Genuine Parts in deal for Minnesota company

Genuine Parts’ biggest business unit is the NAPA auto parts chain, whose logo adorns the Chevrolet driven by NASCAR driver Chase Ellliott. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Credit: Jeff Zelevansky

Credit: Jeff Zelevansky

Genuine Parts’ biggest business unit is the NAPA auto parts chain, whose logo adorns the Chevrolet driven by NASCAR driver Chase Ellliott. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Genuine Parts, the Atlanta-based company that sells auto parts under the NAPA brand, said one of its units is buying a Minnesota company that distributes products for industrial automation and control.

The acquisition of Braas Company by Motion Industries, Genuine Parts’ industrial parts group, will generate revenue of about $90 million annually, according to a press release Wednesday.

Braas “serves thousands of customers throughout the Midwest and Southeastern United States from a network of five sales offices and three warehouses,” the release said.

An acquisition price wasn’t given.

Genuine Parts had sales of $15.28 billion in 2015 and reported a profit of $705.7 million. In addition to its auto and industrial parts businesses, it also has an office products unit and an electrical materials group.

CEO Paul Donahue said Braas is a well-established distributor in a segment with “compelling” growth prospects, adding that “the addition of such a well-positioned business serves to substantially enhance our automation capabilities.”