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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
     
(Mark One)    
[X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 2003

OR

     
[   ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No. 1-5690

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
     
Georgia
(State of Incorporation)
  58-0254510
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2999 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 953-1700.

     Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act and the Exchange on which such securities are registered:

Common Stock, Par Value, $1 Per Share
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [   ]

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K, or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as described in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [X] No [   ]

     The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock (based upon the closing sales price reported by the New York Stock Exchange and published in The Wall Street Journal for February 12, 2004) held by non-affiliates as of February 12, 2004 was approximately $5,728,621,671.

     The number of shares outstanding of Registrant’s Common Stock, as of February 12, 2004, was 174,277,466.

     Certain portions of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 (the “Annual Report”) are incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. Other than those portions of the Annual Report specifically incorporated by reference pursuant to Items 5 through 8 of Part II hereof, no other portions of the Annual Report shall be deemed so incorporated.

     Certain portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 19, 2004 (the “Proxy Statement”) filed pursuant to Rule 14a-6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. Other than those portions of the Proxy Statement specifically incorporated by reference pursuant to Items 5 and 10 through 13 of Part III hereof, no other portions of the Proxy Statement shall be deemed so incorporated.



 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
ITEM I. BUSINESS
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES
EX-10.13 ORIGINAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
EX-10.20 SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN
EX-10.21 AMENDMENT 1 TO THE SUPP. RETIREMENT PLAN
EX-10.22 AMENDMENT 4 TO TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN
EX-10.23 DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
EX-13 SECTIONS OF ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
EX-21 SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY
EX-23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO
EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CFO
EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO
EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CFO


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PART I.

ITEM I. BUSINESS.

     Genuine Parts Company, a Georgia corporation incorporated on May 7, 1928, is a service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products and electrical/electronic materials. In 2003, business was conducted throughout the United States, in Canada and in Mexico from approximately 1,800 locations. As used in this report, the “Company” refers to Genuine Parts Company and its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated by the context; and the terms “automotive parts” and “industrial parts” refer to replacement parts in each respective category.

Segment Data . For information regarding segment data, refer to the Company’s Audited Financial Statements as set forth on Pages 12 and 33 of the Annual Report to Shareholders for 2003 attached hereto as Exhibit 13.

Competition - General . The distribution business, which includes all segments of the Company’s business, is highly competitive with the principal methods of competition being product quality, sufficiency of inventory, price and the ability to give the customer prompt and dependable service. The Company anticipates no decline in competition in any of its business segments in the foreseeable future.

Employees . As of December 31, 2003, the Company employed approximately 30,800 persons.

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS GROUP .

     The Automotive Parts Group, the largest division of the Company, distributes automotive replacement parts and accessory items. The Company is the largest member of the National Automotive Parts Association (“NAPA”), a voluntary trade association formed in 1925 to provide nationwide distribution of automotive parts. In addition to over 300,000 available part numbers, the Company, in conjunction with NAPA, offers complete inventory, cataloging, marketing, training and other programs in the automotive aftermarket.

     During 2003, the Company’s Automotive Parts Group included NAPA automotive parts distribution centers and automotive parts stores (“auto parts stores” or “NAPA AUTO PARTS stores”) owned in the United States by the Company; automotive parts distribution centers and auto parts stores in Canada owned and operated by UAP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; auto parts stores in the United States operated by corporations in which the Company owned either a minority or majority interest; auto parts stores in Canada operated by corporations in which UAP owned a 50% interest; distribution centers owned by Balkamp, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company; rebuilding plants owned by the Company and operated by its Rayloc division; distribution centers of ACDelco, Motorcraft and other automotive supplies owned and operated by Johnson Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary; and automotive parts distribution centers and automotive parts stores in Mexico, owned and operated by Grupo Auto Todo, S.A. de C.V. (“Auto Todo”), a company in which a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company owns a controlling interest.

     The Company has a 15% interest in Mitchell Repair Information (“MRIC”), a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated. MRIC is a leading diagnostic and repair information company with over 35,000 North American subscribers linked to its services and information databases. MRIC’s core product, “Mitchell ON-DEMAND”, is a premier electronic repair information source in the automotive aftermarket.

     The Company’s NAPA automotive parts distribution centers distribute replacement parts (other than body parts) for substantially all motor vehicle makes and models in service in the United States, including imported vehicles, trucks, SUV’s, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and farm vehicles. In addition, the Company distributes replacement parts for small engines, farm equipment and heavy duty equipment. The Company’s inventories also include accessory items for such vehicles and equipment, and supply items used by a wide variety of customers in the automotive aftermarket, such as repair shops, service stations, fleet operators, automobile and truck dealers, leasing companies, bus and truck lines, mass merchandisers, farms, industrial concerns and individuals who perform their own maintenance and parts installation. Although the Company’s domestic automotive operations purchase from more than 75 different suppliers, approximately 53% of 2003 automotive parts inventories were purchased from 10 major suppliers. Since 1931, the Company

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has had return privileges with most of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

Distribution System . In 2003, the Company operated 58 domestic NAPA automotive parts distribution centers located in 39 states and approximately 900 domestic company-owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located in 43 states. At December 31, 2003, Genuine Parts Company owned either a minority or majority interest in 4 corporations, which operated approximately 24 auto parts stores in 4 states.

     UAP, founded in 1926, is a Canadian leader in the distribution, marketing, and rebuilding of replacement parts and accessories for automobiles and trucks. UAP employs approximately 4,200 people. UAP operates a network of 14 distribution centers supplying approximately 592 UAP/NAPA auto parts and 62 TRACTION wholesalers, which supply parts to small fleet owners-operators and are a significant supplier to the mining and forestry industries. These include approximately 204 company owned stores, 21 joint venture or progressive owners in which UAP owns a 50% interest, and approximately 429 independently owned stores. UAP supplies bannered installers and independent installers in all provinces of Canada, as well as networks of service station and repair shops operating under the banners of national accounts. UAP is licensed to and uses the NAPA® name in Canada.

     In Mexico, Auto Todo owns and operates 9 distribution centers and 15 auto parts stores. Auto Todo is licensed to and uses the NAPA® name in Mexico.

     The Company’s distribution centers serve approximately 5,000 independently owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located throughout the market areas served. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, in turn, sell to a wide variety of customers in the automotive aftermarket. Collectively, these independent automotive parts stores account for approximately 25% of the Company’s total sales with no automotive parts store or group of automotive parts stores with individual or common ownership accounting for more than 0.5% of the total sales of the Company.

Products . Distribution centers have access to over 300,000 different parts and related supply items. Each item is cataloged and numbered for identification and accessibility. Significant inventories are carried to provide for fast and frequent deliveries to customers. Most orders are filled and shipped the same day as received. The majority of sales are on terms that require payment within 30 days of the statement date. The Company does not manufacture any of the products it distributes. The majority of products are distributed under the NAPA® name, a mark licensed to the Company by NAPA.

Related Operations . A majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, Balkamp, Inc. (“Balkamp”), distributes a wide variety of replacement parts and accessory items for passenger cars, heavy duty vehicles, motorcycles and farm equipment. In addition, Balkamp distributes service items such as testing equipment, lubricating equipment, gauges, cleaning supplies, chemicals and supply items used by repair shops, fleets, farms and institutions. Balkamp packages many of the approximately 27,000 part numbers, which constitute the “Balkamp” line of products that are distributed to the members of NAPA. These products are categorized in 160 different product groups purchased from more than 400 domestic suppliers and 130 foreign manufacturers. BALKAMP®, a federally registered trademark, is important to the sales and marketing promotions of the Balkamp organization. Balkamp has four distribution centers located in Indianapolis and Plainfield, Indiana, Greenwood, Mississippi, and West Jordan, Utah.

     Johnson Industries, Inc. (“Johnson”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is an independent distributor of ACDelco, Motorcraft and other automotive supplies. Johnson, founded in 1924, sells primarily to large fleets and new car dealers from a network of distribution centers throughout the U.S.

     The Company, through its Rayloc division, also operates five plants where certain small automotive parts are rebuilt. These products are distributed to the members of NAPA under the NAPA brand name. Rayloc® is a mark licensed to the Company by NAPA.

Segment Data . In the year ended December 31, 2003, sales from the Automotive Parts Group approximated 53% of the Company’s net sales as compared to 52% in 2002 and 51% in 2001.

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Service to NAPA AUTO PARTS Stores . The Company believes that the quality and the range of services provided to its automotive parts customers constitute a significant advantage for its automotive parts distribution system. Such services include fast and frequent delivery, obsolescence protection, parts cataloging (including the use of computerized NAPA AUTO PARTS catalogs) and stock adjustment through a continuing parts classification system which allows independent jobbers to return certain merchandise on a scheduled basis. The Company offers its NAPA AUTO PARTS store customers various management aids, marketing aids and service on topics such as inventory control, cost analysis, accounting procedures, group insurance and retirement benefit plans, marketing conferences and seminars, sales and advertising manuals and training programs. Point of sale/inventory management is available through TAMS® (Total Automotive Management Systems), a computer system designed and developed by the Company for the NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

     In association with NAPA, the Company has developed and refined an inventory classification system to determine optimum distribution center and auto parts store inventory levels for automotive parts stocking based on automotive registrations, usage rates, production statistics, technological advances and other similar factors. This system, which undergoes continuous analytical review, is an integral part of the Company’s inventory control procedures and comprises an important feature of the inventory management services, which the Company makes available to its NAPA AUTO PARTS store customers. Over the last 10 years, losses to the Company from obsolescence have been insignificant, and the Company attributes this to the successful operation of its classification system, which involves product return privileges with most of its suppliers.

Competition . In the distribution of automotive parts, the Company competes with automobile manufacturers (some of which sell replacement parts for vehicles built by other manufacturers as well as those which they build themselves), automobile dealers, warehouse clubs and large automotive parts retail chains. In addition, the Company competes with the distributing outlets of parts manufacturers, oil companies, mass merchandisers, including national retail chains, and with other parts distributors and jobbers.

NAPA . The Company is a member of the National Automotive Parts Association, a voluntary association formed in 1925 to provide nationwide distribution of automotive replacement parts. NAPA, which neither buys nor sells automotive parts, functions as a trade association whose members in 2003 operated 64 distribution centers located throughout the United States, 58 of which were owned and operated by the Company. NAPA develops marketing concepts and programs that may be used by its members. It is not involved in the chain of distribution.

     In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company acquired the assets of NAPA Hawaii, a NAPA member company owned by Schuman Carriage Company, LTD. This acquisition includes a distribution center that services 37 stores throughout the Hawaiian Islands as of December 31, 2003.

     Among the automotive lines that each NAPA member purchases and distributes are certain lines designated, cataloged, advertised and promoted as “NAPA” lines. The members are not required to purchase any specific quantity of parts so designated and may, and do, purchase competitive lines from other supply sources.

     The Company and the other NAPA members use the federally registered trademark NAPA® as part of the trade name of their distribution centers and parts stores. The Company contributes to NAPA’s national advertising program, which is designed to increase public recognition of the NAPA name and to promote NAPA product lines.

     The Company is a party, together with other members of NAPA and NAPA itself, to a consent decree entered by the Federal District Court in Detroit, Michigan, on May 4, 1954. The consent decree enjoins certain practices under the federal antitrust laws, including the use of exclusive agreements with manufacturers of automotive parts, allocation or division of territories among several NAPA members, fixing of prices or terms of sale for such parts among such members, and agreements to adhere to any uniform policy in selecting parts customers or determining the number and location of, or arrangements with, auto parts customers.

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INDUSTRIAL PARTS GROUP

     The Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts and related supplies throughout the United States and Canada. This Group distributes industrial bearings and power transmission equipment replacement parts, including hydraulic and pneumatic products, material handling components, agricultural and irrigation equipment and related supplies. The Group is continuing to enhance their internet-based procurement solutions with MotionMRO.com.

     The Company distributes industrial parts in the United States through Motion Industries, Inc. (“Motion”), headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Motion is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In Canada, industrial parts are distributed by Motion Industries (Canada), Inc. (“Motion Canada”), an operating group in the Company’s North American structure. Motion Canada’s service area includes nine provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. The Company has return privileges with most of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

     During 2003, the Company sold the Group’s interest in a partnership with Refacciones Industriales de Mexico (“RIMSA”), which distributed industrial parts in Mexico.

     As of December 31, 2003, the Group served more than 150,000 customers in all types of industries located throughout the United States and Canada.

Distribution System . In North America, the Industrial Parts Group operates 422 branches, nine distribution centers, and 32 service centers. The distribution centers stock and distribute more than 200,000 different items purchased from more than 250 different suppliers. Approximately 33% of 2003 total industrial purchases were made from 10 major suppliers. Sales are generated from the Group’s branches located in 48 states and nine provinces in Canada. Each branch has warehouse facilities that stock significant amounts of inventory representative of the lines of products used by customers in the respective market area served.

     Motion Canada operates two distribution centers for the 47 Canadian locations serving industrial and agricultural markets. Motion Canada also distributes irrigation systems and related supplies.

Products . The Industrial Parts Group distributes a wide variety of products to its customers, primarily industrial concerns, to maintain and operate plants, machinery and equipment. Products include such items as hoses, belts, bearings, pulleys, pumps, valves, chains, gears, sprockets, speed reducers and electric motors. The nature of this Group’s business demands the maintenance of large inventories and the ability to provide prompt and demanding delivery requirements. Virtually all of the products distributed are installed by the customer. Most orders are filled immediately from existing stock and deliveries are normally made within 24 hours of receipt of order. The majority of all sales are on open account.

Related Information . Non-exclusive distributor agreements are in effect with most of the Group’s suppliers. The terms of these agreements vary; however, it has been the experience of the Group that the custom of the trade is to treat such agreements as continuing until breached by one party, or until terminated by mutual consent.

Integrated Supply . Motion’s integrated supply process reduces the costs associated with MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operation) inventory management, but also enables the manufacturing customer to focus on its core competency, free working capital associated with inventories, improve service levels to end-users, and allow management to focus on more strategic concerns. Motion’s integrated supply process analyzes a customer’s current operation to develop integration goals and then provides solutions based on industry’s accepted best practices.

Segment Data . In the year ended December 31, 2003, sales from the Company’s Industrial Parts Group approximated 27% of the Company’s net sales as compared to 27% in 2002 and 2001.

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Competition . The Industrial Parts Group competes with other distributors specializing in the distribution of such items, general line distributors and others who have developed or joined integrated supply programs. To a lesser extent, the Group competes with manufacturers that sell directly to the customer.

OFFICE PRODUCTS GROUP.

     The Office Products Group, operated through S. P. Richards Company (“S. P. Richards”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. S. P. Richards is engaged in the wholesale distribution of a broad line of office and other business related products that are used in the daily operation of businesses, schools, offices and institutions. Office products fall into the general categories of computer supplies, imaging supplies, office furniture, office machines, general office supplies, school supplies, janitorial supplies, breakroom supplies and healthcare supplies.

     HorizonUSA Data Supplies, Inc. (“HorizonUSA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of S. P. Richards, is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. HorizonUSA is a distributor of computer supplies and accessories.

     The Office Products Group is represented in Canada through S. P. Richards Canada. Headquartered near Vancouver, British Columbia, S. P. Richards Canada services office product resellers throughout Canada from locations in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg.

     The Office Products Group distributes computer supplies including storage media, printer supplies and computer accessories; office furniture to include desks, credenzas, chairs, chair mats, partitions, files and computer furniture; office machines to include telephones, answering machines, calculators, fax machines, multi-function copiers, printers, digital cameras, laminators and shredders; general office supplies to include desk accessories, business forms, accounting supplies, binders, filing supplies, report covers, writing instruments, envelopes, note pads, copy paper, mailroom supplies, drafting supplies and audiovisual supplies; school supplies to include bulletin boards, teaching aids and art supplies; janitorial supplies to include cleaning supplies, paper towels and trash can liners; and breakroom supplies to include napkins, utensils, snacks and beverages. S. P. Richards has return privileges with most of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

     The Office Products Group distributes more than 30,000 items to over 7,000 business product resellers throughout the United States and Canada from a network of 44 distribution centers. This network of strategically located distribution centers provides overnight delivery of the Company’s comprehensive product offering. Approximately 53% of the Company’s 2003 total office products purchases were made from 10 major suppliers.

     The Office Products Group sells strictly to resellers of office products. These resellers include independently owned office product dealers, national office product superstores, large contract stationers, mail order companies and college bookstores. Resellers are offered comprehensive marketing programs, which include full line catalogs and flyers as well as education and training resources.

     While the Company inventories include products from over 350 of the industry’s leading manufacturers, S. P. Richards also markets five proprietary brands of items. These brands include: SPARCO®, an economical line of office supply basics; Compucessory™, a line of computer accessories; NATURE SAVER®, an offering of recycled paper products; Elite Image™, a line of new and remanufactured toner cartridges; and Lorell, a line of office furniture.

Segment Data . In the year ended December 31, 2003, sales from the Company’s Office Products Group approximated 17% of the Company’s net sales as compared to 17% in 2002 and 2001.

Competition . In the distribution of office supplies to retail dealers, S. P. Richards competes with many other wholesale distributors as well as with certain manufacturers of office products.

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ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC MATERIALS GROUP.

     The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group was formed on July 1, 1998 through the acquisition of EIS, Inc. (“EIS”). This Group distributes materials to more than 20,000 electrical and electronic manufacturers in North America. With branches in 33 locations nationwide and in Mexico, this Group distributes over 100,000 items, from insulating and conductive materials to assembly tools and test equipment. This Group also has three manufacturing facilities that provide custom fabricated parts.

     The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group is an important single source to original equipment manufacturers, repair shops, the electronic assembly market, and printed circuit board manufacturers. EIS actively utilizes its E-commerce Internet site to present its products to customers while allowing these on-line visitors to conveniently purchase from a large product assortment.

     In 2003, the Company distributed electrical materials through EIS, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic materials were distributed through EIS’s operating divisions, Electronic Assembly (previously known as Com-Kyl) and Circuit Supply. Both electrical and electronic products are distributed from warehouse locations in major user markets throughout the U.S. The Company has return privileges with some of its suppliers, which has protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.

Products. The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group distributes a wide variety of products to customers from over 350 vendors. Products include such items as magnet wire, copper clad laminate, conductive materials, insulating and shielding materials, assembly tools, test equipment, adhesives and chemicals, pressure sensitive tapes, solder, anti-static products, and thermal management products. To meet the prompt delivery demands of its customers, this Group maintains large inventories. The majority of sales are on open account. Approximately 50% of 2003 total Electrical/Electronic Materials Group purchases were made from 10 major suppliers.

Integrated Supply. The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group’s integrated supply programs are a part of the marketing strategy, as a greater number of customers—especially national accounts—are given the opportunity to participate in this low-cost, high-service capability. The Group developed AIMS (Advanced Inventory Management System), a totally integrated, highly automated solution for inventory management. The Group’s Integrated Supply offering also includes SupplyPro, an electronic vending dispenser used to eliminate costly tool crib, or in-house stores, at customer warehouse facilities.

Segment Data. In the year ended December 31, 2003 sales from the Company’s Electrical/Electronic Materials Group approximated 3% of the Company’s sales, as compared to 4% in 2002 and 5% in 2001.

Competition. The Electrical/Electronic Materials Group competes with other distributors specializing in the distribution of electrical and electronic products, general line distributors, and, to a lesser extent, manufacturers that sell directly to customers.

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Internet Website. The Company’s internet website can be found at www.genpt.com. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its internet website, access to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed, or furnished, to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Executive Officers of the Company . The table below sets forth the name and age of each person deemed to be an executive officer of the Company as of March 1, 2004, the position or office held by each and the period during which each has served as such. Each executive officer is elected by the Board of Directors and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until his successor has been elected and has qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification.

                 
                Year First
Name   Age   Position of Office   Assumed Position

 
 
 
Larry L. Prince     65     Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer   1990/1989
                 
Thomas C. Gallagher     56     President and Chief Operating Officer   1990
                 
Jerry W. Nix     58     Executive Vice President – Finance *   2000
                 
Robert J. Susor     58     Executive Vice President   2003
                 
Edward Van Stedum     54     Senior Vice President-Human Resources   1996

*   Also serves as the Company’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer.

          All executive officers have been employed by and have served as officers of the Company for at least the last five years.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s beliefs, expectations, and plans as of the present. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, the growth rate of the market for the Company’s products and services, the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships, competitive product and pricing pressures, including internet related initiatives, the effectiveness of the Company’s promotional, marketing and advertising programs, changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting and taxation guidance, the uncertainties of litigation, as well as the Risk Factors set forth below and other risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned that other factors not listed here could materially impact the Company’s future earnings, financial position and cash flows. You should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements contained herein, and should carefully read other reports that the Company will, from time to time, file with the SEC.

Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Our Company

We Depend on Our Relationships with Our Vendors.

As a distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts, office products and electrical/electronic materials, our business is dependent on developing and maintaining close and productive relationships with our vendors. We depend on our vendors to sell us quality products at favorable prices. Many factors outside our control may harm these relationships. For example, financial or operational difficulties with a vendor could cause that vendor to increase the cost of the products we purchase from it. Vendor consolidation could also limit the number of suppliers from which we may purchase products and could materially affect the prices we pay for these products. Also, consolidation among automotive parts or industrial parts and office product suppliers could disrupt our relationship with some vendors. A disruption of our vendor relationships or a

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disruption in our vendors’ operations could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our Business and Results of Operations Could Be Impacted by Certain Laws.

We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the operation of our business, such as laws and regulations relating to environmental and employment matters. If we fail to comply with existing or future laws or regulations, we may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions. There can be no assurance that compliance with these laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on us in the future.

Risks Relating to Our Industry

We Face Substantial Competition in the Industries in Which We Do Business.

The industries in which we do business are highly competitive. The sale of automotive and industrial parts, office products and electronic materials is highly competitive in many areas, including name recognition, product availability, customer service, anticipating changing customer preferences, store location and price. Increased price competition among distributors of automotive and industrial parts, office products and electronic materials could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

In particular, the market for replacement automotive parts is highly competitive and subjects us to a wide variety of competitors. We compete primarily with national and regional auto parts chains, independently owned automotive parts and accessories stores, automobile dealers that supply manufacturer replacement parts and accessories, mass merchandisers and wholesale clubs that sell automotive products, and regional and local full service automotive repair shops. If we are unable to continue to develop successful competitive strategies, or if our competitors develop more effective strategies, we could lose customers and our sales and profits may decline.

Our Business May Be Materially Affected If Demand For Our Products Slows.

Our business depends on customer demand for the products that we distribute. Demand for these products depends on many factors. With respect to our automotive group, the primary factors are: the number of miles vehicles are driven annually, as higher vehicle mileage increases the need for maintenance and repair; the quality of the vehicles manufactured by the original vehicle manufacturers and the length of the warranty or maintenance offered on new vehicles; the number of vehicles in current service that are six years old and older, as these vehicles are no longer under the original vehicle manufacturers’ warranty and will need more maintenance and repair than newer vehicles; restrictions on access to diagnostic tools and repair information imposed by the original vehicle manufacturers or by governmental regulation; and the economy generally.

Our Business May Be Impacted by General Economic Conditions and Local, National and Global Events.

Our business and results of operations also may be impacted by general economic conditions, conditions in local markets or other factors that we cannot control, including: economic conditions, job growth and unemployment conditions, industrial output and capacity and capital expenditures, reduction in manufacturing capacity in our targeted geographic markets due to consolidation and the transfer of manufacturing capacity to

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foreign countries, weather, terrorist acts, pricing pressures of our competitors and customers, shortages of fuel or interruptions in transportation systems, labor strikes, work stoppages, or other interruptions to or difficulties in the employment of labor in the major markets where we operate, changes in interest rates, inflation or currency exchange rates, changes in accounting policies and practices.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

     The Company’s headquarters and Automotive Parts Group headquarters are located in two adjacent office buildings owned by the Company in Atlanta, Georgia.

