Genuine Parts Company - 10-K annual report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genuine Parts Company, a Georgia corporation incorporated on May 7, 1928, is a service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products and electrical/electronic materials. In 2008, business was conducted throughout the United States, in Canada and in Mexico from approximately 2,000 locations. As used in this report, the “Company” refers to Genuine Parts Company and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated by the context; and the terms “automotive parts” and “industrial parts” refer to replacement parts in each respective category.

 

Financial Information about Segments.  For financial information regarding segments as well as our geographic areas of operation, refer to “Segment Data” and to Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report, both of which are filed as part of Exhibit 13 to this report and both incorporated herein by reference.

 

Competition — General.  The distribution business, which includes all segments of the Company’s business, is highly competitive with the principal methods of competition being product quality, sufficiency of inventory, price and the ability to give the customer prompt and dependable service. The Company anticipates no decline in competition in any of its business segments in the foreseeable future.

 

Employees.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company employed approximately 30,300 persons.

 

Available Information.  The Company’s internet website can be found at www.genpt.com. The Company makes available, free of charge through its internet website, access to the Company’s annual report onForm 10-K,quarterly reports onForm 10-Q,current reports onForm 8-K,proxy statement and other reports, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Additionally, our corporate governance guidelines, codes of conduct and ethics, and charters of the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board of Directors, as well as information regarding our director nominating process and our procedure for shareholders to communicate with our Board of Directors, are available on our website. We will furnish copies of all of the above information free of charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

 

In Part III of thisForm 10-K,we incorporate certain information by reference to our proxy statement for our 2009 annual meeting of shareholders. We expect to file that proxy statement with the SEC on or about February 27, 2009, and we will make it available online at the same time athttp://www.proxydocs.com/gpc.Please refer to the proxy statement when it is available.

 

The Automotive Parts Group, the largest division of the Company, distributes automotive replacement parts and accessory items. The Company is the largest member, with approximately 95% ownership, of the National Automotive Parts Association (“NAPA”), a voluntary trade association formed in 1925 to provide nationwide distribution of automotive parts. In addition to over 380,000 available part numbers, the Company, in conjunction with NAPA, offers complete inventory, cataloging, marketing, training and other programs in the automotive aftermarket.

 

During 2008, the Company’s Automotive Parts Group included NAPA automotive parts distribution centers and automotive parts stores (“auto parts stores” or “NAPA AUTO PARTS stores”) owned and operated in the United States by the Company; NAPA and TRACTION automotive parts distribution centers and auto parts stores in the United States and Canada owned and operated by the Company and NAPA Canada/UAP Inc. (“NAPA Canada/UAP”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; auto parts stores and distribution centers in the United States operated by corporations in which the Company owned either a minority or majority interest; auto parts stores in Canada operated by corporations in which UAP owns a 50% interest; distribution centers in the United States owned by Balkamp, Inc. (“Balkamp”), a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company; rebuilding and distribution plants in the United States owned by the Company and operated by its Rayloc division; and automotive parts distribution

centers and automotive parts stores in Mexico, owned and operated by Grupo Auto Todo, S.A. de C.V. (“Auto Todo”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company increased its ownership interest in Altrom Canada Corp. and Altrom America Corp. to 100%. At December 31, 2008, the import automotive parts distribution centers in Canada are operated by Altrom Canada Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The import automotive parts distribution centers in the United States are operated by Altrom America, a division of the Company.

 

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company sold all of its interests in Johnson Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary that provided automotive supplies, primarily to large fleets and new car dealers.

 

The Company has a 15% interest in Mitchell Repair Information (“MRIC”), a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated. MRIC is a leading automotive diagnostic and repair information company with over 40,000 North American subscribers linked to its services and information databases. MRIC’s core product, “Mitchell ON-DEMAND,” is a premier electronic repair information source in the automotive aftermarket.

