ATLANTA, Feb. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today fourth quarter results and record sales and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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Sales in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014 increased 9% to $3.8 billion, compared to sales of $3.5 billion for the same period in 2013. Net income in the fourth quarter was $166 million, or $1.07 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $150 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, in 2013, up 10%.

In review of the fourth quarter, Tom Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to report another solid quarter of sales and earnings growth for Genuine Parts Company. Our 9% total sales increase includes approximately 7.6% underlying sales growth and a 2.7% contribution from acquisitions, offset by a currency headwind of approximately 1.6%. Our overall sales growth was supported by increases in each of our four business segments. Sales for the Automotive Group were up 4%, consisting of core automotive growth of 6% and a 0.5% contribution from acquisitions. These items were offset by a 2.5% negative impact of currency. Sales at Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, were up 10%, including 9% underlying growth and 2% from acquisitions offset by a currency headwind of approximately 1%. Sales at EIS, our Electrical/Electronic Group, increased by 23% and include a 20% contribution from acquisitions and 3% underlying growth. Sales for S. P. Richards, our Office Products Group, were up 22%, consisting of 14% underlying growth and 8% from acquisitions."

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $15.3 billion, up 9% compared to 2013. Net income for the year was $711 million, an increase of 4% compared to $685 million in 2013. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $4.61, up 5% compared to $4.40 in 2013.

As previously disclosed, in association with the April 1, 2013 acquisition of GPC Asia Pacific, the Company's initial investment was remeasured and, net of certain one-time purchase accounting costs, amounted to a pre-tax income adjustment of approximately $36 million, or $0.22 diluted earnings per share, in the second quarter of 2013. Additionally, a pre-tax expense adjustment of $3 million, or $0.01 diluted earnings per share, was recorded in the third quarter of 2013.

Before the one-time adjustment in 2013, net income for the full year in 2014 of $711 million, was up 9% compared to the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $4.61 were up 10% compared to the same period in 2013 excluding the adjustment.

Mr. Gallagher stated, "2014 was another year of record sales and earnings, and we are especially pleased that each of our four business segments contributed to these records. We also improved our operating margin for the year and further improved our financial strength with effective asset management and solid cash flows."

Mr. Gallagher added, "Industry fundamentals were favorable in the automotive aftermarket during 2014, and we also experienced improving industry conditions across our non-automotive businesses during the year. These factors, combined with our internal sales initiatives, drove sales growth of approximately 5% for the year, while acquisitions also contributed approximately 5% to sales. These items were offset by a currency headwind of approximately 1%. Automotive sales were up 8% for the year, including approximately 6% underlying sales growth and a 4% contribution from acquisitions, offset by a currency headwind of approximately 2%. Industrial Group sales increased by 8%, consisting of 6% underlying growth and 3% from acquisitions, offset by the negative impact of currency of approximately 1%. Electrical/Electronic sales increased by 30% for the year, primarily due to acquisitions. Sales for the Office Products business were up 10%, with approximately 5% coming from underlying growth and another 5% from acquisitions."

Mr. Gallagher concluded, "The Company showed progress in a number of key areas in 2014 and we are proud of the GPC Team's accomplishments. With that said, we recognize there is still room for further improvement in our operations as we move forward. To this end, we remain committed to our core objectives of growing sales and earnings, showing continued operating margin improvement, generating solid cash flows and maintaining a strong balance sheet. Progress in each of these important areas will keep the Company moving ahead and will help to ensure another successful year in 2015."

Conference Call

Genuine Parts Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. EST to discuss the results of the quarter, the year and the future outlook. Interested parties may listen to the call on the Company's website, www.genpt.com, by clicking "Investors", or by dialing 844-857-1770, conference ID 66755202. A replay will also be available on the Company's website or at 855-859-2056, conference ID 66755202, two hours after the completion of the call until 12:00 a.m. Eastern time on March 4, 2015.

