Communicator

N E W S f r o m t h e C O M P A N Y who · what · where 6 COMMUNICATOR O ONE OF MOTION INDUSTRIES' (MI) great strengths is not simply acquiring com- panies that enhance its operational strengths and services, but identifying acquisitions that also benefit both parties – and that is certainly the case with the company's parent, Genuine Parts Company (GPC), recently acquiring Braas Company. The deal was announced on October 5, with Paul Donahue, president and chief executive officer of GPC, stating, "We are pleased to welcome the Braas Company team to the Motion Industries and GPC family, and we look forward to their future contributions to our collective success." Founded in 1961, Braas Company is a leading distributor of products and services for industrial automation and control. It also specializes in pneumatics, motion control, industrial networking, machine safety, robot- ics and related industrial parts. In addition, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota- based Braas has a strong reputation in the market as a solutions provider, supported by a team of experienced application engineers to assist customers from concept to equip- ment installation, providing productivity improvements across the plant floor. From Motion's perspective, the acquisition was a no-brainer: the addition of Braas Com- pany is expected to generate annual revenues of approximately $90 million. Donahue goes on to note, "The growth prospects for this segment of the industrial marketplace are compelling, and the addi- tion of such a well-positioned business serves to substantially enhance our auto- mation capabilities." From Braas Company's viewpoint, the Motion acquisition bodes well for the con- tinued success of its customers and suppli- ers. President Matt Gallagher says, "We're eager to leverage the MI resources in order to support our growth goals in the coming years. We're also eager to create ever-increas- ing opportunities for our organization as we strive to increase the value we bring to our customers and vendors every day." Gallagher adds that Motion Industries has a strong record of success in the industrial distribution market as the largest power transmission distributor in the U.S. "Our shared vision is to become a platform for future growth within the MI organization, focusing on the distribution of high-tech automation components and systems for OEMs, system integrators and end users. "As part of MI, we will continue to execute on the strategies that have made Braas suc- cessful since 1961; namely, 'knowledge at Welcome to the Fold Minnesota-based Braas Company joins the MI/GPC family b y R o b i n b R u n e t ©iStock / gerenme Industrial automation and robotics systems provided by Braas Company, recently acquired by Genuine Parts Company, provide a competitive edge to leading manufacturers throughout North America.

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