August 06, 2008

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...

Vendor award recipients recognized at 2008 Advantage Business Conference.

Iceberg, Belkin, Reckitt Benckiser, Domtar, and Safco were each recognized as Vendor of the Year award recipients at the 2008 S.P. Richards Company Advantage Business Conference in San Diego, California. The winners were determined by a number of key measurements such as sales, service levels, and outstanding support for both dealer and S.P. Richards sales and marketing initiatives. Awards are presented in four major product categories. This year, Domtar was recognized in the traditional office products category, Iceberg received the furniture award, Belkin captured the technology category and Reckitt Benckiser was named the winner in the Cleaning and Breakroom Supply category.

Safco won the coveted S.P. Richards Heritage Award which recognizes a vendor who exemplifies leadership qualities in every aspect of their organization. Steve Lynn, S.P. Richards Company Senior Vice President of Merchandising commented on Safco’s recognition, “Safco has demonstrated great commitment to product innovation. Their support for S.P. Richards and our dealer customers over the last year has been unparalleled. It is with great pleasure that we recognize their efforts with our 2008 Heritage Award."

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, cleaning and breakroom supplies from all of the major industry manufacturers. S.P. Richards Company markets several private label lines under the brand names of Lorell, Integra, Sparco, Genuine Joe, Nature Saver, Compucessory, and Elite Image. The company operates 44 Distribution Centers in the United States and Canada.

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 business products nationwide in the U.S. and in Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Genuine Parts Company had 2007 revenues of $10.8 billion.