THE #1 FOR OVER 60 YEARS Discover Ziebart's milestones since 1959. Ziebart is the worldwide leader in detailing, films and protections services, providing complete car care solutions to our customers via a worldwide network of approximately 400 franchise locations, with 1200 Ziebart Service Centers in 37 countries. We are always available to answer any questions you may have about Ziebart products, services, or how you can own a franchise. Ziebart Chronology 1953 Kurt Ziebart arrives in Detroit from Germany. He is penniless and has to borrow $18 from his uncle in order to retrieve his bags from the train depot. Soon, Ziebart lands a job as a mechanic at a local automobile dealership. Later that year he is employed in a collision shop owned by Rudy Herman. Herman would later become a partner in Ziebart's rustproofing venture. 1954 While rebuilding a wrecked 1953 Packard in his spare time, Kurt begins his first attempts at rustproofing its body panels. 1959 - 1962 With the sealant perfected, Ziebart and partners Rudy Herman and Joe Selagi (who later sells his interest to George Krausmann) decide to open their first rustproofing shop in the Detroit area. Consumers at first think the product is a hoax, but are soon convinced of its integrity as advertising and word of mouth keep the appointment calendar filled for weeks in advance. To keep up with the demand, 18 franchises offering the service including one in Windsor, Canada, are opened. 1963 Roger Waindle, a recognized expert in the field of corrosion studies, buys the now prosperous business and renames it Ziebart Process Corporation. His plans call for further expansion of the franchise network, refinement of the rustproofing sealant, and securing accounts in the fleet industry. 1964 The famous Ziebart plug is introduced. 1965 Mike Dorey becomes the first International Master Licensee with a franchise in Canada. 1969 Expansion of the Far East begins as a Master License for Japan is granted. 1970 Corporate advertising efforts with Ziebart ads appearing in Life, Look, Time, Newsweek and other national magazines. 1971 Ziebart International Corporation is founded. 1975 Famed actor Rod Serling of the Twilight Zone is hired to appear in national “It's us. Or rust” TV advertising campaign. 1977 Zee-Glaze, a polymer sealant that chemically bonds to paint is introduced. 1980 Ziebart launches aggressive diversification and franchise programs in North America and international markets. 1981 A new contract offering increasing royalties to dealers is introduced in the United States by Ziebart. 1982 Ziebart International Corporation acquires Canada Master Franchise. 1982-1987 Ziebart introduces Rust Eliminator and a three-step paint protection system. Ziebart expands its aftermarket products, services, and accessories. 1988 Tuff-Kote Dinol® franchise system of 130 stores in North America is acquired by Ziebart International Corporation. 1989 Ziebart secures worldwide rights to the Tidy Car® detailing franchise and trademarks. 1990 Ziebart focus groups reveal customer interest in a Ziebart and Tidy Car® business format. Ziebart and Tidy Car® are marketed under a comprehensive business plan. 1991-1993 Ziebart changes look and colors of Ziebart dealer stores; introduces ChipFix®, a paint chip repair system. Company begins focus on vehicle detailing services. 1994 Ziebart International Corporation was bought by its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This program has fostered personal commitment, dedication and long-term devotion to building the business. 1994 Thomas E. Wolfe becomes President and CEO of Ziebart International Corporation after leading the successful employee-group buyout of the company. Wolfe launches effort to return Ziebart to core services. 1996 Ziebart Japan was sold. 1996 Ziebart sells its manufacturing facilities and Ziebart Products Group subsidiary. 1998 Ziebart aggressively expands franchise sales and introduces new exterior décor, signage program, and showroom merchandising. 1999 Ziebart enters agreement with TCG International to market Speedy Auto Glass® replacement glass and windshield repair services. Ziebart also expands product line to include Rhino Linings® to its product line. The product is the number one selling urethane spray-on bed liner in North America. 2002 Ziebart SuperStores launched within the Ziebart franchise, an over-the-counter store attached to a Ziebart business. 2003 The co-branding and placement of Rhino Linings® and Speedy Glass® within Ziebart stores generates corporate and franchise profits and placement in more than 100 stores. 2006 Ziebart struggles with profitability as many U.S. dealers diversify into non-proprietary Ziebart products. 2007 Ziebart International Corporation sells Canada Master Franchise License to an investment company. 2008 Ziebart simplified the franchising business format to promote a stronger franchise business opportunity and to make dealers more profitable. 2012 Daniel C. Baker, promoted to President of Ziebart Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ziebart International Corporation. Mr. Baker takes leadership control of U.S. operations for the company. 2012-2013 Ziebart conducts lab and field tests on new Z-Shield® Paint Protection Film to fulfill the corporate mission to have the best paint protection film available in the marketplace. 2013 Ziebart conducts customer focus groups on new proprietary Z-Shield® Paint Protection Film, the most tested, refined, and high-tech product introduced since Ziebart's revolutionary rust protection formula. 2014 The company launches a reintroduction of its brand, the largest such effort in decades, to promote its products, services, and franchise opportunities since the 1970s. - Ziebart introduces Z-Shield®, a proprietary paint protection film, offered in .6 mil and .8 mil film to protect cars from road debris, stone chips, salt, and other daily driving hazards. The new .6 mil film product features 'self-healing' polymer technology that reduces minor scratches and abrasions with heat from sunlight. - Ziebart launches national public relations program to promote the company's new line of products and 55th anniversary since its founding in 1959. 2016 The company officially launched their first U.S. National Charity, partnering with Journey4ACure (J4AC), a Non-Profit, Pediatric Cancer Research Organization. - Ziebart introduced two new products to our lineup, Vehicle Wraps and a new window tint film called, Nano Ceramic Performance (NCP). - Ziebart opens a new master franchise in Bangkok, Thailand. 2019 Ziebart Egypt started operation in early 2019 in Cairo with anticipated locations in Heliopolis and Alexandria. Ziebart also signed the Kuwait franchise agreement. 2020 Ziebart signed franchise agreements in The Netherlands and Australia. 2021 Ziebart expands into the African continent with Ivory Coast and Nigeria, and further into the European markets with Greece. © 2021 - Ziebart International Corporation. All Rights Reserved.