Atlanta-based Zep Inc. (NYSE: ZEP) reported sales for the first quarter ended Nov. 30, 2012, of $158 million, a 2.9 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Profit decreased 2.7 percent to $3.5 million.
During the quarter, Zep agreed to buy Ecolab Vehicle Care, a division of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL). The acquisition closed Dec. 1, 2012.