Manhattan Associates and Genuine Parts Company have completed the deployment of Manhattan Active® Warehouse Management at GPC’s Brisbane distribution centre, marking a significant milestone in the company’s operational transformation across the Asia-Pacific region.
The rollout replaces a fragmented mix of legacy systems and manual processes with a single, cloud-native platform — streamlining visibility, efficiency and scalability across GPC’s wider distribution network.
As one of the largest automotive and industrial parts distributors in APAC, GPC manages a complex supply chain spanning multiple workflows, systems and locations.
The new platform brings real-time visibility, intelligent automation and a versionless architecture to its warehouse operations, removing the need for costly, disruptive system upgrades down the line.
“The partnership with Manhattan Associates has been critical in delivering a transformation of this scale,” said Jon Longbottom, Chief Supply Chain Officer at GPC.
“From the outset, we looked for a partner who understood the complexity of our network and could help us bring multiple operations together into a single, consistent way of working,” said Longbottom
“Manhattan has worked alongside our team at every stage, helping us design enhanced processes that are not only more efficient, but also scalable as our business continues to grow.”
“With the new system, we are well positioned to enhance operational performance across our network while continuing to evolve our supply chain capabilities to meet changing customer and market demands,” he said.
Rigorous Preparation Underpins Smooth Go-Live
The deployment followed an extensive readiness program designed to minimise disruption and set teams up for success from day one.
Over 1,400 user acceptance testing scenarios were completed, supported by full-scale operational rehearsals that simulated real-world conditions across stores, inbound containers and local deliveries.
More than 300 staff members were trained across upwards of 850 sessions to ensure confidence in the new system ahead of launch.
On the operational side, the platform introduces system-directed workflows across inbound, inventory and outbound functions — encompassing automated allocation, intelligent replenishment and optimised picking processes.
Together, these capabilities are expected to lift inventory accuracy, boost labour productivity and enable faster, more reliable fulfilment to stores.
GPC will also be among the first organisations in Australia to deploy Honeywell Voice for Manhattan Active (HVMA), a cutting-edge voice-directed warehousing solution that promises to improve accuracy and productivity while enhancing worker focus and safety on the floor.
“Organisations like GPC are operating at a level of complexity where different independent systems were no longer sustainable,” explained Raghav Sibal, Vice President APAC, Manhattan Associates.
“This implementation is a strong example of what can be achieved when you bring together technology, process and people into a single operating model. We are proud to support GPC as they move into this next phase of their transformation.”
“The Brisbane go-live is a key step in GPC’s broader strategy to simplify and unify its supply chain operations, supporting improved service outcomes while creating a more scalable foundation for future growth.”
“There’s a real sense of momentum across our network. Our teams have put in a huge amount of work to get to this point, and that shows in how smoothly we’ve been able to transition,” said Longbottom.
“This gives us a much stronger foundation to build on, whether that’s improving service to our stores or supporting future growth across our business.” he said.
Industry Context
The GPC deployment arrives at a pivotal moment for warehouse technology. The global warehouse management system market is estimated at USD 4.77 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 10.89 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual rate of nearly 18%.
Demand is being driven in part by persistent labour shortages, with the United States recording 490,000 logistics job openings in 2024, while European distribution centres reported staffing gaps of up to 25%.
For Manhattan Associates, the Brisbane go-live adds to a growing global footprint — the company currently has 433 live Manhattan Active WMS sites, releasing 40 to 45 new platform features every quarter.
Manhattan has also been recognised as a Leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems 17 consecutive times, underscoring the enterprise-grade pedigree behind GPC’s investment.
Looking Ahead
With the new system now live, GPC is well positioned to drive meaningful improvements in operational performance across its distribution network, building on the efficiencies gained from day one of deployment.
The modern, cloud-native foundation of Manhattan Active Warehouse Management gives GPC the agility to continuously evolve its supply chain capabilities — scaling seamlessly and adapting swiftly to the changing demands of customers, markets and the broader APAC logistics landscape.
