A multi-billion-dollar distributor of industrial parts for products including bearings, mechanical power transmission and electrical and industrial automation hoses, belting, and gaskets, has a new head of ecommerce.

Motion, the industrial parts distribution business unit of Genuine Parts, which also owns and operates NAPA, has named Chris Cleland as senior vice president of strategy and markets.

Cleland’s new role at Motion

As part of his duties, Cleland will oversee strategy development for Motion’s business groups, including its ecommerce and digital teams. He will report to James Howe, Motion’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer/chief technology officer.

Cleland comes to Motion from Cummings Creative Group, where he led multiple initiatives across several industry verticals, including 12 years consulting with Motion on marketing and strategy projects.

Prior to CCG, he was president and owner of LithoSigns.

What Cleland will do at the industrial parts distributor

As head of ecommerce for Motion, Cleland will oversee a big omnichannel operation. With annual sales of over $8 billion, Motion is an industrial distributor of more than 19 million parts and supplies, including bearings; mechanical power transmission products; electrical and industrial automation components; hose, belting, and gaskets; hydraulic and pneumatic components; process pumps; industrial and safety products; seals and accessories; and material handling products and services.

Motion also operates 19 distribution centers and 600 locations across North America.

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