In 2000, Jody Zepnick, founder of Zepnick Solutions, had an idea. He wanted to create a business that would not only serve a growing niche — manufacturing automation — but would also be a place that people want to work for. Fast forward 24 years, Zepnick has provided engineering solutions and equipment for automation to manufacturing companies with ideas that they want to turn into results. In February of 2024, the employee-owners of Zepnick Solutions joined Salas O’Brien, a global powerhouse in engineering. Read on to learn more about Zepnick.
“Zepnick Solutions is an employee-owned, family-centered, and driven-to-excellence company that believes work is personal. We seek to attract the best minds and no egos.”
A place that businesses want to work with and people want to work for.
The Zepnick team prides themselves on getting calls that start with, “We have an idea, but aren’t sure how to get it done,” or “We need to increase capacity.” When Zepnick gets those calls, they get to work, partnering with customers to find the right solution that will work for achieving their goal.
For more than 20 years, Zepnick has developed mechanical, electrical, process, and technology solutions for clients in the manufacturing sector who want to turn their ideas into reality. Zepnick is known for engineering solutions and automation design for the food, paper, and consumer goods industries.
According to Jody Zepnick, Founder and CEO of Zepnick Solutions, “Customers hire us because we deliver. They know we are not only giving them the products they want, but they know we’re also providing them with value. It’s only when everything works right that our job is done.”
Due to their expertise, focus on results and customer-first philosophy, Zepnick has grown to more than 50 employees since their inception more than 20 years ago. With headquarters in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company expanded its operations by opening an office in the Cincinnati area of Ohio in 2020 to be closer to clients.
Customers appreciate the combination of skills, client service and ‘can-do’ spirit at Zepnick. Josh Chun of Leprino Foods and a Zepnick client summed it up: “Zepnick Solutions has proven time and time again that they are THE group to source for our most innovative concepts of design. They have helped modernize our production lines and helped drive efficiency throughout our plants. Most of all, their company culture matches our core values, and you see it throughout, top to bottom.”
A place to call home.
Green Bay, Wisconsin is known for great fishing, football, and natural beauty. The region ranks No. 21 out of the top 150 metro areas in the United States for “Best Places to Live” by U.S. News & World Report. The area is also home to major manufacturers including Procter & Gamble, Georgia-Pacific, Schreiber Foods, and Green Bay Packaging.
Zepnick’s vision statement, “To be the best place to work, and work with, while providing personalized engineering and equipment solutions,” reflects Jody Zepnick’s original idea when starting the company.
The company’s transition to employee ownership in 2019 with an ESOP reflects that vision. The vision is also reflected in Zepnick’s culture statement:
“Zepnick Solutions is an employee-owned, family-centered, and driven-to-excellence company that believes work is personal. We seek to attract the best minds and no egos.
Here, we work as a team and find solutions that make sense to project managers and the people on the floor, in the plant and on the lines.
We celebrate ingenuity and those who make things happen, together. We work hard so we can also have time to play. For some, that means spending time with their family, going hunting or just enjoying life.
It’s all interconnected — our work and our life. So, let’s make both great so we can have the best place to work.”
John Murphy, President of Zepnick Solutions, sums it up: “We really hold ourselves to a high standard and every day there is a new challenge to meet. After we meet that bar, we set another and work as hard as we can to meet it. It’s an ongoing continual improvement.”
“What an amazing success for the employee owners and the leaders of Zepnick Solutions, ” commented Victor Alam, Senior Counsel at Menke. “We have no greater joy at the Menke Group than watching employee owners share in the reward of a wildly successful transaction.”
A place with an even brighter future
Zepnick Solutions celebrated a major milestone in February of 2024 when it joined Salas O’Brien, bolstering the firm’s position as a driving force in the manufacturing sector.
“What an amazing success for the employee owners and the leaders of Zepnick Solutions, ” commented Victor Alam, Senior Counsel at Menke. “We have no greater joy at the Menke Group than watching employee owners share in the reward of a wildly successful transaction.”
The combined expertise and service will benefit the company’s many valued clients and Founder Jody Zepnick summed up the companies’ shared philosophy and path forward.
“Our team holds a very high standard and considers every day a new opportunity to improve,” said Jody Zepnick. “It is exciting to see that same mentality in Salas O’Brien, and we think this merger presents unlimited opportunity for the team, personally and professionally.”
Phil DeDominicis is an ESOP strategist and M&A advisor who has guided 300+ companies through ESOP formations, financing, and transactions over 20+ years at Menke & Associates. He specializes in selling ESOP‑owned businesses to financial or strategic buyers and in helping ESOP companies acquire other businesses.
