SMITH A O CORP

A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) operates as a leading global manufacturer and marketer of water heating, boiling, and water treatment products serving residential and commercial customers across North America and international markets. The company maintains its corporate headquarters and website at www.aosmith.com.

The company operates through two primary reporting segments. North America accounts for approximately 78 percent of total sales and encompasses a comprehensive product portfolio including residential and commercial water heaters ranging from 2.5 to 2,500 gallons, boilers with capacities from 45,000 to 6.0 million BTUs, water treatment products, expansion tanks, and related equipment. The Rest of World segment represents approximately 22 percent of sales, with operations primarily concentrated in China, India, and Europe. A. O. Smith maintains significant market positions in both segments, positioning itself as the largest water heater manufacturer and marketer in North America with leading market share in residential and commercial categories.

The company distributes products through diverse channels including approximately 800 independent wholesale plumbing distributors, retail partnerships with major national hardware chains including an exclusive relationship with Lowe's, e-commerce platforms, and manufacturer representative networks. Notable brands include A. O. Smith, State, Lochinvar, Aquasana, Hague, Water-Right, and Pureit, the latter acquired in 2024 to expand water purification offerings in South Asian markets.

A. O. Smith employed approximately 11,500 people as of December 31, 2025, distributed between approximately 6,500 in North America and 5,000 in Rest of World operations. The company operates 28 manufacturing and assembly plants globally, with 23 facilities in North America across 13 states and two non-U.S. countries, and five facilities in Rest of World locations. The company maintains significant research and development capabilities through its Corporate Technology Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Global Engineering Center in Nanjing, China.

The business model emphasizes replacement demand for existing products, particularly in North America where replacement cycles drive substantial revenue. The company competes on product design, reliability, advanced technologies, energy efficiency, and price, with principal competitors including Rheem, Bradford White, Rinnai, and regional players across various markets.