 

The Company’s NAPA automotive parts distribution centers distribute replacement parts (other than body parts) for substantially all motor vehicle makes and models in service in the United States, including imported vehicles, trucks, SUVs, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and farm vehicles. In addition, the Company distributes replacement parts for small engines, farm equipment and heavy duty equipment. The Company’s inventories also include accessory items for such vehicles and equipment, and supply items used by a wide variety of customers in the automotive aftermarket, such as repair shops, service stations, fleet operators, automobile and truck dealers, leasing companies, bus and truck lines, mass merchandisers, farms, industrial concerns and individuals who perform their own maintenance and parts installation. Although the Company’s domestic automotive operations purchase from more than 90 different suppliers, approximately 52% of 2008 automotive parts inventories were purchased from 10 major suppliers. Since 1931, the Company has had return privileges with most of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

 

Distribution System.  In 2008, the Company operated 58 domestic NAPA automotive parts distribution centers located in 39 states and approximately 1,100 domestic company-owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located in 43 states. At December 31, 2008, Genuine Parts Company owned either a minority or majority interest in three corporations, which operated approximately 19 auto parts stores in three states, and a subsidiary corporation operating three distribution centers in three states.

 

NAPA Canada/UAP, founded in 1926, is a Canadian leader in the distribution and marketing of replacement parts and accessories for automobiles and trucks. NAPA Canada/UAP employs approximately 3,600 people and operates a network of 12 distribution centers and three branches supplying approximately 590 NAPA stores and 92 TRACTION wholesalers. TRACTION is a supplier of parts to small and large fleet owners and operators and, together with NAPA stores, is a significant supplier to the mining and forestry industries. These include approximately 208 company owned stores, 21 joint venture or progressive owners in which NAPA Canada/UAP owns a 50% interest and approximately 454 independently owned stores. NAPA and TRACTION operations supply bannered installers and independent installers in all provinces of Canada, as well as networks of service station and repair shops operating under the banners of national accounts. UAP is a licensee of the NAPA^®name in Canada.

 

In Canada, Altrom Canada Corp. operates 15 import automotive parts distribution centers. In the United States, Altrom America operates two import automotive parts distribution centers.

 

In Mexico, Auto Todo owns and operates nine distribution centers, four auto parts stores and four tire centers. Auto Todo is a licensee of the NAPA^®name in Mexico.

 

The Company’s domestic distribution centers serve approximately 4,800 independently owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located throughout the market areas served in the United States. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, in turn, sell to a wide variety of customers in the automotive aftermarket. Collectively, these independent automotive parts stores account for approximately 24% of the Company’s total sales with no automotive parts store or group of automotive parts stores with individual or common ownership accounting for more than 0.25% of the total sales of the Company.

Products.  Distribution centers have access to over 380,000 different parts and related supply items. Each item is cataloged and numbered for identification and accessibility. Significant inventories are carried to provide for fast and frequent deliveries to customers. Most orders are filled and shipped the same day as received. The majority of sales are on terms that require payment within 30 days of the statement date. The Company does not manufacture any of the products it distributes. The majority of products are distributed under the NAPA^®name, a mark licensed to the Company by NAPA.

 

Related Operations.  Balkamp distributes a wide variety of replacement parts and accessory items for passenger cars, heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles and farm equipment. In addition, Balkamp distributes service items such as testing equipment, lubricating equipment, gauges, cleaning supplies, chemicals and supply items used by repair shops, fleets, farms and institutions. Balkamp packages many of the 43,000 products, which constitute the “Balkamp” line of products that are distributed to the members of NAPA. These products are categorized into over 220 different product groups purchased from approximately 600 domestic suppliers and 100 foreign manufacturers. In addition, Balkamp operates two Redistribution Centers that provide NAPA with over 1,000 SKUs of oils, chemicals and procurement items. BALKAMP^®, a federally registered trademark, is important to the sales and marketing promotions of the Balkamp organization. Balkamp has four distribution centers located in Indianapolis and Plainfield, Indiana, Greenwood, Mississippi and West Jordan, Utah.

