Genuine Parts Company
| File:Genuine Parts Company logo.svg | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| NYSE: GPC S&P 500 component | |
| Founded | 1925, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Founder | Carlyle and Malcolm Fraser |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Key people | Paul Donahue (executive chairman) Will Stengel (CEO) |
Number of employees | 48,001 |
| Subsidiaries | NAPA Auto Parts, Repco |
| Website | www |
Genuine Parts Company (GPC) is a U.S.-based distributor specializing in automotive and industrial parts, with its main office located in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1928 by the Fraser brothers, Carlyle and Malcolm Fraser, GPC employs close to 60,000 individuals.[1] The corporation operates internationally through subsidiaries such as industrial parts supplier Motion and NAPA Auto Parts, which primarily serves the North American market.[2]
Company overview
Formed in 1925,[3] Genuine Parts Company consists of several subsidiaries that distribute automotive replacement components, industrial supplies, office materials, and electrical products. Since going public in 1948, it has consistently paid cash dividends to its shareholders every year.[4] In June 2016, GPC moved its corporate headquarters to a new site within the Wildwood area of Cobb County, Georgia.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
To enhance operational efficiency, GPC divested its office products division, S. P. Richards, selling it to H.I.G. Capital on June 30, 2020.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Company History
The Genuine Parts Company was established in Atlanta in 1928 by brothers Carlyle and Malcolm Fraser.
From 1979 onward, GPC’s headquarters were situated at Circle 75 in Cobb County, occupying a 115,000-square-foot building that accommodated roughly 400 employees. In 2014, the company disclosed plans to relocate its headquarters to Wildwood Office Park, adjacent to an existing support center.
William P. Stengel II joined GPC as the first chief transformation officer in 2019. He advanced to president in 2021 and then became the chief operating officer in 2023. Stengel followed Paul Donahue, who served as CEO starting in 2016 before becoming chairman in 2019 and later transitioning to executive chairman in 2024. Donahue had succeeded Tom Gallagher, who held the CEO position and subsequently served as chairman until 2019.
GPC has earned significant accolades within the industry: ranked number 239 on Forbes America's Best Employers list in 2017; placed at number 262 among America's Largest Public Companies in 2018; listed at number 678 on Forbes' World Best Employers in 2020; and ranked number 731 on the Forbes Global 2000 list as of 2024.
Company timeline
- 1925 National Automotive Parts Association founded.
- 1928 Formation of Genuine Parts Company.
- 1948 Initial Public Offering by GPC.
- 1975 Acquisition of S.P. Richards Company.
- 1976 Purchase of Motion Industries.
- 1994 Established Joint Venture with Auto Todo.
- 1998 Acquisition of EIS.
- 2008 Acquisition of Altrom.
- 2013 Acquisition of GPC Asia Pacific.
- 2016 Acquisitions of AMX Superstores and Auto-Camping.
- 2017 Acquisition of Inenco Group (Australia).
- 2021 Acquisition of RSP Automotive & Industrial.
- 2024 Acquisition of Motor Parts & Equipment Corporation (MPEC).
Subsidiaries
GPC's business is primarily divided into two major segments: the industrial distribution arm, Motion Industries, and the automotive division, NAPA Auto Parts. Established in 1976 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, Motion Industries caters to nearly 170,000 clients, offering a wide range of products including automation, conveyors, hydraulics, fluid power systems, and robotics. Its electrical product branch, EIS Inc., was integrated into Motion in 2018 but later sold in 2019. As of 2023, Motion employs close to 9,000 individuals.
NAPA Auto Parts, which began operations in 1925, runs approximately 6,000 outlets as of 2020. While a portion of these stores are directly owned by the company, the majority operate independently. GPC broadened NAPA’s international presence through acquisitions such as Canadian UAP Inc. in 1998 and the Australian Exego Group in 2013.
Expansion for GPC is driven by acquisitions and strategic partnerships. In 2016 alone, the corporation and its subsidiaries completed the purchase of nineteen companies. Notable acquisitions include a 35% ownership interest in Australia’s Inenco Group and Europe’s Alliance Automotive Group in 2017, followed by the acquisition of Kaman Distribution Group (KDG) in 2022, which strengthened GPC’s offerings in industrial automation and fluid power sectors.
Former subsidiaries
In 1975, GPC acquired S.P. Richards, a distributor specializing in office supplies, technology accessories, furniture, JanSan products, and safety equipment. In 2018, GPC revealed plans to spin off S.P. Richards as an independent entity named Essendant and subsequently merge Essendant with S.P. Richards.
The divestiture of S.P. Richards occurred through multiple transactions during 2020. Initially, GPC sold its Canadian division; later, the U.S. segment was transferred to an investor consortium. Additionally, The Safety Zone and Impact Products units were sold to a firm affiliated with H.I.G. Capital. After these sales, GPC focused on maintaining its core operations: Motion Industries and NAPA Auto Parts.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedForbes2 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHockett - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedofficial - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedGPCReport2014