Genuine Parts Company has named the leadership teams and board leadership for its Automotive and Industrial businesses as it prepares to separate the operations into two independent publicly traded companies in the first quarter of 2027.
Following the separation, the Automotive business will retain the Genuine Parts Company, or GPC, name, while the Industrial business will operate as Motion.
Court Carruthers has been appointed CEO-elect of GPC, effective immediately, and will become CEO after the separation. Current board member and co-founder of GPC’s European operations Jean-Jacques Lafont will become Non-Executive Chairman of the standalone automotive company.
Carruthers previously served as CEO of TricorBraun, where revenue and EBITDA tripled during his tenure. Before that, he spent 13 years with W.W. Grainger, ultimately serving as Group President, Americas, with responsibility for a $9 billion distribution business. He has completed more than 100 acquisitions during his career.
GPC’s leadership team will also include Bert Nappier as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Operating Officer; Jenn Hulett as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer; Chris Galla as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; Alain Masse as President of North America Automotive; Franck Baduel as CEO of European Automotive; and Rob Cameron as Managing Director and Group CEO of Australasia.
Current Genuine Parts Company Chairman and CEO Will Stengel will become Chairman and CEO of Motion. He has served as GPC’s CEO since June 2024 and previously held senior positions at HD Supply and GPC.
James Howe will serve as President and COO of Motion, while former Ball Corporation CFO Howard Yu will become Executive Vice President and CFO. Kevin Stone will serve as Executive Vice President and CIO, and Billy Hamilton will become Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
GPC and Motion will hold separate investor days in New York on December 8 and December 9, 2026, respectively. The separation remains targeted for the first quarter of 2027, subject to final board approval, effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement and other customary conditions.
KEY QUOTE:
“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.”
Russ Hardin, Lead Director of Genuine Parts Company
