Motion Industries, Inc., a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts and a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, has named John Watwood Group Senior Vice President of the Company’s Southeast Group – effective May 1, 2019.  

A graduate of University of North Alabama (MBA) and University of Alabama at Birmingham, (BS Industrial Distribution/Marketing), Mr. Watwood has over 20 years of experience in the industry. He has worked in various positions with AIT, Fluid Engineering and SMC before joining Motion Industries in 2008 as a Fluid Power Specialist based out of Mississippi. John quickly worked his way up to Branch Manager positions in Columbus, MS, and Nashville, TN, before earning a promotion to Division Vice President, General Manager of the Nashville division in 2014. 

Kevin Storer, Motion Industries Executive Vice President U.S. Operations, said, “John’s experience, expertise, and leadership style are well-suited for this expanded role and will allow him to move with agility toward success. We are excited that he has accepted the challenge to grow our Southeast market and enhance our initiatives with a fresh perspective.”

Motion Industries President, Randy Breaux, said, “John brings an intensity we need in the current market, along with the ability to drive strategic change through efficient operational execution. We look forward to seeing the Southeast Operating Group’s future accomplishments resulting from his influence.”

About Motion Industries

With annual sales of $6.3 billion, Motion Industries is a leading industrial parts distributor of bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical and industrial automation, hydraulic and industrial hose, hydraulic and pneumatic components, industrial products, safety products, and material handling. Through EIS, which joined with Motion Industries to form its Electrical Specialties Group in 2018, the company has broadened its offerings with process materials, production supplies, specialty wire and cable, and value-added fabricated parts for the electrical OEM, motor repair and assembly markets.

Motion Industries has over 600 locations, including 15 distribution centers throughout North America and serves more than 200,000 customers from the food and beverage, pulp and paper, iron and steel, chemical, mining and aggregate, petrochemical, automotive, semiconductor, wood and lumber, medical, and pharmaceutical industries.

Motion Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC). Visit our website at MotionIndustries.com. Contact us toll-free at (800) 526-9328.