Jun 30, 2020   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Zep Announces Expanded Production Capacity at Operations Facilities Amid High Demand for Disinfecting Products During COVID-19

Today, Zep Inc, a leading innovator, producer and distributor of maintenance, cleaning and sanitation solutions for food & beverage, industrial & institutional, retail, and vehicle care customers, announced plans to expand production capacity of disinfectants, sanitizers and hand soaps at facilities in Desoto, Texas and Emerson, Georgia. These plant expansions follow the recent opening of Zep’s Marietta, Georgia facility, where disinfecting and sanitizing chemicals are produced for the food and beverage industry.

Zep is proud to increase the availability of disinfectant products, contributing to the safety of valued customers and consumers, and to the economic development of our home communities. We anticipate expanded operations will create at least 70 new jobs across the organization.

Zep has seen an exponential lift in demand for the company’s EPA-registered disinfectant and hand sanitizing products since the start of the global pandemic. Zep offers a wide array of solutions qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Reinforcing the company’s promise of meeting the needs of customers and providing superior service, Zep partnered with suppliers, third-party manufacturers and distributors to increase the availability of sanitizers and disinfecting products in the marketplace. Zep has also introduced five new disinfectants, hand sanitizers and soaps in response to COVID-19 and will release more than 15 additional product solutions in the coming months.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Zep associates and technical support team have been working exceedingly hard to provide proper cleaning and sanitizing guidance to our customers and to meet the increased demand of disinfectants and hand sanitizing products,” said Zep CEO Dan Smytka. “We expect to see this demand trend continue, and these investments will expand our production capacity to ensure that Zep has the capabilities to continue helping our valued customers and their customers to stay safe during this pandemic.”

Zep is substantially expanding hand sanitizer manufacturing capacity at the Emerson, Georgia facility. This is part of a multi-year commitment to enhance capacity and operations in Georgia, including the buildout of the 600,000 square foot Georgia Distribution Center in Cartersville, the 100,000 square foot Marietta production facility, and significant prior investment in the Emerson plant. This latest investment includes state-of-the art equipment installed to maximize productivity throughout every touchpoint of production including raw material receipt and storage, blending, high-speed filling in multiple sizes, packaging and delivery.

Further, Zep is quadrupling disinfectant capacity through an expansion at the facility in DeSoto, Texas. Additional raw material storage and bulk blending capabilities will be added to produce disinfectants while high-speed filling lines will be added, focusing on ready to use quarts, gallons, pails, drums, and totes. A new and expanded warehouse facility will manage the logistics for this expansion, as well as an ever-growing existing business in the region.

Zep is a one-stop-shop option for efficacious cleaning and sanitizing solutions that prioritize the safety of the end user. The Zep technical service team is also available at AskTech@zep.com to help customers answer any questions about their specific needs for keeping safe during the pandemic and for reopening. To learn more about Zep products visit Zep.com or speak with one of our local solutions experts or distributor partners. Check your local Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, & hardware stores, or online at Amazon.com, for current product availability.

About Zep, Inc.

Zep, Inc. is a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing solutions for food & beverage, industrial & institutional, retail, and vehicle care customers. Zep possesses a large portfolio of premium brands built over an 80+ year legacy of developing the most effective products trusted by professionals and consumers to get the job done right the first time.