and adhesives. It also removes petroleum odors, leaving behind a pleasant cherry scent. The cleaner's gel formula spreads easily on hands and rinses easily, enriching hands with emollients. Because it is concentrated, it provides more uses per ounce than other hand cleaners. It is available in one-gallon jugs.

-- Zep Commercial Instant Hand Sanitizer -- a convenient hand washing supplement, this sanitizer works without water, killing 99.9 percent of germs that can cause illness. The Instant Hand Sanitizer also contains an aloe skin conditioner.

Lisa Malloy, President of Zep Retail, commented, "While Zep has historically supplied a broad array of recognized and trusted automotive maintenance products to auto dealers, auto fleets, service companies and other larger-scale customers, this agreement allows Zep to deliver similar, professional-grade products to smaller businesses and individual consumers. This also provides an option for independent mechanics, small auto repair shops and quick lube operators that prefer to purchase products at retail stores and need the larger-volume sizes and professional-strength performance products typically found in products sold through wholesalers, professional distributors or a commercial sales force."

For more information on the Zep Commercial line of products, visit www.zepcommercial.com.

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc. (NYSE:ZEP), with fiscal year 2008 net sales of more than $574 million, is a leading producer, marketer, and service provider of a wide range of cleaning and maintenance solutions for commercial, industrial, institutional, and consumer end-markets. Zep's product portfolio includes anti-bacterial and industrial hand care products, cleaners, degreasers, deodorizers, disinfectants, floor finishes, sanitizers, and pest and weed control products. The Company markets these products and services under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep(R), Zep Commercial(R), Zep Professional, Enforcer(R), National Chemical(R) and Selig(TM), some of which have been in existence for more than 70 years. Zep is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit the company's website at www.zepinc.com.

About Advance Auto Parts

With headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia, Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. As of July 18, 2009, the Company operated 3,407 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. For more information, visit www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

SOURCE: Zep Inc.

Zep Inc. 
Company Contact: 
Jill Gilmer, 404-605-8614 
or 
Kapnek Communications 
Editor Contact: 
Linda Barlow, 215-830-9890