     The Company’s Automotive Parts Group currently operates 58 NAPA Distribution Centers in the United States distributed among four geographic divisions. Approximately 90% of the distribution center properties are owned by the Company. At December 31, 2003, the Company operated approximately 900 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located in 43 states, and the Company owned either a minority or majority interest in approximately 24 additional auto parts stores located in 4 states. Other than NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located within Company owned distribution centers, most of the automotive parts stores in which the Company has an ownership interest were operated in leased facilities. In addition, UAP operated 14 distribution centers and approximately 225 automotive parts and TRACTION stores in Canada, and Auto Todo operates 9 distribution centers and 15 stores in Mexico. The Company’s Automotive Parts Group also operates four Balkamp distribution centers, five Rayloc rebuilding plants, one transfer and shipping facility, and twelve Johnson Industries distribution centers.

     The Company’s Industrial Parts Group, operating through Motion and Motion Canada, operates 9 distribution centers, 32 service centers and 422 branches. Approximately 90% of these branches are operated in leased facilities.

     The Company’s Office Products Group operates 40 facilities in the United States and 4 facilities in Canada distributed among the Group’s five geographic divisions. Approximately 75% of these facilities are operated in leased buildings.

     The Company’s Electrical/Electronic Materials Group operates in 31 locations in the United States and 2 cities in Mexico. All of this Group’s 33 facilities are operated in leased buildings except one facility, which is owned.

     For additional information regarding rental expense on leased properties, see “Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” on Page 29 of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     The Company is subject to various legal and governmental proceedings, many involving routine litigation incidental to the businesses, including several hundred product liability lawsuits resulting from its national distribution of automotive parts and supplies. Many of these involve claims of personal injury allegedly resulting from the use of automotive parts distributed by the Company. While litigation of any type contains an element of uncertainty, the Company believes that its defense and ultimate resolution of pending and reasonably anticipated claims will continue to occur within the ordinary course of the Company’s business, and that resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or consolidated business and financial condition.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     Not applicable.

PART II.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

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     Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Market and Dividend Information” on Page 11 of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, and under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” on Page 12 of the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Selected Financial Data” on Page 11 of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

     Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on Pages 13 through 18 of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

     Information related to this item is set forth under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on Pages 13 through 18 and under “Note 4 – Credit Facilities” on Page 28 of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     Information required by this item is set forth in the consolidated financial statements on Pages 12 and 20 through 33, in “Report of Independent Auditors” on Page 19, and under the heading “Quarterly Results of Operations” on Page 18, of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the end of the period covered by this report.

PART III.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Nominees for Director” and “Members of the Board of Directors Continuing in Office” on Pages 3 through 5, under the heading “Corporate Governance — Code of Conduct and Ethics” on Page 6, under the heading “Corporate Governance — Board Committees” on Pages 6 through 8, and under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” on Page 27 of the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference. Certain information required by this Item is included in and incorporated by reference to Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Executive Compensation and Other Benefits” on Pages 11 through 14, and under the headings “Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Change of Control and Employment Termination Arrangements” on Pages 16 through 17 of the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference. In no event shall the information contained in the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s 2004 Annual Meeting on Pages 14 through 16 under the heading “Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee Report on Executive

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Compensation”; on Pages 18 and 19 under the heading “Performance Graph”; or on Pages 22 through 23 under the heading “Audit Committee Report” be incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     Information required by this item is set forth under the headings “Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Common Stock Ownership of Management” on Pages 8 through 11, and under the heading “Executive Compensation and Other Benefits – Equity Compensation Plan Information” on Page 12 of the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

     Information required by this item is set forth under the heading “Audit Fees” on Page 21 of the definitive proxy statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting to be held on April 19, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

  (a)   (1) and (2) The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this report.
 
  (b)   Reports on Form 8-K:
 
      On October 16, 2003, the Company issued a press release reporting the financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
 
      On November 17, 2003, the Company issued a press release reporting the dividend payable on January 2, 2004 and the election of a new director.
 
  (c)   Exhibits. The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report in Item 15(c):

     
Exhibit 3.1   Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of April 18, 1988, and as amended April 17, 1989 and amendments to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of November 20, 1989 and April 18, 1994. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 3, 1995.)
     
Exhibit 3.2   By-laws of the Company, as amended February 19, 2001. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 12, 2001.)
     
Exhibit 4.1   Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1999, between the Company and SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, as Rights Agent. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Report on Form 8-K, dated November 15, 1999.)
     
Exhibit 4.2   Specimen Common Stock Certificate. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-63874.)

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Exhibit 4.3   Note Purchase Agreement, dated November 30, 2001. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 7, 2002.)

      Instruments with respect to long-term debt where the total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis have not been filed. The Registrant agrees to furnish to the Commission a copy of each such instrument upon request.

     
Exhibit 10.1 *   Form of Amendment to Deferred Compensation Agreement, adopted February 13, 1989, between the Company and certain executive officers of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 15, 1989.)
     
Exhibit 10.2 *   Form of Agreement adopted February 13, 1989, between the Company and certain executive officers of the Company providing for a supplemental employee benefit upon a change in control of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 15, 1989.)
     
Exhibit 10.3 *   1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, effective April 20, 1992. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, dated March 6, 1992.)
     
Exhibit 10.4 *   Restricted Stock Agreement dated March 31, 1994, between the Company and Larry L. Prince. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q, dated May 6, 1994.)
     
Exhibit 10.5 *   Restricted Stock Agreement dated March 31, 1994, between the Company and Thomas C. Gallagher. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q, dated May 6, 1994.)
     
Exhibit 10.6 *   The Genuine Parts Company Restated Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, effective January 1, 1993. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 3, 1995.)
     
Exhibit 10.7 *   Genuine Parts Company Death Benefit Plan, effective July 15, 1997. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 10, 1998.)
     
Exhibit 10.8 *   Genuine Parts Company 1999 Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, effective April 19, 1995. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 10, 1999.)
     
Exhibit 10.9 *   Restricted Stock Agreement dated February 25, 1999, between the Company and Larry L. Prince. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q, dated May 3, 1999.)
     
Exhibit 10.10 *   Restricted Stock Agreement dated February 25, 1999, between the Company and Thomas C. Gallagher. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q, dated May 3, 1999.)

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Exhibit 10.11 *   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company 1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, dated April 19, 1999, effective April 19, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 10, 2000.)
     
Exhibit 10.12 *   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, dated April 19, 1999, effective April 19, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 10, 2000.)
     
Exhibit 10.13*   The Genuine Parts Company Original Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of August 19, 1996.
     
Exhibit 10.14 *   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company Original Deferred Compensation Plan, dated April 19, 1999, effective April 19, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 10, 2000.)
     
Exhibit 10.15*   Amendment No. 3 to the Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, dated November 28, 2001, effective July 1, 2001. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 7, 2002.)
     
Exhibit 10.16*   Trust Agreement Executed in Conjunction with the Genuine Parts Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, dated July 1, 2001, effective July 1, 2001. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 7, 2002.)
     
Exhibit 10.17*   Amendment No. 1 to the Trust Agreement Executed in Conjunction with the Genuine Parts Company Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, dated December 5, 2001, effective July 1, 2001. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 7, 2002.)
     
Exhibit 10.18*   Genuine Parts Company 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of November 19, 2001. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 21, 2003.)
     
Exhibit 10.19*   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company 1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, dated November 19, 2001, effective November 19, 2001. (Incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 21, 2003.)
     
Exhibit 10.20*   Genuine Parts Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2003, and executed October 22, 2003.
     
Exhibit 10.21*   Amendment No. 1 to the Genuine Parts Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, dated October 27, 2003, effective January 1, 2003.
     
Exhibit 10.22*   Amendment No. 4 to the Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, dated June 5, 2003, effective June 5, 2003.
     
Exhibit 10.23*   Genuine Parts Company Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2003, and executed November 11, 2003.

*   Indicates executive compensation plans and arrangements.

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Exhibit 13   The following sections and pages of the 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders:
     
    - Selected Financial Data on Page 11
    - Market and Dividend Information on Page 11
    - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition on Pages 13-18
    - Quarterly Results of Operations on Page 18
    - Segment Data on Page 12
    - Report of Independent Auditors on Page 19
    - Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Pages 20-33
     
Exhibit 21   Subsidiaries of the Company
     
Exhibit 23   Consent of Independent Auditors
     
Exhibit 31.1   Certification signed by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a).
     
Exhibit 31.2   Certification signed by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a).
     
Exhibit 32.1   Statement of Chief Executive Officer of Genuine Parts Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
Exhibit 32.2   Statement of Chief Financial Officer of Genuine Parts Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     (d)  Financial Statement Schedules. The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this report.

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SIGNATURES .

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

             
  /s/ Larry L. Prince   3/8/04     /s/ Jerry W. Nix   3/8/04

 
Larry L. Prince   (Date)   Jerry W. Nix   (Date)
Chairman of the Board       Executive Vice President — Finance    
and Chief Executive Officer       (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    

 


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     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

             
  /s/ Dr. Mary B. Bullock   2/16/04     /s/ Richard W. Courts II   2/16/04

 
Dr. Mary B. Bullock   (Date)   Richard W. Courts II   (Date)
Director       Director    
             
  /s/ Jean Douville   2/16/04        

 
Jean Douville   (Date)   Robert P. Forrestal   (Date)
Director       Director    
             
  /s/ Thomas C. Gallagher   2/16/04     /s/ John D. Johns   2/16/04

 
Thomas C. Gallagher   (Date)   John D. Johns   (Date)
Director       Director    
President and Chief Operating Officer            
             
  /s/ Michael M. E. Johns   2/16/04     /s/ J. Hicks Lanier   2/16/04

 
Michael M. E. Johns   (Date)   J. Hicks Lanier   (Date)
Director       Director    
             
  /s/ Wendy B. Needham   2/16/04     /s/ Larry L. Prince   2/16/04

 
Wendy B. Needham   (Date)   Larry L. Prince   (Date)
Director       Director    
        Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
             
  /s/ Lawrence G. Steiner   2/16/04     /s/ James B. Williams   2/16/04

 
Lawrence G. Steiner   (Date)   James B. Williams   (Date)
Director       Director    

 


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Annual Report on Form 10-K

Item 15(a)(1) and (2), (c) and (d)

List of Financial Statements

Certain Exhibits

Year Ended December 31, 2003

Genuine Parts Company

Atlanta, Georgia

 


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Form 10-K - Item 15(a)(1) and (2)

Genuine Parts Company and Subsidiaries

Index of Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of Genuine Parts Company and subsidiaries, included in the annual report of the registrant to its shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:

      Consolidated balance sheets - December 31, 2003 and 2002
 
      Consolidated statements of income - Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001
 
      Consolidated statements of cash flows - Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001
 
      Notes to consolidated financial statements - December 31, 2003

The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Genuine Parts Company and subsidiaries is included in Item 15(d):

      Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

 


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ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

ITEM 15(c)

LIST OF EXHIBITS

The following Exhibits are filed as a part of this Report:

     
10.13*   The Genuine Parts Company Original Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of August 19, 1996.
     
10.20*   Genuine Parts Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2003, and executed October 22, 2003.
     
10.21*   Amendment No. 1 to the Genuine Parts Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, dated October 27, 2003, effective January 1, 2003.
     
10.22*   Amendment No. 4 to the Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, dated June 5, 2003, effective June 5, 2003.
     
10.23*   Genuine Parts Company Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2003, and executed November 11, 2003.
     
13   The following Sections and Pages of Annual Report to Shareholders for 2003:
     
    - Selected Financial Data on Page 11
    - Market and Dividend Information on Page 11
    - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition on Pages 13-18
    - Quarterly Results of Operations on Page 18
    - Segment Data on Page 12
    - Report of Independent Auditors on Page 19
    - Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on Pages 20-33
     
21   Subsidiaries of the Company
     
23   Consent of Independent Auditors
     
31.1   Certification signed by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a).
     
31.2   Certification signed by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a).
     
32.1   Statement of Chief Executive Officer of Genuine Parts Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2   Statement of Chief Financial Officer of Genuine Parts Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

The following Exhibits are incorporated by reference as set forth in Item 15 on pages 13-16 of this Form 10-K:

 


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-     3.1     Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, dated April 18, 1988, and as amended April 17, 1989 and amendments to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, dated November 20, 1989 and April 18, 1994.
             
-     3.2     By-laws of the Company, as amended February 19, 2001.
             
-     4.1     Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated November 15, 1999, between the Company and SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, as Rights Agent.
             
-     4.2     Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
             
-     4.3     Note Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 2001.

Instruments with respect to long-term debt where the total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis have not been filed. The Registrant agrees to furnish to the Commission a copy of each such instrument upon request.

         
-   10.1*   Form of Amendment to Deferred Compensation Agreement adopted February 13, 1989, between the Company and certain executive officers of the Company.
         
-   10.2*   Form of Agreement adopted February 13, 1989, between the Company and certain executive officers of the Company providing for a supplemental employee benefit upon a change in control of the Company.
         
-   10.3*   1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, effective April 20, 1992.
         
-   10.4*   Restricted Stock Agreement dated March 31, 1994, between the Company and Larry L. Prince.
         
-   10.5*   Restricted Stock Agreement dated March 31, 1994, between the Company and Thomas C. Gallagher.
         
-   10.6*   The Genuine Parts Company Restated Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, effective January 1, 1993.
         
-   10.7*   Genuine Parts Company Death Benefit Plan, effective July 15, 1997.
         
-   10.8*   Genuine Parts Company 1999 Annual Incentive Bonus Plan.
         
-   10.9*   Restricted Stock Agreement dated February 25, 1999, between the Company and Larry L. Prince.
         
-   10.10*   Restricted Stock Agreement dated February 25, 1999, between the Company and Thomas C. Gallagher.
         
-   10.11*   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company 1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, dated April 19, 1999, effective April 19, 1999.
         
-   10.12*   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, dated April 19, 1999, effective April 19, 1999.
         
-   10.14*   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company Original Deferred Compensation Plan, dated April 19, 1999, effective April 19, 1999.
         
-   10.15*   Amendment No. 3 to the Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan, dated November 28, 2001, effective July 1, 2001.
         
-   10.16*   Trust Agreement Executed in Conjunction with the Genuine Parts Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, dated July 1, 2001, effective July 1, 2001.
         
-   10.17*   Amendment No. 1 to the Trust Agreement Executed in Conjunction with the Genuine Parts Company Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, dated December 5, 2001, effective July 1, 2001.
         
-   10.18*   Genuine Parts Company 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of November 19, 2001.
         
-   10.19*   Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company 1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, dated November 19, 2001, effective November 19, 2001.

  *   Indicates executive compensation plans and arrangements.

 


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Annual Report on Form 10-K
Item 15(d)
Financial Statement Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Genuine Parts Company and Subsidiaries

                                     
        Balance at   Charged           Balance at
        Beginning   to Costs           End
        of Period   and Expenses   Deductions   of Period
       
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2001:
                               
 
Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts:
                               
   
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
  $ 7,370,434     $ 26,515,715     $ (24,621,880) 1     $ 9,264,269  
   
Reserve for facility consolidations
        $ 18,300,000 3     $ (400,000) 2     $ 17,900,000  
Year ended December 31, 2002:
                               
 
Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts:
                               
   
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
  $ 9,264,269     $ 20,856,135     $ (21,892,433) 1     $ 8,227,971  
   
Reserve for facility consolidations
  $ 17,900,000           $ (9,900,000) 2     $ 8,000,000  
Year ended December 31, 2003:
                               
 
Reserves and allowances deducted from asset accounts:
                               
   
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
  $ 8,227,971     $ 23,783,043     $ (23,459,723) 1     $ 8,551,291  
   
Reserve for facility consolidations
  $ 8,000,000           $ (4,700,000) 2     $ 3,300,000  

  1 Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
 
  2 Facility consolidation expenses paid.
 
  3 Facility consolidation expenses accrued

 

EXHIBIT 10.13

THE GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
ORIGINAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

(Amended and Restated Effective August 19, 1996)

ARTICLE I
ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN

1.01 Background of Plan. Genuine Parts Company (the "Company") from time to time has granted deferred compensation benefits for certain key employees. Such key employees agreed to an annual reduction in their compensation. In return, Genuine Parts Company promised such key employees a ten year certain life annuity if such key employee continued employment until age
65. In addition, certain early retirement benefits, death benefits and disability benefits were provided.

Genuine Parts Company believes it is beneficial to amend and restate such arrangements that are currently in effect for key employees who are actively employed in the form of this document known as the Genuine Parts Company Original Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"). As a condition to receiving benefits provided under this Plan, such key employees will waive their right to benefits previously promised to them under the deferred compensation arrangements.

1.02 Status of Plan. The Plan is intended to be a non-qualified, unfunded plan of deferred compensation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Also, because the only persons who may participate in this Plan are members of a select group of management or highly compensated employees, this Plan of deferred compensation is not subject to Parts 2, 3 and 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

1.03 Trust. The Company has previously established a trust to fund benefits provided under certain non-qualified deferred compensation plans sponsored by the Company ("Trust"). Genuine Parts Company intends to transfer certain assets attributable to the Plan to the Trust. It is intended that such transfer will not generate taxable income (for federal income tax purposes) to the Participants until such assets are actually distributed or otherwise made available to the Participants.


ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS

Account. See Section 4.01.

Beneficiary. The person or persons designated by a Participant to receive the Participant's death benefits, if any, provided under this Plan. It is expressly intended that the Beneficiary designations previously made by the Participant under the Participant's deferred compensation agreement identified in Appendix A hereto shall remain in effect under this Plan. However, a Participant may execute a new beneficiary designation at any time. If any Participant shall fail to designate a Beneficiary or shall designate a Beneficiary who shall fail to survive the Participant, the Beneficiary shall be the Participant's Beneficiary under the Genuine Partnership Plan or any successor plan to the Genuine Partnership Plan.

Committee. The Executive Committee to the Board of Directors of the Company or its designee that will administer and interpret the terms of the Plan.

Company. Genuine Parts Company, its corporate successors and any of their controlled subsidiaries.

Disability. Disability shall have the same meaning as the term "disability" or "permanent disability" is defined in the Genuine Partnership Plan or any successor plan to the Genuine Partnership Plan.

Normal Retirement Age. Age 65.

Participant. Those individuals identified in Appendix A to the Plan.

Plan. The Genuine Parts Company Original Deferred Compensation Plan as set forth in this document, together with any subsequent amendments hereto.

Termination of Service. A Participant who has ceased to serve as an employee of the Company for any reason.

Trust. See Section 1.03.

Withdrawal Benefits. See Section 4.06.

ARTICLE III
PARTICIPATION

3.01 Participation. The only persons who may participate in this Plan are those Participants who are designated in Appendix A to this Plan.

- 2 -

ARTICLE IV

PLAN BENEFITS

4.01 Account.

(a) Salary Reduction. As a condition of participation in this Plan, each Participant has previously agreed to an annual reduction of his or her salary on a before-tax basis. The salary reduction amount shall be set forth in Appendix A. The Company shall continue to be withhold the salary reduction amount from the Participant's compensation until the earlier of the Participant's Termination of Service or the Participant's Normal Retirement Age.

(b) Account. The Committee shall credit the salary reductions referred to in Section 4.01(a) above to an account ("Account"). The Committee may direct the investment of such Account in any manner it directs including the purchase of insurance policies. Such Account and any assets attributable to such Account shall be the sole property of the Company and no Participant shall have any right to demand a distribution of assets attributable to such Account.

(c) Cessation of Salary Reductions. If a Participant ceases to make the annual salary reduction referred to in Section 4.01(a) above, the Participant shall no longer participate in this Plan and shall be treated as if he or she had a Termination of Service on the date of the Participant's failure to make the annual salary reduction.

4.02 Normal Retirement Benefit.

(a) In General. A Participant who has a Termination of Service on or after attaining Normal Retirement Age is entitled to a normal retirement benefit. The normal retirement benefit shall be paid in the form of a ten year certain life annuity. The ten year certain life annuity shall provide a monthly benefit to the Participant for the remainder of his or her life. If the Participant dies before 120 monthly payments have been paid, the unpaid monthly payments (not to exceed 120 monthly payments, including those monthly payments previously paid to the Participant) shall be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary.

(b) Ten Year Certain Life Annuity. The amount of the ten year certain life annuity shall be computed as follows. The Committee shall select an insurance company of its choosing. The Committee shall request the insurance company to compute the monthly amount that would be paid to the Participant in the form of a ten year certain life annuity based on the asset value held in the Participant's Account as of Participant's Normal Retirement Age (or such later date selected by the Committee in its sole discretion) and based on the insurance company's annuity tables applicable to individuals of similar age and risk categories as the Participant. The monthly amount will then be increased by 100%. Such monthly amount shall then be paid to the Participant in the form of a ten year certain life annuity as described above. The first such payment shall

- 3 -

commence on the first business day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant attained age 65.

(c) Guaranteed Normal Retirement Benefit. In no event shall the Participant's monthly normal retirement benefit described above be less than the amount set forth in Appendix A.

4.03 Early Retirement Benefit.

(a) In General. A Participant who has a Termination of Service on or after attaining age 60 and after completing fifteen or more years of "credited service" (as defined in the Genuine Parts Company Pension Plan) is entitled to an early retirement benefit. The early retirement benefit shall be computed in the same manner as the normal retirement benefit described in
Section 4.02 except that the insurance company shall compute the ten year certain life annuity based on the asset value held in the Participant's Account as of the Participant's Termination of Service (or such later date selected by the Committee in tis sole discretion). Such amount will then be increased by 100%.

(b) Ten Year Certain Life Annuity. The early retirement benefit shall be paid in the form of a ten year certain life annuity (as described in Section 4.02(a). The first such payment shall commence on the first business day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant has a Termination of Service.

(c) Other Terminations of Service. A Participant who has a Termination of Service prior to attaining age 60 or prior to completing fifteen years of credited service shall not be entitled to an early retirement benefit under this Section 4.03. Instead, such Participant shall be entitled only to the applicable benefit, if any, described in Sections 4.04, 4.05 or 4.06.

4.04 Death Benefits.

(a) Death Before Attaining Normal Retirement Age. If the Participant has a Termination of Service on account of Death before attaining his or her Normal Retirement Age, the Company will pay to the Participant's Beneficiary the monthly amount set forth in Appendix A. Such benefit shall be paid for 120 months beginning with the first business day of the calendar year following the calendar year of the Participant's death.

(b) Death Following Normal Retirement Age. If the Participant has a Termination of Service on or after his Normal Retirement Age but subsequently dies before receiving 120 monthly benefits, the Participant's Beneficiary shall receive the

- 4 -

unpaid monthly benefits, if any, described in Section 4.02(a) (but not to exceed 120 months including those payments previously paid to the Participant).

4.05 Disability Benefits.

(a) In General. If a Participant has a Termination of Service on account of Disability, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the monthly benefit set forth in Appendix A until the Participant attains age 65. Such disability benefits will begin on the first business day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant incurred the Termination of Service on account of Disability.

(b) Benefit Upon Attaining Age 65. Upon attaining Normal Retirement Age, the Participant's disability benefit shall terminate. In lieu thereof, the Participant shall be entitled to the normal retirement benefit described in Section 4.02, subject to the terms of Section 4.02.

(c) Death Prior to Attainment of Age 65. If a Participant dies before attaining his or her Normal Retirement Age, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be entitled to the benefit described in Section 4.04(a), subject to the terms of Section 4.04(a).

