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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
 
☑
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
Or
 
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number: 1-5690
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

GA
 

 
58-0254510
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2999 WILDWOOD PARKWAY,
 
 
 
 
ATLANTA,
GA
 
 
 
30339
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
(Zip Code)

678-934-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
GPC
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes ☐ No ☒
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  ☒    No  ☐ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232,495 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒   No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
☒
  
Accelerated filer
 
☐
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
☐
  
Smaller reporting company
 
☐
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
☐
 
 
 
 




If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes ☐   No  ☒
As of June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $14,311,370,798 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
There were 145,381,623 shares of the Company's common stock outstanding as of February 18, 2020.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Specifically identified portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 27, 2020 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.



Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

PART I.

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS.
Genuine Parts Company, a Georgia corporation incorporated on May 7, 1928, is a leading service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts, and business products, each described in more detail below. In 2019, business was conducted from more than 3,600 locations throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand ("Australasia") via an offering of best in class operating and distribution efficiencies, industry leading coverage of consumable/replacement parts, outstanding just-in-time service and enhanced technology solutions. At December 31, 2019, the Company employed approximately 55,000 people worldwide.
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.
For financial information regarding segments as well as our geographic areas of operation, refer to the segment data footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company’s website can be found at www.genpt.com. The Company makes available, free of charge through its website, access to the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other reports, and any amendments to these documents, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Additionally, our corporate governance guidelines, codes of conduct and ethics, and charters of the Audit Committee and the Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board of Directors, as well as information regarding our procedure for shareholders and other interested parties to communicate with our Board of Directors, are available on our website.
In Part III of this Form 10-K, we incorporate certain information by reference to our proxy statement for our 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. We expect to file that proxy statement with the SEC on or about March 3, 2020, and we will make it available online at the same time at http://www.proxydocs.com/gpc. Please refer to the proxy statement for the information incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K when it is available.
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS GROUP
The Automotive Parts Group, the largest segment of the Company, distributes automotive parts and accessory items in North America, Europe and Australasia. The Automotive Parts Group offers complete inventory, cataloging, marketing, training and other programs to the automotive aftermarket in each of these regions to distinguish itself from the competition.
During 2019, the Company’s Automotive Parts Group included National Automotive Parts Association ("NAPA") automotive parts distribution centers and automotive parts stores (“auto parts stores” or “NAPA AUTO PARTS stores”) owned and operated in the United States ("U.S.") by the Company; NAPA and Traction automotive parts distribution centers and auto parts stores in the U.S. and Canada owned and operated by the Company and NAPA Canada/UAP Inc. (“NAPA Canada/UAP”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; auto parts stores and distribution centers in the U.S. operated by corporations in which the Company owned either a noncontrolling or controlling interest; auto parts stores in Canada operated by corporations in which NAPA Canada/UAP owns a 50% interest; Repco and other automotive parts distribution centers, branches and auto parts stores in Australasia owned and operated by GPC Asia Pacific, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; automotive parts distribution centers and auto parts stores in Europe, owned and operated by Alliance Automotive Group (“AAG”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; an import automotive parts distribution center in the U.S. owned by the Company and operated by its Altrom America division; an import automotive parts distribution center and branches in Canada owned and operated by Altrom Canada Corporation (“Altrom Canada”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; distribution centers in the U.S. owned by Balkamp, Inc. (“Balkamp”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; distribution facilities in the U.S. owned by the Company and operated by its Rayloc division; and an automotive parts distribution center and auto parts stores in Mexico, owned and operated by Autopartes NAPA Mexico ("NAPA Mexico"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The Company’s automotive parts distribution centers distribute replacement parts (other than body parts) for substantially all motor vehicle makes and models in service in the U.S., including imported vehicles, hybrid and electric vehicles, trucks, SUVs, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and farm vehicles. In addition, the Company distributes replacement parts for small engines, farm equipment, marine 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.
The Company's automotive parts network was expanded in 2019 via the acquisition of various store groups and automotive operations in North America, Europe and Australasia.

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AAG made a number of acquisitions to further expand their automotive operations in 2019, consisting of several small tuck-in businesses and three larger ones. Hennig Fahrzeugteile ("Hennig"), acquired on January 1, 2019, is headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, and is one of Germany's leading suppliers of vehicle parts. Hennig serves more than 9,000 customers, predominantly independent workshops and retailers. In addition, AAG expanded its footprint into the Netherlands and Belgium via the June 1, 2019 acquisition of PartsPoint Group ("PartsPoint"), headquartered in Ede, Netherlands. PartsPoint is a leading distributor of automotive and aftermarket parts and accessories in the Benelux. Finally, AAG reinforced its market share in the heavy duty market in France via the acquisition of Todd Group ("Todd") on October 1, 2019. Todd, based in Normandy, France, is a leading distributor of truck parts and accessories for the heavy-duty aftermarket. In total, AAG's acquisitions in 2019 are expected to generate annual revenues of approximately $630 million.
The Company has a 15% interest in Mitchell Repair Information Corporation (“MRIC”), a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated. MRIC is a leading automotive diagnostic and repair information company that links North American subscribers to its services and information databases. MRIC’s core product, “Mitchell ON-DEMAND,” is a premier electronic repair information source in the automotive aftermarket.
Distribution System.    In 2019, the Company operated 56 domestic NAPA automotive parts distribution centers located in 39 states and approximately 1,130 domestic company-owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located in 44 states. At December 31, 2019, the Company had either a noncontrolling, controlling or other interest in 8 corporations, which operated approximately 256 auto parts stores in 15 states. The Company’s domestic automotive operations have access to approximately 530,000 different parts and related supply items. These items are purchased from more than 100 different suppliers, with approximately 49% of 2019 automotive parts inventories purchased from 10 major suppliers. Since 1931, the Company's domestic operations have had return privileges with most of its suppliers, which have protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.
The Company’s domestic distribution centers serve the company-owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and approximately 4,800 independently-owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores located throughout the U.S. NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, in turn, sell to a wide variety of customers in the automotive aftermarket. Collectively, sales to these independent automotive parts stores account for approximately 61% of the Company’s total U.S. Automotive sales and 20% of the Company’s total sales.
NAPA Canada/UAP, founded in 1926, is a leader in the distribution and marketing of replacement parts and accessories for automobiles and trucks and is also a significant supplier to the mining and forestry industries in Canada. NAPA Canada/UAP operates a network of nine NAPA automotive parts distribution centers, three heavy duty parts distribution centers and one fabrication/remanufacturing facility supplying 592 NAPA stores and 120 Traction wholesalers. The NAPA stores and Traction wholesalers in Canada include 207 company-owned stores, 11 joint ventures and 24 progressive owners in which NAPA Canada/UAP owns a 50% interest and 470 independently owned stores. NAPA and Traction operations supply bannered installers and independent installers in all provinces of Canada, as well as networks of service stations and repair shops operating under the banners of national accounts. NAPA Canada/UAP is a licensee of the NAPA® name in Canada. Additionally, Altrom Canada operates one import automotive parts distribution center and 23 branches, which distribute OE branded products for import vehicles through the NAPA Canada/UAP network.
In Australia and New Zealand, GPC Asia Pacific, originally established in 1922, is a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories. GPC Asia Pacific operates 12 distribution centers, 406 auto parts stores under the Repco banner, 130 auto parts stores under NAPA, Ashdown Ingram and other banners, and 17 locations associated with AMX/McLeod.
In Mexico, NAPA Mexico owns and operates one distribution center and serves 25 company-owned and 18 independently-owned auto parts stores. NAPA Mexico is a licensee of the NAPA® name in Mexico.
AAG, founded in 1989, is a leading European distributor of vehicle parts, tools, and workshop equipment with its primary operations in six countries in Europe. In France, AAG operates 16 distribution centers and serves 1,057 stores, of which 266 are company-owned, under the banners GROUPAUTO France, Precisium Group, Partner's, and GEF Auto. In the United Kingdom ("U.K."), AAG operates 36 distribution centers and serves 842 stores, of which 226 are company-owned, under the banners GROUPAUTO UK & Ireland and UAN. In Germany, AAG operates nine distribution centers and 29 company-owned stores under the banner Alliance Automotive Group Germany as well as 31 company owned stores under the banner Hennig Fahrzeugteile. In Poland, AAG serves 210 affiliated outlets under the banner GROUPAUTO Polska. In the Netherlands and Belgium, AAG operates through a network of one national distribution center, seven regional warehouses and 195 stores, of which 133 are company owned.
The Company's North American automotive business is supported by several operations that form its Automotive Supply Group. Balkamp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, 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 42,000 products, which constitute the “Balkamp” line of products that are distributed through the NAPA system. These products are categorized into over 238 different product categories purchased from approximately 500 domestic suppliers and over 100 foreign manufacturers. Balkamp provides the NAPA system with over 1,300

3
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SKUs of oils and chemicals. BALKAMP®, a federally registered trademark, is important to the sales and marketing promotions of the Balkamp organization.
The Company's Rayloc division operates four facilities focused on providing cost effective, quality service in engineering, cataloging, global sourcing, and distribution. Rayloc delivers over 10,000 part numbers, including brake pads, brake drums, chassis, and bearings through a nationwide distribution network. Products are distributed through the NAPA system under the NAPA® brand name. Rayloc® is a mark licensed to the Company by NAPA.
Additionally, Altrom America distributes OE branded products for import vehicles through the NAPA system.
Finally, the Company operates domestically two TW Distribution heavy duty parts distribution centers which serve 22 company-owned Traction Heavy Duty parts stores located in eight states. This group distributes heavy vehicle parts through the NAPA system and direct to small and large fleet owners and operators.
Products.    The Company’s automotive distribution network provides access to hundreds of thousands of 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. The majority of orders are filled and shipped the same day they are received. The Company does not manufacture any of the products it distributes. The majority of products are distributed in North America under the NAPA® name, a mark licensed to the Company by NAPA, which is important to the sales and marketing of these products. Traction sales also include products distributed under the HD Plus name, a proprietary line of automotive parts for the heavy duty truck market. In Australasia and Europe, products are distributed under several brand names, including many of the national brands.
Service to NAPA AUTO PARTS Stores.    The Company believes that the quality and the range of services provided to its North American automotive parts customers constitute a significant advantage for its automotive parts distribution system. Such services include fast and frequent delivery, parts cataloging (including the use of electronic NAPA AUTO PARTS catalogs) and stock adjustment through a continuing parts classification system which, as initiated by the Company from time to time, allows independent retailers (“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, as well as marketing conferences and seminars, sales and advertising manuals and training programs.
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, including predictive analytics, 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 that the Company makes available to its NAPA AUTO PARTS store customers. Over the last 25 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.
NAPA.    The Company is the sole member of the National Automotive Parts Association, LLC a voluntary association formed in 1925 to promote the distribution of automotive parts for its members. NAPA, which neither buys nor sells automotive parts, functions as a trade association whose sole member in 2019 owned and operated 56 distribution centers located throughout the U.S. NAPA develops marketing concepts and programs that may be used by its members which, at December 31, 2019, includes only the Company. It is not involved in the chain of distribution.
Among the automotive products purchased by the Company from various manufacturers for distribution are certain lines designated, cataloged, advertised and promoted as “NAPA” lines. Generally, the Company is not required to purchase any specific quantity of parts so designated and it may, and does, purchase competitive lines from the same as well as other supply sources.
The Company uses the federally registered trademark NAPA® as part of the trade name of its distribution centers and parts stores. The Company funds 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 the former members of NAPA, 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 the Company and former 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.
Competition.    The automotive parts distribution business is highly competitive. The Company competes with automobile manufacturers (some of which sell replacement parts for vehicles built by other manufacturers as well as those that they build themselves), automobile dealers, warehouse clubs and large automotive parts retail chains. In addition, the Company competes

