Plotted by close date where disclosed, otherwise announcement. Select any marker to jump to the deal entry.
Three patterns run through SMITH A O's acquisitions — what it looks for, how it pays, and how it folds in what it buys.
12 acquisitions — each with the deal value, financing structure, target revenue, and executive commentary where disclosed.
Leonard Valve, founded in 1911 and headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island, designs and manufactures water temperature control valves, digital and thermostatic mixing systems, and related monitoring devices. Its Heat-Timer brand supplies advanced boiler controls that optimize hydronic heating. The products are used in hospitals, schools, universities, industrial facilities and other institutional and commercial settings where safe, precise water-temperature control is required. A. O. Smith described the deal as valued at roughly $412 million after adjusting for estimated tax benefits, an adjusted multiple of about 12 times forecasted 2026 EBITDA.
This acquisition expands our presence in the water management market, enhances our digital expertise and broadens our integrated product offering with commercial and institutional customers.Steve Shafer — Chief Executive Officer, A. O. Smith
We are excited to join A. O. Smith. Together, we can continue to further invest in our people and technology, enhance our digital and thermostatic mixing solutions, expand our boiler controls.David Brakenwagen — President, Leonard Valve
Pureit, acquired from Unilever PLC, offers a broad range of residential water purification solutions, primarily in India. First launched in Chennai in 2004 to provide accessible, safe drinking water across South Asia, Pureit operates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Mexico with a diversified product line spanning devices, filters and spares. A. O. Smith disclosed annual sales of roughly $60 million for the business. approximately $120 million.
Pureit complements our premium brands in the market and their strength in e-commerce will allow us to expand our presence in that channel. This acquisition aligns with our strategy of adding scale and enhances our premium water treatment product portfolio and distribution footprint.Kevin J. Wheeler — Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, A. O. Smith
In the first quarter of 2024, A. O. Smith acquired Impact Water Products, a privately held water-treatment company. The company said the deal supports its geographic expansion and growth strategy by extending the West Coast presence of its water-treatment business.
A. O. Smith acquired Water Tec of Tucson, Inc. in 2023, one of a series of North American water-treatment tuck-ins that expanded the company's product offerings and geographic footprint in the water-treatment market.
A. O. Smith acquired Atlantic Filter Corporation in 2022 as part of its ongoing expansion of its North America water-treatment platform.
A. O. Smith acquired Master Water Conditioning Corporation in 2021, expanding its water-treatment product offerings and geographic footprint in North America.
Giant Factories, Inc. is a Canada-based manufacturer of residential and commercial water heaters. A. O. Smith acquired Giant on October 19, 2021 for $199 million, subject to customary adjustments, using a combination of cash and borrowings, expanding its presence in the North American water-heater market.
Water-Right, Inc., a family-owned, Appleton, Wisconsin-based water-treatment company, offers a complete line of residential and commercial products and systems, including solutions for problem well water, under the Evolve, WaterCare, Sanitizer Series, Impression Series and CustomCare brands. The deal, which included sister company Mineral-Right, Inc., a retail facility (Water-Right Services) and a state-certified lab (Clean Water Testing LLC), was for $107 million in cash plus a $4 million escrow. A. O. Smith acquired 100 percent of the shares.
A. O. Smith acquired Hague Quality Water International on September 5, 2017, expanding the North American water-treatment platform it had entered in 2016. Together with Aquasana, Hague helped lift A. O. Smith's North America water-treatment sales to about $57 million in 2017.
Aquasana, a Texas-based company acquired from consumer-focused private-equity firm L Catterton, designs, assembles and markets premium water-treatment products, including whole-house treatment systems, drinking-water solutions and shower filters. Aquasana sells primarily to U.S. consumers through its website as well as retail outlets and distributors. The $87 million all-cash purchase, on a debt/cash-free basis, marked A. O. Smith's entry into the water-treatment market.
Lochinvar Corporation of Lebanon, Tennessee, is a privately held, leading manufacturer of high-efficiency boilers used in commercial and residential hydronic heating and hot-water applications. A. O. Smith acquired all of Lochinvar's stock and its U.K. sales affiliate, Lochinvar Limited, plus its Lebanon headquarters and manufacturing facility, for approximately $418 million in cash plus an earnout of up to an additional $35 million tied to revenue targets. The purchase was funded from cash and A. O. Smith's revolving credit facility. $418 million plus up to $35 million earnout.
The addition of Lochinvar represents an excellent fit with our strategy to become a leading global water technology company. Lochinvar is a well-known and widely respected brand in our industry, and their emphasis on energy efficient products, world-class quality, and outstanding customer service fit well with our existing water heater business.Paul Jones — Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, A. O. Smith
GSW Inc., an Oakville, Ontario-based Canadian manufacturer of water heaters and building products with 2005 sales of about $520 million (U.S.), was acquired via a takeover bid and compulsory acquisition at C$115 per share (roughly C$394 million / about $340 million U.S. in cash). GSW's American Water Heater Company operations added a retail partnership with Lowe's, strengthening A. O. Smith's position in the U.S. residential retail channel and its presence in the Canadian market. approximately $340 million (C$394 million).
This combination of products, brands, and people enhances A. O. Smith's status as one of the leading global suppliers of residential and commercial water heaters. The addition of GSW's American Water Heater Company partners us with Lowe's, one of the leaders in the home improvement industry.Ajita G. Rajendra — President, A. O. Smith Water Products Company