A.O. Smith Corporation was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by the Smith family in 1874 as a small machine shop.
In 1889 A.O. Smith entered the bicycle industry and began to manufacture bicycle parts.
In 1892 Arthur O. Smith, son of the founder, began making pressed steel automobile frames for the Peerless Automobile Company. In 1906 Henry Ford ordered 10,000 of these frames. Soon after, the company became the largest steel frame manufacturer in the United States.
In 1921 A.O. Smith unveiled the world’s first fully automated frame assembly plant. This plant was capable of making a frame every 8 seconds and was in operation until 1958.
In 1936 the company patented the glass-lined water heater, which quickly became the industry standard.
During World War II the company produced bomb casings, aircraft propellers, landing gear, water heaters, and jeep frames for the war effort, as well as components for the atomic bomb project.
In 1959 A.O. Smith began to commercialize its research in the use of fiberglass to replace steel.
In 1995 the company expanded to the Asian market through two joint ventures.
Today A.O. Smith is the largest manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters and boilers in North America. The company has over 10,000 employees, 24 worldwide locations and had $1.94 billion in revenue in 2012.
A.O. Smith CorporationA.O. Smith Corporation was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by the Smith family in 1874 as a small machine shop.
In 1889 A.O. Smith entered the bicycle industry and began to manufacture bicycle parts.
In 1892 Arthur O. Smith, son of the founder, began making pressed steel automobile frames for the Peerless Automobile Company. In 1906 Henry Ford ordered 10,000 of these frames. Soon after, the company became the largest steel frame manufacturer in the United States.
History
In 1921 A.O. Smith unveiled the world’s first fully automated frame assembly plant. This plant was capable of making a frame every 8 seconds and was in operation until 1958.
In 1936 the company patented the glass-lined water heater, which quickly became the industry standard.
During World War II the company produced bomb casings, aircraft propellers, landing gear, water heaters, and jeep frames for the war effort, as well as components for the atomic bomb project.
In 1959 A.O. Smith began to commercialize its research in the use of fiberglass to replace steel.
In 1995 the company expanded to the Asian market through two joint ventures.
Today A.O. Smith is the largest manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters and boilers in North America. The company has over 10,000 employees, 24 worldwide locations and had $1.94 billion in revenue in 2012.