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with the distributing outlets of parts manufacturers, oil companies, mass merchandisers (including national retail chains), and with other parts distributors and retailers, including online retailers. The Automotive Parts Group competes primarily on product offering, service, brand recognition and price. Further information regarding competition in the industry is set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors — We face substantial competition in the industries in which we do business.”
INDUSTRIAL PARTS GROUP
The Industrial Parts Group operates in both North America and Australasia. Motion Industries, Inc. (“Motion”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, operates in North America. Inenco Group ("Inenco"), also a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company headquartered in Sydney, Australia, operates across Australasia.
Motion distributes industrial replacement parts and related supplies such as bearings, mechanical and electrical power transmission products, industrial automation and robotics, hose, hydraulic and pneumatic components, industrial and safety supplies and material handling products to MRO (maintenance, repair and operation) and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
In Canada, industrial parts are distributed by Motion Industries (Canada), Inc. (“Motion Canada”). The Mexican market is served by Motion Mexico S de RL de CV (“Motion Mexico”).
In 2019, Motion served approximately 200,000 customers in all types of industries located throughout North America, including the equipment and machinery, food and beverage, forest products, primary metals, pulp and paper, mining, automotive, oil and gas, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries; as well as strategically targeted specialty industries such as power generation, alternative energy, government, transportation, ports, and others. Motion services all manufacturing and processing industries with access to a database of 8.7 million parts. Additionally, Motion provides U.S. government agencies access to approximately 72,000 products and replacement parts through a Government Services Administration (GSA) schedule.
The Company's Industrial Parts Group network expanded in 2019 via the acquisition of various tuck-in acquisitions and industrial operations in North America and Australasia. In North America, the Company expanded its industrial operations with two tuck-in acquisitions, which in total are expected to generate annual revenues of approximately $78 million.
In Australasia, the Company purchased the remaining 65% stake in Inenco, a leading distributor of industrial replacement parts and accessories in Australasia. In total, Inenco is expected to generate annual revenues of approximately $400 million.
The Industrial Parts Group provides customers with supply chain efficiencies achieved through the Company’s On-Site Solutions offering. This service provides inventory management, asset repair and tracking, vendor managed inventory ("VMI"), as well as radio frequency identification ("RFID") asset management of the customer’s inventory. Motion also provides a wide range of services and repairs such as: gearbox and fluid power assembly and repair, process pump assembly and repair, hydraulic drive shaft repair, electrical panel assembly and repair, hose and gasket manufacture and assembly, as well as many other value-added services. A highly developed supply chain with vendor partnerships and connectivity are enhanced by Motion’s leading e-business capabilities, such as MiSupplierConnect, which provides integration between the Company’s information technology network and suppliers’ systems, creating numerous benefits for both the supplier and customer. These services and supply chain efficiencies assist Motion in providing the cost savings that many of its customers require and expect.
Distribution System.    In North America, the Industrial Parts Group stocks and distributes more than 195,000 different items purchased from more than 880 different suppliers. Its service centers provide hydraulic, hose and mechanical repairs for customers. Approximately 40% of total industrial product purchases in 2019 were made from 10 major suppliers. Sales are generated from the Industrial Parts Group’s facilities located in 49 states, Puerto Rico and nine provinces in Canada and Mexico.
In Australasia, the Industrial Parts Group operated a network of distribution centers and branches across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore as of December 31, 2019.
Most branches have warehouse facilities that stock significant amounts of inventory representative of the products used by customers in the respective market areas served.
Products.    The Industrial Parts Group distributes a wide variety of parts and products to its customers, which are primarily industrial concerns. Products include such items as hoses, belts, bearings, pulleys, pumps, valves, chains, gears, sprockets, speed reducers, electric motors, industrial supplies, assembly tools, test equipment, adhesives and chemicals. Motion also offers systems and automation products that support sophisticated motion control and process automation for full systems integration of plant equipment. The nature of Motion's business demands the maintenance of adequate inventories and the ability to promptly meet demanding delivery requirements. Virtually all of the products distributed are installed by the customer or used in plant and facility maintenance activities. 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. Motion has ongoing purchase agreements with many of its national account customers which, collectively, represent approximately 45% of the annual sales volume.

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Supply Agreements.    Non-exclusive distributor agreements are in effect with most of the Industrial Parts Group’s suppliers. The terms of these agreements vary; however, it has been the experience of the Industrial Parts 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.
Competition.    The industrial parts distribution business is highly competitive and fragmented. The Industrial Parts Group competes with other distributors specializing in the distribution of such items, general line distributors and others who provide similar services. To a lesser extent, the Industrial Parts Group competes with manufacturers that sell directly to the customer. The Industrial Parts Group competes primarily on the breadth of product offerings, service and price. Further information regarding competition in the industry is set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors — We face substantial competition in the industries in which we do business.”
BUSINESS PRODUCTS GROUP
The Business Products Group, operated through S.P. Richards Company (“S.P. Richards” or "SPR"), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. S.P. Richards is engaged in the wholesale distribution of a broad line of office and other business-related products through a diverse customer base of resellers. These products are used in businesses, schools, offices, and other institutions. Business products fall into the general categories of office furniture, technology products, general office, school supplies, cleaning, janitorial and breakroom supplies, safety and security items, healthcare products and disposable food service products.
In 2019, the Business Products Group operated primarily in the U.S. but was also represented in Canada through S.P. Richards Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company headquartered near Toronto, Ontario. On December 6, 2019, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of its equity in SPR Canada, and the transaction closed on January 1, 2020.
Distribution System.    The Business Products Group distributes more than 98,000 items to almost 9,000 resellers and distributors throughout the U.S. In addition, the group has an electronic, non-stock ordering system that can seamlessly deliver thousands of additional SKUs to customers in a timely fashion. This group’s network of strategically located distribution centers provides overnight delivery of the Company’s comprehensive product offering. Approximately 41% of the Company’s total office products purchases in 2019 were made from 10 major suppliers.
The Business Products Group sells to a wide variety of resellers. These resellers include independently owned office product dealers, national office product superstores and mass merchants, large contract stationers, online resellers, military base stores, office furniture dealers, value-add technology resellers, business machine dealers, janitorial and sanitation supply distributors, safety product resellers and food service distributors. Resellers are offered comprehensive marketing programs, which include print and electronic catalogs, flyers, digital content and email campaigns for reseller websites, as well as an array of education and training resources. In addition, world-class market analytics programs are made available to qualified resellers.
Products.    The Business Products Group distributes technology products and consumer electronics including storage media, printer supplies, tablets and computer accessories, calculators, shredders, laminators, copiers, and printers; office furniture including desks, credenzas, chairs, adjustable height desks, chair mats, office suites, panel systems, file, mobile and storage cabinets and computer workstations; office supplies including desk accessories, accounting supplies, binders, filing supplies, report covers, writing instruments, envelopes, note pads, business forms, copy paper, mailroom and shipping supplies, drafting and audiovisual supplies; school and educational products including bulletin boards, teaching aids and art supplies; healthcare products including first aid supplies, gloves, exam room supplies and furnishings, cleaners and waste containers; janitorial and cleaning supplies; safety supplies; disposable food service products; and breakroom supplies including napkins, utensils, snacks and beverages. S.P. Richards has return privileges with most of its suppliers, which have protected the Company from inventory obsolescence.
While the Company’s inventory includes products from over 700 of the industry’s leading manufacturers worldwide, S.P. Richards also markets products under a number of proprietary brand names. These brands include: Business Source®, a line of value priced, high volume office products; Compucessory®, a line of computer accessories; Lorell®, a line of office furniture; NatureSaver®, an offering of recycled products; Elite Image®, a line of remanufactured toner cartridges, premium papers and labels; Integra™, a line of writing instruments; Genuine Joe®, a line of cleaning and breakroom products; Sparco™, a targeted line to add depth to key office supply categories. Through the Company’s FurnitureAdvantage™ program, S.P. Richards provides resellers with an additional 16,000 furniture items made available to consumers in seven to ten business days.
The Company’s Impact Products and The Safety Zone businesses also offer an additional series of proprietary brands including Eclipse™, Mopster®, ProGuard®, ProLite®, PolyLite®, ProMax®, and The Safety Zone® brands of products that are janitorial and sanitation based, as well as solution-specific.
Competition.    The business products distribution business is highly competitive. In the distribution of its product offering to resellers, S.P. Richards competes with many other wholesale distributors, as well as with certain manufacturers of office products. S.P. Richards competes primarily on product offerings, service, marketing programs, brand recognition and price. Further information regarding competition in the industry is set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors — We face substantial competition in the industries in which we do business.”

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some statements in this report, as well as in other materials we file with the SEC or otherwise release to the public and in materials that we make available on our website, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may relate, for example, to future operations, including the anticipated synergies and benefits of any acquisitions or divestitures, as well as prospects, strategies, including the 2019 Cost Savings Plan, financial condition, economic performance (including growth and earnings), industry conditions and demand for our products and services. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and while we believe that our expectations for the future are reasonable in view of currently available information, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed below.
Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent Forms 10-Q, 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.
Set forth below are the material risks and uncertainties that, if they were to occur, could materially and adversely affect our business or could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this report and in the other public statements we make. Please be aware that these risks may change over time and other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or the trading price of our securities.
We may not be able to successfully implement our business initiatives in each of our three business segments to grow our sales and earnings, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have implemented numerous initiatives in each of our three business segments to grow sales and earnings, including the introduction of new and expanded product lines, strategic acquisitions, geographic expansion (including through acquisitions), sales to new markets, enhanced customer marketing programs and a variety of gross margin and cost savings initiatives. If we are unable to implement these initiatives efficiently and effectively, or if these initiatives are unsuccessful, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Successful implementation of these initiatives also depends on factors specific to the automotive parts industry and the other industries in which we operate and numerous other factors that may be beyond our control. In addition to the other risk factors contained in this “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” adverse changes in the following factors could undermine our business initiatives and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows:
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the competitive environment in our end markets may force us to reduce prices below our desired pricing level or to increase promotional spending;
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our ability to anticipate changes in consumer preferences and to meet customers’ needs for our products in a timely manner;
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our ability to successfully enter new markets, including by successfully identifying and acquiring suitable acquisition targets in these new markets;
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our ability to effectively manage our costs;
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our ability to continue to grow through acquisitions and successfully integrate acquired businesses in our existing operations, including in particular the challenges associated with the integration of foreign operations to ensure the adequacy of internal controls;
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our ability to identify and successfully implement appropriate technological, digital and e-commerce solutions;
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the occurrence of unusually severe weather events, which can disrupt our operations (forcing temporary closure of retail and distribution centers, prohibiting shipment of inventory and products) and negatively impact our results in the affected geographies;
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the occurrence of political unrest and strikes, which can disrupt our operations and negatively impact our results in the affected geographies;
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volatility in oil prices, which could have a negative impact on the U.S. economy and, in particular, the economies of energy-dominant states in which we operate;