 

The Company, through its Rayloc division, also operates three facilities where certain small automotive parts are rebuilt or distributed to the members of NAPA under the NAPA^®brand name. Rayloc^®is a mark licensed to the Company by NAPA.

 

The Company’s Heavy Vehicle Parts Group operates as TW Distribution, with one warehouse location in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves 18 Traction Heavy Duty parts stores, of which 13 are owned and located in the United States. This group distributes heavy vehicle parts through the NAPA system and direct to small fleet owners and operators.

 

Segment Data.  In the year ended December 31, 2008, sales from the Automotive Parts Group were approximately 48% of the Company’s net sales, as compared to 49% in 2007 and 2006.

 

Service to NAPA AUTO PARTS Stores.  The Company believes that the quality and the range of services provided to its automotive parts customers constitute a significant advantage for its automotive parts distribution system. Such services include fast and frequent delivery, obsolescence protection, parts cataloging (including the use of electronic NAPA AUTO PARTS catalogs) and stock adjustment through a continuing parts classification system which allows independent retailers (“jobbers”) to return certain merchandise on a scheduled basis. The Company offers its NAPA AUTO PARTS store customers various management aids, marketing aids and service on topics such as inventory control, cost analysis, accounting procedures, group insurance and retirement benefit plans, as well as marketing conferences and seminars, sales and advertising manuals and training programs. Point of sale/inventory management is available through TAMS^®(Total Automotive Management Systems), a computer system designed and developed by the Company for the NAPA AUTO PARTS stores.

 

In association with NAPA, the Company has developed and refined an inventory classification system to determine optimum distribution center and auto parts store inventory levels for automotive parts stocking based on automotive registrations, usage rates, production statistics, technological advances and other similar factors. This system, which undergoes continuous analytical review, is an integral part of the Company’s inventory control procedures and comprises an important feature of the inventory management services that the Company makes available to its NAPA AUTO PARTS store customers. Over the last 10 years, losses to the Company from obsolescence have been insignificant and the Company attributes this to the successful operation of its classification system, which involves product return privileges with most of its suppliers.

 

Competition.  In the distribution of automotive parts, the Company competes with automobile manufacturers (some of which sell replacement parts for vehicles built by other manufacturers as well as those that they build themselves), automobile dealers, warehouse clubs and large automotive parts retail chains. In addition, the Company competes with the distributing outlets of parts manufacturers, oil companies, mass merchandisers, including national retail chains, and with other parts distributors and retailers.

NAPA.  The Company is a member of the National Automotive Parts Association, a voluntary association formed in 1925 to provide nationwide distribution of automotive replacement parts. NAPA, which neither buys nor sells automotive parts, functions as a trade association whose members in 2008 operated 64 distribution centers located throughout the United States, 58 of which were owned and operated by the Company. NAPA develops marketing concepts and programs that may be used by its members. It is not involved in the chain of distribution.

 

Among the automotive lines that each NAPA member purchases and distributes are certain lines designated, cataloged, advertised and promoted as “NAPA” lines. The members are not required to purchase any specific quantity of parts so designated and may, and do, purchase competitive lines from other supply sources.

 

The Company and the other NAPA members use the federally registered trademark NAPA^®as part of the trade name of their distribution centers and parts stores. The Company contributes to NAPA’s national advertising program, which is designed to increase public recognition of the NAPA name and to promote NAPA product lines.

 

The Company is a party, together with other members of NAPA and NAPA itself, to a consent decree entered by the Federal District Court in Detroit, Michigan, on May 4, 1954. The consent decree enjoins certain practices under the federal antitrust laws, including the use of exclusive agreements with manufacturers of automotive parts, allocation or division of territories among several NAPA members, fixing of prices or terms of sale for such parts among such members, and agreements to adhere to any uniform policy in selecting parts customers or determining the number and location of, or arrangements with, auto parts customers.

