BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Motion Industries Inc. announced that it has achieved the 75-year milestone of business success.

“Motion’s success is a reflection of the hard work of all our team members and suppliers, as well as the trust of our customers, since our founding in 1946,” said Randy Breaux, Motion president. “We appreciate the support of everyone who has played a role in our proud history and look forward to exponentially building on our success during the next 75 years and beyond.”

Various activities in celebration of this important milestone are planned throughout the anniversary year to engage employees, vendor partners, and customers. New advertising and other communications will highlight the anniversary as well.

In 1946, the year following the end of World War II, two friends – a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a U.S. Navy veteran – purchased the industrial parts supply business Owen-Richards and opened its first location in Birmingham. Over the years, the company expanded beyond Birmingham, first regionally and then nationally, and finally into Canada and other countries.

“Co-founders William Spencer and Caldwell Marks might be amazed – but not surprised – that 75 years later, the business would grow from that one location to over 700 branches, distributions centers, and fabrication/repair centers spanning from North America to the Asia Pacific,” said Breaux. “Employees would grow in number from the first handful to more than 7,000 employees throughout these global locations; and, sales would grow from $500,000 plus in year one to over $5.5 billion annually.”

Founded as Owen-Richards in 1946, Spencer and Marks renamed the company “Motion Industries” in 1972. The name conveyed the company’s purpose of keeping machinery – and industry – in motion.

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