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•
the adequacy of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting; and
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the economy in general, including the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve, which are influenced by various factors, including inflation, unemployment and short-term and long-term changes in the international trade balance and the fiscal policies of the U.S. government.
Our business will be adversely 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:
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the number of miles vehicles are driven annually, as higher vehicle mileage increases the need for maintenance and repair;
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the number of vehicles in the automotive fleet, a function of new vehicle sales and vehicle scrappage rates, as a steady or growing total vehicle population supports the continued demand for maintenance and repair;
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the quality of the vehicles manufactured by the original vehicle manufacturers and the length of the warranty or maintenance offered on new vehicles;
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the number of vehicles in current service that are six years old and older, as these vehicles are typically no longer under the original vehicle manufacturers’ warranty and will need more maintenance and repair than newer vehicles;
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the addition of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, ride sharing services, alternative transportation means and autonomously driven vehicles and future legislation related thereto;
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gas prices, as increases in gas prices may deter consumers from using their vehicles;
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changes in travel patterns, which may cause consumers to rely more on other transportation;
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restrictions on access to diagnostic tools and repair information imposed by the original vehicle manufacturers or by governmental regulation, as consumers may be forced to have all diagnostic work, repairs and maintenance performed by the vehicle manufacturers’ dealer networks; and
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the economy generally, which in declining conditions may cause consumers to defer vehicle maintenance and repair and defer discretionary spending.
With respect to our industrial parts group, the primary factors are:
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the level of industrial production and manufacturing capacity utilization, as these indices reflect the need for industrial replacement parts;
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changes in manufacturing reflected in the level of the Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Managers Index, as an index reading of 50 or more implies an expanding manufacturing economy, while a reading below 50 implies a contracting manufacturing economy;
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the consolidation of certain of our manufacturing customers and the trend of manufacturing operations being moved overseas, which subsequently reduces demand for our products;
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changes in legislation or government regulations or policies which could impact international trade among our multi-national customer base and cause reduced demand for our products; and
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the economy in general, which in declining conditions may cause reduced demand for industrial output.
With respect to our business products group, the primary factors are:
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consolidation of customers and consolidation of the industry;
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the increasing digitization of the workplace, as this negatively impacts the need for certain office products;
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the level of unemployment, especially as it relates to white collar and service jobs, as high unemployment reduces the need for office products;
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the level of office vacancy rates, as high vacancy rates reduces the need for office products; and
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the economy in general, which in declining conditions may cause reduced demand for business products consumption.

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Changes in legislation or government regulations or policies could have a significant impact on our results of operations.
Certain political developments, including, among others: (i) the results of elections in the U.S. and globally and the impact of such results on political decision-making, and (ii) unrest in the U.K. and Europe, have resulted in increased economic uncertainty for multi-national companies operating within the U.K. and Europe. These developments may result in economic and trade policy actions that could impact economic conditions in many countries and continue to change the landscape of international trade. Our business is global, so changes to existing international trade agreements, blocking of foreign trade or imposition of tariffs on foreign goods could result in decreased revenues and/or increases in pricing, either of which could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in future periods. For instance, the United States imposed Section 232 tariffs on many imported products of steel and aluminum in March 2018 and expanded the tariffs to additional derivative products of steel and aluminum effective February 8, 2020. The United States imposed Section 301 tariffs on most imported products from China starting in July 2018. Although the United States and China reached a Phase One trade deal in January 2020, most of these tariffs remain in place and uncertainty persists in the trade relationship between the two countries that impacts the global trade landscape. In addition, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act") was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Act, which reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings.
The U.K.'s exit from the European Union (“E.U.”) will continue to have uncertain effects and could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
On January 31, 2020, the U.K. exited from the E.U. (commonly referred to as “Brexit”). While a transition period of 11-month begins, during which the U.K. will continue to follow the E.U. rules, including remaining a member of the E.U. single market and Customs union, the final U.K./E.U. relationship is still uncertain for companies doing business both in the U.K. and the overall global economy. Brexit has impacted global markets, including various currencies, and resulted in a sharp decline in the value of the British Pound as compared to the U.S. dollar and other major currencies.  The fluctuation of currency exchange rates may expose us to gains and losses on non-U.S. currency transactions. Volatility in the securities markets and in currency exchange rates may continue as the U.K. negotiates its new rules and trade deals with the E.U. during the transition period and after. While we have not experienced any material financial impact from Brexit on our business to date, we cannot predict its future implications. Any impact from Brexit on our business and operations over the long term will depend, in part, on the outcome of final tariff, tax treaties, trade, regulatory, and other negotiations the U.K. conducts.
Uncertainty and/or deterioration in general macro-economic conditions domestically and globally, including unemployment, inflation or deflation, changes in tax policies, changes in energy costs, uncertain credit markets, or other economic conditions, could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our business and operating results have been and may in the future be adversely affected by uncertain global economic conditions, including domestic outputs, political uncertainty and unrest, employment rates, inflation or deflation, changes in tax policies, instability in credit markets, declining consumer and business confidence, fluctuating commodity prices, interest rates, volatile exchange rates, and other challenges that could affect the global economy. Both our commercial and retail customers may experience deterioration of their financial resources, which could result in existing or potential customers delaying or canceling plans to purchase our products. Our vendors could experience similar negative conditions, which could impact their ability to fulfill their financial obligations to us. Future weakness in the global economy could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We face substantial competition in the industries in which we do business.
The sale of automotive parts, industrial parts and business products is highly competitive and impacted by many factors, including name recognition, product availability, customer service, changing customer preferences, store location, and pricing pressures. Because we seek to offer competitive prices, if our competitors reduce their prices, we may be forced to reduce our prices, which could result in a material decline in our revenues and earnings. Increased competition among distributors of automotive, industrial parts and office products, including increased availability among digital and e-commerce providers across the markets in which we do business, could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations. The Company anticipates no decline in competition in any of its three business segments in the foreseeable future.
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, international and regional auto parts chains, independently owned regional and local automotive parts and accessories stores, automobile dealers that supply manufacturer replacement parts and accessories, mass merchandisers, internet providers and wholesale clubs that sell automotive products and regional and local full service automotive repair shops, both new and established.
Furthermore, both the automotive aftermarket and the office supply industries continue to experience consolidation. Consolidation among our competitors could further enhance their financial position, provide them with the ability to offer more

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competitive prices to customers for whom we compete, and allow them to achieve increased efficiencies in their consolidated operations that enable them to more effectively compete for customers. 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.
In addition, the loss or significant reduction in purchase volume of a major customer in the business products group could significantly impact its results of operations.
We depend on our relationships with our suppliers, and a disruption of our suppliers relationships or a disruption in our suppliers’ operations could harm our business.
As a distributor of automotive parts, industrial parts and business products, our business depends on developing and maintaining close and productive relationships with our suppliers. We depend on our suppliers to sell us quality products at favorable prices. Many factors outside our control, including, without limitation, raw material shortages, inadequate manufacturing capacity, labor disputes, tariff legislation, transportation disruptions, tax and other legislative uncertainties, pandemics and/or weather conditions, could adversely affect our suppliers’ ability to deliver to us quality merchandise at favorable prices in a timely manner.
Furthermore, financial or operational difficulties with a particular suppliers could cause that suppliers to increase the cost of the products or decrease the quality of the products we purchase. Supplier 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. In addition, we would suffer an adverse impact if our suppliers limit or cancel the return privileges that currently protect us from inventory obsolescence.
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. The impact to our supply chain cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. At the time of this filing, the outbreak has been largely concentrated in China, although cases have been confirmed in other countries. The Company does not currently sell any products in China, but it does source a portion of its products from China. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others.
We recognize the growing demand for business-to-business and business-to-customer digital and e-commerce options and solutions, and we could lose business if we fail to provide the digital and e-commerce options and solutions our customers wish to use.
Our success in digital and e-commerce depends on our ability to accurately identify the products to make available through digital and e-commerce platforms across our business segments, and to establish and maintain such platforms to provide an efficient on-line experience with the highest level of data security to our customers on and through the platforms our customers wish to use (including mobile) with rapidly changing technology in a highly competitive environment.
If we experience a security breach, if our internal information systems fail to function properly or if we are unsuccessful in implementing, integrating or upgrading our information systems, our business operations could be materially affected.
We depend on information systems to process customer orders, manage inventory and accounts receivable collections, purchase products, manage accounts payable processes, ship products to customers on a timely basis, maintain cost effective operations, provide superior service to customers and accumulate financial results, among many other things.
Despite our implementation of various security measures, our IT systems and operations could be subject to damages or interruptions from computer viruses, natural disasters, unauthorized physical or electronic access, power outages, telecommunications failure, computer system or network failures, wire transfer failure, employee error/malfeasance, cyber-attacks, security breaches, and other similar disruptions. Additionally, the techniques and sophistication used to conduct cyber-attacks and breaches of IT systems change frequently and have the potential to not be recognized until such attacks are launched or have been in place for a period of time. Maintaining, operating, and protecting these systems and related personal information about our employees, customers and suppliers requires continuous investments in physical and technological security measures, employee training, and third-party services which the Company has made and will continue to make. A security breach could result in, among other things, sensitive and confidential data being lost, manipulated or exposed to unauthorized persons or to the public or delay our ability to process customer orders and manage inventory. While we also seek to obtain assurances from third parties with whom we interact to protect confidential information, there are risks that the confidentiality or accessibility of data held or utilized by such third parties may be compromised.
A serious prolonged disruption of our information systems for any of the above reasons could materially impair fundamental business processes and increase expenses, decrease sales or otherwise impact earnings and cash flows. Furthermore, such a breach may harm our reputation and business prospects and subject us to legal claims if there is loss, disclosure or misappropriation of or access to our customers, employees or suppliers' information. As the regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy becomes increasingly rigorous, compliance with these requirements could also result in

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significant additional costs. As threats related to cybersecurity breaches grow more sophisticated and frequent, it may become more difficult to timely detect and protect our data and infrastructure.
Our strategic transactions involve risks, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operation, and we may not realize the anticipated benefits of these transactions.
We regularly consider and enter into strategic transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, investments, alliances, and other growth and market expansion strategies, with the expectation that these transactions will result in increases in sales, cost savings, synergies and various other benefits. Assessing the viability and realizing the benefits of these transactions is subject to significant uncertainty. For each of our acquisitions, we need to successfully integrate the target company’s products, services, associates and systems into our business operations. Integration can be a complex and time-consuming process, and if the integration is not fully successful or is delayed for a material period of time, we may not achieve the anticipated synergies or benefits of the acquisition. Furthermore, even if the target companies are successfully integrated, the acquisitions may fail to further our business strategy as anticipated, expose us to increased competition or challenges with respect to our products or services, and expose us to additional liabilities. Any impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets acquired in a strategic transaction may reduce our earnings. Additionally, we consider and enter into divestitures from time to time, with the expectation that these transactions will result in increases in cost savings and various other benefits. Strategic divestitures are subject to uncertainty and can be a complex and time-consuming process. If the divestiture is not fully successful or is delayed for a material period of time, we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the divestiture.
Because we are involved in litigation from time to time and are subject to numerous laws and governmental regulations, we could incur substantial judgments, fines, legal fees and other costs as well as reputational harm.
We are sometimes the subject of complaints or litigation from customers, employees or other third parties for various reasons. The damages sought against us in some of these litigation proceedings are substantial. Although we maintain liability insurance for some litigation claims, if one or more of the claims were to greatly exceed our insurance coverage limits or if our insurance policies do not cover a claim, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Additionally, we are subject to numerous laws in the various jurisdictions in which we operate as well as governmental regulations relating to taxes, environmental protection, product quality standards, data privacy, building and zoning requirements, and employment law matters. If we fail to comply with existing or future laws or regulations, we may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions, while incurring substantial legal fees and costs. In addition, our capital expenses could increase due to remediation measures that may be required if we are found to be noncompliant with any existing or future laws or regulations.
We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key persons could harm our business.
Our future success significantly depends on the continued services and performance of our key management personnel. We believe our management team’s depth and breadth of experience in our industry is integral to executing our business plan. We also will need to continue to attract, motivate and retain other key personnel. The loss of services of members of our senior management team or other key employees, the inability to attract additional qualified personnel as needed or failure to plan for the succession of senior management and key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our debt levels could adversely affect our cash flow and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.
We have an unsecured revolving credit facility and unsecured senior notes, which could have important consequences to our financial health. For example, our level of indebtedness could, among other things:
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make it more difficult to satisfy our financial obligations, including those relating to the senior unsecured notes and our credit facility;
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increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;
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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes and opportunities in our industry, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage;
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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows to service the principal and interest on the debt, reducing the funds available for other business purposes, such as working capital, capital expenditures or other cash requirements;
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limit our ability to incur additional debt with acceptable terms; and
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expose us to fluctuations in interest rates.
In addition, the terms of our financing obligations include restrictions, such as affirmative, negative and financial covenants, conditions on borrowing and subsidiary guarantees. A failure to comply with these restrictions could result in a default under our financing obligations or could require us to obtain waivers from our lenders for failure to comply with these restrictions. The