4.06 Withdrawal Benefit. In the event a Participant has a Termination of Service prior to his or her Normal Retirement Age, death or Disability, the Company will pay to the Participant a Withdrawal Benefit ("Withdrawal Benefit") in the amount and for the time set forth in Appendix A. Such annual payment will commence on the first business day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant has a Termination of Service. If the Participant dies before receiving all of the Withdrawal benefits described in Appendix A, the Participant's Beneficiary shall continue to receive the remaining payments in annual installments.

ARTICLE V
FUNDING OF PLAN

5.01     The benefits provided by this Plan shall be paid from the general
         assets of the Company or as otherwise directed by the Company. To the
         extent that any Participant acquires the right to receive payments
         under the Plan (from whatever source), such right shall be no greater
         than that of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. Participants
         and their Beneficiaries shall not have any preference or security
         interest in the assets of the Company other than as a general unsecured
         creditor.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                           ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

6.01     The Committee shall have complete control of the administration of the
         Plan with all powers necessary to enable it to properly carry out the
         provisions of the Plan.

                                     - 5 -

         In addition to all implied powers and responsibilities necessary to
         carry out the objectives of the Plan, the Committee shall have the
         following specific powers and responsibilities:

                  (1)      To construe the Plan and to determine all questions
         arising in the administration, interpretation and operation of the
         Plan;

                  (2)      To determine the benefits of the Plan to which any
         Participant, Beneficiary or other person may be entitled;

                  (3)      To keep records of all acts and determinations of the
         Committee, and to keep all such records, books of accounts, data and
         other documents as may be necessary for the proper administration of
         the Plan;

                  (4)      To prepare and distribute to all Participants and
         Beneficiaries information concerning the Plan and their rights under
         the Plan;

                  (5)      To do all things necessary to operate and administer
         the Plan in accordance with its provisions.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

7.01     The Committee reserves the right to modify, alter, amend, or terminate
         the Plan, at any time and from time to time, without notice, to any
         extent deemed advisable; provided, however, that no such amendment or
         termination shall (without the written consent of the Participant, if
         living, and if not, the Participant's Beneficiary) adversely affect any
         benefit under the Plan which has accrued with respect to the
         Participant or Beneficiary as of the date of such amendment or
         termination regardless of whether such benefit is in pay status.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification, alteration,
         or termination of this Plan may be given effect with respect to any
         Participant without the consent of such Participant if such amendment,
         modification, alteration, or termination is adopted during the
         six-month period prior to a Change of Control or at any time following
         a Change of Control.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                                CHANGE IN CONTROL

8.01     Change of Control.

         (a)      Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, in the
                  event there is a Change of Control of the Company as defined
                  in subsection (c) of this Section 8.01, any Participant whose
                  employment is terminated on account of such Change of Control,
                  shall receive an immediate lump sum payment

                                     - 6 -

                  of the Participant's Account balance computed as if the
                  Participant obtained his or her Normal Retirement Age as of
                  the date of such termination of employment and using the
                  assumptions set forth in Section 8.01(b). For purposes of this
                  Section 8.01(a), a Participant's employment shall be
                  considered to have "terminated on account of such Change of
                  Control" only if the Participant's employment with the
                  Employer is terminated without cause during the 24 month
                  period following the Change of Control.

         (b)      Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, in the
                  event there is a change of control of the Company as defined
                  in subsection (c) of this Section 8.01, any Participant who
                  has commenced receiving monthly distributions from the Company
                  (other than from an annuity contract owned by the Participant
                  or the Trust and purchased from an insurance company) shall
                  immediately receive a lump sum payment determined using the
                  same assumptions as those used by the Genuine Parts Company
                  Pension Plan immediately prior to the Change in Control to
                  determine lump sum benefits.

         (c)      A Change of Control of the Company shall mean a change of
                  control of a nature that would require to be reported in
                  response to item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A
                  promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                  "Exchange Act"). In addition, whether or not required to be
                  reported thereunder, a Change of Control shall be deemed to
                  have occurred at such time as (i) any "person" (as that term
                  is used in Section 13(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes
                  the beneficial owner (as defined in rule 13(d)-3 of the
                  Exchange Act) directly or indirectly of securities
                  representing 20% or more of the combined voting power for
                  election of directors of the then outstanding securities of
                  the Company or any successor of the Company (ii) during any
                  period of two consecutive years or less individuals who at the
                  beginning of such period constituted the board of directors of
                  the Company cease, for any reason, to constitute at least a
                  majority of the board of directors, unless the election or
                  nomination for election of each new director was approved by a
                  vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in
                  office who were directors at the beginning of the period;
                  (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or
                  consolidation as a result of which the capital stock of the
                  Company shall be changed, converted or exchanged (other than a
                  merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) or any
                  liquidation of the Company or any sales or other disposition
                  of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company;
                  or (iv) the shareholders of the Company approve any merger or
                  consolidation to which the Company is a party as a result of
                  which the persons who were shareholders of the Company
                  immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or
                  consolidation shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50%
                  of the combined voting power

                                     - 7 -

                  for election of directors of the surviving corporation
                  following the effective date of such merger or consolidation.
                  Notwithstanding any provisions in this subparagraph (c), in
                  the event the Company and a Participant agree prior to any
                  event which would otherwise constitute a Change of control,
                  that such event shall not constitute a Change of Control, then
                  for purposes of this Plan there shall be no such Change of
                  Control upon that event.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

9.01     Headings. The headings and sub-headings in this Plan have been inserted
         for convenience of reference only and are to be ignored in any
         construction of the provisions hereof.

9.02     Spendthrift Clause. None of the benefits, payments, proceeds or
         distribution under this Plan shall be subject to the claim of any
         creditor of any Participant or Beneficiary, or to any legal process by
         any creditor of such Participant or Beneficiary, and none of them shall
         have any right to alienate, commute, anticipate or assign any of the
         benefits, payments, proceeds or distributions under this Plan except to
         the extent expressly provided herein to the contrary.

9.03     Merger. The Plan shall not be automatically terminated by the Company's
         acquisition by, merger into, or sale of substantially all of its assets
         to any other organization, but the Plan shall be continued thereafter
         by such successor organization. All rights to amend, modify, suspend or
         terminate the Plan shall be transferred to the successor organization,
         effective as of the date of the combination or sale. However, See
         Article 7 for amendment and termination rights following a Change in
         Control (as defined in Article 8).

9.04     Release. Any payment to Participant or Beneficiary, or to their legal
         representatives, in accordance with the provisions of this Plan, shall
         to the extent thereof be in full satisfaction of all claims hereunder
         against the Committee and the Company, any of whom may require such
         Participant, Beneficiary, or legal representative, as a condition
         precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release therefor in
         such form as shall be determined by the Committee, or the Company, as
         the case may be.

9.05     Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of
         Georgia.

9.06     Costs of Collection; Interest. In the event the Participant collects
         any part or all of the payments due under this Plan by or through a
         lawyer or lawyers, the Company will pay all costs of collection,
         including reasonable legal fees incurred by the Participant. In
         addition, the Company shall pay to the Participant interest on all or

                                     - 8 -

         any part of the payments that are not paid when due at a rate equal to
         the Prime Rate as announced by Trust Company Bank or its successors
         from time to time.

9.07     Successors and Assigns. This Plan shall be binding upon the successors
         and assigns of the parties hereto.

9.08     Noncompetition Agreement. The Participant agrees that the time any
         payments or benefits may be due or payable under this Plan, the
         Participant will not engage in any business which is competitive to the
         Company, directly or indirectly, as principal, partner, stockholder or
         otherwise. If a Participant violates this provision, the Participant
         and his or her Beneficiary will forfeit all rights to receive any
         payment under this Plan other than the benefits described in Section
         4.06, if any, that may apply.

9.09     Employment. Under no circumstances shall the Participant's
         participation in this Plan be deemed to be a contract of employment,
         nor shall it obligate the Company to continue the Participant's
         employment for any period nor obligate the Participant to extend
         similar benefits to any other employee of the Company.

9.10     Nonassignability. No benefits payable under this Plan may be assigned,
         transferred, encumbered or subject to any legal process for the payment
         of any claim against the Participant or Beneficiary.

9.11     Prior Agreement. The Participants previously entered into agreements,
         understandings, etc. ("Prior Agreements") regarding the provision of
         benefits described in this Plan. The execution of this Plan is intended
         to supersede and replace the benefits provided under the Prior
         Agreements. To the extent benefits are paid under the Prior Agreements
         by error or for any other reason, benefits under the Plan shall be
         correspondingly decreased. The intent of this Section 9.11 is to
         prevent a Participant from receiving a double benefit.

                                    GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

                                    By: /s/ Frank M. Howard
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title: Vice President
                                    Date: August 19, 1996

- 9 -

APPENDIX A

INFORMATION FOR
John E. Aderhold

                               ANNUAL SALARY         GUARANTEED ANNUAL       MONTHLY DEATH
    DATE OF DEFERRED             REDUCTION         BENEFIT UNDER SECTION     BENEFIT UNDER
COMPENSATION AGREEMENT        SEE SECTION 4.01             4.02(c)           SECTION 4.04(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       2/13/68                     $5,580                 $12,000                $1,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       4/9/70                      $1,698                 $ 3,000                $  250
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       5/16/72                     $1,966                 $ 3,000                $  250
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL                       $9,244                 $18,000               $ 1,500`
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               MONTHLY DISABILITY       ANNUAL WITHDRAWAL
    DATE OF DEFERRED         BENEFIT UNDER SECTION           BENEFIT
COMPENSATION AGREEMENT               4.05              SEE SECTION 4.06      PERIOD OF WITHDRAWAL PAYMENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       2/13/68                      $ 1,000                  $5,305          The number of full calendar
                                                                             years between 2/13/68 and the
                                                                             Participant's Termination of
                                                                             Service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       4/9/70                       $  250                   $1,620          The number of full calendar
                                                                             years between 4/9/70 and the
                                                                             Participant's Termination of
                                                                             Service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       5/16/72                      $   250                  $1,887          The number of full calendar
                                                                             years between 5/16/72 and the
                                                                             Participant's Termination of
                                                                             Service.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       TOTAL                        $ 1,500                     N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


EXHIBIT 10.20

THE GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN
(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2003)

ARTICLE ONE - INTRODUCTION

1.01     Establishment of Plan.

         The Board of Directors of Genuine Parts Company ("Genuine Parts") has
         determined that it is in the best interest of Genuine Parts and its
         subsidiaries (collectively the "Employer") to establish a nonqualified
         supplemental retirement plan for certain executives of the Employer.
         Accordingly, the Board established The Genuine Parts Company
         Supplemental Retirement Plan effective as of January 1, 1991 (the
         "Plan"). Effective as of January 1, 2003, the Plan is continued in an
         amended and restated form as set forth in this document.

         This Plan is intended to be a plan maintained by the Employer solely
         for the purpose of providing benefits for certain employees in excess
         of the limitations on benefits imposed by Sections 401(a)(17) and 415
         of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and is also intended
         to be a plan that is unfunded and is maintained by Genuine Parts for
         the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of
         management or highly compensated employees (hereinafter "Key
         Employees").

1.02     Incorporation of Pension Plan.

         The terms of the Genuine Parts Company Pension Plan, as amended and
         restated effective January 1, 2001 (the "Pension Plan") are hereby
         incorporated in this Plan by reference. Unless otherwise indicated
         herein, the provisions of any future amendments to the Pension Plan
         shall also be incorporated in this Plan by reference. Unless indicated
         otherwise, capitalized terms used in this Plan shall have the meaning
         given those terms in the Pension Plan.

                           ARTICLE TWO - PARTICIPATION

2.01     Eligibility.

         Except as provided in Section 2.02, any employee of the Employer ("Key
         Employee") whose annual, regular Earnings are expected to be equal to
         or greater than the compensation limits of Code Section 401(a)(17)
         ($200,000 in 2003) shall participate in this Plan. Upon becoming
         eligible to participate, a Key Employee must complete and execute a
         Joinder Agreement in a form satisfactory to the Pension and Benefits
         Committee of Genuine Parts Company (the "Committee"). Even though a Key
         Employee may be a Participant in this Plan, he shall not be entitled to
         any benefit hereunder unless

         and until his benefits under the Pension Plan are reduced due to the
         application of either Section 401(a)(17) or Section 415 of the Code.

2.02     Additional Rules on Eligibility.

         (a)      The Committee may increase the Earnings limitation (see
                  Section 2.01) that a Key Employee must receive to become
                  eligible to continue or commence his or her participation in
                  the Plan.

         (b)      A Key Employee shall not accrue a benefit for any year in
                  which the Key Employee's annual, regular Earnings is expected
                  to be less than the compensation limits of Code Section
                  401(a)(17) or, if greater, the Earnings limit established by
                  the Committee pursuant to paragraph (a) above. Nevertheless,
                  the Key Employee shall continue to participate in the Plan and
                  shall again accrue a benefit under this Plan during the
                  calendar year in which the Key Employee's Earnings exceed the
                  Earnings limit established in Section 2.01 or 2.02(a),
                  whichever is greater.

         (c)      The Committee may prohibit any Key Employee from participating
                  in the Plan during a calendar year and subsequent calendar
                  years by notifying such Key Employee during the first calendar
                  year that his or her participation shall cease under the Plan.

2.03     Definition of Earnings.

         For purposes of this Plan, the term "Earnings" shall (except as
         modified below) have the same meaning given such term in the Pension
         Plan. Unlike the Pension Plan, however, Earnings shall include salary,
         bonus or other compensation that the Company would otherwise have been
         paid to a Key Employee but for the Key Employee's election to defer the
         receipt of such salary, bonus or other compensation pursuant to a
         Company sponsored deferred compensation program ("Deferred
         Compensation"). A Key Employee's Deferred Compensation shall not be
         included in Earnings in the year such Deferred Compensation is paid to
         the Key Employee.

                 ARTICLE THREE - SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT INCOME

3.01     Calculation of Supplement.

         (a)      Each Participant who terminates active employment with the
                  Employer on or after his Normal or Delayed Retirement Date by
                  reason of retirement or voluntary or involuntary termination
                  shall, except as provided in Section 6.05, be entitled to a
                  monthly supplemental retirement income ("Supplemental
                  Retirement Income") equal to (1) minus (2), where

- 2 -

(1) equals the monthly Normal or Delayed Retirement Income which Participant would be entitled to receive under the Pension Plan beginning on the Benefit Commencement Date (as defined in Section 3.02) if the benefit limitations of Code Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 as reflected in the Pension Plan were not in effect (measured in the form of a single life annuity payable in monthly installments for the Participant's life) and if the definition of Earnings under this Plan were used to compute the Participant's Normal or Delayed Retirement Income under the Pension Plan;

(2) equals the monthly Normal or Delayed Retirement Income which Participant is actually entitled to receive under the Pension Plan beginning on the Benefit Commencement Date measured in the form of a single life annuity payable in monthly installments for the Participant's life.

(b) Each Participant who terminates active employment with the Employer on or after his Early Retirement Date by reason of early retirement or voluntary or involuntary termination shall, except as provided in Section 6.05, be entitled to a monthly Supplemental Retirement Income equal to (1) minus (2), where

(1) equals the monthly Early Retirement Income which Participant would be entitled to receive under the Pension Plan beginning on the Benefit Commencement Date (as defined in Section 3.02) if the benefit limitations of Code Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 as reflected in the Pension Plan were not in effect (measured in the form of a single life annuity payable in monthly installments for the Participant's life) and if the definition of Earnings under this Plan were used to compute the Participant's Early Retirement Income under the Pension Plan;

(2) equals the monthly Early Retirement Income which Participant is actually entitled to receive under the Pension Plan beginning on the Benefit Commencement Date measured in the form of a single life annuity payable in monthly installments for the Participant's life.

(3) The Participant's benefit in (1) and (2) above shall be reduced by the early retirement reduction factors set forth in the Pension Plan (e.g., see Section 4.02) regardless of whether the Participant is entitled to an increased benefit under the Pension Plan by reason of terminating employment pursuant to an early retirement window.

(c) Except as provided in Section 5.01, no payment of any kind shall be made under this Plan to any Participant who terminates active employment with the Employer prior to his Early Retirement Date.

- 3 -

         (d)      In computing a Key Employee's benefit under this Plan, the
                  Committee shall assume the Participant did not accrue a
                  benefit under the Pension Plan (and did not receive any
                  Earnings) during any calendar year in which the Key Employee
                  did not accrue a benefit under this Plan (see Section 2.02).

3.02     Benefit Commencement Date; Manner of Payment.

         The Employer shall commence payment of the Supplemental Retirement
         Income as of the Benefit Commencement Date and such benefit shall
         continue on a monthly basis for the Participant's lifetime and for any
         period thereafter provided for under the form of benefit elected by the
         Participant. The Benefit Commencement Date shall mean the day that
         Retirement Income is deemed to commence under the Pension Plan with
         respect to the Participant. The Supplemental Retirement Income shall be
         paid in the form elected by the Participant in his Joinder Agreement.
         In the event that the Participant fails to elect a form of payment,
         then the Supplemental Retirement Income shall be paid in the form of a
         50% joint and survivor annuity if the Participant has a Spouse on the
         Benefit Commencement Date and in the form of a Life Annuity if the
         Participant does not have a Spouse on the Benefit Commencement Date. If
         the Supplemental Retirement Income is paid in a form other than a Life
         Annuity, then the amount of such benefit shall be adjusted so that it
         is the Actuarial Equivalent of the Life Annuity described in Section
         3.01.

                   ARTICLE FOUR - PRE-RETIREMENT DEATH BENEFIT

4.01     Death of Participant Before Supplemental Income Payments Commence.

(a) Participants Prior to January 1, 1995.

(1) This Section 4.01(a) shall apply only to Key Employees who became Participants in this Plan prior to January 1, 1995.

(2) If a Participant (married or unmarried at the time of his death) dies before Supplemental Retirement Income commences hereunder and while he remains employed by the Employer, then the Participant's Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive a survivor benefit which is the Actuarial Equivalent of the Participant's Supplemental Retirement Income accrued to the date of his death under Section 3.01. For such purpose, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be the same as his or her Beneficiary designated under the Pension Plan.

(b) Participants On or After January 1, 1995.

(1) This Section 4.01(b) shall apply only to Key Employees who became Participants in this Plan on or after January 1, 1995.

- 4 -

                  (2)      If a Participant (married or unmarried at the time of
                           his death) dies before Supplemental Retirement Income
                           commences hereunder and while he remains employed by
                           the Employer, then the Committee may, in its sole
                           discretion, determine that a Participant's
                           Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive a survivor
                           benefit which is the Actuarial Equivalent of the
                           Participant's Supplemental Retirement Income accrued
                           to the date of his death under Section 3.01. For such
                           purpose, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be the
                           same as his or her Beneficiary designated under the
                           Pension Plan.

         (c)      Form of Survivor Benefit. For purposes of paragraphs (a) and
                  (b) above, the survivor benefit shall be a benefit payable for
                  the life of the Beneficiary which commences on the first day
                  of the month following the Participant's death, and ending on
                  the first day of the month coinciding with or immediately
                  following the Beneficiary's death.

4.02     Death of Participant After Supplemental Retirement Income Payments Have
         Commenced.

         If a Participant dies after Supplemental Retirement Income Payments
         have begun hereunder, then the Participant's Contingent Annuitant (as
         defined in the Joinder Agreement) shall be entitled to only that death
         benefit, if any, which is in effect at the time of the Participants'
         death in accordance with the benefit option elected by the Participant.
         No death benefits shall be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary.

                        ARTICLE FIVE - CHANGE OF CONTROL

5.01     Change of Control.

         (a)      In the event there is a Change of Control of Genuine Parts (as
                  defined in Section 5.01(d)), a Participant described below
                  shall receive an immediate lump sum payment of the
                  Participant's Supplemental Retirement Income in lieu of the
                  Supplemental Retirement Income otherwise provided under this
                  Plan.

                  (i)      A Participant who terminates employment on account of
                           the Change of Control (as defined below) must have
                           attained age 55 with at least fifteen (15) years of
                           Credited Service for vesting purposes under the
                           Pension Plan on or prior to the Participant's
                           termination of employment of account of the Change of
                           Control. Such Participant's lump sum benefit shall be
                           computed as described in Section 5.01(b) below.

                  (ii)     A Participant (or his or her Beneficiary or
                           Contingent Annuitant if the Participant is not
                           living) who does not satisfy the conditions of

                                     - 5 -

                           subparagraph (i) above but who terminated employment
                           prior to the Change of Control and who is receiving
                           or entitled to receive benefits under the Plan
                           following the Change in Control shall receive a lump
                           sum benefit computed as described in Section 5.01(c).

                  (iii)    For purposes of this Section 5.01(a), a Participant's
                           employment shall be considered to have "terminated on
                           account of such Change of Control" if the
                           Participant's employment with the Employer is
                           terminated for any reason (e.g., resignation,
                           involuntary termination, disability, death, etc.)
                           during the five-year period beginning on the date on
                           which the Change in Control occurred.

         (b)      The lump sum payment for a Participant described in Section
                  5.01(a)(i) shall be determined by computing the present value
                  of the Participant's monthly Supplemental Retirement Income as
                  of the date of the Participant's termination of employment
                  (calculated pursuant to the formula set forth in Section
                  3.01(a)). The present value amount shall be determined using
                  the Applicable Interest Rate and Applicable Mortality Table as
                  defined in Section 4.11 of the Pension Plan (i.e., the
                  interest rate used to compute a lump sum payout from the
                  Pension Plan following a change in control).

         (c)      The lump sum payment for a Participant described in Section
                  5.01(a)(ii) shall be determined by computing the present value
                  of the remaining unpaid monthly Supplemental Retirement Income
                  payments under this Plan using the Applicable Interest Rate
                  and Applicable Mortality Table as defined in Section 4.11 of
                  the Pension Plan (i.e., the interest rate used to compute a
                  lump sum payout from the Pension Plan following a Change of
                  Control) and by assuming such payments begin or continue (as
                  the case may be) immediately following the Change of Control.

         (d)      A Change of Control of Genuine Parts means and includes each
                  of the following:

                  (1)      The acquisition by any individual, entity or group
                           (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2)
                           of the 1934 Act) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership
                           (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
                           the 1934 Act) of 20% or more of the combined voting
                           power of the then outstanding voting securities of
                           Genuine Parts entitled to vote generally in the
                           election of directors (the "Outstanding Company
                           Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for
                           purposes of this subsection (1), the following
                           acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of
                           Control: (i) any acquisition by a Person who is on
                           May 1, 1999 the beneficial owner of 20% or more of
                           the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, (ii) any
                           acquisition directly from Genuine Parts, (iii) any
                           acquisition by Genuine Parts, (iv) any acquisition by
                           any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
                           sponsored or maintained by Genuine Parts or any
                           corporation controlled by Genuine

                                     - 6 -

                           Parts, or (v) any acquisition by any corporation
                           pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses
                           (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (3) of this
                           definition; or

                  (2)      Individuals who, as of May 1, 1999, constitute the
                           Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
                           constitute at least a majority of the Board;
                           provided, however, that any individual becoming a
                           director subsequent to May 1, 1999 whose election, or
                           nomination for election by Genuine Parts'
                           shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
                           majority of the directors then comprising the
                           Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
                           individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
                           excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
                           whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
                           of an actual or threatened election contest with
                           respect to the election or removal of directors or
                           other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
                           consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
                           Board; or

                  (3)      Consummation of a reorganization, merger,
                           consolidation or share exchange or sale or other
                           disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
                           of Genuine Parts (a "Business Combination"), in each
                           case, unless, following such Business Combination,
                           (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
                           entities who were the beneficial owners of the
                           Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately
                           prior to such Business Combination beneficially own,
                           directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined
                           voting power of the then outstanding voting
                           securities entitled to vote generally in the election
                           of directors of the corporation resulting from such
                           Business Combination (including, without limitation,
                           a corporation which as a result of such transaction
                           owns Genuine Parts or all or substantially all of
                           Genuine Parts' assets either directly or through one
                           or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
                           proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to
                           such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company
                           Voting Securities, and (ii) no Person (excluding any
                           corporation resulting from such Business Combination
                           or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of
                           Genuine Parts or such corporation resulting from such
                           Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or
                           indirectly, 20% or more of the combined voting power
                           of the then outstanding voting securities of such
                           corporation except to the extent that such ownership
                           existed prior to the Business Combination, and (iii)
                           at least a majority of the members of the board of
                           directors of the corporation resulting from such
                           Business Combination were members of the Incumbent
                           Board at the time of the execution of the initial
                           agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing
                           for such Business Combination; or

                  (4)      Approval by the shareholders of Genuine Parts of a
                           complete liquidation or dissolution of Genuine Parts.