Forward Looking Statements

Some statements in this report, as well as in other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or otherwise release to the public and in materials that we make available on our website, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may relate, for example, to future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, economic performance (including growth and earnings), industry conditions and demand for our products and services. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and 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. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors may include, among other things, slowing demand for the Company's products, changes in general economic conditions, including, unemployment, inflation or deflation, high energy costs, uncertain credit markets and other macro-economic conditions, the ability to maintain favorable vendor arrangements and relationships, disruptions in our vendors' operations, competitive product, service and pricing pressures, the Company's ability to successfully implement its business initiatives in each of its four business segments, the Company's ability to successfully integrate its acquired businesses, the uncertainties and costs of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2013 and from time to time in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC.

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 subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports to the SEC.

About Genuine Parts Company

Genuine Parts Company is a distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. The Company also distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico through its Motion Industries subsidiary. S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes business products in the U.S. and Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.




                                                   GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                                                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                                 -------------------------------------------


                                                                                             Three Months Ended Dec. 31,             Year Ended Dec. 31,

                                                                                                    2014              2013               2014               2013
                                                                                                    ----              ----               ----               ----

                                                                                                       (in thousands, except per share data)


    Net sales                                                                                 $3,822,454        $3,517,801        $15,341,647        $14,077,843

    Cost of goods sold                                                                         2,675,913         2,425,660         10,747,886          9,857,923
                                                                                               ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------

    Gross profit                                                                               1,146,541         1,092,141          4,593,761          4,219,920


    Operating expenses:

    Selling, administrative & other expenses                                                     841,546           820,563          3,327,709          3,041,659

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                 39,691            35,885            148,313            133,957
                                                                                                  ------            ------            -------            -------

                                                                                                 881,237           856,448          3,476,022          3,175,616


    Income before income taxes                                                                   265,304           235,693          1,117,739          1,044,304

    Income taxes                                                                                  99,745            85,226            406,453            359,345
                                                                                                  ------            ------            -------            -------


    Net income                                                                                  $165,559          $150,467           $711,286           $684,959
                                                                                                ========          ========           ========           ========


    Basic net income per common share                                                              $1.08             $0.98              $4.64              $4.43


    Diluted net income per common share                                                            $1.07             $0.97              $4.61              $4.40


    Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                   152,996           154,047            153,299            154,636


    Dilutive effect of stock options and

       non-vested restricted stock awards                                                          1,088             1,075              1,076              1,078
                                                                                                   -----             -----              -----              -----


    Weighted average common shares outstanding -

       assuming dilution                                                                         154,084           155,122            154,375            155,714
                                                                                                 =======           =======            =======            =======




                                                      GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                                                   SEGMENT INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                                   --------------------------------------------


                                                                                                 Three Months Ended Dec. 31,             Year Ended Dec. 31,

                                                                                                        2014              2013               2014               2013
                                                                                                        ----              ----               ----               ----

                                                                                                                      (in thousands)


    Net sales:

    Automotive                                                                                    $1,988,448        $1,916,771         $8,096,877         $7,489,186

    Industrial                                                                                     1,198,032         1,085,555          4,771,080          4,429,976

    Office Products                                                                                  469,299           385,761          1,802,754          1,638,618

    Electrical/Electronic Materials                                                                  177,433           143,899            739,119            568,872

    Other (1)                                                                                       (10,758)         (14,185)          (68,183)          (48,809)
                                                                                                     -------           -------            -------            -------

    Total net sales                                                                               $3,822,454        $3,517,801        $15,341,647        $14,077,843
                                                                                                  ==========        ==========        ===========        ===========


    Operating profit:

    Automotive                                                                                      $150,335          $153,901           $700,386           $641,492

    Industrial                                                                                        96,303            73,338            370,043            320,720

    Office Products                                                                                   35,280            31,438            133,727            122,492

    Electrical/Electronic Materials                                                                   15,126            12,287             64,884             47,584
                                                                                                      ------            ------             ------             ------

    Total operating profit                                                                           297,044           270,964          1,269,040          1,132,288

    Interest expense, net                                                                            (5,479)          (6,094)          (24,192)          (24,330)

    Intangible amortization                                                                         (10,546)          (8,500)          (36,867)          (28,987)

    Other, net                                                                                      (15,715)         (20,677)          (90,242)          (34,667)
                                                                                                     -------           -------            -------            -------

    Income before income taxes                                                                      $265,304          $235,693         $1,117,739         $1,044,304
                                                                                                    ========          ========         ==========         ==========


    Capital expenditures                                                                             $33,897           $39,917           $107,681           $124,063
                                                                                                     =======           =======           ========           ========


    Depreciation and amortization                                                                    $39,691           $35,885           $148,313           $133,957
                                                                                                     =======           =======           ========           ========



                         (1) Represents the net effect of discounts, incentives and freight billed reported as a component of net sales.




