Zep (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cleaning products |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | Mandle Zaban, William Eplan, Saul Powell |
| Headquarters | Atlanta , United States |
Area served | North America, United Kingdom, Italy, Benelux |
Key people | Amy Hahn (CEO) |
| Products | Cleaning solutions for industrial, institutional, food and beverage, vehicle care, and retail sectors |
| Owner | New Mountain Capital |
Number of employees | 2000+ (2019) |
| Website | www |
Zep, Inc. is a manufacturer headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in cleaning solutions across industrial, institutional, food and beverage, vehicle care, and retail sectors. Its extensive portfolio comprises more than 80 distinct brands and employed over 2,000 individuals as of 2019.
History
Established in 1937 by Mandle Zaban, William Eplan, and Saul Powell, Zep began with a focus on industrial and janitorial cleaning products, setting itself apart through innovative formulations and exceptional customer service. In 1962, National Linen Service (which later became National Service Industries, NSI) acquired Zep, positioning it as the foundation of NSI’s chemical division. Erwin Zaban, son of co-founder Mandle Zaban, took leadership roles within the company and was appointed NSI president in 1966.
Zep’s growth included acquiring companies such as Selig Chemical Industries in 1968, Graham Group and Kleen Canada in 1992, and Enforcer Products along with Pure Corporation in 1997. These acquisitions marked its entry into the retail chemical market with offerings like pet care and pesticides. Under CEO Harry Maziar’s tenure from 1971 to 1998, the company experienced substantial expansion.
In 2001, NSI separated its chemical and lighting operations to form Acuity Brands. After further restructuring, Acuity Specialty Products was spun off in 2007 as the publicly traded independent entity Zep, Inc., uniting brands including Zep Commercial, Enforcer, and Selig under one umbrella.
Following this spin-off, Zep continued to grow by acquiring Waterbury Companies and Amrep in 2010, as well as Ecolab’s vehicle care division in 2012. A fire at Amrep’s Marietta facility in 2014 brought attention to pre-existing safety concerns predating Zep’s ownership; no injuries occurred and state agencies investigated environmental effects.
In April 2015, private equity firm New Mountain Capital purchased Zep for $460 million with shareholder approval. The company broadened its presence in the food and beverage sanitation sector by acquiring AFCO in 2017. Leadership transitions include Dan Smytka becoming CEO in 2019 and Amy Hahn taking over the position in 2022.
Brands and operations
Zep’s business is divided into four main product segments: Retail; industrial and institutional; vehicle care; and food and beverage. The company is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with sales and marketing teams located throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Benelux. Its manufacturing footprint extends across several U.S. states—including Georgia, Texas, South Dakota, California, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana—as well as facilities in Canada and Europe.
Brands
- Zep
- Zep Professional
- Country Vet
- TimeMist
- Misty
- Enforcer
- Original Bike Spirits
- Niagara National
- AFCO
- Thonhauser
Programs and partnerships
In 2015, Zep’s vehicle care segment introduced the Assure Program aimed at streamlining chemical management for commercial car wash operators by offering easy-to-use cleaning products paired with dispensing systems. After several Zep products received EPA approval for effectiveness against COVID-19 in 2020, this initiative evolved into a broader biosafety program. The 2021 iteration of the Zep Assure Program provides organizations with EPA-approved cleaning solutions along with expert consultation and training to help maintain hygienic environments.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Zep collaborated with entities such as Atlanta Public Schools to support sanitation efforts. Building on earlier efforts supplying hand sanitizer during meal distribution events, Zep extended its support by providing sanitizer to every classroom plus distributing 2,000 safety kits containing face masks and hygiene supplies. The program also featured educational presentations on hand hygiene led by experts to promote safe school settings.