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Genuine Parts Reports 2004 Results

ATLANTA--Feb. 2, 20052, 2005--Genuine Parts Company completed its 77th year of operations and reports record sales and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Sales in 2004 were $9.1 billion, up 8% compared to 2003. Net income for the year was $395.6 million, an increase of 12% compared to $353.6 million in 2003 before the cumulative effect of an accounting change adopted January 1, 2003. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $2.25, up 11% compared to $2.03 in 2003 before the accounting change. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's EITF 02-16 affecting the accounting treatment of cash consideration received from vendors, a non-cash charge of $20 million was recorded as of January 1, 2003, representing the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. After the cumulative effect adjustment in 2003, net income and diluted earnings per share in 2004 were up 18% compared to 2003.

Mr. Larry Prince stated, "We achieved record levels of sales and earnings in 2004 and it was a year that we can be proud of for a number of reasons. First, all four of our business segments contributed to our success in a significant and positive way. We also improved on our gross margins, operating expenses as a percentage of sales and operating margins. In addition, we strengthened our balance sheet with the generation of $555 million in operating cash flow and with total debt reduced by $177 million."

Fourth Quarter 2004

Sales increased 8% to $2.25 billion in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004, compared to $2.09 billion for the same period in 2003. Diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter were 55 cents, up 10% compared to 50 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2003.

Mr. Tom Gallagher commented, "For the quarter, revenues in our Automotive Group were up 6%. Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, increased sales by 13%, and EIS, our Electrical/Electronics Group, was up 9%. Both of these business segments continue to benefit from the improved economic conditions across their manufacturing customer base. Sales for S. P. Richards, our Office Products Group, improved by 4%."

Mr. Gallagher concluded, "In 2004, the Company was able to pick up the revenue pace with solid strategies and good execution. Today, we find ourselves in the position of needing to do it again with the same spirit and intensity that we had going for us in 2004. We believe all the plans are in place to do this and we look forward to 2005."

Dividends Increased 49 Consecutive Years

Genuine Parts Company also announced an increase of 4% in the regular quarterly cash dividend for 2005. On February 21, 2005, the Board of Directors increased the cash dividend payable to an annual rate of $1.25 per share compared with the previous dividend of $1.20 per share. The quarterly cash dividend of $.3125 per share is payable April 1, 2005 to shareholders of record March 11, 2005. GPC has paid a cash dividend every year since going public in 1948 and this recent increase makes the 49th consecutive year.

Board Appoints CEO to Chairman

Genuine Parts Company also announced that on February 21, 2005, the Board of Directors elected Thomas C. Gallagher, President and CEO, to the additional position of Chairman of the Board. Mr. Prince stated, "Tom is known and held in high esteem by all constituencies of our Company, including our employees, customers and shareholders. He has been a member of the GPC team for 34 years, and for 15 of those he served as President and COO prior to his election to CEO last year. There is no person more ideally suited to lead Genuine Parts Company in the coming years and we have pride and confidence in this important development."

Mr. Prince added, "My own plans include retirement from day to day activities and management at Genuine Parts Company on March 31, 2005. It will be my privilege to continue to serve as a Director on the GPC Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee. It has been an honor to be part of this splendid organization for 46 years and my interest will always be directed toward the success and well being of GPC."

About Genuine Parts Company

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

                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                           Three Months Ended        Year Ended
                                 Dec. 31,              Dec. 31,
                              2004       2003       2004       2003
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                               (Unaudited)

                             (in thousands, except per share data)

Net sales                 $2,253,307 $2,085,260 $9,097,267 $8,449,300
Cost of goods sold         1,502,953  1,404,316  6,267,544  5,826,684
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                             750,354    680,944  2,829,723  2,622,616
Selling, administrative &
 other expenses              598,483    547,469  2,193,804  2,050,873
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Income before income taxes
 and accounting change       151,871    133,475    635,919    571,743
Income taxes                  55,557     46,738    240,367    218,101
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Net income before
 cumulative effect of a
 change in accounting
 principle                    96,314     86,737    395,552    353,642

Cumulative effect of a
 change in accounting
 principle (1)                    --         --         --    (19,541)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Net income after
 cumulative effect of a
 change in accounting
 principle                $   96,314 $   86,737 $  395,552 $  334,101
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========
Basic Net Income per
 Common Share:
Before cumulative effect
 of a change in accounting
 principle                $      .55 $      .50 $     2.26 $     2.03
Cumulative effect of a
 change in accounting
 principle (1)                    --         --         --       (.11)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Basic net income          $      .55 $      .50 $     2.26 $     1.92
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted Net Income per
 Common Share:
Before cumulative effect
 of a change in accounting
 principle                $      .55 $      .50 $     2.25 $     2.03
Cumulative effect of a
 change in accounting
 principle (1)                    --         --         --       (.12)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Diluted net income        $      .55 $      .50 $     2.25 $     1.91
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