 

The Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts and related supplies throughout the United States and Canada. This group distributes bearings, mechanical power transmission, industrial automation, hose, hydraulic and pneumatic components, industrial supplies and material handling products. The Industrial Parts Group continues to enhance communication and process activities through three distinct programs: motionindustries.com, an internet-based procurement system; MiSupplierConnect, a manufacturer communication and fulfillment system; and inMotion, an internal employee communication source and operational reporting system.

 

The Company distributes industrial parts in the United States through Motion Industries, Inc. (“Motion”), headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Motion is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In Canada, industrial parts are distributed by Motion Industries (Canada), Inc. (“Motion Canada”), an operating group in the Company’s North American structure.

 

During 2008, Motion acquired the assets of Drago Supply Company with eight locations, Mill Supply Corporation with five locations, and Monroe Rubber and Plastic Supply with one location. All of the acquired companies are distributors of industrial parts and supplies in the United States.

 

As of December 31, 2008, the Industrial Parts Group served more than 100,000 customers in all types of industries located throughout the United States and Canada, including the food, forest products, primary metal, paper, mining, automotive, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.

 

Distribution System.  In North America, the Industrial Parts Group operates 472 branches, 10 distribution centers and 36 service centers as of December 31, 2008. The distribution centers stock and distribute more than 80,000 different items purchased from more than 250 different suppliers. The service centers provide hydraulic, hose and mechanical repairs for customers. Approximately 44% of 2008 total industrial product purchases were made from 10 major suppliers. Sales are generated from the Industrial Parts Group’s branches located in 47 states, Puerto Rico, and, nine provinces in Canada. Each branch has warehouse facilities that stock significant amounts of inventory representative of the lines of products used by customers in the respective market area served.

 

Motion Canada operates two distribution centers for the 47 Canadian branches serving industrial and agricultural markets.

 

Products.  The Industrial Parts Group distributes a wide variety of products to its customers, primarily industrial concerns, to maintain and operate plants, machinery and equipment. Products include such items as hoses, belts, bearings, pulleys, pumps, valves, chains, gears, sprockets, speed reducers and electric motors. The

nature of this group’s business demands the maintenance of large inventories and the ability to promptly meet demanding delivery requirements. Virtually all of the products distributed are installed by the customer. Most orders are filled immediately from existing stock and deliveries are normally made within 24 hours of receipt of order. The majority of all sales are on open account.

 

Supply Agreements.  Non-exclusive distributor agreements are in effect with most of the Industrial Parts Group’s suppliers. The terms of these agreements vary; however, it has been the experience of the Industrial Parts Group that the custom of the trade is to treat such agreements as continuing until breached by one party or until terminated by mutual consent. The Company has return privileges with most of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

 

Segment Data.  In the year ended December 31, 2008, sales from the Company’s Industrial Parts Group approximated 32% of the Company’s net sales, as compared to 31% in 2007 and 30% in 2006.

 

Competition.  The Industrial Parts Group competes with other distributors specializing in the distribution of such items, general line distributors and others who provide similar services. To a lesser extent, the Industrial Parts Group competes with manufacturers that sell directly to the customer.

 

The Office Products Group, operated through S. P. Richards Company (“S. P. Richards”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. S. P. Richards is engaged in the wholesale distribution of a broad line of office and other business related products that are used in the daily operation of businesses, schools, offices and institutions. Office products fall into the general categories of computer supplies, imaging products, office furniture, office machines, general office products, school supplies, cleaning and breakroom supplies, and healthcare products.

 

The Office Products Group is represented in Canada through S. P. Richards Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and is headquartered near Toronto, Ontario. S. P. Richards Canada services office product resellers throughout Canada from locations in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

 

In 2008, S. P. Richards acquired the assets of three regional distributors: O’Henry, Inc. in North Carolina; the midwest division of Action/Emco Wholesale in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and PPI Wholesale Office Supplies located in southern California. Action/Emco and O’Henry distribute general office supplies and furniture, and PPI Wholesale is engaged in the distribution of general office and school supplies.

