Exhibit 99.1

Zep Inc. Reports Solid First Quarter Results and Completes Strategic Acquisition

Compared to the first quarter of last year,

·                  Revenue grew 2.9% to $158.0 million

·                  EPS of $0.16 included $0.04 related to integration and acquisition expenses

·                  EBITDA of $10.4 million included $1.2 million of integration and acquisition expenses

·                  Free cash flow generation of $4.7 million represented a $6.8 million improvement

·                  Completed strategic acquisition and formed Zep Vehicle Care — creating a leading vehicle care business with the finest house of brands in the industry.

(ATLANTA — January 7, 2013) — Zep Inc. (NYSE: ZEP), a leading producer and marketer of a wide range of cleaning and maintenance solutions, today reported financial results for the three-month period ended November 30, 2012.

First quarter results reflected continued strong sales-growth gains in retail which were driven primarily by automotive aftermarket and home improvement retail outlets.  The sales and service organization achieved sales growth in the food, vehicle wash and industrial end markets while our distribution channel drove growth into industrial/MRO customers.  In addition, acquisitions added approximately $3.5 million to net sales during the quarter.

·                  Revenue in the first fiscal quarter of 2013 was $158.0 million, a 2.9% increase from the first fiscal quarter of 2012.

·                  Net income for the first fiscal quarter of 2013 was $3.5 million, a 2.7% decrease compared to net income of $3.6 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012.  The first fiscal quarter of 2013 included a $0.8 million after-tax impact related to integration and acquisition expenses.

·                  Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the first fiscal quarter of 2013 was $0.16 compared to EPS of $0.16 in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 and was impacted by $0.04 of integration and acquisition expenses.

·                  EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses) for the first quarter of 2013 was $10.4 million compared to $10.5 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 and was impacted by $1.2 million of integration and acquisition expenses.

·                  EBITDA margin decreased approximately 20 basis points to 6.6% in the first fiscal quarter of 2013 compared to 6.8% during the first fiscal quarter of 2012 and was impacted by 80 basis points of integration and acquisition expenses.

·                  Free cash flow (defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant, and equipment and proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment) generated during the first quarter of 2013 was $4.7 million, compared to a cash usage of $2.1 million in the same period last year, an increase of $6.8 million.

“The first quarter represented a number of significant achievements,” said John K. Morgan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zep Inc. “We announced the very strategic acquisition in the vehicle care market, which closed on December 1, 2012, reported much improved financial results, excluding integration and acquisition expenses, and continued to benefit from our customer-centric, multi-channel strategy.”

Mr. Morgan continued, “I’m pleased to report continued progress in expanding our access to markets to reach the customer on their terms.  Our multi-channel strategy allows us to invest in key vertical markets like transportation where we can leverage our experience across all three sales channels.”

A more detailed discussion of the Company’s long-term objectives and financial goals may be found in our Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Forms 10-K and 10-Q are available via the Company’s website at www.zepinc.com.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss first quarter operating results on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. ET. The call and accompanying presentation will be webcast and may be accessed through the Company’s website at www.zepinc.com or by dialing in at 253-237-1190, conference ID: 81569854. A replay of the call will be posted to the website within two hours of completion of the conference call.

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc., with fiscal year 2012 net sales of $654 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®, Zep Commercial®, Zep Professional®, Enforcer®, National Chemical™, Selig™, Misty®, Next Dimension™, Petro®, i-Chem®, TimeMist®, TimeWick™, MicrobeMax®, Country Vet®, Konk®, Blue Coral®, Black Magic®, Rain-X®, Niagara National™, Washtronics™, FC Forward Chemicals®, Rexodan®, Mykal™, and a number of private labeled brands.  Founded in 1937, some of Zep’s brands have been in existence since 1896. Zep Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit our website at www.zepinc.com.

Forward Looking Statements and use of Non-GAAP Information

This release contains, and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Zep may include, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, we or our executive officers on our behalf, may from time to time make forward-looking statements in reports and other documents that are filed with the SEC or in connection with oral statements made to the press, potential investors or others. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our future economic performance, business prospects, revenue, income, and financial condition; and statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “will,” “anticipates,” and similar terms that relate to future events, performance, or our results. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to: statements regarding growth and other benefits that we may realize as a result of executing our long-term initiatives.

Our forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, expectations, or outcomes to differ materially from our historical experience as well as management’s present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

·                  economic conditions in general;

·                  customer and supplier relationships and prices;

·                  competition;

·                  ability to realize anticipated benefits from strategic planning initiatives and timing of benefits;

·                  market demand; and

·                  litigation and other contingent liabilities, such as environmental matters.

A variety of other risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements. A number of those risks are discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012. Management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and management undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) are supplemented by a table of adjusted operating results, which includes non-GAAP financial information that is referenced in this press release, which includes EBITDA. This non-GAAP financial information is provided to enhance the user’s overall understanding of our financial performance. Specifically, management believes the non-GAAP financial information provides useful information to investors by excluding or adjusting certain items affecting reported operating results that were unusual or not indicative of our core operating results. This non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, this non-GAAP information may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The non-GAAP financial information included in this earnings release has been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure in the tables at the end of this press release.

Zep Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per-share data)

Zep Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per-share data)

Zep Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

Zep Inc.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

(Unaudited; In thousands)

Investor Contact:

Don De Laria

VP, Investor Relations & Communications

404-350-6266

don.delaria@zep.com