N@N

Zep Inc. Partners with Federal Agency to Employ the Blind and Disabled

^{Published on 2011-02-18 09:50:57 - Market Wire}
 

ATLANTA--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Zep Inc. (NYSE:ZEP), one of the worlda™s leading suppliers of cleaning and maintenance solutions, announced today their involvement with the AbilityOne Program. AbilityOne is a federal initiative created to help blind and disabled people find employment through nonprofit agencies that sell [ products ] and [ services ] to the U.S. government.

"Ita™s the co-branding that Zep Inc. brings to Envision that allows us to expand what we are trying to do - increase blind labor and employment at Envision."

aThe Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disableda is the federal agency authorized to administer the AbilityOne Program. The Committee has designated two central nonprofit agencies to assist with program implementation: [ National Industries for the Blind ] (NIB) and [ NISH ]a" Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Severe Disabilities. Zep Inc. has entered into a unique co-branding agreement with two AbilityOne Program agencies: Envision Inc, in Wichita, Kansas, and Lighthouse for the Blind in St. Louis, Missouri.

aThis new partnership with Zep Inc. should have a profound impact on our ability to grow our business and expand employment for people who are blind. I think the partnership should pay dividends for both organizations well into the future,asaid John Thompson, President, Lighthouse for the Blind-St. Louis.

Garry Gregg, Vice President of Operations for Envision states, aIta™s the co-branding that Zep Inc. brings to Envision that allows us to expand what we are trying to do - increase blind labor and employment at Envision.a

A key initiative within the AbilityOne program focuses on 100% employment for individuals who are blind or disabled. With the difficult unemployment situation facing our country today, this particular segment currently experiences 70% unemployment rate.

aZep Inc. was founded and has grown on relationships with a wide variety of partners,a said John K. Morgan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zep Inc. aThis new relationship with NIB, AbilityOne, Envision, and St. Louis Lighthouse for the Blind is an extension of our culture of service to customers and the community. The mission of these organizations is to enhance the economic and personal independence of people who are blind by creating, sustaining, and improving employment opportunities. By partnering with these two organizations, Zep Inc. is helping National Industries for the Blind fulfill its mission.a

The Zep Inc. program includes Meter Mist® and GreenLink® product brands in conjunction with AbilityOnea™s SKILCRAFT® brand, which is recognized by 95% of federal government purchasers. Zep Inc. products will be available through AbilityOne sales channels.

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc., with fiscal 2010 net sales of almost $570 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 Inc.'s product portfolio includes anti-bacterial and industrial hand care products, cleaners, degreasers, deodorizers, disinfectants, floor finishes, sanitizers, and pest and weed control products, as well as high performance products and professional grade chemical products for the automotive, fleet maintenance, industrial/MRO supply, institutional supply and motorcycle markets. The Company markets these products and services under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep^®, Zep Commercial^®, Zep Professional^a", Enforcer^®, National Chemical^®, Selig^a", Misty^®, Next Dimension^a", Petro^®, i-Chem^®, TimeMist^®, TimeWick, MicrobeMax^a", Country Vet^®, Konk^a", Niagara National^a" and a number of private labeled brands.Some of Zepa™s brands have been in existence for more than 100 years.Zep Inc.'s headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit the company's website at [ www.zepinc.com ].