8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

July 14, 2020

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(678) 934-5000

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CF.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

On July 14, 2020, Genuine Parts Company announced that, effective today, Scott A. Sonnemaker has resigned from his position as Group President, North American Automotive.

A copy of the press release is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Document

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY ANNOUNCES

OFFICER RESIGNATION

Atlanta, Georgia, July 14, 2020 – Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today that Scott A. Sonnemaker has resigned from his position as Group President, North American Automotive, to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Sonnemaker joined the Company in this newly created role in February 2019.

Paul Donahue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GPC, stated, "We thank Scott for his many contributions since joining GPC and wish him the very best in his future endeavors. Scott’s role was created to advance the Company’s global focus and GPC has made significant progress in this area during his tenure. As a result, our talented and experienced management teams are well-positioned to build on this progress and maximize the future growth potential for our automotive business in North America.”

About Genuine Parts Company

Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive replacement parts and industrial parts. The Company’s Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium. The Company’s Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. Genuine Parts Company had 2019 revenues of $19.4 billion. Further information is available at www.genpt.com.

GPC Contacts

Carol B. Yancey, Executive Vice President and CFO – (678) 934-5044

Sidney G. Jones, Senior Vice President - Investor Relations - (678) 934-5628