Genuine Parts Company announced future leadership teams and board leadership for its automotive and industrial businesses as it advances its planned separation into two independent, publicly traded companies.

As shared in a recent press release, the company's automotive business will operate as Genuine Parts Company, and its industrial business will operate as Motion, upon completion of the separation.

Court Carruthers, a current GPC Board member, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer-elect of GPC, effective immediately, and will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer upon completion of the separation, which is targeted for the first quarter of 2027.

Most recently, Carruthers served as Chief Executive Officer of TricorBraun, a global packaging distribution leader with 110 locations across North America, Europe and Australasia. During his tenure, revenue and EBITDA tripled while the company significantly expanded its global footprint. 

Previously, he spent 13 years at W.W. Grainger in various global leadership roles. Carruthers also brings earlier experience in the automotive aftermarket and independent-owner model through Grainger's former automotive joint venture in Canada. He has significant M&A, capital markets and public company governance expertise, including board service with US Foods, Ryerson Holding Corp., Foundation Building Materials and Dollarama.

In addition, Jean-Jacques Lafont, a current GPC Board member and Co-founder of GPC's European operations, has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman of GPC upon completion of the separation, bringing deep automotive aftermarket and independent-owner experience, global business expertise and a proven track record of organic and inorganic growth.

GPC Leadership Team and Board of Directors

The company also announced that Bert Nappier, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will serve as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Operating Officer of GPC, effective immediately.

The GPC leadership team, upon the separation, will include the following individuals:

• Court Carruthers, Chief Executive Officer-elect
• Bert Nappier, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Operating Officer
• Jenn Hulett, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer
• Chris Galla, Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
• Alain Masse, President, North America Automotive
• Franck Baduel, CEO European Automotive
• Rob Cameron, Managing Director and Group CEO, Australasia

Upon the separation, the GPC Board leadership will include:

• Jean-Jacques Lafont, Co-founder of GPC's European business, as Non-Executive Chairman
• Court Carruthers, Chief Executive Officer

Will Stengel, current chairman and chief executive officer of GPC, will join Motion as chairman and chief executive officer upon completion of the separation. He has served as a member of the GPC board of directors and as the company's chief executive officer since June 2024. He joined GPC in 2019 as executive vice president and chief transformation officer, and previously served as president of GPC from 2021 to 2023 and as president and chief operating officer beginning in 2023.

"The Board undertook a thoughtful and deliberate process to identify the right leaders for GPC and Motion's next chapters," said Russ Hardin, lead director of Genuine Parts Company. "We have great confidence in Will Stengel and Court Carruthers and believe their leadership and relevant expertise, supported by strong management teams and Board leadership, positions both companies to pursue their distinct strategies, accelerate growth and create long-term shareholder value."