For Immediate Release DATE: December 11, 2001

S.P. Richards Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Genuine Parts Company (GPC:NYSE) and leading wholesale distributor of business and office supplies, announced today….

The S.P. Richards Advantage Dealer Advisory Board met recently with SPR Executive team in Atlanta. The Board, a representative council of dealers from all geographical areas, sizes and operating models, convenes several times a year with S.P. Richard's senior management to discuss topics affecting the independent dealer community.

Discussions ranged from changes in the business climate since September 11th, to margin and market share issues, training and best practices.

"I was able to express my concerns to S.P. Richards' management and it was reassuring to see S.P. adapting to the quick changes in the industry of today," said John Curtin, President of Act Office City in Huntersville, NC.

"This meeting was extremely positive and constructive reflecting the underlying strength and capabilities of independent dealers," said Jim O'Brien, S.P. Richards Vice President of Dealer Development. "The candor and genuine concern for peer dealerships continues to go a long way in assisting S.P. Richards Co. with its priorities for the future."

S.P. Richards Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Genuine Parts Company (GPC: NYSE), distributes a wide spectrum of business products to office products resellers throughout the U.S. and Canada. These products include consumable office supplies, office furniture, computer supplies, consumer electronics, and facilities supplies from all of the major industry manufacturers. S.P. Richards Company markets several private label lines under the brand names of Sparco, Nature Saver, Compucessory, and Elite Image. The company operates 44 Distribution centers in the United States and Canada, including Horizon USA, its computer supplies subsidiary and Norwestra, a Canadian based Business Products Wholesaler.

Genuine Parts Company is a diversified distribution and services company that operates four wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company is a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico; industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico through its Motion Industries subsidiary; office products nationwide in the U.S. and Canada through its S.P. Richards Company subsidiary; and electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S. and Mexico through its EIS, Inc. subsidiary. Genuine Parts Company had 2000 revenues of $8.4 billion