 

Distribution System.  The Office Products Group distributes more than 50,000 items to over 7,000 business product resellers throughout the United States and Canada from a network of 45 distribution centers. This network of strategically located distribution centers provides overnight delivery of the Company’s comprehensive product offering. Approximately 55% of the Company’s 2008 total office products purchases were made from 10 major suppliers.

 

The Office Products Group sells strictly to resellers of office products. These resellers include independently owned office product dealers, national office product superstores and mass merchants, large contract stationers, mail order companies, Internet resellers and college bookstores. Resellers are offered comprehensive marketing programs, which include print catalogs and flyers, electronic content for reseller websites, and education and training resources.

 

Products.  The Office Products Group distributes computer supplies including storage media, printer supplies and computer accessories; office furniture including desks, credenzas, chairs, chair mats, partitions, files and computer furniture; office machines including telephones, answering machines, calculators, fax machines, multi-function copiers, printers, digital cameras, laminators and shredders; general office supplies including desk accessories, business forms, accounting supplies, binders, filing supplies, report covers, writing instruments, envelopes, note pads, copy paper, mailroom supplies, drafting supplies and audiovisual supplies; school supplies including bulletin boards, teaching aids and art supplies; healthcare products; janitorial supplies including cleaning supplies, paper towels and trash can liners; and breakroom supplies including napkins, utensils, snacks and

beverages. S. P. Richards has return privileges with most of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

 

While the Company’s inventory includes products from over 400 of the industry’s leading manufacturers worldwide, S. P. Richards also markets nine proprietary brands of items. These brands include: SPARCO^®, an economical line of office supply basics; Compucessory^tm, a line of computer accessories; Lorell, a line of office furniture; NATURE SAVER^®, an offering of recycled products; Elite Image^tm, a line of new and remanufactured toner cartridges, premium papers and labels; Integra, a line of writing instruments; Genuine Joe, a line of cleaning and breakroom products; and Atlantic Breeze and Heat Runner, two lines of climate control products.

 

Segment Data.  In each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, sales from the Company’s Office Products Group were approximately 16% of the Company’s net sales, as compared to 17% in 2006.

 

Competition.  In the distribution of office supplies to retail dealers, S. P. Richards competes with many other wholesale distributors as well as with certain manufacturers of office products.

 

The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group was formed on July 1, 1998 through the acquisition of EIS, Inc. (“EIS”) headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. This Group distributes materials to more than 20,000 electrical and electronic manufacturers in North America. With 33 branch locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Canada, this Group distributes over 100,000 items, from insulating and conductive materials to assembly tools and test equipment. EIS also has three manufacturing facilities that provide custom fabricated parts.

 

During 2008, EIS acquired the assets of C.H. Clowers Supply Company, an electrical distribution company, with one location in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Clowers is a complementary acquisition, which enhances the ability of EIS to distribute materials in the state of Arkansas.

 

Distribution System.  The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group provides distribution services to original equipment manufacturers, motor repair shops and assembly markets. EIS actively utilizes itsE-commerceInternet site to present its products to customers while allowing these on-line visitors to conveniently purchase from a large product assortment.

 

Electrical and electronic products are distributed from warehouse locations in major user markets throughout the United States, as well as in Mexico and Canada. The Company has return privileges with some of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

 

Products.  The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group distributes a wide variety of products to customers from over 350 vendors. These products include custom fabricated flexible materials that are used as components within a customer’s manufactured finished product in a variety of market segments. Among the products distributed and fabricated are such items as magnet wire, conductive materials, insulating and shielding materials, assembly tools, test equipment, adhesives and chemicals, pressure sensitive tapes, solder, anti-static products and thermal management products. To meet the prompt delivery demands of its customers, this Group maintains large inventories. The majority of sales are on open account. Approximately 45% of 2008 total Electrical/Electronic Materials Group purchases were made from 10 major suppliers.

