Motion

ABOUT MOTION

Since its beginnings in 1946, Motion has grown to become the premier industrial solutions company for industry in North America. Here's why:

ABOUT MOTION

Since its beginnings in 1946, Motion has grown to become the premier industrial solutions company for industry in North America. Here's why:

Superior Customer Service

Our employees reflect our company's values: fair, ethical, inclusive, and invested. We make sure customers receive the parts they need, when they need them.

Value-Added Services

From automation to inventory management to parts repair and fabrication, Motion's many services are key to keeping our customers' sites running at maximum efficiency. Our employees use their deep knowledge to bring the right solution to any and every application, no matter how challenging.

$1 Billion Inventory

Our customers have instant access to more than 10 million unique MRO/OEM parts through our vast distribution network, sourced from a global manufacturing base. Our broad and deep inventories offer known, quality brands.

Industries We Serve

Quick Facts

Since 1976, Motion has been a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC)

  • 600+
    Locations in North America
  • 19
    Distribution Centers
  • $8.4
    Billion in Annual Sales (2025)
  • 73
    Repair and Service Centers
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Vision

Continually earn our place as the premier industrial solutions company by:

  • Providing the preferred customer experience

  • Energizing our talent

  • Delivering stakeholder value

Values

  • Fair

  • Ethical

  • Inclusive

  • Invested

 

Our Story

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1946

Owen-Richards Company purchased by Caldwell Marks & William Spencer in Birmingham, Alabama First year sales exceed $500,000

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1954

Owen-Richards Company begins $150,000 warehouse expansion

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1970

Bearings & Transmission Supply (BATS) & Owen-Richards Company merge to form Motion Industries

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1976

Motion Industries becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (GPC) New 30,000 SF Headquarters completed in Irondale, Alabama

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1983

"Keeping Industry in Motion" adopted as official slogan

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1984

Michael S. Gaffney named President/CEO

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1988

Mi Learning & Development opens first training center

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1994

Motion Industries expands into Canada with Oliver Industrial Supply Sales exceed $1billion

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1997

William J. Stevens named President/CEO

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2000

www.MotionMro.com launches, the first transactional website for Mi

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2006

Over 500 locations in North America Sales of $3.1billion

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2008

www.MotionIndustries.com launches

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2012

MiHow2, new video series launches

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2014

Timothy P. Breen named President/CEO

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2018

Randall (Randy) P. Breaux named President – North America Sales reach $6 billion

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2020

Completed Headquarters renovation in Irondale, Alabama Inenco becomes Motion Asia Pacific

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2021

Motion unveils new logo and branding to celebrate 75 years Motion’s first Market Distribution Center opens in Lakeland, FL

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2024

James Howe named President – North America

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG)

We are committed to operating our business with integrity – contributing our time, talent, and resources to supporting our local communities, promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace, and being thoughtful stewards of our environment and natural resources. Our goal is to achieve positive impact that matters – to society and to the planet.

Our integrated approach to our strategy, corporate governance, and social and environmental responsibility creates long-term value for our employees, our suppliers, our customers, our communities, and our GPC shareholders. We encourage the Motion family of employees to participate in community activities, both through company-organized events and individually; we also offer compensatory time for their volunteer work. Learn more at motionesg.com.

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