A. O. Smith Water Heaters Named Lowe's 2022 Vendor Partner of the Year

A. O. Smith, one of the world's leading providers of water heating and water treatment solutions, has been named a Lowe’s 2022 Vendor Partner of the Year, becoming this year’s sole recipient of the highest awarded recognition for the Building Products division. A 148-year-old family-founded company, A. O. Smith was recognized with the prestigious award for its commitment to delivering quality products, innovation, value and service to Lowe’s customers.

“To be named Vendor Partner of the Year among the thousands of Lowe’s suppliers is a tremendous honor for the entire A. O. Smith team,” said Eric Porter, vice president of retail sales for the North America Water Heating division at A. O. Smith. “This award represents the culmination of our collective efforts over the past three years to accomplish what few other manufacturers could – from mitigating supply chain issues from the very onset of the pandemic, to constantly innovating with new product and in-store experiences to exceed customer expectations – resulting in exceptional sales growth.”

This year’s award recognized A. O. Smith for driving double-digit sales growth in water heaters and water treatment products at Lowe’s. A. O. Smith consistently met inventory targets and kept in-stock and fill-rate levels at 98% or higher amid industry-wide supply chain challenges, while bringing innovative products to market with new feature sets, rolling out industry-first product tiering based on feature and benefits rather than warranty, along with completely redesigned packaging and product displays across the country in every U.S. Lowe’s store. Additionally, Lowe’s also recognized A. O. Smith for supporting the retailer’s water heater installation business and maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction ratings. On the water treatment side of the business, the company launched the A. O. Smith Specialized Solutions SF&I program at Lowe’s in June 2020, at the height of the pandemic, and grew the business. A. O. Smith Specialized Solutions is now in more than 1,000 locations and maintains the highest “Likely to Recommend” score of all SF&I programs at Lowe’s.

"Every year, we celebrate vendor partners who have gone above and beyond to serve Lowe's and our customers," said Bill Boltz, Lowe's executive vice president of merchandising. "The 2022 vendor partner winners have delivered on their commitment to help us drive sales and exceed customer expectations, despite continued economic pressures. We're grateful to work with an outstanding group of suppliers and look forward to continuing to grow their business with us."

Since partnering in 1983, A. O. Smith's Johnson City, Tennessee, facility has been the primary water heater supplier for Lowe's Home Improvement stores for nearly four decades. In 2017, A. O. Smith introduced its Signature Series® Line of water heaters, available exclusively in Lowe’s stores and online at Lowes.com. The following year, A. O. Smith became the primary supplier of residential water treatment solutions for all Lowe’s home improvement stores in the United States.

“Receiving this award is a symbol of the strength between A. O. Smith’s deep-rooted partnership with Lowe’s, a relationship that began nearly four decades ago,” added David Kulikowski, senior manager of retail sales for the North America Water Treatment division at A. O. Smith. “It represents our mutual commitment with Lowe’s to ensure the partnership thrives well into the future, and also confirms that our core values are the solid foundation on which we will continue to succeed.”

A. O. Smith brings a 148-year history of innovation and American manufacturing expertise to developing industry-leading, high-efficiency water heating and water treatment products that are designed, engineered and assembled in the United States. A. O. Smith’s water heating division is headquartered in Ashland City, Tennessee, home of the world's largest water heater factory. With more than 15 manufacturing facilities in North America, the company’s operations directly contribute nearly 5,000 jobs across its water heating and water treatment divisions.

Lowe's named overall vendor partners of the year for each of its three merchandising divisions. Other winners include Blackstone for the Hardlines division, Mansfield Plumbing for the Home Décor division and Owens Corning for Sustainability Partner of the Year.

For the full list of Lowe’s 2022 Vendor Partners of the Year, visit Lowes.com. For additional information about A. O. Smith water heating and water treatment solutions at Lowe’s, visit AOSmithatLowes.com..

A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products. For more information, visit  www.aosmith.com.