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occurrence of a default that remains uncured or the inability to secure a necessary consent or waiver could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could affect our financial results or financial condition.
GAAP and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our business, such as revenue recognition, asset impairment, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, inventories, lease obligations, self-insurance, vendor allowances, tax matters and litigation, are complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments. Changes in accounting standards or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance or financial condition. The implementation of new accounting standards could also require certain systems, internal process and other changes that could increase our operating costs.
Our stock price is subject to fluctuations, and the value of your investment may decline.
The trading price of our common stock is subject to fluctuations, and may be subject to fluctuations in the future based upon external economic and market conditions. The stock market in general has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that sometimes have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of listed companies. These broad market, geopolitical and industry factors among others may harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance and growth outlook, and the value of your investment may decline.
We may be affected by global climate change or legal, regulatory, or market responses to such change.
The concern over climate change has led to legislative and regulatory initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”). For example, proposals that would impose mandatory requirements related to GHG continue to be considered by policy makers in the U.S. and elsewhere. Laws enacted to reduce GHG could directly or indirectly affect our suppliers and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Changes in automotive technology and compliance with any new or more stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretations of existing laws, could require additional expenditures by us or our suppliers all of which could adversely impact the demand for our products and our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility and reputation.
Many factors influence our reputation and the value of our brands including the perception held by our customers, business partners, investors, other key stakeholders and the communities in which we do business. Our business faces increasing scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance activities and disclosures and risk of damage to our reputation and the value of our brands if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as environmental stewardship, supply chain management, climate change, diversity and inclusion, workplace conduct, human rights, philanthropy and support for local communities. Any harm to our reputation could impact employee engagement and retention and the willingness of customers and our partners to do business with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis, which could result in a loss of investor confidence and negatively impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and stock price.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable and accurate financial statements and to effectively prevent fraud. However, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. There can be no assurance that all control issues or fraud will be detected. As we continue to grow our business, our internal controls continue to become more complex and require more resources. Any failure to maintain effective controls could prevent us from timely and reliably reporting financial results and may harm our operating results. In addition, if we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting or, if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide an unqualified report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as of each fiscal year end, we may be exposed to negative publicity, which could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls and any such resulting negative publicity may negatively affect our business and stock price.
Additionally, the existence of any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies would require management to devote significant time and incur significant expense to remediate any such material weaknesses or significant deficiencies and management may not be able to remediate any such material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in a timely manner. The existence of any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting could also result in errors in our financial statements that could require us to restate our financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and cause

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stockholders to lose confidence in our reported financial information, all of which could materially and adversely affect us and the market price of our common stock.
We may be adversely affected by changes in the method of determining the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, for our variable rate loans, derivative contracts and other financial assets and liabilities.
Our business relies upon a large volume of loans, derivative contracts and other financial instruments which are directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR to establish their interest rate and/or value. The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced in 2017 that it would no longer compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. It is not possible to predict whether banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR, whether LIBOR rates will cease to be published or supported before or after 2021 or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. It is expected that a transition away from the widespread use of LIBOR to alternative rates is likely to occur during the next several years.
While we have established a working group consisting of key stakeholders from throughout the company to monitor developments relating to LIBOR uncertainty and changes and to guide the Company’s response, the impact of these developments on our business and financial results is not yet known. The transition from LIBOR may cause us to incur increased costs and additional risk. Uncertainty as to the nature of alternative reference rates and as to potential changes in or other reforms to LIBOR may adversely affect LIBOR rates and the value of LIBOR-based loans originated prior to 2021. If LIBOR rates are no longer available, any successor or replacement interest rates may perform differently, which may affect our net interest income, change our market risk profile and require changes to our risk, pricing and hedging strategies. Any failure to adequately manage this transition could adversely impact our business, results of operations and cash flows.
ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES.
The following table summarizes distribution centers, retail stores and branches as of December 31, 2019:
 
Distribution Centers
 
Stores/Branches
Automotive Parts:
 
 
 
North America
81
 
1,424
Europe
62
 
692
Australasia
12
 
553
Total Automotive Parts
155
 
2,669
Industrial Parts:
 
 
 
North America
15
 
551
Australasia
8
 
184
Total Industrial Parts
23
 
735
Business Products
44
 
0
Total
222
 
3,404
In addition to the properties set forth above the Company has various headquarters, shared service centers and other facilities. The Company's corporate and U.S. Automotive Parts Group headquarters are located in two office buildings owned by the Company in Atlanta, Georgia. The Company generally owns distribution centers and leases retail stores and branches. We believe that our facilities on the whole are in good condition, are adequately insured, are fully utilized and are suitable and adequate to conduct the business of our current operations.
ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The Company is subject to various legal and governmental proceedings, many involving routine litigation incidental to the businesses, including approximately 1,615 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 effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

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ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.

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PART II.

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information Regarding Common Stock
The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GPC.”
Stock Performance Graph
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly dollar change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common stock against the cumulative total shareholder return of the Standard and Poor’s ("S&P") 500 Stock Index and a peer group composite index (“Peer Index”) structured by the Company as set forth below for the five year period that commenced December 31, 2014 and ended December 31, 2019. This graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2014 in Genuine Parts Company common stock, the S&P 500 Stock Index (the Company is a member of the S&P 500 Stock Index, and its cumulative total shareholder return went into calculating the S&P 500 Stock Index results set forth in the graph) and the peer group composite index as set forth below and assumes reinvestment of all dividends.
Comparison of five year cumulative total shareholder return
stockperformancegraph2019.jpg
Genuine Parts Company, S&P 500 Stock Index and peer group composite index
Cumulative Total Shareholder Return $ at Fiscal Year End
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
Genuine Parts Company
 
$100.00
 
$82.86
 
$94.71
 
$97.03
 
$101.02
 
$115.21
S&P 500 Stock Index
 
$100.00
 
$101.38
 
$113.51
 
$138.28
 
$132.23
 
$173.86
Peer Index
 
$100.00
 
$87.89
 
$92.97
 
$108.80
 
$89.45
 
$113.61
In constructing the Peer Index for use in the stock performance graph above, the Company used the shareholder returns of various publicly held companies (weighted in accordance with each company’s stock market capitalization at December 31, 2014 and including reinvestment of dividends) that compete with the Company in three industry segments: automotive parts, industrial parts and business products (each group of companies included in the Peer Index as competing with the Company in a separate industry segment is hereinafter referred to as a “Peer Group”). Included in the automotive parts Peer Group are those companies making up the Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts Index (the Company is a member of such industry group, and its individual shareholder return was included when calculating the Peer Index results set forth in the performance graph). Included in the industrial parts Peer Group are Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc., Fastenal Company, and W.W. Grainger, Inc. and included in the business products Peer Group is Office Depot, Inc.

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In determining the Peer Index, each Peer Group was weighted to reflect the Company’s annual net sales in each industry segment. Each industry segment of the Company comprised the following percentages of the Company’s net sales for the fiscal years shown:
Industry Segment
 
2014

 
2015

 
2016

 
2017

 
2018

 
2019

Automotive Parts
 
53
%
 
52
%
 
53
%
 
53
%
 
56
%
 
57
%
Industrial Parts
 
36
%
 
35
%
 
34
%
 
35
%
 
34
%
 
34
%
Business Products
 
11
%
 
13
%
 
13
%
 
12
%
 
10
%
 
9
%
Holders
As of December 31, 2019, there were 4,200 holders of record of the Company’s common stock. The number of holders of record does not include beneficial owners of the common stock whose shares are held in the names of various dealers, clearing agencies, banks, brokers and other fiduciaries.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information about the purchases of shares of the Company’s common stock during the three month period ended December 31, 2019:
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average
Price  Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(2)
 
Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019
 
42,966

 
$
103.06

 
—

 
15,631,936

November 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019
 
61,548

 
$
105.48

 
—

 
15,631,936

December 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019
 
101,863

 
$
105.40

 
10,816

 
15,621,120

Totals
 
206,377

 
$
104.94

 
10,816

 
15,621,120

 
(1)
Includes shares surrendered by employees to the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of shares of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options and/or tax withholding obligations.
(2)
On November 17, 2008, and August 21, 2017, the Board of Directors announced that it had authorized the repurchase of 15.0 million shares and 15.0 million shares, respectively. The authorization for these repurchase plans continues until all such shares have been repurchased or the repurchase plan is terminated by action of the Board of Directors. Approximately 0.6 million shares authorized in the 2008 plan and 15.0 million shares authorized in the 2017 plan remain available to be repurchased by the Company. There were no other repurchase plans announced as of December 31, 2019.


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ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following table sets forth certain selected historical financial and operating data of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated. The following selected financial data are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information, as well as in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this report.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales
 
$
19,392,305

 
$
18,735,073

 
$
16,308,801

 
$
15,339,713

 
$
15,280,044

Cost of goods sold
 
$
13,076,036

 
$
12,751,286

 
$
11,402,403

 
$
10,740,106

 
$
10,724,192

Operating and non-operating expenses, net
 
$
5,485,969

 
$
4,908,175

 
$
3,897,130

 
$
3,525,267

 
$
3,432,171

Income before taxes
 
$
830,300

 
$
1,075,612

 
$
1,009,268

 
$
1,074,340

 
$
1,123,681

Income taxes
 
$
209,215

 
$
265,138

 
$
392,511

 
$
387,100

 
$
418,009

Net income
 
$
621,085

 
$
810,474

 
$
616,757

 
$
687,240

 
$
705,672

Weighted average common shares outstanding during year — assuming dilution
 
146,417

 
147,241

 
147,701

 
149,804

 
152,496

Per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income
 
$
4.24

 
$
5.50

 
$
4.18

 
$
4.59

 
$
4.63

Dividends declared
 
$
3.05

 
$
2.88

 
$
2.70

 
$
2.63

 
$
2.46

December 31 closing stock price
 
$
106.23

 
$
96.02

 
$
95.01

 
$
95.54

 
$
85.89

Total debt, less current maturities
 
$
2,802,056

 
$
2,432,133

 
$
2,550,020

 
$
550,000

 
$
250,000

Total equity
 
$
3,695,500

 
$
3,471,991

 
$
3,464,156

 
$
3,207,356

 
$
3,159,242

Total assets
 
$
14,645,629

 
$
12,683,040

 
$
12,412,381

 
$
8,859,400

 
$
8,144,771

During the fourth quarter of 2019, we approved and began to implement the 2019 Cost Savings Plan, which resulted in recognizing $154.9 million in total restructuring costs and special termination costs primarily related to planned workforce reductions and facility closures and consolidations. Also in the fourth quarter of 2019, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge related to the Business Products reporting unit totaling $82.0 million. Refer to the restructuring footnote and the goodwill and other intangible assets footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and resources. Such forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with our disclosures under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K.
This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2019 and 2018 results and year-to-year comparisons between 2019 and 2018 results. Discussions of 2017 results and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 results are not included in this Form 10-K and can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
OVERVIEW
Genuine Parts Company is a service organization engaged in the global distribution of automotive replacement parts, industrial parts and business products. We have a long tradition of growth dating back to 1928, the year we were founded in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2019, the Company conducted business in North America, Europe and Australasia from approximately 3,600 locations.
The Company's Automotive Parts Group operated in the U.S., Canada, France, the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand in 2019, and accounted for 57% of total revenues for the year. Our Industrial Parts Group entered 2019 with operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and expanded its operations into Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore in July 2019 with the addition of the Inenco business. The Industrial Parts Group accounted for 34% of the Company's total revenues in 2019. Our Business Products Group operated in the U.S. and Canada in 2019, although its Canadian operations were divested, effective January 1, 2020. The Business Products Group accounted for 9% of total revenues in 2019.