                                                                        GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                                         -------------------------------------


                                                                                                                 Dec. 31,             Dec. 31,

                                                                                                                                 2014                2013
                                                                                                                                 ----                ----

                                                                                                               (in thousands)

    ASSETS

    CURRENT ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                $137,730            $196,893

    Trade accounts receivable, net                                                                                          1,872,365           1,664,819

    Merchandise inventories, net                                                                                            3,043,848           2,946,021

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                 538,582             413,758
                                                                                                                              -------             -------


          TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                                                              5,592,525           5,221,491


    Goodwill and other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization                                                     1,386,590           1,289,356

    Deferred tax assets                                                                                                       145,331              97,555

    Other assets                                                                                                              451,690             401,834

    Net property, plant and equipment                                                                                         670,102             670,061
                                                                                                                              -------             -------


    TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                                           $8,246,238          $7,680,297
                                                                                                                           ==========          ==========


    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    CURRENT LIABILITIES

    Trade accounts payable                                                                                                 $2,554,759          $2,269,671

    Current portion of debt                                                                                                   265,466             264,658

    Dividends payable                                                                                                          88,039              82,746

    Other accrued expenses                                                                                                    675,851             565,969
                                                                                                                              -------             -------


          TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                                         3,584,115           3,183,044



    Long-term debt                                                                                                            500,000             500,000

    Pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities                                                                     329,531             140,171

    Deferred tax liabilities                                                                                                   72,479              83,316

    Other long-term liabilities                                                                                               447,749             414,998


    Common stock                                                                                                              153,113             153,773

    Retained earnings                                                                                                       3,868,346           3,592,956

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                    (720,211)          (397,655)
                                                                                                                             --------            --------


          TOTAL  PARENT EQUITY                                                                                              3,301,248           3,349,074


    Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries                                                                                   11,116               9,694
                                                                                                                               ------               -----


          TOTAL  EQUITY                                                                                                     3,312,364           3,358,768
                                                                                                                            ---------           ---------


    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                                                                                           $8,246,238          $7,680,297
                                                                                                                           ==========          ==========





                                                                                   GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                                               -----------------------------------------------


                                                                                                                                   Year Ended Dec. 31,

                                                                                                                                      2014            2013
                                                                                                                                      ----            ----

                                                                                                                                    (in thousands)


    OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    Net income                                                                                                                    $711,286        $684,959

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                  148,313         133,957

    Share-based compensation                                                                                                        16,239          12,648

    Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation                                                                             (17,766)       (12,905)

    Gain on GPC Asia Pacific equity investment                                                                                           -       (59,000)

    Other                                                                                                                           50,600        (26,351)

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities                                                                                  (118,527)        323,423
                                                                                                                                  --------         -------


    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                                                      790,145       1,056,731


    INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                                                                   (107,681)      (124,063)

    Acquisitions and other investing activities                                                                                  (279,034)      (701,516)
                                                                                                                                  --------        --------


    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                                                        (386,715)      (825,579)


    FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    Proceeds from debt                                                                                                           2,727,924       3,019,931

    Payments on debt                                                                                                           (2,735,862)    (2,995,335)

    Share-based awards exercised, net of taxes paid                                                                               (22,051)       (15,728)

    Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation                                                                               17,766          12,905

    Dividends paid                                                                                                               (347,271)      (326,217)

    Purchase of stock                                                                                                             (95,946)      (120,673)
                                                                                                                                   -------        --------


    NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                                                        (455,440)      (425,117)


    EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                                                                                        (7,153)       (12,237)
                                                                                                                                    ------         -------


    NET  DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                                                    (59,163)      (206,202)


    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                                                                 196,893         403,095
                                                                                                                                   -------         -------


    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                                                                                      $137,730        $196,893
                                                                                                                                  ========        ========

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