The Vincit Legacy ??

In 1968, we produced seven products with two employees. It was during this time that Mr. Zott developed a new product he called Hog Scald, or HS 333 as it is known today. This single product revolutionized the pork processing industry by providing a cost-effective hair removal aid. For many years, we were the only company to offer this pioneering improvement process. In 1983, John and Nonnie Zott’s grandson joined the company. He was able to expand the sales territory to seven states and the product offerings to 18. Always listening to the needs of clients, Bob envisioned an organization that could one day provide a single-source solution to his clients’ needs. By 1989, Bob Bullard started leading the company’s development as president and CEO. In August of that same year, Bob separated chemical production from sales and service. The new entity was called Zeco, and it allowed for a greater level of client service. 

In January 1993, a client requested that the company perform sanitation services. By March of that same year, QSI had been created, and with this new contract cleaning service, the foundation for a single-source provider was in place. Right away the new group of companies saw an opportunity to give even greater value to clients. QSI took the step to provide professional food safety expertise to clients at no additional charge. A client’s brand and the public’s health were far too important to leave to chance. QSI would also initiate the processing industry’s guaranteed daily start-up.

Both of these endeavors were pioneering efforts in contract sanitation. QSI today provides professional contract cleaning services to the protein processing, commercial baking, dairy, pet food, snack food, and ready-to-eat food industries. Unisan was acquired in 1997 to provide greater market access to the poultry processing industry. Production capabilities were consolidated with Zeco, and sales personnel were transferred into Zee Company. This initial acquisition doubled the sales force, increased the sales territory to 15 states, and bolstered product offerings. By January 1998, the vision of a single-source provider was a reality—the Vincit Group was born. The name Vincit, pronounced vin-ch-eet, comes from the Latin verb meaning “to conquer”. A very appropriate name, given Bob’s vision of his grandparents’ dream. Just like the determined engine in the children’s book The Little Engine That Could, the Vincit Group would steam ahead despite any obstacles. The means for maximizing production efficiency came in 1999 with the acquisition of Numark Systems. This company, headquartered in Denver, provided yet another level of services that the Vincit Group could provide clients: automated sanitation equipment. McT Products, a sanitation chemical company, was acquired in February 2001 and was incorporated into Zee Company operations. This acquisition not only strengthened poultry processing market share in the Mid-South, it enhanced the number of product offerings.  

Johnathan Kimbrough

Inside Business Development Manager

The Vincit Group

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