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At Genuine Parts Company, our mission is to be a world-class service organization and the employer of choice, supplier of choice, valued customer, good corporate citizen and investment of choice. Our strategic financial objectives are intended to align with our mission and drive value for all our stakeholders. Our strategic financial objectives include: (1) top line revenue growth (2) improved operating margin, (3) strong balance sheet and cash flow and (4) effective capital allocation.
Top Line Revenue
The Company's strategy for top line revenue growth includes a combination of organic and acquisitive initiatives designed to outpace the industry, improve the market share in each of our business segments and position the Company for sustained long-term growth. In 2019, this strategy led to 1.7% comparable sales growth and a 4.6% contribution from acquisitions. Comparable store sales (also called organic sales or core sales) refer to period‑over‑period comparisons of our net sales excluding the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and foreign currency.
Our strategic initiatives also led us to divest of certain non-core businesses determined to be slower-growth and lower-margin operations. These divestitures and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency partially offset our total sales growth for the year.
Operating Margins
The Company targets continuous operating margin improvement each year. In 2019, the competitive dynamics across our businesses, as well as the continued cost pressures and the need to invest in a more productive and efficient cost structure led us to expand and accelerate our initiatives to improve the operating performance of the Company. These efforts produced improved gross margins in 2019 and we believe created a path for significant cost savings in the years ahead.
In October of 2019, the Company approved and began to implement certain restructuring actions across its subsidiaries primarily targeted at simplifying organizational structures and distribution networks (the "2019 Cost Savings Plan"). The Company expects the 2019 Cost Savings Plan to result in $100 million in annualized operating expense reductions by allowing it to more effectively and efficiently manage its businesses. Among other things, the 2019 Cost Savings Plan will result in workforce reductions and facility closures and consolidations. The Company executed a voluntary retirement program ("VRP") for its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries in the fourth quarter of 2019 in connection with this plan. The Company is well underway in executing the 2019 Cost Savings Plan.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
The Company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet and generating strong cash flows to support our growth initiatives. In 2019, we deployed less total working capital and improved our working capital efficiency, or working capital as a percent of total revenues, to 8.0%.
The Company generated $892.0 million in cash from operations and also benefited from cash proceeds associated with the sale of certain non-core businesses in 2019, as noted before. We utilized our cash for effective capital allocation.
Capital Allocation
The Company's priorities for effective capital allocation have remained consistent for many years. In 2019, we used cash for key investments in the form of capital expenditures and accretive acquisitions, as well as the return of capital to our shareholders via cash dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our results of operations are summarized below for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
 
2018
Net sales
 
$
19,392,305

 
$
18,735,073

Gross margin
 
$
6,316,269

 
$
5,983,787

Net income
 
$
621,085

 
$
810,474

Diluted net income per common share
 
$
4.24

 
$
5.50

Net Sales
Consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 totaled $19.4 billion, up 3.5% from 2018. 2019 net sales included an approximate 4.6% contribution from acquisitions, net of store closures and an approximate 1.7% increase in core sales. The Company's sale of certain non-core businesses determined to be slower-growth and lower-margin operations partially offset total sales by 1.4%. Additionally, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency partially offset total sales by 1.4%.

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The Company's core sales growth, which represents the Company's comparable sales, included both the increase in sales volume and product inflation. The impact of product inflation varied by business segment in 2019, with prices up approximately 2.4% in the U.S. Automotive and Industrial segments and up approximately 3.0% in the Business Products segment. Due to the Company's global initiatives to grow revenues, we believe it is well positioned for sustainable long-term growth.
Automotive Group
Net sales for the Automotive Group (“Automotive”) were $11.0 billion in 2019, a 4.4% increase from 2018. The increase in sales consists of an approximate 5.0% contribution from acquisitions, a 2.3% comparable sales increase and a 2.3% negative impact of currency translation associated with our automotive businesses in Canada, Australasia, Europe and Mexico. In addition, the sale of Auto Todo in 2019, the Company's legacy automotive business in Mexico, slightly offset total sales for the Automotive Group.
Automotive sales were positively impacted by product inflation of 2.4% in the U.S. operations. In 2019, total Automotive revenues were up approximately 2.3% in the first quarter, up 1.4% in the second quarter, up 5.3% in the third quarter and up 8.7% in the fourth quarter, with the higher third and fourth quarter increases due to the positive impact of various acquisitions. In particular, we expanded our European footprint in June with the acquisition of PartsPoint Group in the Netherlands and Belgium. Sound industry fundamentals and effective growth strategies drove organic growth of approximately 3% or more in the U.S., Canada and Australasia. This was offset by core sales declines in our European operations, which faced several challenges in 2019 primarily related to regional economic and geopolitical concerns. Our team in Europe worked throughout the year to navigate these challenges, resulting in improved sales trends in Europe in the last half of the year. In our view, the underlying fundamentals in the automotive aftermarket, including trends related to the overall number and age of the vehicle population, as well as the continued increase in miles driven, remain supportive of sustained demand for automotive aftermarket maintenance and supply items across the markets we serve. We expect these fundamentals and our ongoing sales initiatives to drive sales growth for the Automotive Group in 2020.
Industrial Parts Group
Net sales for the Industrial Parts Group (“Industrial”) were $6.5 billion in 2019, up 3.6% from 2018. The increase in sales reflects an approximate 5.2% contribution from acquisitions and a 1.7% increase in comparable sales, offset by an approximate 3.1% decrease in net sales related to the sale of EIS, a non-core component of the industrial business due to its slower-growth and lower-margin profile. Total Industrial sales were positively impacted by product inflation of 2.4%, as a portion of this increase was passed through to customers and is included in the comparable sales increase. Industrial revenues were up approximately 5.7% in the first quarter of 2019, up 4.9% in the second quarter, up 9.9% in the third quarter and down 5.9% in the fourth quarter. These quarterly results reflect the impact of several factors, including the slowing trend in the industrial economy throughout the course of the year, as evidenced by weakening economic indicators such as Manufacturing Industrial Production and the Purchasing Managers Index, among others. In addition, the July acquisition of Inenco, one of Australasia's leading industrial distributors, and the sale of EIS on September 30, 2019, impacted the quarterly sales comparisons for the Industrial Group in 2019. We are confident in our growth plans for 2020, both in North America and Australasia, but also expect to experience a relatively slow industrial economy through at least the first half of the year.
Business Products Group
Net sales for S.P. Richards, our Business Products Group (“Business Products”), were $1.9 billion in 2019, a decrease of 1.8% from 2018. The decrease in sales reflects the decline in core sales and was especially pronounced in the fourth quarter, which was significantly slower relative to the first three quarters of the year due to industry consolidation and increased competition.
Sales were up approximately 1.0% in the first quarter, down 1.1% in the second quarter, down 0.9% in the third quarter and down 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2019. While the business products industry continues to face significant challenges, our strategy to diversify our traditional product offering into the large and growing Facilities, Breakroom and Safety Supplies ("FBS") category has partially offset these challenges. On January 1, 2020, we divested of our Canadian operations in the Business Products Group to simplify our business model and focus on our U.S. operations. As we look ahead, we remain focused on our core growth initiatives and maximizing the growth prospects for our diversified business, but will also continue to evaluate all opportunities that may help us more effectively navigate the evolving industry dynamics in which this group competes.
Cost of Goods Sold
The Company includes in cost of goods sold the actual cost of merchandise, which represents the vast majority of this line item. Other items in cost of goods sold include warranty costs and in-bound freight from the suppliers, net of any vendor allowances and incentives. Cost of goods sold was $13.1 billion in 2019, a 2.5% increase from $12.8 billion in 2018. The increase in cost of goods sold in 2019 compares to a 3.5% total sales increase and is a positive reflection of our global supply chain initiatives, the lower cost of goods sold models at certain acquired companies such as PartsPoint and Inenco, and the sale of the lower margin EIS business. These items were slightly offset by relatively unchanged levels of supplier incentives in 2019 compared to 2018. Cost of goods sold represented 67.4% of net sales in 2019, decreasing from 68.1% of net sales in 2018.

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In 2019 and 2018, each of the Company's business segments experienced vendor price increases. In 2019, tariffs on certain goods sourced directly or indirectly from China were a contributing factor in the price increases for the automotive and business products segments. Historically where we experience price increases, we are able to work with our customers to pass most of these increases along to them.
Operating Expenses
The Company includes in selling, administrative and other expenses (“SG&A”) all personnel and personnel-related costs at its headquarters, distribution centers, stores and branches, which accounts for more than 60% of total SG&A. Additional costs in SG&A include our facilities, delivery, marketing, advertising, technology, digital, legal and professional costs.
SG&A of $4.9 billion in 2019 increased by $0.3 billion or approximately 6.9% from 2018. This represents 25.4% of net sales in 2019 compared to 24.6% of net sales in 2018. The increase in SG&A expenses from the prior year reflects a combination of factors, including the impact of increased sales for the year. In addition, our expenses reflect the impact of higher cost and higher gross margin models at certain acquired businesses, including PartsPoint and Inenco, as well as the sale of EIS, which had a lower level of SG&A expenses relative to total sales. We also experienced rising costs in areas such as labor, freight and delivery, insurance, legal and professional and technology for the year, although our labor and freight costs trended more favorably in the fourth quarter. Further, we incurred incremental costs associated with our acquisitions during the year. The increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales in 2019 relative to the prior year reflects the cost increases described above as well as the loss of leverage associated with the 1.7% comparable sales growth for the Company.
To improve on our SG&A expense levels, we continue to execute on our growth initiatives to better leverage our expenses. Additionally, we are working towards a lower cost and highly effective infrastructure via steps to accelerate the integration of our acquisitions, investments to enhance our productivity and innovative strategies to unlock greater savings and efficiencies across our operations. Through the 2019 Costs Savings Plan discussed above, the Company expects to reduce expenses by an annualized run-rate of $100 million by the end of 2020.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $270.3 million in 2019, an increase of approximately $28.7 million, or 11.9%, from 2018, due primarily to the impact of acquisitions and the increase in capital expenditures relative to the prior year. The provision for doubtful accounts was $14.9 million in 2019, a $2.2 million decrease from 2018. We believe the Company is adequately reserved for bad debts at December 31, 2019.
In addition, the Company approved and began to implement the 2019 Cost Savings Plan discussed above, which resulted in the recognition of $112.2 million in restructuring costs that are accounted for as a component of operating expenses. The restructuring costs are primarily associated with severance and other employee costs, including a voluntary retirement program, and facility and closure costs related to the consolidation of operations. Refer to the restructuring footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge related to its Business Products Group totaling $82.0 million. Several factors that developed in the fourth quarter of 2019 led to this charge, including: (i) greater uncertainty associated with long-term industry trends and the competitive environment and (ii) fourth quarter results, including segment profitability, that were below management expectations due primarily to a reduction in volume with certain national account customers. Management concluded that no other assets were impaired. Refer to the goodwill and other intangible assets footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
If there are sustained declines in macroeconomic or business conditions in future periods affecting the projected earnings and cash flows at our reporting units, among other things, there can be no assurance that goodwill at one or more reporting units may not be impaired. Nonetheless, as of December 31, 2019, we believe the remaining goodwill on our consolidated balance sheet is recoverable at each respective reporting unit.
Non-Operating Expenses and Income
Non-operating expenses included interest expense of $95.7 million in 2019 and $101.9 million in 2018. The $6.2 million decrease in interest expense in 2019 reflects the combination of the repayment of debt throughout the year and lower interest rates on certain variable interest debt instruments. To offset potential rising interest rates, the Company has entered into interest hedge products to increase our fixed interest rate debt relative to total debt.
The Company recorded $42.8 million in special termination costs related to benefits provided through the Company's defined benefit plans to employees that accepted the VRP package as part of the Company's 2019 Cost Savings Plan. Refer to the restructuring footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
In “Other”, the net benefit of interest income, equity method investment income, investment dividends, noncontrolling interests and pension income in 2019 was $66.0 million, an approximate $1.8 million decrease from the prior year primarily driven by lower interest income.