Weighted average common
 shares outstanding          174,804    173,994    174,687    173,995


Dilutive effect of stock
 options and non-vested
 restricted stock awards       1,281        473        973        485
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------


Weighted average common
 shares outstanding -
 assuming dilution           176,085    174,467    175,660    174,480
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

(1) On January 1, 2003 the Company recorded a non-cash charge related
    to the capitalization of certain vendor consideration in
    connection with the new Financial Accounting Standards Board's
    EITF No. 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller)
    for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor".
                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
             SEGMENT INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                           Three Months Ended        Year Ended
                                 Dec. 31,              Dec. 31,
                              2004       2003       2004       2003
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                               (Unaudited)

                             (in thousands, except ratio analysis)

Net sales:
   Automotive             $1,164,072 $1,094,619 $4,739,261 $4,477,508
   Industrial                636,998    561,446  2,511,597  2,253,947
   Office Products           375,633    362,000  1,540,878  1,457,149
   Electrical/Electronic
    Materials                 81,342     74,463    335,605    297,618
   Other (1)                  (4,738)    (7,268)   (30,074)   (36,922)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
       Total net sales    $2,253,307 $2,085,260 $9,097,267 $8,449,300
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

Operating profit:
   Automotive             $   91,320 $   72,753 $  396,015 $  363,022
   Industrial                 48,611     40,489    173,760    151,109
   Office Products            42,166     40,035    150,817    143,263
   Electrical/Electronic
    Materials                  3,311      1,709     14,611      7,112
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   Total operating profit    185,408    154,986    735,203    664,506
   Interest expense           (8,106)   (11,512)   (37,260)   (51,538)
   Other, net                (25,431)    (9,999)   (62,024)   (41,225)
                           ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
       Income before
        income taxes and
        accounting change $  151,871 $  133,475 $  635,919 $  571,743
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

Capital expenditures      $   25,526 $   10,291 $   72,077 $   73,904
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

Depreciation and
 amortization             $   12,432 $   16,907 $   62,207 $   69,013
                           ========== ========== ========== ==========

Current ratio                                        3.2/1      3.5/1
                                                 ========== ==========

Total debt to total
 capitalization                                       16.5%      22.7%
                                                 ========== ==========

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

                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                 Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,
                                                   2004       2003
                                                 ---------- ----------
                                                    (in thousands)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                       $  134,940 $   15,393
Trade accounts receivable                        1,123,900  1,084,874
Inventories                                      2,198,957  2,140,811
Prepaid expenses and other current assets          175,687    161,132
                                                 ---------- ----------

   TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                          3,633,484  3,402,210

Goodwill and other intangible assets                57,672     58,028
Other assets                                       384,703    324,726
Total property, plant and equipment, net           379,388    342,992
                                                 ---------- ----------

TOTAL ASSETS                                    $4,455,247 $4,127,956
                                                 ========== ==========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable                                $  856,653 $  706,609
Current portion long-term debt and other
 borrowings                                            968     52,525
Income taxes payable                                42,932     18,575
Dividends payable                                   52,495     51,331
Other current liabilities                          179,667    138,298
                                                 ---------- ----------

   TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                     1,132,715    967,338

Long-term debt                                     500,000    625,108
Other long-term liabilities                        110,078     61,052
Deferred income taxes                              115,683    114,533
Minority interests in subsidiaries                  52,394     47,642
Common stock                                       174,965    174,045
Retained earnings and other                      2,369,412  2,138,238
                                                 ---------- ----------

   TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                    2,544,377  2,312,283
                                                 ---------- ----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      $4,455,247 $4,127,956
                                                 ========== ==========
                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                  Year Ended Dec. 31,
                                                     2004      2003
                                                   --------- ---------
                                                     (in thousands)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                     $ 395,552 $ 334,101
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
   Cumulative effect of a change in accounting
    principle                                            --    19,541
   Depreciation and amortization                     62,207    69,013
   Other                                              2,688     2,565
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities       94,789   (23,035)
                                                   --------- ---------

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES           555,236   402,185

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Purchase of property, plant and equipment        (72,077)  (73,904)
   Other                                              4,122    (1,371)
                                                   --------- ---------

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES               (67,955)  (75,275)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Net payments on credit facilities               (176,801) (112,976)
   Stock options exercised                           37,523     4,601
   Dividends paid                                  (208,575) (204,556)
   Purchase of stock                                (21,475)  (17,709)
                                                   --------- ---------

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES              (369,328) (330,640)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH               1,594      (872)
                                                   --------- ---------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS                                        119,547    (4,602)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD     15,393    19,995
                                                   --------- ---------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD        $ 134,940 $  15,393
                                                   ========= =========