- 7 -

ARTICLE SIX - MISCELLANEOUS

6.01     Funding.

         Nothing contained in this Plan and no action taken pursuant to the
         provisions of this Plan shall create or be construed to create a trust
         for the purpose of assuring funds for the payment of any amounts
         provided herein. The amounts provided by this Plan shall be paid from
         each Employer's general assets or by such other means as the Employer
         deems advisable. A Participant shall have no title to or beneficial
         interest in any assets set aside or acquired by an Employer to fund its
         obligations hereunder prior to its due date and to the extent a
         Participant acquires the right to receive a payment from the Employer
         under this Plan, such right shall be no greater than that of an
         unsecured general creditor of such Employer.

6.02     Nonassignability.

         No amount payable under this Plan may be assigned, transferred,
         encumbered or subject to any legal process for the payment of any claim
         against a Participant.

6.03     Costs of Collection; Interest.

         In any action taken in good faith relating to the enforcement of
         benefits under this Plan or any provision herein, the Participant (or
         the Beneficiary or Contingent Annuitant, as the case may be) shall be
         entitled to be paid any and all costs and expenses incurred by him or
         her in enforcing or establishing his or her rights under this Plan,
         including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, whether suit
         be brought or not, and whether or not incurred in trial, bankruptcy or
         appellate proceedings, but only if Participant (or Beneficiary or
         Contingent Annuitant) is successful on at least one material issue
         raised in the enforcement proceeding. In addition, the Employer shall
         pay to the Participant (or Beneficiary or Contingent Annuitant)
         interest on all or any part of the payments that are not paid when due
         at a rate equal to the Prime Rate as announced by Trust Company Bank or
         its successors from time to time.

6.04     No Right to Continued Employment.

         Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant the right
         to be retained in the service of the Employer or to deny the Employer
         any right it may have to discharge a Participant at any time.

6.05     Noncompetition, Embezzlement, Etc.

         (a)      Notwithstanding other provisions herein to the contrary, if a
                  Participant receiving or eligible to receive Supplemental
                  Retirement Income under this Plan commits a material breach,
                  as determined by the Committee, of his covenant not to compete

                                     - 8 -

                  as set forth in the Joinder Agreement, then the Participant
                  shall cease to participate in the Plan as of the date of such
                  breach and the Employer shall have no further obligation to
                  make Supplemental Retirement Income payments to the
                  Participant.

         (b)      If the Committee determines that a Participant has committed
                  embezzlement, defalcation or any other criminal activity which
                  is connected with his employment with the Employer, then no
                  payments of any kind shall be made under this Plan to or for
                  the benefit of the Participant or his Beneficiary or
                  Contingent Annuitant. If such determination is made after the
                  Participant (or his Beneficiary or Contingent Annuitant) has
                  begun receiving payments hereunder, then payments shall cease
                  immediately upon a certification by the Committee that an
                  event has occurred which triggers loss of benefits under this
                  section.

6.06     Governing Law.

         This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
         laws of the State of Georgia to the extent such laws are not preempted
         by Federal law.

6.07     Successors and Assigns.

         This Plan shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
         parties hereto.

6.08     Right to Amend and Terminate.

         The Committee reserves the right to modify, alter, amend, or terminate
         the Plan, at any time and from time to time, without notice, to any
         extent deemed advisable; provided, however, that no such amendment or
         termination shall (without the written consent of the Participant, if
         living, and if not, the individual to whom survivor benefits are paid
         (i.e., either the Beneficiary or the Contingent Annuitant as the case
         may be)) adversely affect any benefit under the Plan which has accrued
         with respect to the Participant as of the date of such amendment or
         termination regardless of whether such benefit is vested or in pay
         status. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification,
         alteration, or termination of this Plan may be given effect with
         respect to any Participant, Beneficiary or Contingent Annuitant without
         the consent of such Participant (if living, and if not, the individual
         to whom survivor benefits are paid) if such amendment, modification,
         alteration, or termination is adopted during the six-month period prior
         to a Change of Control or during the two-year period following a Change
         of Control.

                                     - 9 -

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Genuine Parts Company has caused this Plan to be

signed by its duly authorized officer on the date shown below, but effective as of January 1, 2003.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

                                        By: /s/ Frank M. Howard
                                            ---------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                        Date: October 22, 2003

Attest:

/s/ Linda Olvey
    ----------------------------
Date: October 22, 2003

- 10 -

JOINDER AGREEMENT TO THE GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this ____ day of _______________, 20____ by and between Genuine Parts Company ("Genuine Parts"), and __________________________ (the "Executive").

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, effective as of January 1, 1991, Genuine Parts Company adopted the Genuine Parts Company Supplement Retirement Plan (the "Plan"); and

WHEREAS, the Pension and Benefits Committee of Genuine Parts Company (the "Committee") has amended the Plan from time to time, and the Plan was most recently amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2003; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article Two of the Plan, Executive is eligible to participate in the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Executive wishes to participate in the Plan pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Joinder Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:

1. Incorporation of the Plan. This Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. Any and all terms used in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as defined in the Plan.

2. Payments Contingent on Normal Retirement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Supplemental Retirement Income will be paid only if the Executive terminates employment with Genuine Parts on or after the Executive's Normal Retirement Date (age 65). For example, the Supplemental Retirement Income will not be paid if the Executive (absent a change in control) terminates employment prior to his or her Normal Retirement Date even though the Executive is eligible for Early Retirement.

3. Noncompetition. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the receipt of Supplemental Retirement Income under the Plan is subject to and contingent upon his or her refraining from becoming associated with or engaging in or rendering services with any business that is in competition with Genuine Parts or any of its subsidiaries. Executive shall not, without Genuine Parts' prior written consent, directly or indirectly, alone or as a partner, officer, director, manager or shareholder of any company or business organization, engage in any business activity which is directly or indirectly in competition with any of the types of products or services


provided or sold by Genuine Parts or any of its subsidiaries at the date this Plan is executed. The ownership by a Participant of not more than 1% of the shares of stock of any corporation having a class of equity securities actively traded on a national securities exchange or on NASDAQ shall not be deemed to violate the prohibitions of this Section. Executive also acknowledges that he or she shall forfeit all benefits hereunder if he or she commits any act of embezzlement, defalcation, or any other criminal activity which is connected with Executive's employment with Genuine Parts.

4. Election of Form of Benefit. The Committee may, from time to time ask an Executive to complete a new Joinder Agreement. Nevertheless, the Executive must continue to select the same form of payment previously elected on his or her original Joinder Agreement.

I hereby elect that the Supplemental Retirement Income payable to me pursuant to the Plan shall be paid in the form specified below. I understand that this election is irrevocable except that I may make a new election in the event that my designated contingent annuitant does not survive to my Benefit Commencement Date:

[ ] (a) Life Annuity Option is a monthly Retirement Income payable during the Participant's lifetime, with payments ceasing upon the Participant's death.

[ ] (b) Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity is a monthly Retirement Income equal to the reduced Actuarial Equivalent of the Life Annuity Option. The Retirement Income shall be payable to the Participant for the Participant's life, and upon the Participant's death, 50% of such Retirement Income shall be payable to the Participant's Spouse for the Spouse's life. Such Retirement Income shall cease on the later of the death of the Participant or the death of the Participant's Spouse.

[ ] (c) Ten Years Certain and Life Option is a monthly Retirement Income equal to the reduced Actuarial Equivalent of the Life Annuity Option. The Retirement Income shall be payable to the Participant during the Participant's lifetime and, in the event of the Participant's death within a period of ten years after the commencement of benefits, the same monthly amount shall be payable to the Participant's Contingent Annuitant for the remainder of such ten-year period. Solely for purposes of this payment option, my contingent Annuitant is _______________________________.

- 2 -

[ ] (d) Joint and Last Survivor Option is a monthly Retirement Income Equal to the Reduced Actuarial Equivalent of the Life Annuity Option. The Retirement Income shall be payable to the Participant for the Participant's life, and upon the Participant's death, a designated percentage (100%, 75%, or 50%) of the Participant's Retirement Income shall be payable to the Participant's Contingent Annuitant for the Contingent Annuitant's life. Such Retirement Income shall cease on the later of the death of the Participant or the death of the Participant's Contingent Annuitant. My designated percentage is:

[ ] 100% [ ] 75% [ ] 50%

Solely for purposes of this payment option, my Contingent Annuitant is
_____________________________________________________.

5. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual consent of the parties, provided that the Executive may not make any change in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement.

6. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed as an original, and such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. The term of this Agreement shall be indefinite, but shall be subject to cancellation at any time by the mutual consent of both parties. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

- 3 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Genuine Parts and the Executive have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date shown below.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

Attest:                                   By: ______________________________
                                          Title: ___________________________
________________________                  Date: ____________________________

                                          EXECUTIVE:

                                          __________________________________
                                          Date: ____________________________

- 4 -

EXHIBIT 10.21

AMENDMENT ONE TO THE
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN

THIS AMENDMENT to The Genuine Parts Company Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "Plan") is adopted by Genuine Parts Company (the "Company"), effective as of the date set forth herein.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Plan, and such Plan is currently in effect; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

1.

Effective as of January 1, 2003, subparagraph (c) of Section 2.02 Additional Rules on Eligibility is revised to read as follows:

"(c) A Key Employee shall be notified in writing by the Committee (or its designee) during the first calendar year of his or her eligibility to participate in the Plan. Unless notified in writing by the Committee (or its designee) as described in the preceding sentence, a Key Employee shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan. Furthermore, the Committee (or its designee) may prohibit any Key Employee from participating in the Plan during any subsequent calendar year(s) following his or her eligibility to participate by notifying such Key Employee in writing that his or her participation shall cease under the Plan."

* * * * * * * * *

Except as amended herein, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pension and Benefits Committee has caused this Amendment to the Plan to be executed on the date shown below, but effective as of the date indicated above.

PENSION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE

                                        By: /s/ Frank M. Howard
                                            ---------------------------------
                                             Name:  Frank M. Howard
                                             Title: Vice President & Treasurer

                                        Date: October 27, 2003
Attest:

By: /s/ Linda Olvey
    --------------------------------
     Name:  Linda Olvey
     Title: Assistant

Date: October 27, 2003


EXHIBIT 10.22

AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR TO THE
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
TAX-DEFERRED SAVINGS PLAN

This Amendment to the Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan is adopted by Genuine Parts Company (the "Company"), effective as of the date set forth herein.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company maintains The Genuine Parts Company Tax-Deferred Savings Plan (the "Plan"), and such Plan is currently in effect;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7.01 of the Plan, the Company has reserved the right to amend the Plan through action of the Committee;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

1.

Section 4.03(a) is deleted in its entirety and a new Section 4.03(a) is hereby substituted in lieu thereof as follows:

"(a) Payment Election. Payment of Plan benefits shall commence on the date the Participant selects on the Election Form. Any date selected by the Participant must be at least two calendar years following the date the Bonus would ordinarily be paid. In no event, however, shall a Participant's Account commence to be distributed later than February of the calendar year following the calendar year the Participant terminates employment from Genuine Parts Company."

*************** Except as amended herein, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pension and Benefits Committee has caused this Amendment to the Plan to be effective as of the date the Amendment is executed below.

PENSION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE

                                           By: /s/ Frank M. Howard
                                               ------------------------------
                                           Date: June 5, 2003

Attest: /s/ Linda Olvey
        -------------------------------


EXHIBIT 10.23

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2003)

ARTICLE 1
ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN

1.01     Background of Plan. Genuine Parts Company (the "Company") established a
         deferred compensation plan known as the "Genuine Parts Company
         Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan", effective as of November 1,
         1996. Effective as of January 1, 2003, the Plan is continued in an
         amended and restated form. The amended and restated Plan, as set forth
         in this document, will be effective for Fees payable in 2003 or
         thereafter.

1.02     Status of Plan. The Plan is intended to be a nonqualified, unfunded
         plan of deferred compensation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
         as amended. Although the plan is unfunded for tax purposes, the Company
         may establish a trust under Revenue Procedure 92-64 to provide benefits
         under the Plan. (See Section 1.03).

1.03     Establishment of Trust. As noted in Section 1.02, the Company may
         establish a trust to fund benefits provided under the terms of the Plan
         (the "Trust"). It is intended that a transfer of assets into the Trust
         will not generate taxable income (for federal income tax purposes) to
         the Participants until such assets are actually distributed or
         otherwise made available to the Participants.

1.04     Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to permit Directors to defer Fees
         they receive from the Company and, through the Stock Account, give
         Directors the opportunity to further align their interests with the
         interests of the Company's shareholders.

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                   DEFINITIONS

2.01     Definitions. Certain terms of the Plan have defined meanings set forth
         in this Article and which shall govern unless the context in which they
         are used clearly indicates that some other meaning is intended.

         Accounts. The Variable Rate Account and the Stock Account, as defined
         below.

         Beneficiary. Any person or persons designated by a Participant, in
         accordance with procedures established by the Committee or Plan
         Administrator, to receive benefits hereunder in the event of the
         Participant's death. If any Participant shall

         fail to designate a Beneficiary or shall designate a Beneficiary who
         shall fail to survive the Participant, the Beneficiary shall be the
         Participant's surviving spouse, or, if none, the Participant's
         surviving descendants (who shall take per stirpes) and if there are no
         surviving descendants, the Beneficiary shall be the Participant's
         estate.

         Board. The Board of Directors of the Company.

         Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board or its designee that
         will administer and interpret the terms of the Plan.

         Common Stock. The $1.00 par value common stock of the Company.

         Company. Genuine Parts Company and its corporate successors.

         Director. A member of the Board.

         Director Fees. The fees that the Company pays a Director to serve as a
         member of the Board other than Meeting Fees.

         Effective Date. The amended and restated Plan will be effective for
         Fees payable in 2003 or thereafter.

         Election Form. A form, substantially in the form attached hereto as
         Exhibit A, pursuant to which a Director elects to defer Fees under the
         Plan.

         Election Date. The date established by the Plan as the date by which a
         Participant must submit a valid Election Form to the Plan Administrator
         in order to participate in the Plan for a calendar year. For each
         calendar year, the Election Date is December 31 of the preceding
         calendar year; provided, however, that the Election Date for a newly
         eligible Participant shall be the 30th day following the date on which
         such individual becomes a Director.

         Fair Market Value. The average highest and lowest quoted selling prices
         of a share of Common Stock as traded on the New York Stock Exchange on
         a given date, or if the Common Stock was not traded on such day, then
         on the next preceding trading date on which the Common Stock was
         traded.

         Fees. Director Fees and Meeting Fees.

         Meeting Fees. The Fees that the Company pays a Director for attendance
         at meetings of the Board or committees of the Board.

Participant. Any Director who is participating in the Plan.

- 2 -

Plan. The Genuine Parts Company Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan as set forth in this document together with any subsequent amendments hereto.

Plan Administrator. The Treasurer of the Company or such other individual(s) appointed by the Committee.

Stock Account. The account established by the Company for each Participant for Fees deferred pursuant to the Plan, the performance and value of which shall be measured by reference to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock from time to time. The maintenance of individual Stock Accounts is for bookkeeping purposes only.

Termination of Service. A Termination of Service occurs when a Participant ceases to serve as a Director for any reason.

Transfer Form. A form, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, pursuant to which a Director elects to transfer amounts between his Accounts.

Variable Rate Account. The account established by the Company for each Participant for Fees deferred pursuant to the Plan and which shall be credited with interest on the last day of each month (or such other day as determined by the Plan Administrator) based on the "prime rate" published in the Wall Street Journal on the last business day of such month (or on any other date for which interest is credited to the Variable Rate Account). The maintenance of individual Variable Rate Accounts is for bookkeeping purposes only.

ARTICLE 3
PARTICIPATION

3.01     Election to Participate. Each Director is automatically eligible to
         participate in the Plan. A Director may participate in the Plan by
         delivering a properly completed and signed Election Form to the Plan
         Administrator on or before the Election Date. The Director's
         participation in the Plan will be effective as of the first day of the
         calendar year beginning after the Plan Administrator receives the
         Director's Election Form, or, in the case of a newly eligible
         Participant, on the first day of the calendar month beginning after the
         Plan Administrator receives such Director's Election Form. A
         Participant shall not be entitled to any benefit hereunder unless such
         Participant has properly completed an Election Form and deferred the
         receipt of his or her Fees pursuant to the Plan.

3.02     Voluntary Termination of Election Form. A Participant may terminate his
         or her Election Form at any time. Such termination will be effective on
         the first day of the calendar quarter after the Participant notifies
         the Plan Administrator of the Participant's termination of the Election
         Form. If a Participant terminates his or

                                     - 3 -

         her Election Form, however, the Participant may not activate a new
         Election Form to defer his or her Fees for the remainder of the
         calendar year in which the Participant's former Election Form was
         terminated. However, effective as of the first day of the following
         calendar year or the first day of any subsequent calendar year, the
         Participant may deliver a new Election Form and thereby defer the
         receipt of any future Fees attributable to the service on the Board.
         Such new Election Form shall be effective only for Fees applicable to
         the Participant's service on the Board after the first day of the
         calendar year following the Plan Administrator's receipt of the
         Participant's new Election Form. Any Fees deferred prior to the
         termination of the Election Form shall remain subject to the original
         Election Form and the Plan.

3.03     Continuation of Election Form. Prior to the commencement of each
         calendar year, a Participant shall have the right, by executing and
         delivering to the Plan Administrator a new Election Form, to modify the
         dollar amount or percentage of his or her Fees which are deferred under
         the Plan. If the Participant fails to deliver a new Election Form prior
         to the commencement of the new calendar year, the Participant's
         Election Form in effect during the previous calendar year shall
         continue in effect during the new calendar year.

3.04     Automatic Termination of Election Form. A Participant's Election Form
         will automatically terminate at the earlier of (i) the Participant's
         Termination of Service, or (ii) the termination of the Plan.

3.05     No Right to Continue as a Director. Nothing contained in the Plan shall
         be deemed to give any Director the right to be retained as a Director
         of the Company.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                  PLAN BENEFITS

4.01     Deferred Fees. A Director may elect to defer (i) all of his or her
         Director Fees, (ii) all of his or her Meeting Fees, or (ii) all of his
         or her Director Fees and Meeting Fees to his or her Variable Rate
         Account and/or Stock Account in accordance with the terms of the Plan
         and the Election Form. A Director cannot defer only a portion of his or
         her Director Fees or only a portion of his or her Meeting Fees under
         the Plan. For bookkeeping purposes, the amount of the Fees which the
         Director elects to defer pursuant to the Plan shall be transferred to
         and held in individual Accounts.

4.02     Time of Election of Deferral. A Director who wishes to defer Fees for a
         calendar year must irrevocably elect to do so on or prior to the
         Election Date for such calendar year, by delivering a valid Election
         Form to the Plan Administrator. The Election Form shall indicate: (i)
         the Fees to be deferred; and (ii) the portion of the deferral to be
         credited to the Participant's Variable Rate Account and Stock

                                     - 4 -

         Account, respectively. Amounts to be deferred shall be credited to the
         Participant's Variable Rate Account and or Stock Account, as
         applicable, as of the date such Fees are otherwise payable.

4.03     Accounts.

         (a)      Variable Rate Account. Amounts in a Participant's Variable
                  Rate Account will be credited with interest as of the last day
                  of each month (or such other day as determined by the Plan
                  Administrator) based on the "prime rate" published in the Wall
                  Street Journal on the last business day of such month (or any
                  other date for which interest is credited to the Variable Rate
                  Account).

         (b)      Stock Account. Amounts in a Participant's Stock Account are
                  invested in units based on Common Stock. Amounts deferred into
                  a Stock Account are recorded as units of Common Stock, and
                  fractions thereof, with one unit equating to a single share of
                  Common Stock. Thus, the value of one unit shall be the Fair
                  Market Value of a single share of Common Stock. The use of
                  units is merely a bookkeeping convenience; the units are not
                  actual shares of Common Stock. However, the trustee of the
                  Trust may elect to purchase actual shares of Common Stock,
                  which Common Stock, under grantor trust rules, will be treated
                  as owned by the Company. As described below in Section 4.05, a
                  Participant may elect to have some or all of the value of his
                  or her Stock Account distributed in actual shares of Common
                  Stock. The maximum number of Common Stock units that may be
                  allocated by deferral of Fees to Stock Accounts under the Plan
                  is 100,000.

         (c)      Sub-Accounts. To the extent required for bookkeeping purposes,
                  a Participant's Variable Rate Account and Stock Account will
                  be subdivided to reflect deferred Fees on a year-by-year
                  basis. For example, a 2003 Variable Rate Sub-Account, a 2004
                  Variable Rate Sub-Account, a 2003 Stock Sub-Account, a 2004
                  Stock Sub-Account, and so on.

4.04     Investment in the Stock Account and Transfers Between Accounts.

         (a)      Election Into the Stock Account. If a Participant elects to
                  defer Fees into his or her Stock Account, his or her Stock
                  Account shall be credited, as of the date described in Section
                  4.02, with that number of units of Common Stock, and fractions
                  thereof, obtained by dividing the dollar amount to be deferred
                  into the Stock Account by the Fair Market Value of the Common
                  Stock as of such date.

         (b)      Transfers Between Accounts. Except as provided in the
                  remainder of this paragraph (b), a Participant may, by
                  delivering a valid Transfer Form to

                                     - 5 -

                  the Plan Administrator, direct that all or any portion,
                  designated as a whole dollar amount or as a number of whole
                  units, of the existing balance of one of his or her Accounts
                  be transferred to his or her other Account. However, a
                  Participant may not effect "opposite way" transfers between
                  his or her Accounts more often than once in any six-month
                  period. A transfer shall be effective as of the next day on
                  which the Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock
                  Exchange following the Plan Administrator's receipt of the
                  Transfer Form (the "Transfer Date").

         (c)      Transfer Into the Stock Account. If a Participant elects
                  pursuant to Section 4.04(b) to transfer an amount from his or
                  her Variable Rate Account to his or her Stock Account, then
                  effective as of the election's Transfer Date, (i) his or her
                  Stock Account shall be credited with that number of units of
                  Common Stock, and fractions thereof, obtained by dividing the
                  dollar amount elected to be transferred by the Fair Market
                  Value of the Common Stock on the business day immediately
                  preceding the election's Transfer Date; and (ii) his or her
                  Variable Rate Account shall be reduced by the amount elected
                  to be transferred.