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Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes was $830.3 million in 2019, down 22.8% from 2018. As a percentage of net sales, income before income taxes was 4.3% in 2019 compared to 5.7% in 2018. Adjusted for certain costs noted above and presented in Non-GAAP Measures below, income before income taxes was relatively unchanged from the prior year at $1.1 billion and 5.7% of net sales.
Income before income taxes is used as the measure of segment profit for each business segment. Segment profit is calculated as net sales less operating expenses excluding general corporate expenses, interest expense, equity in income from investees, intangible asset amortization, income attributable to noncontrolling interests and other unallocated amounts that are driven by corporate initiatives and adjusted in Non-GAAP Measures (as described further below). Segment profit as a percent of revenues reflects the segment margin for each business segment.
Automotive Group
Automotive's segment profit decreased 2.8% in 2019 from 2018 and segment margin was 7.6% in 2019 as compared to 8.1% in 2018. The decrease in segment margin reflects the loss of expense leverage due to the 2.3% growth in comparable sales for Automotive, as this group requires approximately 3.0% comparable sales growth to leverage its fixed costs. In addition, rising costs in several areas as described above negatively impacted Automotive's segment margin. By geography, the Company's European automotive operations were most challenged in 2019 and primarily account for Automotive's decline in margin for the year. To improve Automotive's segment margin, this group is focused on several initiatives to grow sales and has also enhanced its cost management initiatives to drive savings in 2020 and the years ahead.
Industrial Group
Industrial’s segment profit increased 7.1% in 2019 from 2018 and segment margin was 8.0%, an increase from 7.7% in 2018. The improvement in segment margin for this group primarily reflects the benefit of improved gross margins, despite the slowing sales trend during the year and 1.7% comparable sales growth. 2019 was a transformative year for Industrial, given the the addition of Inenco in Australasia and sale of EIS. The Company believes that the Industrial Group is well-positioned for further growth in 2020.
Business Products Group
Business Product's segment profit was down 12.4% in 2019 from 2018 and segment margin decreased to 4.1% from 4.6%. The decrease in segment margin primarily reflects the pressures associated with rising costs and the deleveraging of expenses due to the decrease in sales for this group caused by industry consolidation and increased competition. Nonetheless, the Business Products Group enters 2020 focused on its core growth initiatives, the further diversification of its business and the ongoing evaluation of options for new and enhanced opportunities to maximize the growth prospects for this business.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate of 25.2% in 2019 increased from 24.6% in 2018. The increase in rate is primarily due to geographic income tax rate mix shifts and the impact of one-time transaction and other costs, as well as changes in the realizability of future tax benefit adjustments recorded in the comparable periods.
Net Income
Net income was $621.1 million in 2019, a decrease of 23.4% from $810.5 million in 2018. On a per share diluted basis, net income was $4.24 in 2019, down 22.9% compared to $5.50 in 2018. Net income was 3.2% of net sales in 2019 compared to 4.3% of net sales in 2018. Adjusted net income was $833.2 million in 2019, down 0.3% from adjusted net income in 2018. On a per share diluted basis, adjusted net income was $5.69, a 0.2% increase compared to adjusted diluted net income per share of $5.68 in 2018. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per share, both Non-GAAP measures, in 2019 and 2018 exclude those items noted above. See "Non-GAAP Measures" below for more information and for a reconciliation to GAAP.
Non-GAAP Measures
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income and diluted net income per common share to adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per common share to account for the impact of adjustments. The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per common share, which are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, when considered together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to those measures, provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of the Company's core operations. The Company considers these metrics useful to investors because they provide greater transparency into management’s view and assessment of the Company’s ongoing operating performance by removing items management believes are not representative of our continuing operations and may distort our longer-term operating trends. We believe these measures to be useful to enhance the comparability of our results from period to period and with our competitors, as well as to show ongoing results from operations distinct from items that are infrequent or not associated with the Company’s core operations. The Company

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does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP financial information.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
 
2018
GAAP net income
 
$
621,085

 
$
810,474

Diluted net income per common share
 
$
4.24

 
$
5.50

 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
Restructuring (1)
 
154,941

 
—

Goodwill impairment charge (2)
 
81,968

 
—

Realized currency and other divestiture losses (3)
 
41,499

 
—

Termination fee (4)
 
—

 
(12,000
)
Gain on equity investment (5)
 
(38,663
)
 
—

Transaction and other costs (6)
 
33,506

 
48,105

Total adjustments
 
273,251

 
36,105

Tax impact of adjustments
 
(61,155
)
 
(10,497
)
Adjusted net income
 
$
833,181

 
$
836,082

Adjusted diluted net income per common share
 
$
5.69

 
$
5.68

(1) Adjustment reflects restructuring and special termination costs related to the 2019 Cost Savings Plan announced in the fourth quarter of 2019. The costs are primarily associated with severance and other employee costs, including a voluntary retirement program, and facility and closure costs related to the consolidation of operations.
(2) Adjustment reflects a fourth quarter goodwill impairment charge related to our Business Products reporting unit.
(3) Adjustment reflects realized currency and other divestitures losses primarily related to the sale of EIS and Grupo AutoTodo.
(4) Adjustment reflects a termination fee received in the third quarter of 2018 related to the attempted Business Products Group spin-off .
(5) Adjustment relates to the gain recognized upon remeasuring the Company's preexisting 35% equity investment to fair value upon acquiring the remaining equity of Inenco on July 1, 2019.
(6) Adjustment reflects transaction and other costs related to acquisitions and divestitures in 2019.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
The Company’s cash balance of $277.0 million at December 31, 2019 compares to cash of $333.5 million at December 31, 2018, as discussed further below. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company used $724.7 million for acquisitions and other investing activities, $438.9 million for dividends paid to the Company’s shareholders, and $297.9 million for investments in the Company via capital expenditures. These items were offset by the Company’s earnings and net cash provided by operating activities.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company’s sources of capital consist primarily of cash flows from operations, supplemented as necessary by private issuances of debt and bank borrowings. Currently, we believe that our cash on hand and available short-term and long-term sources of capital are sufficient to fund the Company’s operations, including working capital requirements, scheduled debt payments, interest payments, capital expenditures, benefit plan contributions, income tax obligations, dividends, share repurchases and contemplated acquisitions.
The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.24 to 1 at December 31, 2019 and 1.28 to 1 at 2018, and our liquidity position remains solid. We continue to negotiate extended payment dates with our vendors. Certain vendors participate in financing arrangements with financial institutions that allow the vendors to receive payment earlier while we pay the financial institution based on the underlying vendor invoice amounts and due dates. The Company’s total debt outstanding at December 31, 2019 increased by $282.8 million or 9.0% from December 31, 2018, due primarily to additional private placement debt to fund various acquisitions.

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Sources and Uses of Cash
A summary of the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Operating activities
 
$
892,010

 
$
1,145,164

 
$
(253,154
)
 
(22.1
)%
Investing activities
 
$
(563,206
)
 
$
(496,124
)
 
$
(67,082
)
 
13.5
 %
Financing activities
 
$
(385,962
)
 
$
(608,830
)
 
$
222,868

 
(36.6
)%
Operating Activities
The Company continues to generate cash, and in 2019 net cash provided by operating activities totaled $892.0 million, a $253.2 million, or 22.1%, decrease from 2018. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the change in working capital in 2019 as compared to 2018, as the Company's increase in accounts payable was less than in the prior year.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $563.2 million in 2019 compared to $496.1 million in 2018, a $67.1 million, or 13.5%, increase. In 2019, net cash used in investing activities included $724.7 million used for acquisitions of businesses and other investing activities, an increase of $446.4 million, or 160.3%, from 2018, and capital expenditures of $297.9 million, an increase of $65.4 million, or 28.2%, from the prior year. Capital expenditures were in-line with our original estimate of $300 million for the year, and we estimate that cash used for capital expenditures in 2020 will be in the range of $300 million to $330 million. The Company received $434.6 million in proceeds for the divestiture of businesses during the year and $24.8 million in proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment. These items partially offset the net cash used in investing activities described above.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in 2019 totaled $386.0 million, a decrease of $222.9 million, or 36.6%, from the $608.8 million in cash used in financing activities in 2018. Primarily, the decrease reflects the net proceeds from debt issued in 2019 as compared to the net payments on debt in 2018. For the years presented, the Company's financing activities also included the use of cash for dividends paid to shareholders and repurchases of the Company’s common stock. The Company paid dividends to shareholders of $438.9 million and $416.0 million during 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company expects this trend of increasing dividends to continue in the foreseeable future. During 2019 and 2018, the Company repurchased $74.2 million and $92.0 million, respectively, of the Company’s common stock. We expect to remain active in our share repurchase program, but the amount and value of shares repurchased will vary and is at the discretion of the Company's board of directors.
Notes and Other Borrowings
The Company maintains a $2.6 billion multi-currency Syndicated Facility Agreement (the "Syndicated Facility") with a consortium of financial institutions, which matures in October 2022 and bears interest at London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin, which is based on the Company’s debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") ratio. The Company also has the option to increase the borrowing capacity up to an additional $1 billion, as well as an option to decrease the borrowing capacity or terminate the facility with appropriate notice. At December 31, 2019, approximately $1.4 billion was outstanding under this line of credit. Due to the workers’ compensation and insurance reserve requirements in certain states, the Company also had unused letters of credit of approximately $65 million and $64 million outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
At December 31, 2019, the Company had unsecured Senior Notes outstanding of $2.0 billion. These borrowings contain covenants related to a maximum debt to EBITDA ratio and certain limitations on additional borrowings. At December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. The weighted average interest rate on the Company’s total outstanding borrowings was approximately 2.18% at December 31, 2019 and 2.71% at December 31, 2018. Total interest expense, net of interest income, for all borrowings was $91.3 million, $92.1 million and $38.7 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Refer to the credit facilities footnote the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Contractual and Other Obligations
The following table shows the Company’s approximate obligations and commitments, including interest due on credit facilities, to make future payments under specified contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019:

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Contractual Obligations
 
 
Payment Due by Period
(In thousands)
 
Total
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
Over
5 Years
Credit facilities
 
$
3,426,099

 
$
624,043

 
$
903,525

 
$
609,138

 
$
1,289,393

Operating leases
 
1,196,927

 
301,325

 
444,369

 
230,200

 
221,033

Total contractual cash obligations
 
$
4,623,026

 
$
925,368

 
$
1,347,894

 
$
839,338

 
$
1,510,426

Due to the uncertainty of the timing of future cash flows associated with the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2019, the Company is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities. Therefore, $18.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations table above. Refer to the income taxes footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion on income taxes.
Purchase orders or contracts for the purchase of inventory and other goods and services are not included in our estimates. We are not able to determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. Our purchase orders are based on our current distribution needs and are fulfilled by our vendors within short time horizons. The Company does not have significant agreements for the purchase of inventory or other goods specifying minimum quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements.
The Company guarantees the borrowings of certain independently owned automotive parts stores (independents) and certain other affiliates in which the Company has a noncontrolling equity ownership interest (affiliates). The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these independents and affiliates is generally equal to the total borrowings subject to the Company’s guarantee. To date, the Company has had no significant losses in connection with guarantees of independents’ and affiliates’ borrowings. The following table shows the Company’s approximate commercial commitments as of December 31, 2019:
Other Commercial Commitments
 
 
 
Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period
 (In thousands)
Total  Amounts
Committed
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
Over
5 Years
Standby letters of credit
$
65,322

 
$
65,322

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Guaranteed borrowings of independents and affiliates
904,662

 
514,353

 
379,039

 
11,270

 
—

Total commercial commitments
$
969,984

 
$
579,675

 
$
379,039

 
$
11,270

 
$
—

In addition, the Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans that may obligate us to make contributions to the plans from time to time. Contributions in 2019 were $15.8 million. We expect to make $6.9 million in cash contributions to our qualified defined benefit plans in 2020, however, contributions required for 2020 and future years will depend on a number of unpredictable factors including the market performance of the plans’ assets and future changes in interest rates that affect the actuarial measurement of the plans’ obligations.
Share Repurchases
In 2019, the Company repurchased approximately 0.8 million shares of its common stock and the Company had remaining authority to purchase approximately 15.6 million shares of its common stock at December 31, 2019.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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 U.S. GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, net sales 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.
We describe in this section certain critical accounting policies that require us to make significant estimates, assumptions and judgments. An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions

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about matters that are 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 consolidated financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its most significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. For further information on the critical accounting policies, see the summary of significant accounting policies footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Inventories — Provisions for Slow Moving and Obsolescence
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 a majority 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 collectability of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net sales based on historical bad debt experience and periodically adjusts this estimate 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, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded provisions for doubtful accounts of approximately $14.9 million, $17.1 million, and $13.9 million, respectively.
Consideration Received from Vendors
The Company may enter into agreements at the beginning of each year with many of its vendors that provide for inventory purchase incentives. Generally, the Company earns inventory purchase incentives upon achieving specified volume purchasing levels or other criteria. The Company accrues for the receipt of these 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. While management believes the Company will continue to receive consideration from vendors in 2020 and beyond, there can be no assurance that vendors will continue to provide comparable amounts of incentives in the future or that we will be able to achieve the specified volumes necessary to take advantage of such incentives.
Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
At least annually, the Company evaluates property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets for potential impairment indicators. The Company’s judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market conditions and operational performance, among other factors. Future events could cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that assets associated with a particular operation are impaired. Evaluating for impairment also requires the Company to estimate future operating results and cash flows which requires judgment by management. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Refer to the goodwill and other intangible assets footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the results of the Company's annual goodwill impairment testing.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company’s benefit plan committees in the U.S. and Canada establish investment policies and strategies and regularly monitor the performance of the Company’s pension plan assets. The plans in Europe are unfunded and therefore there are no plan assets. The pension plan investment strategy implemented by the Company’s management is to achieve long-term objectives and invest the pension assets in accordance with the applicable pension legislation in the U.S. and Canada, as well as fiduciary standards. The long-term primary objectives for the pension plan funds 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 plans’ actuarially assumed long-term rates of return. The Company’s investment strategy with respect to pension plan assets is to generate a return in excess of the passive portfolio benchmark (47% S&P 500 Index, 5% Russell Mid Cap Index, 7% Russell 2000 Index, 5% MSCI EAFE Index, 5% DJ Global Moderate Index, 3% MSCI Emerging Market Net, and 28% Barclays U.S. Long Govt/Credit).
We make several critical assumptions in determining our pension plan assets and liabilities and related pension income. We believe the most critical of these assumptions are the expected rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate. Other assumptions we make relate to employee demographic factors such as rate of compensation increases, mortality rates, retirement patterns and turnover rates. Refer to the employee benefit plans footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding these assumptions.

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Based on the investment policy for the pension plans, as well as an asset study that was performed based on the Company’s asset allocations and future expectations, the Company’s expected rate of return on plan assets for measuring 2020 pension income is 7.11% for the plans. 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 could be effectively settled and is based on capital market conditions as of the measurement date. We have matched the timing and duration of the expected cash flows of our pension obligations to a yield curve generated from a broad portfolio of high-quality fixed income debt instruments to select our discount rate. Based upon this cash flow matching analysis, we selected a weighted average discount rate for the plans of 3.4% at December 31, 2019.
Net periodic benefit income for our defined benefit pension plans was $16.2 million, $15.8 million, and $12.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The income associated with the pension plans in 2019, 2018 and 2017 reflects the impact of the hard freeze effective December 31, 2013. No further benefits were provided after this date for additional credited service or earnings and all participants became fully vested as of December 31, 2013. Refer to the employee benefit plans footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding employee benefit plans.
Business Combinations
When the Company acquires businesses, it applies the acquisition method of accounting and recognizes the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in an acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, which requires significant estimates and assumptions. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquisition method requires the Company to record provisional amounts for any items for which the accounting is not complete at the end of a reporting period. The Company must complete the accounting during the measurement period, which cannot exceed one year. Adjustments made during the measurement period could have a material impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
The Company typically measures customer relationship and other intangible assets using an income approach. Significant estimates and assumptions used in this approach include discount rates and certain assumptions that form the basis of the forecasted cash flows expected to be generated from the asset (e.g., future revenue growth rates, operating margins and attrition rates). If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, the Company could record impairment charges. In addition, the Company has estimated the economic lives of certain acquired tangible and intangible assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If the Company's estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be increased or decreased, or the acquired asset could be impaired.
Legal and Product Liabilities
The Company accrues for potential losses related to legal disputes, litigation, product liabilities, and regulatory matters when it is probable (more likely than not) that the Company will incur a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
To calculate product liabilities, the Company estimates potential losses relating to pending claims and also estimates the likelihood of additional, similar claims being filed against the Company in the future. To estimate potential losses on claims that could be filed in the future, the Company considers claims pending against the Company, claim filing rates, the number of codefendants and the extent to which they share in settlements, and the amount of loss by claim type. The estimated losses for pending and potential future claims are calculated on a discounted basis using risk-free interest rates derived from market data about monetary assets with maturities comparable to those of the projected product liabilities. The Company uses an actuarial specialist to assist with measuring its product liabilities. Refer to the commitments and contingencies footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding product liabilities.
Self Insurance
The Company is self-insured for the majority of its group health insurance costs. A reserve for claims incurred but not reported is developed by analyzing historical claims data provided by the Company’s claims administrators. These reserves are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as the expenses are expected to be paid within one year.
Long-term insurance liabilities consist primarily of reserves for the Company's workers’ compensation program. In addition, the Company carries various large risk deductible workers’ compensation policies for the majority of workers’ compensation liabilities. The Company records the workers’ compensation reserves based on an analysis performed by an independent actuary. The analysis calculates development factors, which are applied to total reserves as provided by the various insurance companies who underwrite the program. While the Company believes that the assumptions used to calculate these liabilities are appropriate,

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significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in these assumptions may materially affect workers’ compensation costs.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amount and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded net as noncurrent deferred income taxes. In addition, valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. In making this determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence including projected future taxable income, future reversals of existing temporary differences, recent financial operations and tax planning strategies.
The Company recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Refer to the summary of significant accounting policies footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on recent accounting pronouncements.
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 (In thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31, 2019
 
June 30, 2019
 
Sept. 30, 2019
 
Dec. 31, 2019
Net sales
 
$
4,736,833

 
$
4,934,260

 
$
5,015,023

 
$
4,706,189

Gross profit
 
$
1,508,168

 
$
1,598,581

 
$
1,624,426

 
$
1,585,094

Net income
 
$
160,250

 
$
224,430

 
$
227,487

 
$
8,918

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.10

 
$
1.54

 
$
1.56

 
$
0.06

Diluted
 
$
1.09

 
$
1.53

 
$
1.56

 
$
0.06

 
 
Three Months Ended
 (In thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31, 2018
 
June 30, 2018
 
Sept. 30, 2018
 
Dec. 31, 2018
Net sales
 
$
4,586,294

 
$
4,822,065

 
$
4,722,922

 
$
4,603,792

Gross profit
 
$
1,435,807

 
$
1,521,586

 
$
1,484,235

 
$
1,542,159

Net income
 
$
176,576

 
$
226,972

 
$
220,227

 
$
186,699

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.20

 
$
1.55

 
$
1.50

 
$
1.28

Diluted
 
$
1.20

 
$
1.54

 
$
1.49

 
$
1.27

During the fourth quarter of 2019, we approved and began to implement the 2019 Cost Savings Plan, which resulted in recognizing $154.9 million in total restructuring costs and special termination costs primarily due to planned workforce reductions and facility closures and consolidations. Also in the fourth quarter of 2019, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge related to the Business Products reporting unit totaling $82.0 million. Refer to the restructuring footnote and the goodwill and other intangible assets footnote in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
We recorded the quarterly earnings per share amounts as if each quarter was a discrete period. As a result, the sum of the basic and diluted earnings per share will not necessarily total the annual basic and diluted earnings per share.
The preparation of interim consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions for the amounts reported in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Specifically, the Company makes estimates and assumptions in its interim condensed consolidated financial statements for inventory adjustments, the accrual of bad debts, the accrual of insurance reserves, customer sales returns and volume incentives earned, among others. Inventory adjustments (including adjustments for a majority of inventories that are valued under the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method) are accrued on an interim basis and adjusted in the fourth quarter based on the annual book to physical inventory adjustment and LIFO valuation, which is performed each year-end. Reserves for bad debts, insurance and customer sales returns are estimated and accrued on an interim

