A.O. Smith employees celebrate company’s 140th anniversary

A. O. Smith Corporation is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year, and employees throughout the organization are taking part as special guests at the party.

The Milwaukee, Wis.,-based water technology company is commemorating the 140th anniversary of its founding throughout 2014.

The 1,400 employees of the Ashland City plant, North American water heater headquarters, and the nearby customer care facility recently took part in one of a series of summer events to mark the occasion at each company location worldwide.

Employees were treated to the debut of a new video commemorating the company’s 140 years of operation, heard presentations from company executives and received a commemorative gift.

“This is a really special day, it’s a proud day,” said Kevin Wheeler, president and general manager of NAIEE. “It’s a big deal. A. O. Smith has gone through the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and most recently, the Great Recession. Today, we are healthy, profitable and growing.”

Wheeler also praised the employees for their customer-focused attitude.

“We have the best operations group in the industry, and that matters to our customers. They know that we have their backs,” he said.

During the event, State Rep. Mary Littleton delivered a proclamation from the Tennessee State House of Representatives recognizing A. O. Smith for its history and its service to the community.

Echoing those sentiments was Cheatham County mayor David McCullough.

In particular, he pointed out the individual and company involvement with Habitat for Humanity, the company’s support of education and teacher scholarships, and the volunteers who took part in the recent Mayor’s Back to School Bash.

As part of the festivities, the company recognized Robert “Larry” Blaylock as the longest-serving employee at the Ashland City facility.

Blaylock, was hired on April 2, 1966, giving him more than 48 years of service and making him the longest-serving employee in all of A. O. Smith.

Ashland City plant manager Keith Auville also recognized six other employees who also are among the longest-service men and women in all of A. O. Smith.

“Together, they have more than 325 years of combined service,” he pointed out.

Employees recognized were Ronnie Jones (48 years of service), Gaylon Harris (47 years), Larry Shearon (46 years), Vicki Heggie (46 years), Preston Elliott (45 years) and Allen Lindsey (45 years).

A. O. Smith is widely recognized for its tradition of ethical business practices, a tradition valued by the founding Smith family and embraced by the company’s employees all over the world.

“The Smith family believed in doing business with honesty and integrity,” Ajita Rajendra commented to the employees. “They surrounded themselves with employees who shared those beliefs. And while the company is completely different than it was 140 years ago, the values remain the same because that is just the way we do business.”