 

Integrated Supply.  The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group’s integrated supply programs are a part of the marketing strategy, as a greater number of customers — especially national accounts — are given the opportunity to participate in this low-cost, high-service capability. The Group developed AIMS (Advanced Inventory Management System), a totally integrated, highly automated solution for inventory management. The Group’s Integrated Supply offering also includes SupplyPro, an electronic vending dispenser used to eliminate costly tool cribs, or in-house stores, at customer warehouse facilities.

 

Segment Data.  In each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, sales from the Company’s Electrical/Electronic Materials Group approximated 4% of the Company’s net sales.

Competition.  The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group competes with other distributors specializing in the distribution of electrical and electronic products, general line distributors and, to a lesser extent, manufacturers that sell directly to customers.

 

Set forth below are some risks and uncertainties that, if they were to occur, could materially and adversely affect our business or could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this report and in the other public statements we make. Our forward-looking statements may relate, for example, to our future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, economic performance (including growth and earnings), industry conditions and demand for our products and services. While we believe that our expectations for the future are reasonable in view of currently available information, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, due in part to the risk factors below.

 

Forward-looking statements made herein, as well as in materials we file with the SEC or otherwise release to the public, including materials that we make available on our website and verbal statements made by senior officers to analysts, investors, the media and others, are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequentForms 10-Q,10-K,8-K and other reports to the SEC.

 

As a distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts, office products and electrical/electronic materials, our business depends on developing and maintaining close and productive relationships with our vendors. We depend on our vendors to sell us quality products at favorable prices. Many factors outside our control may harm our relationships with our vendors. For example, financial or operational difficulties with a vendor could cause that vendor to increase the cost of the products we purchase from it. Vendor consolidation could also limit the number of suppliers from which we may purchase products and could materially affect the prices we pay for these products. Also, consolidation among automotive parts or industrial parts and office product suppliers could disrupt our relationship with some vendors. In our automotive business, the number of vendors could decrease considerably, and the prices charged to us by the remaining vendors could increase, as vehicle production slows due to the decline in consumer spending and, possibly, the failure of one or more of the large automobile manufacturers. We would suffer an adverse impact if our vendors limit or cancel the return privileges that currently protect us from inventory obsolescence. A disruption of our vendor relationships or a disruption in our vendors’ operations could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Our business and results of operations may continue to be adversely impacted by declining global, national and local economic conditions and their impact on levels of consumer, commercial and industrial spending. These economic conditions have deteriorated significantly in recent months. Some of the factors that have contributed to recent reduced levels of spending include conditions in the residential real estate and mortgage markets, conditions in the automobile industry, increases in fuel and other energy costs, labor and healthcare costs, access to credit, high unemployment rates, declining consumer confidence and other macroeconomic factors. These factors had a material adverse effect on demand for the Company’s products and services and on the Company’s financial condition and operating results in the fourth quarter of 2008. The current difficult economic climate is not expected to improve significantly in the near term, and the resulting low levels of consumer, commercial and industrial spending could continue to result in weakened demand for the products of all of our business groups for the foreseeable future.

 

Our business depends on customer demand for the products that we distribute. Demand for these products depends on many factors.

 

With respect to our automotive group, the primary factors are:

 

 

With respect to our industrial parts group, the primary factors are:

 

 

With respect to our office products group, the primary factors are :

 

 

With respect to our electrical/electronic materials group, the primary factors are:

 

 

The sale of automotive and industrial parts, office products and electronic materials is highly competitive and impacted by many factors including name recognition, product availability, customer service, anticipating changing customer preferences, store location, and pricing pressures. Because we seek to offer competitive prices, if our competitors reduce their prices, we may be forced to reduce our prices, which could result in a material decline in our revenues and earnings. Increased competition among distributors of automotive and industrial parts, office products and electronic materials, including internet-related initiatives, could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

In particular, the market for replacement automotive parts is highly competitive and subjects us to a wide variety of competitors. We compete primarily with national and regional auto parts chains, independently owned regional and local automotive parts and accessories stores, automobile dealers that supply manufacturer replacement parts and accessories, mass merchandisers and wholesale clubs that sell automotive products and regional and local full service automotive repair shops. If we are unable to continue to develop successful competitive strategies, including internet related initiatives, or if our competitors develop more effective strategies, we could lose customers and our sales and profits may decline.

