Motion Industries Inc. (USA, a division of Genuine Parts Co.) has acquired Meier Transmission (USA, formerly a division of IDC Group; website).

Motion and its related operations, with 9 distribution centers and over 500 locations, have become one of the largest distributors of bearings, power transmission and industrial operations support products across North America.

Founded in 1948, Meier, also a bearing, power transmission and controls distributor, has two locations in northeast Ohio. The company is particularly oriented toward customers and products requiring engineering, modification, assembly and other specialty support knowledge. There is also a dedicated electric motor and gearbox service operation.

Brian McMahon, Meier's chief, will remain and the company will continue doing business under the Meier Transmission name. It will be slotted under a new Motion operating division, for value-added automation and systems businesses.

Motion President and CEO, Bill Stevens, said: "We welcome the addition of Meier Transmission to our organization. Meier Transmission will provide an additional opportunity to grow in the automation and systems channel."