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ATLANTA--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Zep Inc. (NYSE:ZEP), a leading producer and marketer of a wide range of cleaning and maintenance solutions, today announced it has entered into an agreement to supply Orchard Supply Hardware LLC (aOrcharda) with an initial selection of 40 of the companyas Zep Commercial line of cleaning and maintenance products for professional and consumer customers. The move expands customer access to the Zep Commercial line of high-efficacy solutions in California.

"We are honored and excited to welcome Orchard Supply Hardware as a new retail partner for the Zep Commercial family of products"

Orchard is a specialty retailer primarily focused on homeowners with repair, maintenance and improvement needs. Founded as a purchasing cooperative in San Jose in 1931, Orchard now operates 89 full-service hardware stores in California serving do-it-yourself customers for home repair and maintenance as well as the professional marketplace.

aWe are honored and excited to welcome Orchard Supply Hardware as a new retail partner for the Zep Commercial family of products,a said John K. Morgan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zep Inc. aThe addition of Orchard to our growing network of retail channel partners provides professionals and consumers alike with expanded access to our high-efficacy cleaning and maintenance solutions. Our research has shown that easy access to Zep Commercial is a key customer-identified need.a

Initial stocking at select Orchard stores has already begun, with end cap promotions in place at numerous locations, including Orchardas recently opened Princeton Plaza location in San Jose, California.

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc., with fiscal 2011 net sales of over $646 million, is a leading producer and marketer 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. We market these products and services under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep^(R), Zep Commercial^(R), Zep Professional^(TM), Enforcer^(R), National Chemical^(R), Selig^(TM), Misty^(R), Next Dimension^(TM), Petro^(R), i-Chem^(R), TimeMist^(R), TimeWick, MicrobeMax^(TM), Country Vet^(R), Konk^(TM), Niagara National^(TM) and a number of private labeled brands. Some of Zep's brands have been in existence since the company's 1937 founding. Zep Inc.'s headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit our website at [ www.zepinc.com ].

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