National Carwash Solutions (“NCS”), the world’s premier provider of end-to-end car wash systems, services, and solutions, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Zep Vehicle Care (“ZVC”) from Zep, Inc. ZVC’s offerings will enhance NCS’ chemicals brands, helping advance its mission to provide customers industry-leading complete car wash solutions and services.

ZVC’s commercial car wash chemical offerings, marketed under well-known brands, including Armor All Professional^®, Blue Coral^®, and Rain-X^®, will complement NCS’ existing products to provide customers with the broadest selection of car wash chemicals. These products will be additive to NCS’s comprehensive equipment and service offering, including MacNeil Wash Systems, Ryko Solutions, TSS products and services and Vacutech Vacuums. ZVC also brings its PurClean water management and reclamation equipment brand to the combined entity.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Zep Vehicle Care team to NCS,” said Mike Gillen, CEO of NCS. “ZVC’s beloved products are a great fit with our chemicals offering and will enhance our ability to provide car wash operators with a superior selection of chemicals, equipment, and solutions. We’re also excited for this opportunity to provide operators with an easy, integrated sales and service experience with the best talent in the industry.”

“I want to thank Dan and the Zep organization for their leadership and support over the years,” said Greg Heyer, Chief Commercial Officer of ZVC. “The ZVC and NCS organizations are a great fit, with similar cultures, best-in-class brands, and a focus on delivering the exceptional end-to-end solutions our customers demand. We look forward to joining the NCS family.”

"We are excited to watch ZVC continue to thrive within the NCS organization,” said Dan Smytka, CEO of Zep, Inc. “We look forward to collaborating with NCS to ensure a seamless transition for customers and employees.”

Gillen will continue to serve as CEO of NCS, Heyer will lead the ZVC business, and executives from both NCS and ZVC will take on leadership positions. Berkshire Partners, an existing investor in NCS, will be the majority owner of the newly combined organization. Zep, Inc., a leading innovator and manufacturer of maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation solutions, is majority-owned by New Mountain Capital.

Terms of the transaction, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.

About National Carwash Solutions

National Carwash Solutions is a leading full-service fluids and systems provider to the vehicle care industry, serving car wash operators for more than 45 years, and washing millions of vehicles every year. The company has established the only direct, end-to-end customer service and support network, including service, parts, and environmentally friendly cleaning fluids. NCS operates a family of brands, including MacNeil Wash Systems, Ryko Solutions, Lustra products, CleanTouch Cleaning Solutions, NCS College of Clean, and Vacutech. The company also has strategic partnerships with many top car wash distributors in North America. Its offerings are backed by the largest service network in North America, with more than 300 dedicated service technicians. To learn more, visit www.ncswash.com.

About Zep Vehicle Care

Zep Vehicle Care, headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, is a leading provider of commercial car wash chemical and water reclamation solutions. The company’s well-recognized and established commercial car wash solution brands include Blue Coral®, Black Magic®, Rain-X®, and Armor All Professional®. Its equipment offerings include PurClean, providing rinse and water recovery systems for car wash operators. For additional information, visit zepvehiclecare.com.

About Berkshire Partners

Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based firm, has 35 years of investment history. Berkshire Private Equity has made more than 135 private equity investments since its inception and has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. Stockbridge, the firm’s public equity business, was founded in 2007 and seeks to make public equity investments in high-quality companies with strong competitive positions and long-term growth prospects. The firm invests in business services & technology, communications, consumer, healthcare, and industrials companies. For additional information, and to see a full list of the firm’s private equity investments, visit  www.berkshirepartners.com.

About Zep, Inc.

Zep, Inc. is a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation solutions for food and beverage, industrial and institutional, retail, and vehicle care customers. Zep offers a large offering of premium products 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. To learn more, visit www.zep.com.

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