         (d)      Transfer Out of the Stock Account. If a Participant elects
                  pursuant to Section 4.04(b) to transfer an amount from his or
                  her Stock Account to his or her Variable Rate Account, then
                  effective as of the election's Transfer Date, (i) his or her
                  Variable Rate Account shall be credited with a dollar amount
                  equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the number of
                  units to be transferred by the Fair Market Value of the Common
                  Stock on the business day immediately preceding the election's
                  Transfer Date; and (ii) his or her Stock Account shall be
                  reduced by the number of units elected to be transferred.

         (e)      Dividend Equivalents. Effective as of the payment date for
                  each cash dividend on the Common Stock, the Stock Account of
                  each Participant who had a balance in his or her Stock Account
                  on the record date for such dividend shall be credited with a
                  number of units of Common Stock, and fractions thereof,
                  obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate dollar amount of such
                  cash dividend payable in respect of such Participant's Stock
                  Account (determined by multiplying the dollar value of the
                  dividend paid upon a single share of Common Stock by the
                  number of units of Common Stock held in the Participant's
                  Stock Account on the record date for such dividend); by (ii)
                  the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the business day
                  immediately preceding the payment date for such cash dividend.

         (f)      Stock Dividends. Effective as of the payment date for each
                  stock dividend on the Common Stock, additional units of Common
                  Stock shall be

                                     - 6 -

                  credited to the Stock Account of each Participant who had a
                  balance in his or her Stock Account on the record date for
                  such dividend. The number of units that shall be credited to
                  the Stock Account of such a Participant shall equal the number
                  of shares of Common Stock, and fractions thereof, which the
                  Participant would have received as stock dividends had he or
                  she been the owner on the record date for such stock dividend
                  of the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of
                  units credited to his or her Stock Account on such record
                  date.

         (g)      Allocation of Dividends. To the extent required for
                  bookkeeping purposes, the allocation of additional units
                  attributable to cash dividends or stock dividends will be made
                  to the Stock Sub-Account holding existing units to which the
                  cash dividend or stock dividend relates. For example, a
                  Participant's 2003 Stock Sub-Account will be credited with
                  dividends attributable to units held in the 2003 Stock
                  Sub-Account. A Participant's 2004 Stock Sub-Account will be
                  credited with dividends attributable to units held in the 2004
                  Stock Sub-Account, and so on.

         (h)      Recapitalization. If, as a result of a recapitalization of the
                  Company, the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be
                  changed into a greater number or smaller number of shares, the
                  number of units credited to a Participant's Stock Account
                  shall be appropriately adjusted on the same basis.

         (i)      Distributions. Amounts in respect of units of Common Stock may
                  only be distributed out of the Stock Account by transfer to
                  the Variable Rate Account or withdrawal from the Stock
                  Account. Withdrawals from the Stock Account shall be made
                  either in cash or shares of Common Stock, as indicated by the
                  Participant at least six months prior to the scheduled
                  distribution. Any fractional units shall be paid in cash. For
                  purposes of transfers to the Variable Rate Account or
                  distributions from the Stock Fund payable in cash, the number
                  of units to be transferred or distributed from a Participant's
                  Stock Account shall be valued by multiplying the number of
                  such units by the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of
                  the business day immediately preceding the date such
                  distribution is to occur.

         (j)      Responsibility for Investment Choices. Each Participant is
                  solely responsible for any decision to defer Fees into his or
                  her Stock Account or Variable Rate Account and accepts all
                  investment risks entailed by such decision, including the risk
                  of loss and a decrease in the value of the amounts he or she
                  elects to defer into his or her Stock Account or Variable Rate
                  Account.

                                     - 7 -

4.05     Form of Payment.

         (a)      Payment Election. Payment of Plan benefits shall commence on
                  the date the Participant selects on the Participant's initial
                  Election Form. Any date selected by the Participant must be at
                  least two calendar years following the date of the Director's
                  initial Election Form. In no event, however, shall a
                  Participant's Account commence to be distributed later than
                  the first regular business day of the fourth month following
                  the Participant's death. If the Participant fails to designate
                  a payment commencement date in the Participant's initial
                  Election Form or within six months of such initial Election
                  Form, the Participant's Account shall commence to be
                  distributed no later than the first regular business day of
                  the fourth month following the Participant's Termination of
                  Service.

         (b)      Optional Forms of Payment. Distributions from Participant
                  Accounts (either in cash or in Common Stock) may be paid to
                  the Participant either in a lump sum or in a number of
                  approximately equal annual installments designated by the
                  Participant on the Participant's initial Election Form. Such
                  annual installments may be for 5 years, 10 years or 15 years.
                  The method of payment (e.g., in lump sum or installments)
                  elected on the Participant's initial Election Form will apply
                  to all amounts (including future deferrals) held in both the
                  Variable Rate Sub-Account and Stock Sub-Account. If a
                  Participant elects to receive a distribution of his or her
                  Account in cash installments, the Plan Administrator may
                  purchase an annuity from an insurance company which annuity
                  will pay the Participant the desired annual installments. If
                  the Plan Administrator purchases an annuity contract, the
                  Director will have no further rights to receive payments from
                  the Company or the Plan with respect to the amounts subject to
                  the annuity. If the Plan Administrator does not purchase an
                  annuity contract, the value of the Account remaining unpaid
                  shall continue to receive allocations of return as provided in
                  Section 4.03 and Section 4.04. If the Participant fails to
                  designate a payment method in the Participant's initial
                  Election Form or within six months of such initial Election
                  Form, the Participant's Account shall be distributed in a lump
                  sum.

         (c)      Stock Payment. If a Participant so designates as provided in
                  Section 4.04(i), distributions from the Stock Account may be
                  distributed to the Participant in the form of Common Stock
                  rather than cash. The shares of Common Stock distributable to
                  Directors under the Plan must be previously issued and
                  repurchased shares and may not be original issue shares.
                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum number of shares of
                  Common Stock that may be distributed under the Plan shall be
                  1,000,000, and once such limit has been reached, all further
                  distributions from Participants' Stock Accounts shall be made
                  only in cash.

- 8 -

         (d)      Irrevocable Elections. A Participant may not elect a different
                  payment commencement date for each year's Fees deferred under
                  the Plan. In addition, a Participant may not elect a different
                  payment form for each year's Fees deferred under the Plan. The
                  payment commencement date and payment form elected or deemed
                  elected on the Participant's initial Election Form shall
                  become irrevocable and may not be modified six months after
                  the execution of such initial Election Form.

         (e)      Acceleration of Payment. If a Participant elects an
                  installment distribution and the value of such annual
                  installment payment elected by the Participant would result in
                  a combined distribution of cash and Common Stock (valued at
                  its Fair Market Value on the initial commencement date) of
                  less than $3,000, the Plan Administrator shall accelerate
                  payment of the Participant's benefits over a lesser number of
                  whole years (but in increments of 5 or 10 years) so that the
                  annual amount distributed is at least $3,000. If payment of
                  the Participant's benefits over a 5-year period will not
                  provide annual distributions of at least $3,000, the
                  Participant's Account shall be paid in a lump sum.

         (f)      Payment to Beneficiary. Upon the Participant's death, all
                  unpaid amounts held in the Participant's Account shall be paid
                  to the Participant's Beneficiary in the same benefit payment
                  form the Participant elected on the Election Form and in
                  accordance with the payment distribution rules set forth in
                  the Plan. Such payment will commence to be paid on the first
                  business day of the fourth month following the Participant's
                  death.

4.06     Financial Hardship. The Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion,
         accelerate the making of payment to a Participant of an amount
         reasonably necessary to handle a severe financial hardship of a sudden
         and unexpected nature due to causes not within the control of the
         Participant. Such payment may be made even if the Participant has not
         incurred a Termination of Service. All financial hardship distributions
         shall be made in cash in a lump sum. Such payments will be made on a
         first-in, first-out basis so that the oldest Fees deferred under the
         Plan shall be deemed distributed first in a financial hardship.

4.07     Payment to Minors and Incapacitated Persons. In the event that any
         amount is payable to a minor or to any person who, in the judgment of
         the Plan Administrator, is incapable of making proper disposition
         thereof, such payment shall be made for the benefit of such minor or
         such person in any of the following ways as the Plan Administrator, in
         its sole discretion, shall determine:

         (a)      By payment to the legal representative of such minor or such
                  person;

(b) By payment directly to such minor or such person;

- 9 -

         (c)      By payment in discharge of bills incurred by or for the
                  benefit of such minor or such person. The Plan Administrator
                  shall make such payments without the necessary intervention of
                  any guardian or like fiduciary, and without any obligation to
                  require bond or to see to the further application of such
                  payment. Any payment so made shall be in complete discharge of
                  the Plan's obligation to the Participant and his or her
                  Beneficiaries.

4.08     Application for Benefits. The Plan Administrator may require a
         Participant or Beneficiary to complete and file certain forms as a
         condition precedent to receiving the payment of benefits. The Plan
         Administrator may rely upon all such information given to it, including
         the Participant's current mailing address. It is the responsibility of
         all persons interested in receiving a distribution pursuant to the Plan
         to keep the Plan Administrator informed of their current mailing
         addresses.

4.09     Designation of Beneficiary. Each Participant from time to time may
         designate any person or persons (who may be designated contingently or
         successively and who may be an entity other than a natural person) as
         his or her Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to whom the Participant's
         Account is to be paid if the Participant dies before receipt of all
         such benefits. Each Beneficiary designation shall be on the form
         prescribed by the Plan Administrator and will be effective only when
         filed with the Plan Administrator during the Participant's lifetime.
         Each Beneficiary designation filed with the Plan Administrator will
         cancel all Beneficiary designations previously filed with the Plan
         Administrator. The revocation of a Beneficiary designation, no matter
         how effected, shall not require the consent of any designated
         Beneficiary.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                                 FUNDING OF PLAN

5.01     Funding. Plan benefits shall be paid from the general assets of the
         Company or as otherwise directed by the Company. To the extent that any
         Participant acquires the right to receive payments under the Plan (from
         whatever source), such right shall be no greater than that of an
         unsecured general creditor of the Company. Participants and their
         Beneficiaries shall not have any preference or security interest in the
         assets of the Company other than as a general unsecured creditor.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                           ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

6.01     Administration of the Plan. The Committee and the Plan Administrator
         shall have complete control of the administration of the Plan with all
         powers necessary to enable it to properly carry out the provisions of
         the Plan. In addition to all

                                     - 10 -

         implied powers and responsibilities necessary to carry out the
         objectives of the Plan, the Committee and the Plan Administrator shall
         have the following specific powers and responsibilities:

         (a)      To construe the Plan and to determine all questions arising in
                  the administration, interpretation and operation of the Plan;

         (b)      To determine the benefits of the Plan to which any
                  Participant, Beneficiary or other person may be entitled;

         (c)      To keep records of all acts and determinations of the
                  Committee and Plan Administrator, and to keep all such
                  records, books of accounts, data and other documents as may be
                  necessary for the proper administration of the Plan;

         (d)      To prepare and distribute to all Participants and
                  Beneficiaries information concerning the Plan and their rights
                  under the Plan; and

         (e)      To do all things necessary to operate and administer the Plan
                  in accordance with its provisions.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

7.01     Amendment and Termination. The Committee reserves the right to modify,
         alter, amend, or terminate the Plan, at any time and from time to time,
         without notice, to any extent deemed advisable; provided, however, that
         no such amendment or termination shall (without the written consent of
         the Participant, if living, and if not, the Participant's Beneficiary)
         adversely affect any benefit under the Plan which has accrued with
         respect to the Participant or Beneficiary as of the date of such
         amendment or termination regardless of whether such benefit is in pay
         status. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment (other than an
         amendment to increase the number of Common Stock units available under
         the Plan -- see Section 4.03(b)), modification, alteration, or
         termination of the Plan may be given effect with respect to any
         Participant without the consent of such Participant if such amendment,
         modification, alteration, or termination is adopted during the
         six-month period prior to a Change of Control or during the two-year
         period following a Change of Control.

- 11 -

ARTICLE 8
CHANGE IN CONTROL

8.01     Immediate Payment upon Change of Control. Notwithstanding any other
         provisions in the Plan, in the event there is a Change of Control of
         the Company as defined in Section 8.01(c), any Participant whose
         service is terminated on account of such Change of Control shall
         receive an immediate lump sum payment of the Participant's Account
         balances. For purposes of this Section 8.01(a), a Participant's service
         shall be considered to have "terminated on account of such Change of
         Control" only if the Participant's service on the Board is terminated
         without cause during the 24-month period following the Change of
         Control.

8.02     Acceleration of Installment Distributions. Notwithstanding any other
         provisions in the Plan, in the event there is a Change of Control as
         defined in Section 8.01(c), any Participant who has commenced receiving
         installment distributions from the Company (other than from an annuity
         contract purchased from an insurance company) shall immediately receive
         a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the unpaid balance of the
         Participant's Accounts.

8.03     Definition of Change of Control. Change of Control of the Company means
         and includes each of the following:

         (a)      The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
                  meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act) (a
                  "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule
                  13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of 20% or more of the
                  combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                  securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
                  election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
                  Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this
                  subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not
                  constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition by a
                  Person who is on May 1, 1999 the beneficial owner of 20% or
                  more of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, (ii) any
                  acquisition directly from the Company, (iii) any acquisition
                  by the Company, (iv) any acquisition by any employee benefit
                  plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
                  or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (v) any
                  acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which
                  complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of
                  this definition; or

         (b)      Individuals who, as of May 1, 1999, constitute the Board (the
                  "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least
                  a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
                  individual becoming a director subsequent to May 1, 1999 whose
                  election, or nomination for election by the Company's
                  shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
                  the directors

                                     - 12 -

                  then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
                  though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board,
                  but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose
                  initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual
                  or threatened election contest with respect to the election or
                  removal of directors or other actual or threatened
                  solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a
                  Person other than the Board; or

         (c)      Consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or
                  share exchange or sale or other disposition of all or
                  substantially all of the assets of the Company (a "Business
                  Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business
                  Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals
                  and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding
                  Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business
                  Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more
                  than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
                  voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election
                  of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
                  Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation
                  which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all
                  or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly
                  or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
                  proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
                  Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Voting
                  Securities, and (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation
                  resulting from such Business Combination or any employee
                  benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such
                  corporation resulting from such Business Combination)
                  beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the
                  combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                  securities of such corporation except to the extent that such
                  ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (iii)
                  at least a majority of the members of the board of directors
                  of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
                  were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
                  execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
                  Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

         (d)      Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
                  liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

- 13 -

ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS

9.01     Heading. The headings and sub-headings in the Plan have been inserted
         for convenience of reference only and are to be ignored in any
         construction of the provisions hereof.

9.02     Spendthrift Clause. None of the benefits, payments, proceeds or
         distribution under the Plan shall be subject to the claim of any
         creditor of any Participant or Beneficiary, or to any legal process by
         any creditor of such Participant or Beneficiary, and none of them shall
         have any right to alienate, commute, anticipate or assign any of the
         benefits, payments, proceeds or distributions under the Plan except to
         the extent expressly provided herein to the contrary.

9.03     Merger. The Plan shall not be automatically terminated by the Company's
         acquisition by, merger into, or sale of substantially all of its assets
         to any other organization, but the Plan shall be continued thereafter
         by such successor organization. All rights to amend, modify, suspend or
         terminate the Plan shall be transferred to the successor organization,
         effective as of the date of the combination or sale.

9.04     Release. Any payment to Participant or Beneficiary, or to their legal
         representatives, in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, shall
         to the extent thereof be in full satisfaction of all claims hereunder
         against the Committee, the Plan Administrator and the Company, any of
         whom may require such Participant, Beneficiary, or legal
         representative, as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a
         receipt and release therefor in such form as shall be determined by the
         Plan Administrator, the Committee, or the Company, as the case may be.

9.05     Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of
         Georgia.


9.06     Costs of Collection; Interest. In the event the Participant collects
         any part or all of the payments due under the Plan by or through a
         lawyer or lawyers, the Company will pay all costs of collection,
         including reasonable legal fees incurred by the Participant. In
         addition, the Company shall pay to the Participant interest on all or
         any part of the payments that are not paid when due at a rate equal to
         the Prime Rate as announced by SunTrust Bank or its successors from
         time to time.

9.07     Successors and Assigns. The Plan shall be binding upon the successors
         and assigns of the parties hereto.

                                     - 14 -

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be duly

executed and its seal to be hereunto affixed on the date indicated below, but effective as of January 1, 2003.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

                                           By: /s/ Frank M. Howard
                                               --------------------------
                                           Title: Vice President
                                           Date:  November 11, 2003

ATTEST:

Linda Olvey

Date: November 11, 2003

- 15 -

.

.
.

EXHIBIT 13

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(in thousands, except per share data)
       Year ended December 31,                        2003            2002             2001              2000           1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                         $  8,449,300    $  8,258,927     $  8,220,668      $  8,369,857   $  7,950,822
Cost of goods sold                                   5,826,684       5,704,749        5,699,174***      5,764,360      5,436,056
Selling, administrative and other expenses           2,050,873       1,948,442        1,951,559***      1,958,747      1,886,699
Facility consolidation and impairment charges               --              --           73,922***             --             --
Income before taxes and accounting change              571,743         605,736          496,013           646,750        628,067
Income taxes                                           218,101         238,236          198,866           261,427        250,445
Income before cumulative effect of a change
  in accounting principle                              353,642         367,500          297,147           385,323        377,622
Cumulative effect of a change in
  accounting principle                                  19,541*        395,090**             --                --             --
Net income (loss) after cumulative effect
  of a change in accounting principle             $    334,101    $    (27,590)    $    297,147      $    385,323   $    377,622
Average common shares outstanding during year -
  assuming dilution                                    174,480         175,104          173,633           175,327        179,238
Per common share:
  Diluted net income, excluding cumulative effect $       2.03    $       2.10     $       1.71***   $       2.20   $       2.11
  Diluted net income (loss)                               1.91           (0.16)            1.71              2.20           2.11
  Dividends declared                                      1.18            1.16             1.14              1.10           1.04
  December 31 closing stock price                        33.20           30.80            36.70             26.19          24.81
Long-term debt, less current maturities                625,108         674,796          835,580           770,581        702,417
Shareholders' equity                                 2,312,283       2,130,009        2,345,123         2,260,806      2,177,517
Total assets                                      $  4,116,497    $  4,061,055     $  4,206,646      $  4,142,114   $  3,929,672

* The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in 2003 represents a non-cash charge related to cash consideration received from vendors in conjunction with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's EITF 02-16. Had the Company accounted for vendor consideration in accordance with EITF 02-16 in prior years, there would have been no significant impact on net income (loss) and diluted income (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. In addition, in accordance with EITF 02-16, approximately $102 million was reclassified from selling, administrative and other expenses to cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2003. Had the Company accounted for consideration received from vendors in accordance with EITF 02-16 in prior years, approximately $90 million, $111 million, $82 million, and $61 million would have been reclassified from selling, administrative and other expenses to cost of goods sold for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

** The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in 2002 represents a non-cash charge related to the impairment testing for goodwill in conjunction with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". If the Company had applied the non-amortization provisions of Statement 142 for all periods presented, net income and diluted income per common share would have increased by approximately $11.9 million ($.07 per share), $11.4 million ($.06 per share), and $10.7 million ($.06 per share) for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999.

*** Facility Consolidation, Impairment and Other Charges ("2001 Charges") totaled $107.8 million pre-tax in 2001 and $64.4 million after tax. The pre-tax charges include $17.4 million classified in cost of goods sold and $16.4 million classified in selling, administrative and other expenses. Diluted net income per common share before the 2001 Charges was $2.08.

MARKET AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

High and Low Sales Price and Dividends per Share of Common Shares Traded on the New York Stock Exchange

           Sales Price of Common Shares
Quarter        2003             2002
------------------------------------------
          HIGH      LOW     High      Low
First    $31.88   $27.43   $38.08   $33.92
Second    33.66    30.70    37.80    34.17
Third     33.45    30.03    33.63    27.64
Fourth    33.20    30.78    32.00    29.48

          Dividends Declared Per Share

                2003     2002

--------------------------------------
First          $0.295   $ 0.29
Second          0.295     0.29
Third           0.295     0.29
Fourth          0.295     0.29

Number of Record Holders of Common Stock as of December 31, 2003: 7,719

11

SEGMENT DATA

(dollars in thousands) Year ended December 31,         2003           2002           2001           2000           1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales:
  Automotive                                       $  4,477,508   $  4,335,362   $  4,252,913   $  4,163,814   $  4,084,775
  Industrial                                          2,253,947      2,246,124      2,234,241      2,342,686      2,156,134
  Office products                                     1,457,149      1,396,453      1,379,859      1,336,500      1,218,367
  Electrical/electronic materials                       297,618        315,826        387,771        557,866        522,411
  Other                                                 (36,922)       (34,838)       (34,116)       (31,009)       (30,865)
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total net sales                                $  8,449,300   $  8,258,927   $  8,220,668   $  8,369,857   $  7,950,822
                                                   ========================================================================
Operating profit:

  Automotive                                       $    363,022   $    381,771   $    378,162   $    381,250   $    383,830
  Industrial                                            151,109        178,027        172,208        206,193        186,203
  Office products                                       143,263        140,912        141,762        134,343        118,345
  Electrical/electronic materials                         7,112          2,756          3,229         28,010         23,343
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total operating profit                              664,506        703,466        695,361        749,796        711,721
                                                   ========================================================================
Interest expense                                        (51,538)       (59,640)       (59,416)       (63,496)       (41,487)
Corporate expense                                       (37,121)       (33,354)       (27,670)       (23,277)       (22,283)
Equity in loss from investees                                --             --             --             --         (3,675)
Goodwill and intangible amortization                     (1,539)        (2,421)       (14,333)       (13,843)       (12,708)
Minority interests                                       (2,565)        (2,315)        (3,077)        (2,430)        (3,501)
Facility consolidation and impairment charges                --             --        (94,852)            --             --
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Income before income taxes and accounting
      change                                       $    571,743   $    605,736   $    496,013   $    646,750   $    628,067
                                                   ========================================================================
Assets:

  Automotive                                       $  2,364,428   $  2,313,747   $  2,219,503   $  2,099,610   $  2,034,417
  Industrial                                            954,434        982,951        867,716        840,585        758,206
  Office products                                       619,374        581,203        538,468        542,406        503,904
  Electrical/electronic materials                        96,727         98,225        121,721        190,635        174,258
  Corporate                                              23,506         26,224         17,160         17,443         18,588
  Goodwill and intangible assets                         58,028         58,705        442,078        451,435        440,299
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total assets                                   $  4,116,497   $  4,061,055   $  4,206,646   $  4,142,114   $  3,929,672
                                                   ========================================================================
Depreciation and amortization:

  Automotive                                       $     42,681   $     43,007   $     45,094   $     51,546   $     51,563
  Industrial                                             10,265         10,789         11,992         11,617         10,926
  Office products                                        10,639          9,856          9,345          9,598          8,814
  Electrical/electronic materials                         2,729          3,422          4,009          4,391          4,173
  Corporate                                               1,160            656          1,020          1,308          1,783
  Goodwill and intangible amortization                    1,539          2,421         14,333         13,843         12,708
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total depreciation and amortization            $     69,013   $     70,151   $     85,793   $     92,303   $     89,967
                                                   ========================================================================
Capital expenditures:

  Automotive                                       $     58,754   $     38,599   $     26,766   $     35,031   $     57,710
  Industrial                                              6,824         10,868          6,388         20,054         11,275
  Office products                                         7,211         13,376          5,941          9,116         16,085
  Electrical/electronic materials                           394            224          2,466          3,183          3,113
  Corporate                                                 721          1,691            383          3,745            100
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total capital expenditures                     $     73,904   $     64,758   $     41,944   $     71,129   $     88,283
                                                   ========================================================================
Net sales:

