---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000093389-26-000058"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SMP"
cik: "0000093389"
company_name: "STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC."
filed_at: "2026-05-12T14:01:28+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-12T14:04:00.037915+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.4
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# SMP: COO James Burke steps down effective June 1; Sunil Bhandari named new Chief Operations Officer

## Summary
- James Burke steps down as COO effective June 1, 2026, remains Executive Advisor and board member.
- Sunil Bhandari appointed Chief Operations Officer effective June 1; previously VP Global Aftermarket at Eaton.
- Bhandari receives $550K base salary, 50% target cash incentive, restricted stock awards ($250K + $500K one-time).
- If terminated without cause, Bhandari gets 12 months severance, prorated bonus, and health coverage.
- Bhandari holds MBA from IMD Switzerland, Master's from Singapore-MIT, 25+ years experience.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000093389-26-000058
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SMP
- cik: 0000093389
- company_name: STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
- filed_at: 2026-05-12T14:01:28+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.4
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/93389/000009338926000058/0000093389-26-000058-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/93389/000009338926000058/smp-20260511.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000093389-26-000058
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000093389-26-000058.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000093389-26-000058.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.