Genuine Parts Company
An Atlanta-based distributor of automotive replacement parts and industrial components, operating through businesses such as NAPA Auto Parts and Motion.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Genuine Parts Company (GPC) is a United States-based distributor serving the automotive aftermarket and industrial supply markets. Founded in Atlanta in 1928 by brothers Carlyle and Malcolm Fraser, the company built its business around sourcing, warehousing, and distributing replacement parts and related products to professional customers, repair businesses, industrial operators, and retail channels. Rather than functioning primarily as a consumer manufacturer, GPC operates as a large-scale distribution platform whose value comes from breadth of inventory, logistics, technical support, local availability, and relationships with independent distributors and commercial customers. GPC's two principal operating businesses are NAPA Auto Parts and Motion. NAPA is the company's automotive aftermarket platform, primarily serving North America. Its network includes company-operated locations as well as a large number of independently owned and operated stores. NAPA's range covers replacement and maintenance parts, accessories, tools, and other products used by vehicle owners, repair shops, and fleet customers. The brand's distribution model combines national scale with local market coverage, allowing independent automotive businesses to access a broad catalog without relying solely on direct manufacturer channels. Motion is GPC's industrial distribution business. It began as a distributor of bearings and industrial supplies and expanded into automation, conveyance, hydraulics, fluid power, robotics, and other industrial technologies. Motion serves industrial manufacturers, maintenance departments, original equipment manufacturers, and other business customers. Its offering includes components and engineered solutions used to maintain equipment, improve plant operations, and support industrial production. The business is therefore more technically oriented and commercially focused than GPC's consumer-facing automotive activities. GPC expanded beyond its original United States base through acquisitions and international operations. Important transactions included the acquisition of Motion in 1976, the purchase of Canadian automotive distributor UAP in 1998, and the acquisition of Australian automotive supplier Exego Group in 2013. The company also acquired Alliance Automotive Group and other businesses in Europe, took a minority stake in Inenco Group, and acquired Kaman Distribution Group in 2022. These moves broadened GPC's geographic reach and strengthened its presence in both automotive aftermarket distribution and industrial supply. The company formerly operated S.P. Richards, a distributor of office products, technology accessories, furniture, janitorial and sanitation products, and safety supplies. GPC ultimately exited that business through transactions completed in 2020, concentrating its portfolio more clearly on automotive and industrial distribution. GPC also combined or reorganized certain industrial and electrical operations over time, including the merger of EIS with Motion in 2018 and the subsequent sale of EIS in 2019. GPC has been publicly traded under the ticker symbol GPC and has maintained its headquarters in the Atlanta area for much of its history. Its headquarters moved from the Circle 75 area to Wildwood Office Park after plans announced in 2014. William P. Stengel II is identified as president and chief executive officer. He joined GPC in 2019 as its first chief transformation officer, became president in 2021, and assumed the chief operating officer role in 2023 before becoming CEO. Paul Donahue, who became CEO in 2016, later moved into executive-chairman responsibilities. In February 2026, GPC announced a plan to separate its activities into two publicly traded companies; the cited material does not establish the final structure or completion status of that plan.
History
Genuine Parts Company was established in Atlanta in 1928 by brothers Carlyle and Malcolm Fraser. Its original development followed the model of a broadline parts distributor: the company assembled supplier relationships and inventory, then made replacement and maintenance components available through distribution channels serving automotive and industrial customers. This model positioned GPC between manufacturers and thousands of downstream businesses that needed reliable access to parts rather than direct sourcing from numerous individual producers. A major stage in GPC's industrial expansion came in 1976, when it acquired Motion. Motion had originated as a distributor of bearings and industrial supplies and subsequently broadened its portfolio to include automation, conveyance, hydraulics, fluid power, robotics, and related products. The acquisition gave GPC a substantial industrial platform alongside its automotive activities and established a business capable of serving maintenance, repair, and production requirements in industrial facilities. GPC also developed its automotive aftermarket presence through NAPA Auto Parts. NAPA was established before GPC's founding and became the company's principal automotive brand in North America. The NAPA network includes both GPC-operated locations and independently owned stores. This combination allowed the brand to extend its market reach through local operators while retaining the purchasing and distribution advantages of a national organization. By 2020, the NAPA network was reported to include approximately 6,000 stores. The company expanded internationally through acquisitions and operating units. GPC acquired Canadian automotive distributor UAP in 1998 and Australian automotive parts supplier Exego Group in 2013. In 2016, the company and its four business units acquired nineteen companies. In 2017, GPC acquired Alliance Automotive Group and purchased a 35 percent interest in Inenco Group. These transactions expanded the company's European and broader international presence and diversified its automotive and industrial distribution capabilities. GPC's portfolio was not always limited to automotive and industrial products. In 1975, it acquired S.P. Richards, a distributor of office products, technology products and accessories, office furniture, janitorial and sanitation supplies, and safety products. In 2018, GPC explored combining S.P. Richards with Essendant after a proposed spin-off, but the proposed transaction did not close. Essendant instead accepted an acquisition by Sycamore Partners. GPC then sold S.P. Richards through transactions beginning with the Canadian division in January 2020; the U.S. operations and Supply Source Enterprise activities were subsequently sold to other buyers. The divestitures reflected a narrowing of strategic focus toward automotive and industrial distribution. The company's headquarters were located in the Circle 75 area of Cobb County from 1979. The site contained approximately 115,000 square feet and housed about 400 employees. In 2014, GPC announced plans to relocate to Wildwood Office Park near an existing operational support facility. Leadership transitioned during the 2010s and 2020s. Paul Donahue became chief executive officer in 2016, succeeding Tom Gallagher, who initially remained chairman. Donahue was elected chairman by the board in 2019 and later became executive chairman in 2024. William P. Stengel II joined GPC in 2019 as its first chief transformation officer, became president in 2021, and became chief operating officer in 2023. He is identified in the cited material as GPC's president and CEO. On February 17, 2026, GPC announced a plan to separate into two publicly traded companies. The available reference describes the announcement but does not establish whether the separation had been completed, what businesses would be assigned to each company, or the definitive transaction terms.