  United States                                    $  7,666,389   $  7,568,926   $  7,526,631   $  7,665,498   $  7,345,707
  Canada                                                731,200        623,686        629,330        633,715        585,504
  Mexico                                                 88,633        101,153         98,823        101,653         50,476
  Other                                                 (36,922)       (34,838)       (34,116)       (31,009)       (30,865)
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total net sales                                $  8,449,300   $  8,258,927   $  8,220,668   $  8,369,857   $  7,950,822
                                                   ========================================================================
Net long-lived assets:
  United States                                    $    339,020   $    339,495   $    579,635   $    618,818   $    620,837
  Canada                                                 57,906         47,522        182,041        201,895        207,672
  Mexico                                                  4,094          4,739         25,534         25,982         25,333
                                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total net long-lived assets                    $    401,020   $    391,756   $    787,210   $    846,695   $    853,842
                                                   ========================================================================

12

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS December 31, 2003

OVERVIEW

Genuine Parts Company is a service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products and electrical/electronic materials. The Company has a long tradition of growth dating back to 1928, the year we were founded in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2003, business was conducted throughout the United States, in Canada and in Mexico from approximately 1,800 locations. We recorded consolidated net income, before the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, of $354 million compared to $368 million in 2002, a decrease of 4%. After the 2003 and 2002 cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net income was $334 million, as compared to the net loss in 2002 of $28 million. The results in all of our industry groups for each of the last three years have been affected by the slow economy with the impact being greatest for Motion Industries and EIS due to the conditions in the manufacturing sectors of the economy. The Company has countered this impact with the introduction of new product lines, sales to new markets and cost savings initiatives, among other things. During 2001, we recorded charges associated with plant closings, exiting certain business lines and determinations of impairment of certain assets. In addition, during 2002 and 2003 we recorded certain charges to earnings as a result of changes in accounting principles relating to goodwill impairment and cash consideration received from vendors. These changes have no impact on our operating results and no cash implications for us. The 2001 charges and changes in accounting principles during the prior three year period are discussed further under "Results of Operations" and "Facility Consolidation, Impairment And Other Charges." Our results are also dependent on the effect of certain accounting assumptions and estimates which are discussed under "Critical Accounting Estimates" below. The major December 31, 2003 balance sheet categories were relatively consistent with the December 31, 2002 balance sheet, and our liquidity and capital resources improved as we reduced our total debt outstanding at December 31, 2003 by approximately $114 million compared to December 31, 2002.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company's results of operations are summarized below for the three years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

                               2003           2002           2001
Year ended December 31      (in thousands except for per share data)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Sales                  $  8,449,300   $  8,258,927   $  8,220,668
Gross Profit                  2,622,616      2,554,178      2,521,494
Income before
  Cumulative Effect of a
  Change in Accounting
  Principle                     353,642        367,500        297,147
Cumulative Effect of a
  Change in Accounting
  Principle                     (19,541)      (395,090)            --
Net Income (Loss)               334,101        (27,590)       297,147

Diluted Earnings (Loss)
  per share:
Before Change in
  Accounting Principle             2.03           2.10           1.71
After Change in
  Accounting Principle             1.91           (.16)          1.71

NET SALES

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003, totaled $8.45 billion, a 2% increase from 2002. All industry groups were affected to some degree by competitive pressures associated with the difficult economic climate in our markets for most of the year. The impact of these conditions was the greatest for the Industrial and Electrical Groups due to our dependence on the manufacturing sectors of the economy in these segments. Prices were down slightly in the Automotive and Electrical segments in 2003, while pricing in the Industrial and Office segments increased 2% and .6%, respectively, during 2003. Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2002, totaled $8.26 billion, which was a slight increase from 2001. The economy was challenging for us in 2002, so it was significant for the Company to achieve at least some sales growth. In 2002, prices were down slightly in the Automotive and Electrical segments, while pricing in the Industrial and Office segments increased 2% and .7%, respectively.

AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

Sales for the Automotive Group ("Automotive") were $4.5 billion in 2003, an increase of 3% over 2002. Automotive sales were $4.3 billion in 2002, an increase of 2% over 2001. Automotive revenues have been relatively consistent in the past three years, up 2% in 2001 and with comparative quarterly increases each quarter in 2002 and 2003. In the 4th quarter of 2003, Automotive sales were stronger than the previous quarters in 2003, up 6%.

INDUSTRIAL GROUP

Sales for Motion Industries, our Industrial Group ("Industrial"), were $2.3 billion in 2003, a slight increase over the previous year. Industrial sales were $2.2 billion in 2002, a slight increase over 2001. As noted above, the weak conditions in the markets served by Industrial have affected our sales growth in this segment over the last three years. Fortunately, industrial production and factory utilization numbers used to measure these markets are beginning to show some improving trends.

OFFICE GROUP

Sales for S.P. Richards, our Office Products Group ("Office"), were $1.5 billion, up 4% over 2002. Our Office sales were $1.4 billion in 2002, up 1% over 2001. Office has continued to expand their product offerings to generate sales growth. In addition, strong sales of computer supplies and accessories supported their growth in 2003.

ELECTRICAL GROUP

Sales for EIS, our Electrical and Electronic Group ("Electrical"), were down 6% to $298 million in 2003. Our Electrical sales were down 19% to $316 million in 2002. As noted above, the decrease in sales in the Electrical Group can be generally attributed to the Group's dependence on the manufacturing sector of the economy. In addition, conditions in the telecommunications industry have resulted in weaker sales in recent years. The sales trends in 2003 reflected an improving trend for Electrical, and sales in the 4th quarter were slightly greater than in 2002.

COST OF GOODS SOLD/EXPENSES

Cost of goods sold in 2003 was 69.0% of net sales compared to 69.1% in 2002. Selling, administrative, and other expenses of

13

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (continued)

$2.1 billion were 24.3% of sales compared to 23.6% last year. The decrease in cost of goods sold and the increase in expenses reflect our reclassification of certain vendor consideration associated with the adoption of EITF 02-16, as defined below. Before the reclassification, cost of goods sold in 2003 was 70.2% of sales and SG&A expenses were 23.1% of sales. The comparable increase in cost of goods sold was due to lower levels of vendor discounts and volume incentives related to purchases, overall competitive pricing pressures and product and customer mix. The comparable decrease in SG&A expenses reflect our on-going cost savings initiatives, such as tight operating expense controls and facility consolidations.

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company was required to adopt the Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force's Issue No. 02-16, related to the accounting treatment of cash consideration received from vendors ("EITF 02-16"). This encompasses certain advertising and promotional allowances, catalog support and other cash support arrangements that normally exist among retailers and distributors with their vendors. The Company historically classified certain vendor monies received, primarily advertising related, as a component of selling, administrative, and other expenses. Under the new EITF 02-16, these vendor monies generally must be classified as cost of goods sold and a portion of the amounts must be capitalized into ending inventory. In connection with the adoption of EITF 02-16, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $19.5 million. In addition, as a result of the January 1, 2003 adoption of EITF 02-16, approximately $102.2 million was reclassified from selling, administrative and other expenses to cost of goods sold in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2003. Under EITF 02-16, prior periods were not reclassified.

Cost of goods sold was 69.1% of net sales in 2002 as compared to 69.3% in 2001. The decrease can be attributed to more efficient supply chain costs and inventory mix. Selling, administrative, and other expenses of $1.9 billion were flat as compared to 2001, and slightly down from the previous year as a percentage of sales.

OPERATING PROFIT

Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 7.9% for 2003 compared to 8.5% in 2002. These results reflect our decrease in gross margins before the reclassification of vendor consideration as discussed above, rising pension and healthcare costs, and the overall economic conditions in certain markets, which have constrained our sales opportunities. Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 8.5% for 2002, which was flat with 2001. These results reflect overall economic conditions, as well as the fixed costs inherent in distribution, which have continued to impact operating margins.

AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

Automotive operating margins decreased from 8.8% in 2002 to 8.1% in 2003, primarily due to pricing pressures combined with increases in salaries, insurance, and other expenses associated with the addition of new Company owned stores. Automotive operating margins decreased slightly from 8.9% in 2001 to 8.8% in 2002. Costs associated with new store openings were only partially offset by cost reductions associated with distribution center closings and other headcount reductions.

INDUSTRIAL GROUP

Industrial operating margins decreased from 7.9% in 2002 to 6.7% in 2003, as lower levels of vendor discounts and volume incentives affected this segment the greatest. Industrial operating margins increased from 7.7% in 2001 to 7.9% in 2002, reflecting cost and headcount reductions resulting from branch closings.

OFFICE GROUP

Operating margins in our Office Group decreased slightly from 10.1% in 2002 to 9.8% in 2003, primarily attributable to customer and product mix. Office Group margins decreased slightly from 10.3% in 2001 to 10.1% in 2002.

ELECTRICAL GROUP

Operating margins in our Electrical Group increased from .9%in 2002 to 2.4% in 2003, as this Group continued to reduce costs through headcount reductions, branch closings and operating expense controls. Our Electrical segment increased their margins slightly from .8% in 2001 to .9% in 2002.

INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate decreased from 39.3% to 38.2% for the year primarily due to the utilization of foreign tax credits in 2003. The effective income tax rate decreased from 40.1% in 2001 to 39.3% in 2002, primarily as a result of the decrease in non-deductible goodwill amortization due to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS 142).

NET INCOME

Net income, before the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, was $354 million compared to $368 million in 2002, a decrease of 4%. On a per share diluted basis, net income for the period, before the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, equaled $2.03 compared to $2.10 reported in 2002. After the 2003 and 2002 cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net income was $334 million, or $1.91 diluted earnings per share for 2003, as compared to the net loss in 2002 of $28 million, or $.16 diluted loss per share. Net income, before the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles in 2003 and 2002, was 4.2% of net sales compared to 4.5% in 2002.

In the first quarter of 2002, the Company completed impairment testing for goodwill in conjunction with the new provisions introduced in SFAS 142 resulting in a non-cash charge of $395.1 million. This was recorded as of January 1, 2002 as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Net income, before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, was 4.5% of net sales as compared to 3.6% in 2001. Net income for 2002, before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, was $368 million, an increase of 2%, compared to $362 million, before the Facility Consolidation, Impairment and Other Charges ("2001 Charges") as discussed

14

below, for the same period in 2001. On a per share diluted basis, net income for 2002, before the 2002 cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and the 2001 Charges, equaled $2.10, as compared to $2.08 reported in 2001. After the 2002 cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and the 2001 Charges, the net loss was $28 million, or $.16 diluted loss per share for 2002, as compared to net income in 2001 of $297 million, or $1.71 diluted earnings per share.

FACILITY CONSOLIDATION, IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES

In the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company's management approved a plan to close and consolidate certain Company-operated facilities, terminate certain employees, and exit certain other activities. The Company also determined that certain assets were impaired. Following is a summary of the charges ($107.8 million pre-tax; $64.4 million, net of tax) and accruals related to continuing liabilities associated with the plan (in thousands):

                                                      Paid in        Paid in        Paid in      Liability at
                          Total        Non-cash         2001           2002           2003       Dec. 31, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impairment
  charges             $     49,400   $    (49,400)  $         --   $         --   $         --   $          --
Facility
  consolidation
  expenses                  17,900         (6,900)          (300)        (4,800)        (2,600)          3,300
Severance
  expenses                   6,700             --           (100)        (4,800)        (1,800)             --
Inventory-related
  exit costs - cost
  of goods sold             17,400        (17,400)            --             --             --              --
Other - selling,
  administrative
  and other
  expenses                  16,400        (15,800)            --           (300)          (300)             --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      $    107,800   $    (89,500)  $       (400)  $     (9,900)  $     (4,700)  $       3,300
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Impairment charges are primarily comprised of two separate technology projects:
(1) an abandoned software system implementation in the Office Group totaling approximately $30 million, and (2) an impaired technology-related venture in the Automotive Group totaling approximately $15 million for which the Company projects the undiscounted cash flows to be less than the carrying amount of the related investment. Facility consolidation expenses relate to facility consolidations in each of the Company's business segments. In 2001, the Company identified certain distribution, branch and retail facilities that were to be closed prior to December 31, 2002. The Company appropriately accrued the estimated lease obligation from the planned exit date through the end of the contractual lease term, net of estimated sublease income. The facility consolidations did not result in any material decline in net sales, as all such closed facilities have been served by other Company-operated facilities.

Severance expenses include charges for employees who have been involuntarily terminated in connection with the Company's facility consolidations. All terminations occurred prior to December 31, 2002. Inventory-related exit costs relate to inventory considered by the Company to be impaired as a result of the facility consolidations described above and related inventory rationalization and optimization programs. All inventory-related exit costs have been classified as cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. Other charges have been classified as a component of selling, administrative, and other expenses.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The major balance sheet categories were relatively consistent with the December 31, 2002 balance sheet. The Company's cash balance at December 31, 2003 was $15 million compared to $20 million at December 31, 2002, as we continue to improve our utilization of cash. Our accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2003 increased 4% compared to last year, primarily due to our December sales increase. Inventory was slightly down compared to December 31, 2002. Accounts payable at December 31, 2003 was down $29 million from last year, as our Industrial purchases in the final quarter of 2003 were well below those in 2002. The change in debt is discussed below.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company reduced its total debt outstanding at December 31, 2003 by approximately $114 million compared to December 31, 2002. The decline in borrowings is primarily attributable to cash generated from operating activities of $402 million. In addition, the Company's dividends, stock repurchases, capital expenditures and other investing activities in 2003 were comparable to 2002.

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities is 3.4 to 1 at December 31, 2003, and the Company's cash position is good. The Company believes existing credit facilities and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund future operations, and to meet its short-term and long-term cash requirements.

NOTES AND OTHER BORROWINGS

On November 21, 2003, the Company completed a $125,000,000 financing with a consortium of financial institutions and insurance companies (the "Notes"). The proceeds of the Notes were primarily used to repay certain variable rate borrowings. The Notes bear interest at LIBOR plus .50% (1.73% at December 31, 2003), reset every six months. Further, on October 31, 2003, the Company obtained a $350,000,000 unsecured revolving line of credit with a consortium of financial institutions which matures in October 2008 and bears interest at LIBOR plus .40% (1.47% at December 31, 2003).

At December 31, 2003, the Company had unsecured Senior Notes outstanding under a $500 million financing arrangement as follows: $250 million, Series A, 5.86% fixed, due 2008; and $250 million, Series B, 6.23% fixed, due 2011. In addition, at December 31, 2003, the Company had $50 million outstanding on a $350 million unsecured revolving line of credit, LIBOR plus .40%, due 2008, and an unsecured private placement term note in the amount of $125 million, LIBOR plus .50%, due 2010; and $3 million in other borrowings. Certain borrowings contain covenants related to a maximum debt-to-equity ratio, a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio, and certain limitations on additional borrowings. At December 31, 2003, the Company

15

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (continued)

was in compliance with all such covenants. The weighted average interest rate on the Company's outstanding borrowings was approximately 4.9% and 4.8% at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Total interest expense for all borrowings was $51.5 million and $59.6 million in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

CONSTRUCTION AND LEASE FACILITY

The Company also has an $85 million construction and lease facility. Properties acquired by the lessor are constructed and then leased to the Company under operating lease agreements. The total amount advanced and outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2003 was approximately $80 million. Since the resulting leases are operating leases, no debt obligation is recorded on the Company's balance sheet. This construction and lease facility expires in 2008. Lease payments fluctuate based upon current interest rates and are generally based upon LIBOR plus .55%. The lease facility contains residual value guarantee provisions and guarantees under events of default. Although management believes the likelihood of funding to be remote, the maximum guarantee obligation under the construction and lease facility is approximately $80 million at December 31, 2003.

CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

The following table shows the Company's approximate obligations and commitments to make future payments under contractual obligations as of December 31, 2003 (in thousands):

                                             PAYMENT DUE BY PERIOD
                                    Period less    Period 1-3     Period 4-5    Period over
                        Total       than 1 year       years          years        5 years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit facilities   $    677,633   $     52,525   $        108   $    250,000   $    375,000
Operating leases         383,335        104,862        136,934         69,721         71,818
                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Contractual
 Cash Obligations   $  1,060,968   $    157,387   $    137,042   $    319,721   $    446,818
                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company has certain commercial commitments related to affiliate borrowing guarantees and residual values under operating leases. The Company believes the likelihood of any significant amounts being funded in connection with these commitments to be remote. The following table shows the Company's approximate commercial commitments as of December 31, 2003 (in thousands):

                                                  PAYMENT DUE BY PERIOD
                           Total          Period        Period         Period         Period
                          Amounts       less than         1-3            4-5           over
                         Committed        1 year         years          years         5 years
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guaranteed borrowings
 of affiliates          $    163,006   $     22,778   $      7,442   $      4,961   $    127,825
Residual value
 guarantee under
 operating leases             69,330             --             --         69,330             --
Total Commercial

                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Commitments            $    232,336   $     22,778   $      7,442   $     74,291   $    127,825
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, the Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan that may obligate us to make contributions to the plan from time to time. We expect to make a cash contribution to our qualified defined benefit plan in 2004, and contributions required for 2005 and future years will depend on a number of unpredictable factors including the market performance of the plan's assets and future changes in interest rates that affect the actuarial measurement of the plan's obligations.

INTEREST RATE SWAPS

The Company manages its exposure to changes in short-term interest rates, particularly to reduce the impact on its floating-rate term notes, by entering into interest rate swap agreements. The Company has interest rate swaps with fair value of approximately $11.6 million and $15.6 million outstanding as of December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. The decrease in fair values since December 31, 2002 is primarily due to normal settlement of monthly payments due on swaps during the year ended December 31, 2003, offset by increases in the fair value of the liability on outstanding swaps during the period.

The following table shows the activity of the Company's liability for interest rate swap agreements for the period from December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2003 (in thousands):

Fair value of contracts outstanding at December 31, 2002   $ 15,643
Contracts realized or otherwise settled
 during the period (cash paid)                               (5,494)
Other changes in fair values                                  1,437
                                                           --------
Fair value of contracts outstanding at December 31, 2003   $ 11,586
                                                           --------

This interest rate swap liability is included in Other Accrued Expenses in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Other than interest rate swaps, the Company does not have any other significant derivative instruments. The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.

During 2003, the Company's exposure to future declines in interest rates associated with fixed rate interest rate swap agreements was consistent with 2002. At December 31, 2003, the Company had fixed interest rate payment swap agreements outstanding in the amount of $100 million, comprised of two $50 million notional swaps with maturity dates of 2005 and 2008. In addition, at December 31, 2003, approximately $500 million of the Company's total borrowings, which mature in approximately five and eight years, are at fixed rates of interest. A 1% adverse change in interest rates would not have a material adverse impact on future earnings and cash flows of the Company.

SHARE REPURCHASES

On April 19, 1999, the Board authorized the repurchase of 15 million shares. Through December 31, 2003, approximately 8.4 million shares have been repurchased under this authorization.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

General

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets,

16

liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. For further information on the critical accounting policies, see Note 1 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

INVENTORIES-- PROVISIONS FOR SLOW MOVING AND OBSOLESCENCE

The Company identifies slow moving or obsolete inventories and estimates appropriate loss provisions related thereto. Historically, these loss provisions have not been significant as the vast majority of the Company's inventories are not highly susceptible to obsolescence and are eligible for return under various vendor return programs. While the Company has no reason to believe its inventory return privileges will be discontinued in the future, its risk of loss associated with obsolete or slow moving inventories would increase if such were to occur.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS -- METHODOLOGY

The Company evaluates the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Initially, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net sales based on historical bad debt experience. This initial estimate is periodically adjusted when the Company becomes aware of a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filing) or as a result of changes in the overall aging of accounts receivable. While the Company has a large customer base that is geographically dispersed, a general economic downturn in any of the industry segments in which the Company operates could result in higher than expected defaults, and, therefore, the need to revise estimates for bad debts. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company recorded provisions for bad debts of $23.8 million, $20.9 million and $26.5 million, respectively.

CONSIDERATION RECEIVED FROM VENDORS

The Company enters into agreements at the beginning of each year with many of its vendors providing for inventory purchase incentives and advertising allowances. Generally, the Company earns inventory purchase incentives upon achieving specified volume purchasing levels and advertising allowances upon fulfilling its obligations related to cooperative advertising programs. The Company accrues for the receipt of inventory purchase incentives as part of its inventory cost based on cumulative purchases of inventory to date and projected inventory purchases through the end of the year, and, in the case of advertising allowances, upon completion of the Company's obligations related thereto. While management believes the Company will continue to receive such amounts in 2003 and beyond, there can be no assurance that vendors will continue to provide comparable amounts of incentives and allowances in the future.

IMPAIRMENT OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

At least annually, the Company evaluates property, plant and equipment and goodwill and other intangible assets for potential impairment indicators. The Company's judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on legal factors, market conditions and operational performance. Future events could cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that assets associated with a particular operation are impaired. Evaluating the impairment also requires the Company to estimate future operating results and cash flows which require judgment by management. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company's benefit plan committee establishes investment policies and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the funds. The pension plan strategy implemented by the Company's management is to achieve long-term objectives and invest the pension assets in accordance with ERISA and fiduciary standards. The long-term primary objectives for the pension plan are to provide for a reasonable amount of long-term growth of capital, without undue exposure to risk, protect the assets from erosion of purchasing power, and provide investment results that meet or exceed the pension plan's actuarially assumed long-term rate of return.

Based on the investment policy for the pension plan, as well as an asset study that was performed based on the Company's asset allocations and future expectations, the expected rate of return on plan assets for measuring pension expense or income was chosen to be 8.75% for the year ending December 31, 2004. The asset study forecasted expected rates of return for the approximate duration of the Company's benefit obligations, using capital market data and historical relationships.

The discount rate is chosen as the rate at which pension obligations might be settled and is based on capital market conditions as of the measurement date. It is based on returns available on high-quality fixed income obligations, such as those included in the Moody's Aa bond index. The discount rate used at December 31, 2003 was reduced from 6.75% to 6.25%. This is consistent with the 51 basis point decline in Moody's Aa from December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2003.

17

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (continued)

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The preparation of interim consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions for the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Specifically, the Company makes certain estimates in its interim consolidated financial statements for the accrual of bad debts, inventory adjustments, and discounts and volume incentives earned. Bad debts are accrued based on a percentage of sales and volume incentives are estimated based upon cumulative and projected purchasing levels. Inventory adjustments are accrued on an interim basis and adjusted in the fourth quarter based on the annual October 31 book-to-physical inventory adjustment. The methodology and practices used in deriving estimates for interim reporting typically result in adjustments upon accurate determination at year-end. The effect of these adjustments in 2003 and 2002 was not significant.

