Sep. 22, 2009 (Business Wire) -- As part of Zep Inc.’s initiative to make its products available to more customers and through more channels, the company is pleased to announce an agreement with Advance Auto Parts, Inc. With a nationwide presence of more than 3,400 stores and website, the retailer will now offer a line of Zep Commercial Auto Aftermarket products through its Commercial Sales program.

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.