Armored AutoGroup and Zep Inc. Extend Strategic Armor All® Brand Relationship
ATLANTA, August 21, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) – Armored AutoGroup Inc., a leader in consumer automotive appearance and performance products, and Zep Inc. (NYSE: ZEP), a leading consumable chemical packaged goods company, today announced that they have signed a long-term agreement to extend their license agreement for use of the Armor All® brand by the newly formed Zep Vehicle Care business. This strategic relationship continues the collaboration between the two businesses, which began over a decade ago and gives Zep exclusive rights to develop and market the Armor All® brand within the professional, “do-it-for-me” commercial car wash market. “Zep Vehicle Care is the recognized industry leader in providing innovative solutions and unsurpassed value to the car wash operator market,” said David Lundstedt, CEO of Armored AutoGroup. “Consumers have trusted the Armor All® brand to care for their vehicles for over 40 years and we believe that no one is better positioned to represent our brand in the “do-it-for-me” car wash market.”
“The power and trust commanded by the Armor All® brand is unequaled and is a key element of our growth plans for the future,” said Steve Nichols, President of Zep Vehicle Care. “We will leverage the strength of Armor All’s performance-oriented brand in the commercial car wash market through a combination of innovation and marketing programs designed to generate incremental revenue for wash operators.”
The long-term agreement allows Zep Vehicle Care to market the Armor All® brand in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
About Armored AutoGroup Inc.
Armored AutoGroup Inc., headquartered in Danbury, CT, is primarily comprised of the Armor All® and STP® brands. The current product line of Armor All protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products and washes is designed to clean, shine and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces. The offering of STP oil and fuel additives, functional fluids and automotive appearance products has a broad customer base ranging from professional racers to car enthusiasts and “Do-it-Yourselfers.” The company has a diversified geographic footprint with direct operations in the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico and the U.K. and distributor relationships in approximately 50 countries. For more information, please visit www.armorall.com and www.stp.com.
About Zep Inc.
Zep Inc., with fiscal year 2012 net sales of $654 million, is a leading consumable chemical packaged goods company selling a wide variety of high-performance chemicals that help professionals and prosumers clean, maintain and protect their assets. We are focused on the attractive industry dynamics of the transportation market and the industrial maintenance and repair operation ("MRO") market, which together now comprise approximately 61% of our revenue with the balance derived from sales into the facilities maintenance vertical. We market these products and services under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep®, Zep Commercial®, Zep Professional®, Enforcer®, National Chemical™, Selig™, Misty®, Next Dimension™, Petro®, i-Chem®, TimeMist®, TimeWick™, 2
MicrobeMax®, Country Vet®, Konk®, Zep®/SKILCRAFT®, Original Bike Spirits®, Armor All®, Blue Coral®, Black Magic®, Rain-X®, Niagara National™, FC Forward Chemicals®, Rexodan®, Mykal™, and a number of private label brands. Founded in 1937, some of Zep Inc.'s brands have been in existence since 1896. Zep Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit our website at www.zepinc.com.
Investor Contact:
Don De Laria
VP, Investor Relations & Communications
404-350-6266
[email protected]
Media Contacts:
Zep Vehicle Care Megan Loch
651-293-4356 [email protected]