 

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than twelve months. In the past several months, volatility and disruptions have increased and recently reached unprecedented levels. We have exposure to counterparties with which we routinely execute transactions. Such counterparties include commercial banks, insurance companies, investment funds and other financial institutions, some of which may be exposed to bankruptcy or liquidity risks. While we have not realized any significant losses to date, a bankruptcy or illiquidity event by one of our significant counterparties could materially and adversely affect our access to capital, future business and results of operations.

 

Not applicable.

 

The Company’s headquarters and Automotive Parts Group headquarters are located in two adjacent office buildings owned by the Company in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

The Company’s Automotive Parts Group currently operates 58 NAPA Distribution Centers in the United States distributed among eight geographic divisions. Approximately 90% of the distribution center properties are owned by the Company. At December 31, 2008, the Company operated approximately 1,100 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located in 43 states, and the Company owned either a minority or majority interest in approximately 19 additional auto parts stores and three distribution centers located in six states. Other than NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located within Company owned distribution centers, the majority of the automotive parts stores in which the Company has an ownership interest were operated in leased facilities. In addition, NAPA Canada/UAP operates 12 distribution centers and approximately 229 automotive parts and TRACTION stores in Canada, and Auto Todo operates nine distribution centers and eight stores and tire centers in Mexico. These operations are operated in leased facilities.

 

The Company’s Automotive Parts Group also operates four Balkamp distribution centers, one Rayloc rebuilding and distribution facility and two transfer and shipping facilities. Finally, Altrom Canada operates 15 import parts distribution centers, Altrom America operates two import parts distribution centers and the Heavy Vehicle Parts Group operates one TW distribution center, which serves 18 Traction stores of which 13 are company owned and located in the US. These operations are operated in leased facilities.

 

The Company’s Industrial Parts Group, operating through Motion and Motion Canada, operates 10 distribution centers, 36 service centers and 472 branches. Approximately 90% of these branches are operated in leased facilities.

 

The Company’s Office Products Group operates 40 facilities in the United States and five facilities in Canada distributed among the Group’s five geographic divisions. Approximately 75% of these facilities are operated in leased buildings.

 

The Company’s Electrical/Electronic Materials Group operates in 30 locations in the United States, one location in Puerto Rico, one location in the Dominican Republic, three locations in Mexico and one location in Canada. All of this Group’s 36 facilities are operated in leased buildings except one facility, which is owned.

 

For additional information regarding rental expense on leased properties, see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on the Company’s 2008 Annual Report.

 

The Company is subject to various legal and governmental proceedings, many involving routine litigation incidental to the businesses, including approximately 1,500 product liability lawsuits resulting from its national distribution of automotive parts and supplies. Many of these involve claims of personal injury allegedly resulting from the use of automotive parts distributed by the Company. While litigation of any type contains an element of uncertainty, the Company believes that its defense and ultimate resolution of pending and reasonably anticipated claims will continue to occur within the ordinary course of the Company’s business and that resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Certain information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Market Price and Dividend Information” in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

All of our sales of securities in 2008 were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

The following table provides information about the purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock during the three month period ended December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Selected Financial Data” in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information related to this item is set forth under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information required by this item is set forth in Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Financial Statements” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and under the heading “Quarterly Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

None.

 

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in SECRule 13a-15(e).Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

A report of management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 is set forth under the heading “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

None.