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basis based upon historical experience. Volume incentives are estimated based upon cumulative and projected purchasing levels. Income taxes are estimated on an interim basis to reflect the impact of tax reform assumptions and other considerations. The estimates and assumptions for interim reporting may change upon final determination at year-end, and such changes may be significant. The effect of these adjustments in 2019 and 2018 was not significant.
ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Although the Company does not face material risks related to commodity prices, the Company is exposed to changes in interest rates and in foreign currency rates with respect to foreign currency denominated operating revenues and expenses.
Foreign Currency
The Company incurs translation gains or losses resulting from the translation of an operating unit’s foreign functional currency into U.S. dollars for consolidated financial statement purposes. For the periods presented, the Company’s principal foreign currency exchange exposures are the Euro, the functional currency of our European operations; the Canadian dollar, the functional currency of our Canadian operations; and the Australian dollar, the functional currency of our Australasian operations. We monitor our foreign currency exposures and from time to time, we enter into currency forward contracts to manage our exposure to currency fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange exposure, particularly in regard to the Canadian and Australian dollar and, to a lesser extent, the Euro, negatively impacted our results for the year ended December 31, 2019. Foreign currency exchange exposure, particularly in regard to the Canadian and Australian dollar and, to a lesser extent, the Euro and Mexican peso, positively impacted our results for the year ended December 31, 2018.
During 2019 and 2018, it was estimated that a 10% shift in exchange rates between those foreign functional currencies and the U.S. dollar would have impacted translated net sales by approximately $513 million and $486 million, respectively. A 15% shift in exchange rates between those functional currencies and the U.S. dollar would have impacted translated net sales by approximately $770 million in 2019 and $729 million in 2018. A 20% shift in exchange rates between those functional currencies and the U.S. dollar would have impacted translated net sales by approximately $1,026 million in 2019 and $972 million in 2018.
Interest Rates
The Company is subject to interest rate volatility with regard to existing and future issuances of debt. We monitor our mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt as well as our mix of short-term debt and long-term debt. From time to time, we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Based on the Company's variable-rate debt and derivative instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we estimate that a 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have increased interest expense by $5.5 million in 2019 and $12 million in 2018. However, these increases in interest expense would have been partially offset by the increases in interest income related to higher interest rates.

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Page



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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Genuine Parts Company and Subsidiaries

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Genuine Parts Company and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 21, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Adoption of New Accounting Standard

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for accounting for leases in 2019. See below for discussion of our related critical audit matter.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.












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Valuation of Goodwill

Description of the Matter
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s goodwill was $2,293,519,000. As disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level. For a reporting unit in which the Company concludes, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount (or if the Company elects to skip the optional qualitative assessment), the Company is required to perform a quantitative impairment test, which includes measuring the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing it to the reporting unit’s carrying amount. In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $81,968,000 related to one of its reporting units as disclosed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

Auditing management’s quantitative impairment test for goodwill was complex and judgmental due to the significant estimation required to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. In particular, the fair value estimate was sensitive to significant assumptions, such as changes in the weighted average costs of capital, revenue growth rates, operating margins, working capital and terminal value, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s goodwill impairment review process, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above.

To test the estimated fair value of the reporting units where the quantitative impairment tests were performed, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing methodologies and testing the significant assumptions discussed above and the underlying data used by the Company in its analysis. For example, we compared the significant assumptions of the reporting unit to current industry, market and economic trends, to the Company's historical results and those of other guideline companies in the same industry, and to other relevant factors. We involved our valuation specialists to assist in our evaluation of the Company's valuation methodology and significant assumptions. In addition, we assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates and performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the fair values of the reporting units that would result from changes in the assumptions. We also recalculated the resulting impairment charge recorded by the Company.

 
Fair Value of Customer Relationships Acquired in Business Combinations

Description of the Matter
As disclosed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s cash used in acquisitions of businesses totaled $732,142,000, net of cash acquired, during the year ended December 31, 2019. These acquisitions were accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. For each business combination, the Company allocated the net purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition, including other intangible assets of $340,799,000. Of the other intangible assets acquired, the largest was customer relationships of $304,302,000.

Auditing the Company's accounting for business combinations was complex due to the significant estimation uncertainty in the Company’s determination of the fair value of customer relationships. The significant estimation uncertainty was primarily due to the sensitivity of the respective fair values of customer relationships to assumptions about the future cash flows that the Company expects to generate from the acquired businesses. The Company used the multi-period excess earnings method under the income approach to measure the customer relationships. The significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the customer relationships included discount rates and certain assumptions that form the basis of the forecasted results (e.g., future revenue growth rates, operating margins and attrition rates). The significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.


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How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of relevant controls over the Company’s process for estimating the fair value of customer relationships, including controls over management's review of the significant assumptions used in the multi-period excess earnings method under the income approach.

To test the estimated fair value of the customer relationships, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, evaluating the Company's selection and application of the multi-period excess earnings method under the income approach and evaluating the significant assumptions used by the Company. We involved our valuation specialists to assist with our evaluation of the methodology used by the Company and significant assumptions included in the fair value estimates. For example, we compared the significant assumptions to the historical results of the acquired businesses and to other guideline companies within the same industries. We also performed sensitivity analyses of the significant assumptions, including the future revenue growth rates, operating margins and attrition rates, to evaluate the change in the fair value of the intangible assets resulting from changes in the assumptions.

 
Adoption of New Lease Accounting Standard

Description of the Matter
As discussed above and in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Codification Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the consolidated balance sheet for substantially all leases, including operating leases. The cumulative effect of adopting the standard resulted in an adjustment to retained earnings of $4,797,000, net of taxes, at the same date. Management elected to adopt ASC 842 using the modified retrospective approach, in which existing leases were recorded at the adoption date, but prior periods were not recast under this approach. As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s right-of-use asset and lease liability were $1,075,969,000 and $1,096,298,000, respectively, as disclosed in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements. The right-of-use asset and liability were dependent on management’s determination of incremental borrowing rates (IBRs), which required significant judgment.

Auditing the Company's adoption of ASC 842 was especially challenging due to the effort required to ensure the completeness of the lease population and accuracy of lease terms given the significant volume of lease arrangements and subjectivity due to management’s judgment required to estimate its IBRs. Generally, the Company's lease arrangements do not provide an implicit interest rate. Therefore, the Company was required to estimate its IBRs across various currency environments to use as the discount rates when determining its right-of-use asset and lease liability.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of relevant controls over the Company’s process for implementing the new lease accounting standard. For example, we tested controls over management's process for review of the application of accounting policy elections and over management’s review of the IBRs.
  
To test the Company’s adoption of ASC 842, our audit procedures included, among others, an evaluation of the completeness of the population of contracts that meet the definition of a lease under ASC 842, testing the accuracy of lease terms within the lease information technology system, and testing the accuracy of the Company’s system calculations of initial right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Additionally, we involved our valuation specialists to test management’s model for estimating the IBRs. Our specialists assisted us in evaluating management’s methodology for developing the IBR, testing significant assumptions, such as currency environment adjustments, and comparing the Company’s IBRs to ranges developed by our specialists based on independently observed data.

 
Loss Contingencies Related to Product Liabilities

Description of the Matter
As disclosed in Notes 1 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is subject to pending product liability lawsuits primarily resulting from its national distribution of automotive parts and supplies. The Company accrues for loss contingencies related to product liabilities if it is probable that the Company will incur a loss and the loss can be reasonably estimated. The amount accrued for product liabilities as of December 31, 2019 was $146,230,000.

Auditing the Company’s loss contingencies related to product liabilities was complex due to the significant measurement uncertainty associated with the estimate, management’s application of significant judgment and the use of valuation techniques. In addition, the loss contingencies related to product liabilities are sensitive to significant management assumptions, including the number, type, and severity of claims incurred and estimated to be incurred in future periods.


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How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of relevant controls over the Company’s process for estimating loss contingencies related to product liabilities. For example, we tested controls over management's review of the significant assumptions described above and the reconciliation of claims data to that used by the Company’s actuarial specialist.

To test the estimated loss contingencies related to product liabilities, our audit procedures included, among others, assessing the methodology used, testing the significant assumptions, including testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data, and comparing significant assumptions to historical claims as well as external data. We evaluated the legal letters obtained from internal and external legal counsel, held discussions with legal counsel, and performed a search for new or contrary evidence affecting the estimate. We involved our actuarial specialists to assist in our evaluation of the methodology and assumptions used by management and to independently develop a range of estimated product liabilities using the Company’s historical data as well as other information available for similar cases. We compared the Company's estimated loss contingencies related to product liabilities to the range developed by our actuarial specialists. We also assessed the adequacy of the Company’s disclosures, included in Notes 1 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements, in relation to these matters.




/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1948.

Atlanta, Georgia
February 21, 2020


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Genuine Parts Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except Share Data and per Share Amounts)
 
 
As of December 31,
 
2019

2018
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
276,992

 
$
333,547

Trade accounts receivable, net
2,635,155

 
2,493,636

Merchandise inventories, net
3,831,183

 
3,609,389

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,195,286

 
1,139,118

Total current assets
7,938,616

 
7,575,690

Goodwill
2,293,519

 
2,128,776

Other intangible assets, net
1,568,926

 
1,411,642

Deferred tax assets
54,851

 
29,509

Operating lease assets
1,075,969

 
—

Other assets
498,965

 
510,192

Property, plant and equipment, net
1,214,783

 
1,027,231

Total assets
$
14,645,629

 
$
12,683,040

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and equity

 

Current liabilities:
 
 

Trade accounts payable
$
4,106,163

 
$
3,995,789

Current portion of debt
624,043

 
711,147

Other current liabilities
1,553,063

 
1,088,428

Dividends payable
110,851

 
105,369

Total current liabilities
6,394,120

 
5,900,733

Long-term debt
2,802,056

 
2,432,133

Operating lease liabilities
825,567

 
—

Pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities
249,832

 
235,228

Deferred tax liabilities
232,902

 
196,843

Other long-term liabilities
445,652

 
446,112

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 and outstanding - 2019 - 145,378,158 shares and 2018 - 145,936,613 shares
145,378

 
145,937

Additional paid-in capital
98,777

 
78,380

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(1,141,308
)
 
(1,115,078
)
Retained earnings
4,571,860

 
4,341,212

Total parent equity
3,674,707

 
3,450,451

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
20,793

 
21,540

Total equity
3,695,500

 
3,471,991

Total liabilities and equity
$
14,645,629

 
$
12,683,040

See accompanying notes.

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Genuine Parts Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2019

2018

2017
Net sales
$
19,392,305

 
$
18,735,073

 
$
16,308,801

Cost of goods sold
13,076,036

 
12,751,286

 
11,402,403

Gross margin
6,316,269

 
5,983,787

 
4,906,398

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, administrative, and other expenses
4,934,167

 
4,615,290

 
3,726,233

Depreciation and amortization
270,288

 
241,635

 
167,691

Provision for doubtful accounts
14,905

 
17,147

 
13,932

Restructuring costs
112,184

 
—

 
—

Goodwill impairment charge
81,968

 
—

 
—

Total operating expenses
5,413,512

 
4,874,072

 
3,907,856

Non-operating expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
95,711

 
101,925

 
41,486

Other
(66,011
)
 
(67,822
)
 
(52,212
)
Special termination costs
42,757

 
—

 
—

Total non-operating expenses (income)
72,457

 
34,103

 
(10,726
)
Income before income taxes
830,300

 
1,075,612

 
1,009,268

Income taxes
209,215

 
265,138

 
392,511

Net income
$
621,085

 
$
810,474

 
$
616,757

Basic net income per common share
$
4.26

 
$
5.53

 
$
4.19

Diluted net income per common share
$
4.24

 
$
5.50

 
$
4.18

Weighted average common shares outstanding
145,736

 
146,657

 
147,140

Dilutive effect of stock options and nonvested restricted stock awards
681

 
584

 
561

Weighted average common shares outstanding — assuming dilution
146,417

 
147,241