The Story of Zink Corporation

1977
The Beginning
Finn-Zink Associates is Started

Finn-Zink Associates founded by Frank Finn and Skip Zink

1978
First Line
Represent Kolpak

Kolpak, an upstart Walk-in cooler line tabs Finn-Zink as rep in OH, KY, and W. PA

1980s
1980
Expanded
Office Expansion

Sales offices established in Detroit, MI, Cincinnati, OH, and Cleveland, OH

1981
One of the 1st
First $1,000,000

Finn-Zink is Kopak’s first million dollar rep agency

1986
Sole Ownership
Rebranded to Zink Marketing

Company renamed to Zink Marketing and Skip Zink becomes the sole owner with 10 employees

1987
Team Expansion
New Faces & Offices

Dave Wenger joins as Sales Manager and Mike McGuire opens Indy office

1989
Portfolio Expansion
Another Line

Dickinson & Associates is acquired creating hot side

1990s
1990
Location Expansion

Sales offices are opened in Pittsburgh & Grand Rapids – a total of 15 employees

1992
Roots in Columbus, OH
Headquarters

New 4,000 sq ft headquarters is opened in Columbus, OH

1996
Addition of Jim Zink

Jim Zink joins firm as Healthcare Specialist, then N. OH Territory Manager

1998
MAFSI
MAFSI Honor

Skip Zink serves as 1997 MAFSI president

MAFSI Logo Hubspot 200 x 60

1999
Bar & Beer
Bar Equipment Acquisition

Wynn & Associates is acquired adding bar equipment and beer systems

2000s
2000
New Company
ZCS Distribution

ZCS is launched to provide distribution and installation services

2001
New Ownership
Jim & Mike Purchase Zink Marketing

Jim Zink and Mike McGuire purchase Zink from Skip Zink, who is named chairman

2002
Expanding Offices
Chicago Office

Sales office opens in Chicago

2005
Adding Reps
WGB Marketing Acquisition

WGB Marketing is acquired, strengthening the Illinois market

2005
Software Development
ZinkLogix

ZinkLogix software system is implemented

2007
Zink Family Expands
Tim Zink Joins

Tim Zink joins the company as 15th outside sales rep and 30th employee

2008
Portfolio Expansion
Tabletop Portfolio

Top of the Table is acquired adding tabletop and smallwares to the portfolio

2008
Rebrand to Present Name
Zink Foodservice Rebrand

Zink Foodservice Group is formed.

2010s
2010
Tabletop & Smallwares Expansion
Castle Marketing Acquired

Castle Marketing acquired, expanding the Tabletop & Smallwares portfolio

2010
A Focus on Healthcare
Dinex Added to Portfolio

Dinex, division of Carlisle appoints ZFG as representatives expanding healthcare focus

2010
Large Portfolio Expansion
Welbilt Brands Added to Portfolio

Welbilt tabs Zink Foodservice as their reps in OH, W. PA, WV, IN, MI, KY

2011
Culinary Centers Construction
Building Culinary Centers

Culinary centers added in Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH, and Indianapolis, IN

2012
Welbilt in the West
Welbilt Territory Expands

Welbilt appoints Zink in IL and WI

2012
A New Office
West Expands

Chicago Culinary Center and office opens; team expands to 55 associates

2016
Paradigm Formed
Establishment of Paradigm

Zink becomes founding member of national strategic alliance Paradigm

2016
Most Recent Rebrand
A New Logo

Company rebrands to current-day brand

2016
Systems Adoption
EOS Implementation

EOS is implemented company-wide

2017
Ventilation Expertise
Z-Ventilation Solutions

Z-Vent formed and launched

2017
ESOP
Employee-Ownership

Zink becomes employee owned via ESOP

2017
Improving Systems
Implementing The REV

Rev Software Solutions is created and endorsed by Paradigm

2018
A Roomier Office
A New HQ in Worthington

Moved into 40,000 sq ft facility combining ZFG and ZCS Distribution in Columbus, OH

2020s
2020
A Roomier Office
Zink Hospitality is Established

Zink Acquires JMA, a Chicago company,  establishing Zink Hospitality and strengthening our furniture portfolio

2021
Jumping into Service
Wenger Temperature Control

Zink acquires Ohio service company, Wenger Temperature Control

2022
Expanding Zink Corp
AIM National Splits from ZCSD

ZCS splits into divisions: AIM National & ZCS Distribution

2023
A New Culinary Center
Louisville, KY Culinary Center

Zink Culinary Center & offices opens in Louisville, KY

2023
Expanding Ice Portfolio
Scotsman Mid-Ohio Acquired

ZCS Distribution Acquires Scotsman Mid Ohio

2023
Dedicated to Furniture
Zink Hospitality Branches Off

Zink Hospitality expands with a dedicated sales team and is tabbed as the first Charter representative

2023
BPLTW
Best Place to Work

Zink Corporation wins Best Place to Work by Columbus Business First

2024
Zink Culinary Centers
New Culinary Centers

New Culinary Centers open in Cincinnati, OH and Indianapolis, IN

2024
Expanding West Team
Zink Acquires Rep Concepts

Zink acquires Rep Concepts, an Illinois rep firm

2024
Territory Expansion
Wenger Temperature Control Expands

Wenger Temp expands into Cincinnati, OH

2024
Welbilt Portfolio Grows
Welbilt Line Expansion

Zink selected to represent Metro, Bev Air, Victory and Champion

2024
CFS Portfolio Grows
CFS Brands Line Expansion

Zink selected to represent CFS Brands portfolio which now includes G.E.T., Elite Global, and Winco

2025
Top Worlplace
Zink is a Top Workplace

Zink wins Top Workplace by Columbus CEO

2025
One Home
Zink Corporation New Headquarters

Zink opens 90,000 sq ft Headquarters, bringing all companies under one roof

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Contact Us

Headquarters

(800) 492-7400

Jim Zink

jimz@zinkcorp.com

Mike McGuire

mikem@zinkcorp.com

Leadership Team