 

 

Executive officers of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors and each serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until his successor has been elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification. The current executive officers of the Company are:

 

Thomas C. Gallagher, age 61, has been President of the Company since 1990, Chief Executive Officer since August 2004 and Chairman of the Board since February 2005. Mr. Gallagher served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 1990 until August 2004.

 

Jerry W. Nix, age 63, was appointed as a director of the Company and elected Vice-Chairman by the Board of Directors in November 2005. He is Executive Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, a position he has held since 2000. Previously, Mr. Nix held the position of Senior Vice President-Finance from 1990 to 2000.

 

Robert J. Susor, age 63, has been the Executive Vice President of the Company since 2003. Mr. Susor previously served as Senior Vice President-Market Development from 1991 to 2003.

 

Paul D. Donahue, age 52, was appointed Executive Vice President of the Company in August 2007. Previously, Mr. Donahue was President and Chief Operating Officer of S.P. Richards Company from 2004 to 2007 and was Executive Vice President — Sales and Marketing in 2003, the year he joined the Company. Prior to S. P. Richards, Mr. Donahue was President of Sanford North America, a division of Newell Rubbermaid, from 1999 to 2002.

 

Larry R. Samuelson, age 62, was appointed President of the Automotive Parts Group in January 2004. Mr. Samuelson previously served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer of NAPA Canada/UAP Inc. from February 2000 to January 2004.

 

Further information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Nominees for Director”, under the heading “Corporate Governance — Code of Conduct and Ethics”, under the heading “Corporate Governance -Board Committees-Audit Committee”, and under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Executive Compensation”, “Additional Information Regarding Executive Compensation”, “2008 Summary Compensation”, “2008 Grants of Plan-Based Awards”, “2008 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End”, “2008 Option Exercises and Stock Vested”, “2008 Pension Benefits”, “2008 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation”, “Post Termination Payments and Benefits”, “Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee Report”, “Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, and “Audit Committee Report” of the Proxy Statement. All such information in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference, except that the information contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee Report” or under the heading “Audit Committee Report” is specifically not so incorporated herein by reference.

 

Certain information required by this item is set forth below. Additional information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Security Ownership of Management” of the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The following table gives information as of December 31, 2008 about the common stock that may be issued under all of the Company’s existing equity compensation plans:

 

 

 

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Corporate Governance — Independent Directors” and “Transactions with Related Persons” of the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Proposal 2. Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors” of the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(a) Documents filed as part of this report

 

(1) Financial Statements

 

The following consolidated financial statements of Genuine Parts Company and subsidiaries and related reports of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, included in the Annual Report, are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm on internal control over financial reporting

 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm on the financial statements

 

Consolidated balance sheets — December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

Consolidated statements of income — Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity — Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

Consolidated statements of cash flows — Years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

Notes to consolidated financial statements — December 31, 2008

 

(2) Financial Statement Schedules

 

The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Genuine Parts Company and subsidiaries, set forth immediately following the signature page of this report, is filed pursuant to Item 15(c):

 

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

 

(3) Exhibits.

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of or incorporated by reference in this report. Exhibits that are incorporated by reference to documents filed previously by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under FileNo. 1-5690.The Company will furnish a copy of any exhibit upon request to the Company’s Corporate Secretary.

 

 

 

Instruments with respect to long-term debt where the total amount of securities authorized there under does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis have not been filed. The Registrant agrees to furnish to the Commission a copy of each such instrument upon request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Exhibits

 

See the response to Item 15(a)(3) above.

 

(c) Financial Statement Schedules

 

See the response to Item 15(a)(2) above.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

Financial Statement Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Genuine Parts Company and Subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

The following exhibits are filed (or furnished, if so indicated) herewith as a part of this Report:

 

 

 

 

The following exhibits are incorporated by reference as set forth in Item 15 of thisForm 10-K:

 

 

Instruments with respect to long-term debt where the total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis have not been filed. The Registrant agrees to furnish to the Commission a copy of each such instrument upon request.