Genuine Parts Company has appointed Court Carruthers as CEO-elect of its automotive business, which will operate as Genuine Parts Company after separating from the industrial Motion division in the first quarter of 2027. The automotive segment, which includes NAPA and UAP, generated over $15 billion in sales during 2025.
- Court Carruthers appointed CEO-elect of automotive business; separation scheduled for Q1 2027
- Automotive division generated $15+ billion in 2025 sales; Motion industrial business recorded $9 billion
- Will Stengel leads Motion industrial company; Jean-Jacques Lafont becomes non-executive chairman of automotive division
- UAP Canadian operations employ 5,800+ people across 1,240+ stores and repair centers
- Split requires board approval and SEC registration; shareholder approval not required
Leadership teams have been named for the two companies that will emerge from the planned breakup of NAPA parent Genuine Parts Company.
Court Carruthers (pictured) has been appointed CEO-elect of the automotive business. He will take over when the separation is completed, which remains scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
The automotive company will retain the Genuine Parts Company name. Atlanta, Ga.-based Genuine Parts distributes automotive and industrial replacement parts in 17 countries.
Its automotive operations include NAPA, Montreal, Que.-based Canadian parts distributor UAP, Alliance Automotive Group in Europe and businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
Carruthers currently sits on the Genuine Parts board. He has worked in distribution, supply-chain management and acquisitions, including an automotive joint venture in Canada. He is also a Canadian chartered professional accountant.
Jean-Jacques Lafont will become non-executive chairman. Bert Nappier will serve as executive vice-president, chief financial and operating officer. Alain Masse will remain president of North American automotive operations.
“We have great confidence in Will Stengel and Court Carruthers,” Genuine Parts lead director Russ Hardin said.
Stengel, the current chair and CEO of Genuine Parts, will lead the industrial company. That business will operate as Motion after the split.
Birmingham, Ala.-based Motion distributes bearings, hydraulics, automation equipment and other parts used by manufacturers and industrial customers. James Howe will serve as president and chief operating officer, while Howard Yu will become executive vice-president and chief financial officer.
The automotive operation generated more than US$15 billion in sales during 2025. Motion recorded approximately US$9 billion.
North American automotive sales rose 3.8% to US$2.5 billion during the second quarter of 2026. International automotive sales increased 8.2% to US$1.6 billion.
The Canadian business supplies automotive and heavy-vehicle parts through more than 750 stores and 15 distribution centres. UAP employs more than 5,800 people and has close to 1,240 associated stores and repair centres across Canada.
No changes to UAP’s Canadian stores, repair networks or brands were included with the leadership appointments.
Separate investor presentations are scheduled for Dec. 8 and 9 in New York. Completion of the split requires final approval from the Genuine Parts board and an effective registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholder approval is not required.