The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to cash consideration from vendors in 2003 and goodwill impairment in 2002, as discussed above, resulted in a decrease in net income in the first quarter of 2003 and 2002 of $.12 and $2.26 per share, respectively. Without the cumulative effect adjustment, diluted income per share would have been $.51 and $.50 in the quarter ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

                                            Three Months Ended
                           March 31,      June 30,      Sept. 30,       Dec. 31,
                                 (in thousands except for per share data)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003

Net Sales                $  2,021,858   $  2,152,794   $  2,189,388   $  2,085,260
Gross Profit                  638,340        651,383        651,949        680,944
Income before
  Cumulative Effect
  of a Change in
  Accounting Principle         88,424         90,148         88,333         86,737
Cumulative Effect of
  a Change in
  Accounting Principle        (19,541)            --             --             --
Net Income                     68,883         90,148         88,333         86,737
Diluted Earnings
  per share:
Before Change in
  Accounting Principle            .51            .52            .51            .50
  After Change in
  Accounting Principle            .39            .52            .51            .50

2002
Net Sales                $  1,977,743   $  2,130,924   $  2,156,759   $  1,993,501
Gross Profit                  603,969        644,232        649,793        656,184
Income before
  Cumulative Effect
  of a Change in
  Accounting Principle         87,027         96,047         94,027         90,399
Cumulative Effect of
  a Change in
  Accounting Principle       (395,090)            --             --             --
Net (Loss)/Income            (308,063)        96,047         94,027         90,399
Diluted Earnings/
  (Loss) per share:
Before Change in
  Accounting Principle            .50            .55            .54            .52
After Change in
  Accounting Principle          (1.76)           .55            .54            .52

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this report constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's beliefs, expectations, and plans as of the present. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, the growth rate of the market for the Company's products and services, the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships, competitive product and pricing pressures, including internet related initiatives, the effectiveness of the Company's promotional, marketing and advertising programs, changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting and taxation guidance, the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned that other factors not listed here could materially impact the Company's future earnings, financial position and cash flows. You should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements contained herein, and should carefully read other reports that the Company will, from time to time, file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

18

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Board of Directors
Genuine Parts Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Genuine Parts Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Genuine Parts Company and subsidiaries at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

As discussed in Note 1, effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 02-16, Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor. In addition, as discussed in Note 2, effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

February 3, 2004
Atlanta, Georgia

19

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands) December 31,                                                   2003           2002
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                       $     15,393   $     19,995
  Trade accounts receivable                                                          1,084,874      1,039,843
  Merchandise inventories                                                            2,140,811      2,144,787
  Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                    176,548        172,362
                                                                                  ---------------------------
      Total Current Assets                                                           3,417,626      3,376,987
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, less accumulated amortization                           58,028         58,705
Other Assets                                                                           297,851        292,312

Property, Plant and Equipment:
  Land                                                                                  36,428         36,562
  Buildings, less allowance for depreciation (2003 - $111,646; 2002 - $105,348)        124,600        124,546
  Machinery and equipment, less allowance for depreciation
    (2003 - $378,869; 2002 - $360,732)                                                 181,964        171,943
                                                                                  ---------------------------
      Net Property, Plant and Equipment                                                342,992        333,051
                                                                                  ---------------------------
                                                                                  $  4,116,497   $  4,061,055
                                                                                  ===========================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable                                                          $    706,609   $    735,183
  Current portion of long-term debt and other borrowings                                52,525        116,905
  Accrued compensation                                                                  72,086         63,825
  Other accrued expenses                                                               115,805        123,094
  Dividends payable                                                                     51,331         50,557
  Income taxes payable                                                                  18,575         21,366
                                                                                  ---------------------------
      Total Current Liabilities                                                      1,016,931      1,110,930
Long-Term Debt                                                                         625,108        674,796
Deferred Income Taxes                                                                  114,533         97,912
Minority Interests in Subsidiaries                                                      47,642         47,408

Shareholders' Equity:
  Preferred Stock, par value $1 per share--authorized
    10,000,000 shares; none issued                                                          --             --
  Common stock, par value $1 per share - authorized
    450,000,000 shares; issued 174,045,263 shares in 2003
    and 174,380,634 shares in 2002                                                     174,045        174,381
  Additional paid-in capital                                                            32,853         44,371
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                                          4,835        (60,522)
  Retained earnings                                                                  2,100,550      1,971,779
                                                                                  ---------------------------
      Total Shareholders' Equity                                                     2,312,283      2,130,009
                                                                                  ---------------------------
                                                                                  $  4,116,497   $  4,061,055
                                                                                  ===========================

See accompanying notes.

20

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data) Year ended December 31,             2003           2002           2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                                             $  8,449,300   $  8,258,927   $  8,220,668
Cost of goods sold                                                       5,826,684      5,704,749      5,699,174
                                                                      ------------------------------------------
                                                                         2,622,616      2,554,178      2,521,494

Selling, administrative and other expenses                               2,050,873      1,948,442      1,951,559
Facility consolidation and impairment charges                                   --             --         73,922
                                                                      ------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of a
  change in accounting principle                                           571,743        605,736        496,013

Income taxes                                                               218,101        238,236        198,866
                                                                      ------------------------------------------
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle        353,642        367,500        297,147
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle                      (19,541)      (395,090)            --
                                                                      ------------------------------------------

Net income (loss)                                                     $    334,101   $    (27,590)  $    297,147
                                                                      ==========================================

Basic net income (loss) per common share:

  Before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle        $       2.03   $       2.11   $       1.72
  Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle                       (.11)         (2.27)            --
                                                                      ------------------------------------------
  Basic net income (loss)                                             $       1.92   $      (0.16)  $       1.72
                                                                      ==========================================

Diluted net income (loss) per common share:

  Before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle        $       2.03   $       2.10   $       1.71
  Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle                       (.12)         (2.26)            --
                                                                      ------------------------------------------
  Diluted net income (loss)                                           $       1.91   $      (0.16)  $       1.71
                                                                      ==========================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding                                 173,995        174,369        172,765
Dilutive effect of stock options and
  non-vested restricted stock awards                                           485            735            868
                                                                      ------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares outstanding--
  assuming dilution                                                        174,480        175,104        173,633
                                                                      ==========================================

See accompanying notes.

21

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                                                      Accumulated
                                                                          Additional     Other                         Total
                                                       Common Stock        Paid-In    Comprehensive   Retained      Shareholders'
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)    Shares       Amount    Capital    Income (Loss)   Earnings          Equity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 2001                       172,389,688   $ 172,390  $       --   $ (13,041)    $2,101,457     $ 2,260,806
  Net income                                              --          --          --          --        297,147         297,147
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment                                            --          --          --     (12,252)            --         (12,252)
  Changes in fair value of derivative
   instruments, net of income taxes
    of $13,867                                            --          --          --     (20,801)            --         (20,801)
                                                                                                                    -----------
  Comprehensive income                                                                                                  264,094
                                                                                                                    -----------
  Cash dividends declared,
    $1.14 per share                                       --          --          --          --       (196,941)       (196,941)
  Stock options exercised,
    including tax benefit                            936,978         937      13,464          --             --          14,401
  Purchase of stock                                 (496,025)       (496)    (12,162)         --             --         (12,658)
  Stock issued in connection
    with acquisitions                                643,303         643      14,778          --             --          15,421
                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001                     173,473,944     173,474      16,080     (46,094)     2,201,663       2,345,123
  Net loss                                                --          --          --          --        (27,590)        (27,590)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment                                            --          --          --     (17,960)            --         (17,960)
  Changes in fair value of derivative
    instruments, net of income taxes
    of $2,686                                             --          --          --       3,532             --           3,532
                                                                                                                    -----------
  Comprehensive loss                                                                                                    (42,018)
                                                                                                                    -----------
  Cash dividends declared,
    $1.16 per share                                       --          --          --          --       (202,294)       (202,294)
  Stock options exercised,
    including tax benefit                          1,286,697       1,287      39,190          --             --          40,477
  Purchase of stock                                 (389,434)       (389)    (11,226)         --             --         (11,615)
  Stock issued in connection with
    acquisitions                                       9,427           9         327          --             --             336
                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2002                     174,380,634     174,381      44,371     (60,522)     1,971,779       2,130,009
  Net income                                              --          --          --          --        334,101         334,101
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment                                            --          --          --      54,864             --          54,864
  Changes in fair value of derivative
    instruments, net of income
    taxes of $6,990                                       --          --          --      10,493             --          10,493
                                                                                                                    -----------
  Comprehensive income                                                                                                  399,458
                                                                                                                    -----------
  Cash dividends declared,
    $1.18 per share                                       --          --          --          --       (205,330)       (205,330)
  Stock options exercised,
    including tax benefit                            280,821         280       5,575          --             --           5,855
  Purchase of stock                                 (616,192)       (616)    (17,093)         --             --         (17,709)
                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2003                     174,045,263   $ 174,045  $   32,853   $   4,835     $2,100,550     $ 2,312,283

22

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

            (dollars in thousands) Year ended December 31,                  2003           2002           2001
---------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------   ------------   -----------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)                                                       $    334,101   $    (27,590)  $   297,147
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                             69,013         70,151        85,793
    Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment                             (5,210)           (25)       (1,626)
    Deferred income taxes                                                     27,354         43,995       (21,704)
    Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle                     19,541        395,090            --
    Non-cash portion of facility consolidation and impairment charges             --             --        89,500
    Income applicable to minority interests                                    2,565          2,315         3,077
    Income tax benefit of stock options exercised                              1,254          4,468         2,488
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Trade accounts receivable                                              (21,735)       (27,380)        6,974
      Merchandise inventories                                                 20,232       (243,005)      (45,063)
      Trade accounts payable                                                 (43,230)        88,215         7,354
      Other, net                                                              (1,700)       (33,826)      (88,300)
                                                                        ------------   ------------   -----------
                                                                              68,084        299,998        38,493
                                                                        ------------   ------------   -----------
  Net cash provided by operating activities                                  402,185        272,408       335,640

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                   (73,904)       (64,758)      (41,944)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                           13,619         10,137         5,261
Acquisition of businesses and other investments, net of cash acquired        (14,990)        (6,042)      (16,358)
                                                                        ------------   ------------   -----------
  Net cash used in investing activities                                      (75,275)       (60,663)      (53,041)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from credit facilities                                              935,000      1,021,168     3,223,466
Payments on credit facilities                                             (1,047,976)    (1,122,237)   (3,251,769)
Stock options exercised                                                        4,601         36,009        11,913
Dividends paid                                                              (204,556)      (201,150)     (195,022)
Purchase of stock                                                            (17,709)       (11,615)      (12,658)
                                                                        ------------   ------------   -----------
  Net cash used in financing activities                                     (330,640)      (277,825)     (224,070)
  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                       (872)           305          (497)
                                                                        ------------   ------------   -----------
  Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                        (4,602)       (65,775)       58,032
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                              19,995         85,770        27,738
                                                                        ------------   ------------   -----------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                              $     15,393   $     19,995   $    85,770
                                                                        ============   ============   ===========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for:
  Income taxes                                                          $    205,451   $    173,595   $   257,280
                                                                        ============   ============   ===========
  Interest                                                              $     49,807   $     60,807   $    60,461
                                                                        ============   ============   ===========

See accompanying notes.

23

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2003

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Genuine Parts Company and all of its majority-owned subsidiaries ("the Company") is a distributor of automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products and electrical/electronic materials. The Company serves a diverse customer base through more than 1,800 locations in North America and, therefore, has limited exposure from credit losses to any particular customer or industry segment. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company. Income applicable to minority interests is included in other expenses. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenues from product sales upon shipment to its customers.

Foreign Currency Translation

The consolidated balance sheets and statements of income of the Company's foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars at the current and average exchange rates, respectively. The foreign currency translation adjustment is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents.

Trade Accounts Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company evaluates the collectibility of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Initially, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net sales based on historical bad debt experience. This initial estimate is periodically adjusted when the Company becomes aware of a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g. bankruptcy filing) or as a result of changes in the overall aging of accounts receivable. While the Company has a large customer base that is geographically dispersed, a general economic downturn in any of the industry segments in which the Company operates could result in higher than expected defaults, and, therefore, the need to revise estimates for bad debts. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, the Company recorded provisions for bad debts of approximately $23,800,000, $20,900,000, and $26,500,000, respectively.

Merchandise Inventories, including Consideration Received from Vendors

Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for a majority of automotive parts, electrical/electronic materials, and industrial parts, and by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for office products and certain other inventories. If the FIFO method had been used for all inventories, cost would have been approximately $187,444,000 and $181,220,000 higher than reported at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The Company identifies slow moving or obsolete inventories and estimates appropriate provisions related thereto. Historically, these losses have not been significant as the vast majority of the Company's inventories are not highly susceptible to obsolescence and are eligible for return under various vendor return programs. While the Company has no reason to believe its inventory return privileges will be discontinued in the future, its risk of loss associated with obsolete or slow moving inventories would increase if such were to occur.

The Company enters into agreements at the beginning of each year with many of its vendors providing for inventory purchase rebates and advertising allowances. Generally, the Company earns inventory purchase rebates upon achieving specified volume purchasing levels and advertising allowances upon fulfilling its obligations related to cooperative advertising programs. The Company accrues for the receipt of inventory purchase rebates as part of its inventory cost based on cumulative purchases of inventory to date and projected inventory purchases through the end of the year, and, in the case of advertising allowances, upon completion of the Company's obligations related thereto. While management believes the Company will continue to receive consideration from vendors in 2004 and beyond, there can be no assurance that vendors will continue to provide comparable amounts of rebates and allowances in the future.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist primarily of prepaid expenses and amounts due from vendors.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets primarily represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted

24

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets ("SFAS No. 142"). SFAS No. 142 requires that entities assess the fair value of the net assets underlying all acquisition-related goodwill on a reporting unit basis effective beginning in 2002. When the fair value is less than the related carrying value, entities are required to reduce the amount of goodwill (see Note 2). The approach to evaluating the recoverability of goodwill as outlined in SFAS No. 142 requires the use of valuation techniques utilizing estimates and assumptions about projected future operating results and other variables. The impairment only approach required by SFAS No. 142 may have the effect of increasing the volatility of the Company's earnings if additional goodwill impairment occurs at a future date.

SFAS No. 142 also requires that entities discontinue amortization of all purchased goodwill, including amortization of goodwill recorded in past business combinations. Accordingly, the Company no longer amortized goodwill beginning in 2002. Goodwill amortization expense was $11,912,000 in 2001.

Other Assets

Other assets consist primarily of a prepaid pension asset, an investment accounted for under the cost method and in 2002, also included certain costs of internal-use information systems under development.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is primarily determined on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful life of each asset: buildings and improvements, 10 to 40 years; machinery and equipment, 5 to 15 years.

Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill

The Company assesses its long-lived assets other than goodwill for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. To analyze recoverability, the Company projects undiscounted net future cash flows over the remaining life of such assets. If these projected cash flows are less than the carrying amount, an impairment would be recognized, resulting in a write-down of assets with a corresponding charge to earnings. Impairment losses, if any, are measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of the following:

(Dollars in Thousands) December 31                  2003        2002
----------------------------------                  ----        ----
Foreign currency translation                      $ 11,611   $ (43,253)
Net unrealized loss on derivative instruments,
 net of taxes                                       (6,776)    (17,269)
                                                  --------   ---------
Total accumulated other
 comprehensive income (loss)                      $  4,835   $ (60,522)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their respective fair values based on the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of interest rate swap agreements, included in other accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets, was approximately $11,586,000 and $15,643,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The fair value of derivative financial instruments has been determined based on quoted market prices. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the carrying amount for variable rate long-term debt approximates fair market value since the interest rates on these instruments are reset periodically to current market rates. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the fair market value of fixed rate long-term debt was approximately $543,000,000 and $537,000,000, respectively, based primarily on quoted prices for these or similar instruments. The fair value of fixed rate long-term debt was estimated by calculating the present value of anticipated cash flows. The discount rate used was an estimated borrowing rate for similar debt instruments with like maturities.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

From time to time, the Company uses interest rate swap agreements to synthetically manage the interest rate characteristics of a portion of its outstanding debt and to limit the Company's exposure to rising interest rates. The Company designates at inception that interest rate swap agreements hedge risks associated with future variable interest payments and monitors each swap agreement to determine if it remains an effective hedge. The effectiveness of the derivative as a hedge is based on a high correlation between changes in the value of the underlying hedged item. Ineffectiveness related to the Company's derivative transactions is not material. The Company records amounts to be received or paid as a result of interest rate swap agreements as an adjustment to interest expense. All of the Company's interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. Gains or losses on terminations or redesignation of interest rate swap agreements are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest expense of the related debt instrument over the remaining term of the original contract life of the agreements. The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are classified as selling, administrative and other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and totaled approximately $202,000,000, $200,000,000 and $198,000,000 in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

Stock Compensation

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company prospectively adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock compensation. The adoption of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS 123"), had no

25

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)

significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Until January 1, 2003, the Company had elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25"), and related Interpretations in accounting for stock compensation. Under APB 25, no compensation expense is recognized if the exercise price of stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Note 7 contains a tabular presentation as if the Company had applied the alternative fair value accounting provided for under SFAS 123, to all stock options.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income
(loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share includes the dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards. Options to purchase 5,219,100, 679,000 and 3,485,000, shares of common stock at prices ranging from $32 to $38 per share were outstanding at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the dilutive effect of options to purchase approximately 39,000, 56,000, and 199,000 shares of common stock at an average exercise price of approximately $18 per share issued in connection with a 1998 acquisition have been included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share since the date of the acquisition.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51. FIN 46, as revised in December 2003, requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 is effective for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN 46 must be applied no later than December 31, 2003 for entities meeting the definition of special-purpose entities, and no later than fiscal periods ending after March 15, 2004 for all other entities under consideration.

In connection with the adoption of FIN 46, in June 2003, the Company's construction and lease facility was amended. Subject to the amendment, FIN 46 did not change the Company's accounting for the construction and lease facility. In addition to the construction and lease facility, the Company has relationships with entities which are required to be considered for consolidation under FIN 46. Specifically, the Company guarantees the borrowings of certain independently controlled automotive parts stores ("independents") and certain other affiliates in which the Company has a minority equity ownership interest ("affiliates"). Presently, the independents are generally consolidated by an enterprise that has a controlling financial interest through ownership of a majority voting interest in the entity. The Company has no voting interest or other equity conversion rights in any of the independents. At December 31, 2003, the total borrowings subject to guarantee by the Company were approximately $163,006,000. The Company does not control the independents or the affiliates, but receives a fee for the guarantee. The Company has preliminarily concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary with respect to any of the independents and, in substantially all cases, has concluded that the affiliates are not variable interest entities or, if so, the Company is not the primary beneficiary.

In January 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") of the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 02-16, Accounting by a Customer (Including Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor ("EITF 02-16"). EITF 02-16 addresses accounting and reporting issues related to how a reseller should account for certain consideration received from vendors. Generally, certain consideration received from vendors is presumed to be a reduction of prices of the vendor's products or services and should, therefore, be characterized as a reduction of cost of sales when recognized in the customer's income statement. However, under certain circumstances, this presumption may be overcome and recognition as revenue or as a reduction of other costs in the income statement may be appropriate. The Company, in certain circumstances, previously included funds of this type in selling, administrative, and other expenses. Under the new method, vendor allowances for advertising and catalog related programs are generally considered a reduction of cost of goods sold. On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted EITF 02-16 and recorded a non-cash charge of $19.5 million, net of a $13.6 million tax benefit, ($.11 and $.12 per basic and diluted share, respectively) related to the capitalization of certain vendor consideration as part of inventory cost. Had the Company accounted for vendor considerations in accordance with EITF 02-16 in prior years, the capitalization of these vendor considerations would not have a significant impact on the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001. In addition, as a result of the January 1, 2003 adoption of EITF 02-16, approximately $102 million was reclassified from selling, administrative and other expenses to cost of goods sold in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2003. In accordance with EITF 02-16, the income statement presentations for periods prior to January 1, 2003 have not been reclassified. Had the Company accounted for consideration received from

26

vendors in accordance with EITF 02-16 in prior years, approximately $90 million and $111 million would have been reclassified from selling, administrative and other expenses to cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

2. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142. SFAS No. 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations. SFAS No. 142 requires that entities assess the fair value of the net assets underlying all acquisition-related goodwill on a reporting unit basis. When the fair value is less than the related carrying value, entities are required to reduce the amount of goodwill.

Within the Company's four reportable segments, the Company identified reporting units as defined in SFAS No. 142. The reporting units' goodwill was tested for impairment during the first quarter of 2002 as required by SFAS No. 142 based on the expected present value of future cash flows approach. As a result of this valuation process as well as the application of the remaining provisions of SFAS No. 142, the Company recorded a transitional impairment loss of approximately $395.1 million ($2.27 basic loss per share and $2.26 diluted loss per share) as of January 1, 2002. This write-off was reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the Company's consolidated statement of income as of January 1, 2002. No tax benefits were recorded in connection with this goodwill impairment. For the year ended December 31, 2002, additions to goodwill of approximately $14.7 million relate to a balance sheet reclassification and additional consideration for earnouts on prior acquisitions.

The Company performed an annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2003. Similar to 2002, the present value of future cash flows approach was utilized in determining potential goodwill impairment. The Company determined that goodwill was not impaired and, therefore, no impairment was recognized during 2003. The Company also assessed finite-lived, identifiable intangible assets for impairment under an undiscounted cash flows approach and concluded there was no impairment for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 by reportable segment, as well as other identifiable intangible assets, are summarized as follows:

                                                                  Goodwill
                                       -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Electrical/   Identifiable
                                                                       Office       Electronic    Intangible
            (In Thousands)             Automotive     Industrial      Products      Materials       Assets          Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as of January 1, 2002          $ 221,752      $  50,304      $   8,297      $ 155,611      $   6,114      $ 442,078
 Goodwill and intangible assets
  acquired during the year                13,266             31            400             --            956         14,653
 Amortization during the year                 --             --             --             --         (2,421)        (2,421)
 Other impairment charges                     --           (515)            --             --             --           (515)
 Transitional impairment losses         (213,401)       (19,512)        (6,566)      (155,611)            --       (395,090)
                                       ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Balance as of December 31, 2002           21,617         30,308          2,131             --          4,649         58,705
 Goodwill acquired during the year            --            862             --             --             --            862
 Amortization during the year                 --             --             --             --         (1,539)        (1,539)
                                       ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Balance as of December 31, 2003        $  21,617      $  31,170      $   2,131      $      --      $   3,110      $  58,028
                                       ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company amortized goodwill over estimated useful lives ranging from 10 years to 40 years. Had the Company accounted for goodwill consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 142 in the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company's income would have been affected as follows, in thousands, except per share data:

     Year ended December 31,                 2001
---------------------------------------------------
Reported income                            $297,147
Add back: Goodwill amortization              11,912
                                           --------
  Adjusted income                          $309,059
                                           ========

Basic net income per common share:
  As reported                              $   1.72
  Add back: Goodwill amortization              0.07
                                           --------
  As adjusted                              $   1.79
                                           ========

Diluted net income per common share:
  As reported                              $   1.71
  Add back: Goodwill amortization              0.07
                                           --------
  As adjusted                              $   1.78
                                           ========

27

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3. FACILITY CONSOLIDATION, IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES

Prior to December 31, 2001, the Company's management approved a plan to close and consolidate certain facilities, terminate certain employees, and exit certain other activities. The Company also determined certain assets were impaired. Following is a summary of the charges recorded in the year ended December 31, 2001, and subsequent activity related to accruals for continuing liabilities associated with the plan (in thousands):

                                                                                                              Liability at
                                                                  Paid in         Paid in        Paid in      December 31,
                                       Total        Non-cash        2001            2002           2003          2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impairment charges                  $  49,400      $ (49,400)     $      --      $      --      $      --      $      --
Facility consolidation expenses        17,900         (6,900)          (300)        (4,800)        (2,600)         3,300
Severance expenses                      6,700             --           (100)        (4,800)        (1,800)            --
Inventory-related exit costs           17,400        (17,400)            --             --             --             --
Other                                  16,400        (15,800)            --           (300)          (300)            --
                                    ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
                                    $ 107,800      $ (89,500)     $    (400)     $  (9,900)     $  (4,700)     $   3,300
                                    =========      =========      =========      =========      =========      =========

Impairment charges are primarily comprised of two separate technology projects:
(1) an abandoned software system implementation of the Company's office products segment totaling approximately $30,000,000, and (2) an impaired technology-related venture of the Company's automotive segment totaling approximately $15,000,000 for which the Company projected the undiscounted cash flows to be less than the carrying amount of the related investment. Facility consolidation expenses relate to facility consolidations in each of the Company's business segments. In 2001, the Company identified certain distribution, branch and retail facilities that were to be closed prior to December 31, 2002. The Company appropriately accrued the estimated lease obligation from the planned exit date through the end of the contractual lease term, net of estimated sublease income. The facility consolidations did not result in any material decline in net sales, as all such closed facilities have been served by other Company-operated facilities.

