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...

2008 Advantage Business Conference celebrates 10th Anniversary.

The 10th Annual S.P. Richards Advantage Business Conference (ABC), held from July 30th - August 2nd, drew an enthusiastic crowd to the Manchester Grand Hyatt in beautiful San Diego, California. Attendees enjoyed a host of educational seminars and the USA’s largest Office Products Vendor Exposition that showcased over 230 exhibitors displaying a comprehensive array of office products, services, equipment and technology. In addition, entertainment and networking events made for an exciting and productive week.

This year’s conference featured appearances by popular comedian Brian Regan, goodwill ambassador for the Zoological Society of San Diego, Joan Embery, and author and USS Midway historian, Scott McGaugh. Genuine Parts Company Chairman and CEO Tom Gallagher and Wayne Beacham, SPR Chairman and CEO also addressed attendees during this year’s conference, which celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the ABC. The event was capped off by a gala event on the flight deck of the USS Midway aircraft carrier.

"Attendance, optimism and energy exceeded every expectation we had. Independent dealers and our vendors came to celebrate this very special occasion and ignored or defied the economic challenges we are facing.” said Jim O’Brien, Senior Vice President Marketing. Next year’s conference will be held at the Hilton " New Orleans Riverside from June 24th-27th, 2009.

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.