A. O. Smith Corporation, with 2015 sales of $2.54 billion, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, offering a comprehensive product line featuring the best-known brands in North America and China, as well as water purification products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, approximately 13,400 employees at operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, India, China and the Netherlands.
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OVER A CENTURY OF INNOVATION
A. O. Smith enjoys a rich history of achievement. With a focus on being global leaders in water heaters, we celebrate more than140 years of integrity, innovation and most importantly customer satisfaction.
A. O. Smith became the first U.S. water heater company to enter the Indian market and, two years later, opened a world class manufacturing plant on 20 acres in the KIADB Industrial Area, Harohalli. In 2014, the company added on to the original facility to provide expanded capacity for the manufacture of water purification products, creating a 297,000 square foot operation.
A. O. Smith has found that world-class innovative features like the Blue Diamond glass lining, glass-coated heating element, energy efficient insulation, and multiple colour options appeal to Indian consumers.
The company’s patented Blue Diamond glass lining offers superior corrosion resistance when compared with conventional glass-lined products, stainless steel, or copper-lined tanks, offering protection against premature tank failure caused by the hard water commonly found in India. The high quality glass coated heating element ensures delivery of hot water year after year.
A. O. Smith has sales offices and stocking warehouses strategically located throughout the country as well as a sales and customer service organisation in place.
About A. O. Smith Corporation
A. O. Smith names Kevin Wheeler President, Chief Operating Officer
Milwaukee, Wis.—A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE:AOS) today announced thatKevin J. Wheeler has been named president and chief operating officer.
In his new role, Wheeler will be responsible for A. O. Smith’s global water heaterand boiler operations as well as its global water treatment business. He also will oversee the company’s research function including its Corporate Technology Center in Milwaukee as well as the information technology function. Wheeler will report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ajita G. Rajendra.
The $2.69 billion company has 20 manufacturing plants and 10 product engineering facilities around the world and employs approximately 15,500 people.
Since 2013, Wheeler has served as senior vice president, president and general manager of North America, India, and Europe water heating, A. O. Smith’s largest operating unit.
“With his extensive experience, in-depth knowledge of our businesses, and passionate interest in customer satisfaction, Kevin Wheeler is the ideal person to take on this challenging new assignment,” Rajendra said in making the announcement. “Under his leadership, our North American water heater business has achieved record sales and profitability.
“Kevin also brings extensive international experience and has been instrumental in growing that part of our business, first as managing director of our European operations, then leading our China business, and subsequently, the entry into the Indian market.”
“I am confident he will continue to be a major contributor as A. O. Smith pursues its strategy of becoming a leading global water technology company.”
Wheeler brings 23 years of company experience to his new position. He joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager for the former Water Products Company. In 1999, he was named managing director of A. O. Smith Water Products Company B.V., headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. In that role, he was responsible for the company’s water heater business in Europe and the Middle East.
Wheeler returned to the U.S. in 2004 to serve as vice president-international withresponsibility for all European and Asian operations. During this time, the company expanded its business in China and began evaluation of the Indian residential water heater market.
In 2007, he was named senior vice president and general manager of the U.S. retail business for the Water Products Company. In that position, he oversaw all aspects of the U.S. retail business including sales, marketing, manufacturing, product engineering, and customer service.
Wheeler was named senior vice president and general manager of the North America, India, and Europe water heating business in 2011 and became president of that business in 2013.
He has been active in a number of industry associations, most recently serving as an at-large director of the Air-conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
Wheeler is a graduate of the University of Nevada-Reno and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
About A. O. Smith
A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a leading manufacturer of water treatment products.