Severance expenses include charges for employees who have been involuntarily terminated in connection with the Company's facility consolidation. All terminations occurred prior to December 31, 2002. Inventory-related exit costs relate to inventory considered by the Company to be impaired as a result of the facility consolidations described above and related inventory rationalization and optimization programs. All inventory-related exit costs have been classified as cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. Other charges have been classified as a component of selling, administrative and other expenses.

4. CREDIT FACILITIES

The principal amount of the Company's borrowings subject to variable rates before interest rate swap agreements totaled approximately $177,268,000 and $287,666,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on the Company's outstanding borrowings was approximately 4.92% and 4.76% at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

On November 21, 2003, the Company completed a $125,000,000 financing with a consortium of financial institutions and insurance companies (the "Notes") that matures in February 2010 and bears interest at Libor plus .50% (1.73% at December 31, 2003), reset every six months. The proceeds of the Notes were primarily used to repay certain variable rate borrowings.

On October 31, 2003, the Company obtained a $350,000,000 unsecured revolving line of credit with a consortium of financial institutions that matures in October 2008 and bears interest at Libor plus .40% (1.47% at December 31, 2003). At December 31, 2003, $50,050,000 was outstanding under the line of credit.

Certain borrowings contain covenants related to a maximum debt-to-equity ratio, a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio, and certain limitations on additional borrowings. At December 31, 2003, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. Total interest expense for all borrowings was $51,538,000 in 2003, $59,640,000 in 2002 and $59,416,000 in 2001.

Amounts outstanding under the Company's credit facilities consist of the following:

    (In Thousands) December 31               2003          2002
---------------------------------------------------------------
Unsecured revolving line of credit,
 $350,000,000, Libor plus .40%,
due October 2008                          $ 50,050     $108,964
Unsecured term notes:
  November 30, 2001, Series A Senior
   Notes, $250,000,000, 5.86% fixed,
  due November 30, 2008                    250,000      250,000
  November 30, 2001, Series B Senior
  Notes, $250,000,000, 6.23% fixed,
  due November 30, 2011                    250,000      250,000
  November 21, 2003, Libor plus .50%,
  due February 2010                        125,000      171,367
  Other borrowings                           2,583       11,370
                                          --------     --------
                                           677,633      791,701

Current portion of long-term debt and
 other borrowings                           52,525      116,905
                                          --------     --------
                                          $625,108     $674,796
                                          ========     ========

28

Approximate maturities under the Company's credit facilities are as follows (in thousands):

2004                          $ 52,525
2005                               108
2006                                --
2007                                --
2008                           250,000
Subsequent to 2008             375,000
                              --------
                              $677,633
                              ========

5. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

The Company has a Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement which includes the distribution of rights to common shareholders under certain defined circumstances. The rights entitle the holder, upon occurrence of certain events, to purchase additional stock of the Company. The rights will be exercisable only if a person, group or company acquires 20% or more of the Company's common stock or commences a tender offer that would result in ownership of 20% or more of the common stock. The Company is entitled to redeem each right for one cent.

6. LEASED PROPERTIES

The Company leases land, buildings and equipment. Certain land and building leases have renewal options generally for periods ranging from two to ten years. In addition, certain properties occupied under operating leases contain normal purchase options. The Company also has an $85,000,000 construction and lease facility. Properties acquired by the lessor are constructed and/or then leased to the Company under operating lease agreements. The total amount advanced and outstanding under this facility at December 31, 2003 was approximately $80,057,000. Since the resulting leases are accounted for as operating leases, no debt obligation is recorded on the Company's balance sheet. Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under the noncancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following at December 31, 2003 (in thousands):

2004                        $ 104,862
2005                           80,027
2006                           56,907
2007                           41,801
2008                           27,920
Subsequent to 2008             71,818
                            ---------
                            $ 383,335
                            =========

Rental expense for operating leases was approximately $119,595,000 in 2003, $114,352,000 in 2002 and $112,470,000 in 2001.

7. STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

In 1999, the Company authorized the grant of options of up to 9,000,000 shares of common stock. In accordance with stock option plans approved by shareholders, options are granted to key personnel for the purchase of the Company's stock at prices not less than the fair market value of the shares on the dates of grant. Most options may be exercised not earlier than twelve months nor later than ten years from the date of grant.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by SFAS 123, as amended, determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options granted subsequent to December 31, 1994 under the fair value method of SFAS 123. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 4.0%, 4.1%, and 5.0%; dividend yield of 3.6%; 4.0%, and 3.8%; annual volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of 0.25, 0.22, and 0.26, and an expected life of the options of 8 years, 8 years, and 5 years.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123 as amended by SFAS No. 148, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested awards in each period (in thousands, except per share amounts):

         Year ended December 31,               2003       2002       2001
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss), as reported               $334,101   $(27,590)  $297,147
Add: Stock-based employee
  compensation expense related to
  option grants in 2003 included in
  reported net income, net of related
  tax effects                                      13         --         --
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
  compensation expense determined
  under fair value based method for
  all awards, net of related tax effects       (5,688)    (3,376)    (3,394)
                                             --------   --------   --------
Pro forma net income (loss)                  $328,426   $(30,966)  $293,753
                                             ========   ========   ========

Income (loss) per share:
  Basic -- as reported                       $   1.92   $  (0.16)  $   1.72
                                             ========   ========   ========
  Basic -- pro forma                         $   1.89   $  (0.18)  $   1.70
                                             ========   ========   ========
  Diluted -- as reported                     $   1.91   $  (0.16)  $   1.71
                                             ========   ========   ========
  Diluted -- pro forma                       $   1.88   $  (0.18)  $   1.69
                                             ========   ========   ========

29

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)

A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information are as follows:

                                                                2003                       2002                      2001
                                                        ---------------------      --------------------       -------------------
                                                                     WEIGHTED                  Weighted                  Weighted
                                                                     AVERAGE                   Average                   Average
                                                        SHARES       EXERCISE      Shares      Exercise       Shares     Exercise
                                                        (000'S)       PRICE        (000's)       Price        (000's)      Price
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year                          7,574      $     29        6,156     $     28         7,513    $     26
Granted                                                      20            32        3,131           32            30          33
Exercised                                                  (500)           23       (1,412)          29        (1,049)         14
Forfeited                                                  (129)           31         (301)          34          (338)         32
                                                        -------                    -------                    -------
Outstanding at end of year                                6,965      $     30        7,574     $     29         6,156    $     28
                                                        =======                    =======                    =======
Exercisable at end of year                                4,171      $     29        3,337     $     28         4,477    $     29
                                                        =======                    =======                    =======
Weighted-average fair value of options
    granted during the year                             $  6.92                    $  5.72                    $  6.91
                                                        =======                    =======                    =======
Shares available for future grants                        4,037                      4,080                      6,910

Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 2003 ranged from approximately $21 to $35, except for 39,000 options granted in connection with a 1998 acquisition for which the exercise price is approximately $18. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of those options is approximately 4 years.

In 1999, the Company entered into restricted stock agreements with two officers which provide for the award of up to 150,000 and 75,000 shares, respectively, during the period 1999 through 2003 based on the Company achieving certain increases in net income per common share and stock price levels. Through December 31, 2003, the two officers have earned 15,000 and 7,500 shares, respectively. The Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the fair market value of the stock on the award date over the remaining vesting period which expires in 2009.

8. INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

             (In Thousands)                         2003           2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets related to:
  Expenses not yet deducted for tax purposes     $  101,129     $    87,256
Deferred tax liabilities related to:
  Employee and retiree benefits                     112,164         104,833
  Inventory                                          73,446          52,000
  Property and equipment                             23,731          18,722
  Other                                              24,896          10,333
                                                 ----------     -----------
                                                    234,237         185,888

Net deferred tax liability                          133,108          98,632
Current portion of deferred tax liability            18,575             720
                                                 ----------     -----------
Non-current deferred tax liability               $  114,533        $ 97,912

The components of income tax expense are as follows:

(In Thousands)                 2003         2002       2001
--------------------------------------------------------------
Current:
  Federal                    $ 163,878   $ 165,289   $ 188,040
  State                         26,869      28,952      32,530
Deferred                        27,354      43,995     (21,704)
                             ---------   ---------   ---------
                             $ 218,101   $ 238,236   $ 198,866

The reasons for the difference between total tax expense and the amount computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to income before income taxes and the cumulative effect of accounting changes are as follows:

       (In Thousands)                  2003          2002           2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory rate applied to income
  before the cumulative effect of
  an accounting change              $  200,110     $212,008      $ 173,605
Plus state income taxes, net of
  Federal tax benefit                   19,969       23,081         19,064
Other                                   (1,978)       3,147          6,197
                                    ----------     --------      ---------
                                    $  218,101     $238,236      $ 198,866

30

9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company's noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covers substantially all of its employees in the United States. The benefits are based on an average of the employees' compensation during the five highest of their last ten years of credited service. The Company's funding policy is to contribute amounts deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed for service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. Pension benefits also include amounts related to a supplemental retirement plan. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 for its pension and other benefit plans.

                                                           Pension Benefits            Other Postretirement Benefits
          (In Thousands)                              2003                2002             2003             2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year        $ 769,643           $ 662,532        $   10,018        $  10,769
Service cost                                          31,031              25,622                90              235
Interest cost                                         53,338              49,810               481              877
Plan participants' contributions                          --                  --             3,209            2,993
Plan amendments                                           --              (2,727)           (2,104)              --
Actuarial loss                                        36,661              55,556            17,689              677
Gross benefits paid                                  (26,084)            (21,150)           (4,975)          (5,533)
                                                   -----------------------------       ----------------------------
Net benefit obligation at end of year              $ 864,589           $ 769,643       $    24,408        $  10,018

The accumulated benefit obligation was approximately $657,703,000 and $551,543,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The assumptions used in accounting for the defined benefit plans and other postretirement plan obligations are as follows:

                                                              Pension Benefits            Other Postretirement Benefits
                                                            2003            2002               2003            2002
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-average discount rate                              6.25%           6.75%              6.25%           6.75%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels              3.25%           4.15%                --              --
Health care cost trend on covered charges                     --              --              10.00%          10.00%

A 10% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits is assumed for 2004. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually, reaching 5% in 2009 and thereafter.

                                                               Pension Benefits            Other Postretirement Benefits
                (In Thousands)                              2003                2002              2003            2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN PLAN ASSETS
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year         $ 655,010          $  707,158        $        --         $     --
Actual return (loss) on plan assets                      99,858              (43,083)                --               --
Employer contributions                                   28,900               12,085              1,766            2,540
Plan participants' contribution                              --                   --              3,209            2,993
Gross benefits paid                                     (26,084)             (21,150)            (4,975)          (5,533)
                                                       -----------------------------        ----------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year               $757,684           $  655,010        $        --         $     --

The asset allocation for the Company's pension plan at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the target allocation for 2004, by asset category follows:

                                Target      Percentage of Plan
                              Allocation   Assets at December 31
Asset Category                   2004         2003      2002
----------------------------------------------------------------
Equity securities                60%          62%        53%
Debt securities                  40%          35%        43%
Real estate and other            --            3%         4%
                                ---          --------------
                                100%         100%       100%

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company-sponsored pension plan held 1,619,480 shares of common stock of the Company with a market value of approximately $53,767,000 and $49,880,000, respectively. Dividend payments received by the plan on Company stock totaled approximately $1,903,000 and $1,867,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Fees paid during the year for services rendered by parties-in-interest were based on customary and reasonable rates for such services.

The Company's benefit plan committee establishes investment policies and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the funds. The pension plan strategy implemented by

31

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)

the Company's management is to achieve long-term objectives and invest the pension assets in accordance with ERISA and fiduciary standards. The long-term primary objectives for the pension plan are to provide for a reasonable amount of long-term growth of capital, without undue exposure to risk, protect the assets from erosion of purchasing power, and provide investment results that meet or exceed the pension plan's actuarially assumed long term rate of return.

Based on the investment policy for the pension plan, as well as an asset study that was performed based on the Company's asset allocations and future expectations, the expected rate of return on plan assets for measuring pension expense or income was chosen to be 8.75% for the year ending December 31, 2004. The asset study forecasted expected rates of return for the approximate duration of the Company's benefit obligations, using capital market data and historical relationships.

The following table sets forth the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31:

                                                 Pension  Benefits       Other Postretirement Benefits
            (In Thousands)                      2003           2002           2003           2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status at end of year                 $(106,905)     $(114,633)     $ (24,408)     $ (10,018)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss                319,407        318,699         20,788          3,249
Unrecognized prior service (income) cost        (3,202)        (6,460)         3,017          5,492
                                             ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Net amount recognized at end of year         $ 209,300      $ 197,606      $    (603)     $  (1,277)
                                             =========      =========      =========      =========

Information about the expected cash flows for the U.S. pension plan and other post retirement benefit plans follows:

     (In Thousands)                 Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION
2004 (expected)                         $ 29,736               $    --
EXPECTED BENEFIT PAYMENTS
2004                                      26,414                 2,936
2005                                      28,252                 2,953
2006                                      30,419                 3,025
2007                                      33,303                 3,153
2008                                      36,091                 3,189
2009 through 2013                        242,617                13,845

For the pension benefits, the above table reflects the total benefits expected to be paid from the plan's or the Company's assets. For other postretirement benefits, the above table reflects only the Company's share of the benefit cost. Of the benefits expected to be paid in 2004, pension benefits of $2,088,000 are expected to be paid from employer assets. Expected contributions reflect amounts expected to be contributed to funded plans.

Net periodic pension cost (income) included the following components:

                                                                 Pension Benefits                   Other Postretirement Benefits
                  (In Thousands)                          2003         2002          2001          2003         2002         2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost                                           $ 31,031      $ 25,622      $ 19,935      $     90     $    235     $    177
Interest cost                                            53,338        49,810        44,525           482          877          816
Expected return on plan assets                          (72,432)      (72,887)      (72,167)           --           --           --
Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation           --            --           260            --           --           --
Amortization of prior service (cost) income              (3,258)       (2,968)       (2,871)          371          487          588
Amortization of actuarial loss                            8,526           954           531           150          268           74
                                                       --------      --------      --------      --------     --------     --------
Net periodic pension cost (income)                     $ 17,205      $    531      $ (9,787)     $  1,093     $  1,867     $  1,655
                                                       ========      ========      ========      ========     ========     ========

The assumptions used in accounting for the net periodic benefit costs are as follows:

                                                          Pension Benefits                Other Postretirement Benefits
                (In Thousands)                    2003          2002         2001        2003          2002          2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average discount rate                    6.75%         7.35%        7.63%       6.75%         7.35%         7.63%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels    4.15%         4.15%        4.15%         --            --            --
Expected long-term rate of return on assets       8.95%         9.45%        9.85%         --            --            --
Health care cost trend covered charges              --            --           --       10.00%         6.50%         7.00%

32

The effect of a one-percentage point change in the 2003 assumed health care cost trend is as follows:

        (In Thousands)                          Decrease   Increase
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total service and interest cost
  components on net periodic
  postretirement health care benefit cost         $  (97)     $   145
Accumulated postretirement benefit
  obligation for health care benefits             (1,002)       1,429

The Medicare Prescriptions Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the "Act") was signed December 8, 2003 to make additional voluntary benefits available through Medicare. As permitted by FASB Financial Statement Position No. 106-1, the Company has elected not to recognize the effects of the Act in the 2003 financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company will be evaluating the implications of the Act during 2004 and recognize expected financial effects as prescribed by accounting standards in effect for subsequent reporting periods. Specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for the federal subsidy is pending and that guidance, when issued, could require the Company to change previously reported information.

The Company has a defined contribution plan, which covers substantially all of its domestic employees. The Company's contributions are determined based on 20% of the first 6% of the covered employee's salary. Total plan expense was approximately $5,674,000 in 2003, $6,112,000 in 2002 and $5,901,000 in 2001.

10. GUARANTEES

Certain operating leases expiring in 2008 contain residual value guarantee provisions and other guarantees which would become due in the event of a default under the operating lease agreement, or at the expiration of the operating lease agreement if the fair value of the leased properties is less than the guaranteed residual value. The maximum amount of the Company's potential guarantee obligation at December 31, 2003 is approximately $80,057,000. The Company believes the likelihood of funding the guarantee obligation under any provision of the operating lease agreements is remote.

As discussed in Note 1, the Company also guarantees borrowings of certain independents and affiliates. The total borrowings of the independents and affiliates subject to guarantee by the Company at December 31, 2003 were approximately $163,006,000. These loans generally mature over periods from one to ten years. In the event that the Company is required to make payments in connection with guaranteed obligations of the independents or the affiliates, the Company would obtain and liquidate certain collateral (e.g. accounts receivable and inventory) to recover all or a portion of the amounts paid under the guarantee. To date, the Company has had no significant losses in connection with guarantees of independents' and affiliates' borrowings.

11. SEGMENT DATA

The segment data for the past five years presented on page 12 is an integral part of these financial statements.

The Company's automotive segment distributes replacement parts (other than body parts) for substantially all makes and models of automobiles, trucks and buses.

The Company's industrial segment distributes a wide variety of industrial bearings, mechanical and fluid power transmission equipment, including hydraulic and pneumatic products, material handling components, and related parts and supplies.

The Company's office products segment distributes a wide variety of office products, computer supplies, office furniture and business electronics.

The Company's electrical/electronic materials segment distributes a wide variety of electrical/electronic materials, including insulating and conductive materials for use in electronic and electrical apparatus.

Inter-segment sales are not significant. Operating profit for each industry segment is calculated as net sales less operating expenses excluding general corporate expenses, interest expense, equity in income from investees, goodwill and other amortization and minority interests. Net property, plant and equipment by country relate directly to the Company's operations in the respective country. Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents and headquarters' facilities and equipment.

For the year ended December 31, 2001, Facility Consolidation and Impairment Charges discussed in Note 3 totaling approximately $12,900,000 have been classified as a reduction to operating profit of the office products segment for management reporting purposes. Additionally, for management purposes, net sales by segment excludes the effect of certain discounts, incentives and freight billed to customers. The line item "other" represents the net effect of the discounts, incentives and freight billed to customers which are reported as a component of net sales in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

33

.

.
.

EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY

                                                                                    JURISDICTION OF
NAME                                                             % OWNED            INCORPORATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALKAMP                                                            89.6%                 INDIANA
EIS, INC.                                                         100.0%                 GEORGIA
GENUINE PARTS FINANCE COMPANY                                     100.0%                 DELAWARE
GPC PROCUREMENT COMPANY                                           100.0%                  GEORGIA
MOTION INDUSTRIES                                                 100.0%                 DELAWARE
HUB SUPPLY COMPANY                                                100.0%                  KANSAS
NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION                             100.0%                 MICHIGAN
S.P. RICHARDS                                                     100.0%                  GEORGIA
HORIZON USA DATA SUPPLY, INC.                                     100.0%                  NEVADA
JOHNSON INDUSTRIES, INC.                                          100.0%                  GEORGIA
MANCO TRUCKING                                                    100.0%                 ILLINOIS
1ST CHOICE AUTO PARTS, INC.                                        51.0%                  GEORGIA
AUTO PARTS OF JUPITER, INC.                                        51.0%                  GEORGIA
PARTS OF HILLSVILLE, INC.                                          70.0%                  GEORGIA
CAROLINA PIEDMONT CORPORATION                                      51.0%                  GEORGIA
PUEBLO AUTOMOTIVE, INC.                                            51.0%                  GEORGIA
CLINTON COUNTY AUTO SUPPLY, INC.                                   51.0%                  GEORGIA
WHITE COUNTY AUTO SUPPLY, INC.                                     51.0%                  GEORGIA
MIDLAND AUTO AND TRUCK SUPPLY, INC.                                70.0%                  GEORGIA
WEST MARION COUNTY AUTO PARTS AND ACCESSORIES, INC.                70.0%                  GEORGIA
SERVICE FIRST AUTO, INC.                                           51.0%                  GEORGIA
THE FLOWERS COMPANY                                                49.0%              NORTH CAROLINA
GPC MEXICO, S.A. de C.V.                                          100.0%              PUEBLA, MEXICO
EIS MEXICO                                                        100.0%       GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, MEXICO
GENUINE PARTS HOLDINGS, LTD.                                      100.0%              ALBERTA, CANADA
MOTION INDUSTRIES (CANADA), INC.                                  100.0%              OTTAWA, ONTARIO
S. P. RICHARDS CO. CANADA, INC.                                   100.0%         BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
UAP INC.                                                          100.0%              QUEBEC, CANADA
GARANAT INC.                                                      100.0%              FEDERAL, CANADA
UAPRO INC.                                                        100.0%              FEDERAL, CANADA
UNITED AUTO PARTS (Eastern) LTD.                                  100.0%              ONTARIO, CANADA
SERVICES FINANCIERS UAP INC.                                      100.0%              QUEBEC, CANADA
AUTOMOTEUR TERREBONNE LTEE                                        100.0%              QUEBEC, CANADA
CENTRE DI CULASSES DU QUEBEC INC.                                 100.0%              QUEBEC, CANADA
LES ENTREPRISES G. GAUDREAU (1986) INC.                           100.0%              FEDERAL, CANADA
MTC SUSPENSION INC.                                               100.0%              QUEBEC, CANADA
REUSINAGE KNIGHT INC.                                             100.0%              FEDERAL, CANADA


EXHIBIT 23

EXHIBIT 23 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Genuine Parts Company of our report dated February 3, 2004, included in the 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders of Genuine Parts Company.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Genuine Parts Company listed in Item 15(d). This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Genuine Parts Company listed below of our report dated February 3, 2004, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Genuine Parts Company incorporated by reference or included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2003.

- Registration Statement No. 33-62512 on Form S-8 pertaining to the 1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

- Registration Statement No. 333-21969 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan

- Registration Statement No. 333-61611 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Assumed Stock Options Under the Electrical Insulation Suppliers, Inc. 1993 Incentive Plan

- Registration Statement No. 333-76639 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Genuine Parts Company 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan

                                                 /s/ Ernst and Young LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
March 5, 2004


EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Larry L. Prince, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Genuine Parts Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and

c) Disclosed in this annual report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter of 2003 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls.

Date: March 8, 2004

                                            /s/ Larry L. Prince
                                            -------------------
                                               Larry L. Prince
                                          Chairman of the Board and
                                           Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Genuine Parts Company and will be retained by Genuine Parts Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jerry W. Nix, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Genuine Parts Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report based on such evaluation; and

c) Disclosed in this annual report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter of 2003 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls.

Date: March 8, 2004

                                            /s/ Jerry W. Nix
                                            -------------------
                                               Jerry W. Nix
                                          Executive Vice President-Finance and
                                                Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Genuine Parts Company and will be retained by Genuine Parts Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


EXHIBIT 32.1

STATEMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Genuine Parts Company (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Larry L. Prince, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Genuine Parts Company and will be retained by Genuine Parts Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

    /s/ Larry L. Prince
-------------------------------
Larry L. Prince
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
March 8, 2004


EXHIBIT 32.2

STATEMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Genuine Parts Company (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Larry L. Prince, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Genuine Parts Company and will be retained by Genuine Parts Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

    /s/ Jerry W. Nix
-------------------------------
Jerry W. Nix
Executive Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer
March 8, 2004