- 2026
Planned separation announced
[1]GPC announced a plan to separate into two publicly traded companies.
- 2022
Kaman Distribution Group acquired
[1]GPC acquired Kaman Distribution Group, expanding its industrial distribution capabilities.
- 2020
S.P. Richards divested
[1]GPC completed a series of transactions selling S.P. Richards businesses.
- 2019
EIS sold and Stengel joins GPC
[1]GPC sold EIS and appointed William P. Stengel II as its first chief transformation officer.
- 2018
EIS merged with Motion
[1]GPC merged its electrical-products division, EIS, with Motion.
- 2017
Alliance Automotive Group acquired and Inenco stake purchased
[1]GPC acquired Alliance Automotive Group and took a 35 percent stake in Inenco Group.
- 2016
Leadership change and acquisition expansion
[1]Paul Donahue became CEO, while GPC and its business units acquired nineteen companies during the year.
- 2014
Headquarters relocation announced
[1]GPC announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Wildwood Office Park.
- 2013
Exego Group acquired
[1]GPC acquired Australian automotive supplier Exego Group.
- 1998
UAP acquired
[1]GPC acquired Canadian automotive parts distributor UAP.
Products and positioning
A multi-channel B2B distributor combining national procurement and logistics scale with local automotive and industrial market coverage.
Automotive aftermarket distribution
NAPA Auto Parts
NAPA Auto Parts is GPC's principal automotive aftermarket brand in North America. Its network distributes replacement and maintenance parts, accessories, tools, and related products to professional repair businesses, fleet operators, and retail customers. Locations may be operated by GPC or by independent owners. The network model combines local store-level service with centralized purchasing, inventory, and distribution capabilities.
Industrial parts and solutions distribution · 1976
Motion
Motion is GPC's industrial distribution business. It supplies bearings, power-transmission components, automation products, conveyance equipment, hydraulics, fluid-power products, robotics-related equipment, and other industrial supplies. Motion serves industrial customers, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, and original equipment manufacturers, combining product distribution with technical and engineered support.
Office and workplace supplies · 1975
S.P. Richards
S.P. Richards was a former GPC business distributing office products, technology accessories, office furniture, janitorial and sanitation products, and safety supplies. GPC explored combining it with Essendant in 2018, but that transaction was not completed. The business was divested through multiple transactions beginning in 2020.
Brand decisions
2026
Plan to separate the company into two public companiesStrategyBackground
GPC announced a corporate separation plan affecting its publicly traded structure.
Action taken
The company announced its intention to split into two publicly traded companies.
Aftermath
The available reference does not provide final transaction terms or confirm completion.
2022
Acquisition of Kaman Distribution GroupM&ABackground
GPC sought to expand its industrial distribution portfolio in areas including automation, conveyance, and fluid power.
Action taken
GPC acquired Kaman Distribution Group.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened GPC's Motion-related industrial capabilities.
2018
Attempted S.P. Richards and Essendant combinationStrategyBackground
GPC sought to reorganize its workplace-essentials activities by proposing a combination of S.P. Richards with Essendant after a planned spin-off.
Action taken
The proposed combination was not completed after Essendant rejected the deal and accepted a buyout by Sycamore Partners.
Aftermath
GPC subsequently sold S.P. Richards through a series of transactions in 2020 and continued focusing on Motion and NAPA Auto Parts.
Recent events
Genuine Parts Company reports third-quarter 2026 results[3]
Reported:
Genuine Parts Company reported its third-quarter 2026 results.
Genuine Parts Company completes sale of S.P. Richards operations[4]
Reported:
Genuine Parts Company completed the sale of S.P. Richards' core U.S. operations to an investor group and its Supply Source Enterprises business, including The Safety Zone and Impact Products operations, to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital.
Sources4 sources
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