A.O. Smith
ActiveOverview
A.O. Smith Corporation manufactures residential and commercial water heaters, boilers, and water purification products. It holds a leading position as the largest manufacturer and marketer of water heaters in North America, with significant presence in Asia, particularly China and India, through brands like A.O. Smith, Lochinvar, State, American, and Whirlpool. The company operates 27 locations worldwide, employs over 13,000 people, and focuses on energy-efficient water technology with sales in more than 60 countries.1234
History
A.O. Smith was founded in 1874 by Charles J. Smith in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, starting as a small machine shop making hardware specialties. Key milestones include producing its 10 millionth residential water heater by 1969, expanding to Europe in 1972, entering the water purification market in China in 2009, and acquiring Takagi Industrial's North American operations in 2010. The company sold its electric motor business to Regal-Beloit in 2011 and continues global expansion with manufacturing in Asia and Europe.1245
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Water Heaters (gas, electric, tankless) | Energy-efficient home water heating | $400 - $2,500 |
| Commercial Water Heaters & Boilers | High-capacity professional heating | $1,500 - $10,000+ |
| Water Purification Systems | Residential and commercial filtration | $200 - $1,200 |
| Storage Tanks (Aquastore) | Glass-fused-to-steel industrial tanks | $5,000 - $50,000 |
| Solar Water Heaters | Renewable energy water heating | $2,000 - $5,000 |
Manufacturing
A.O. Smith operates five manufacturing facilities in North America, plus plants in Bengaluru (India), Nanjing (China), and Veldhoven (Netherlands), with 27 locations worldwide. Production is primarily in-house, including a 297,000 sq ft facility in India for water heaters and purifiers. The company maintains research labs in the U.S., Canada, China, India, and Europe.123
Notable Products
- Conservationist Water Heaters - Energy-saving residential line introduced in 1974.
- Aquastore Tanks - Glass-fused-to-steel storage tanks launched in 1978.
- Takagi Tankless Heaters - High-efficiency condensing units acquired in 2010.
- A.O. Smith Water Purifiers - Fast-growing appliances in China market since 2009.
- Lochinvar Boilers - Commercial heating systems under portfolio brand.
Reputation
A.O. Smith is regarded by professionals as a reliable leader in water heating with strong energy-efficient innovations and extensive global manufacturing. Enthusiasts praise its durability and brand portfolio like Lochinvar for performance in residential and commercial use. Criticisms focus on higher pricing compared to budget competitors, though quality justifies premium positioning in North America and Asia.13