MILWAUKEE, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A. O. Smith Corporation today announced that Malcolm B. Kinnaird has joined the company as vice president-corporate development. In his new assignment, Kinnaird will be responsible for identifying new product and market opportunities in the global water treatment and filtration market segment. Initially, Kinnaird will focus on the Asia Pacific market, helping to identify potential strategic partners and acquisition candidates, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Jones said in making the announcement. "The company sees water treatment and filtration as a significant growth opportunity, particularly in Asia," he noted. "It also represents a logical extension of our very successful water heater business in China. With his extensive experience in this field, Malcolm will be instrumental in helping the company take advantage of these market opportunities." Kinnaird joins A. O. Smith from Pentair Incorporated where he was vice president and general manager of the company's Water Treatment and Filtration business in Milwaukee, Wis. Kinnaird had profit and loss responsibility for the $200 million operating unit which manufactures water softening, storage, and filtration products. From 2000 until 2005, he worked for Cytec World Industries, a manufacturer of industrial and specialty chemicals located in West Paterson, N.J. His last position was vice president-water treatment with profit and loss responsibility for the $240 million operating unit. He also held the positions of global sales and marketing director for the water treatment business and global marketing director for mining chemicals. Kinnaird began his career at Nalco Chemical Company/ECC-Calgon/Suez Lyonnaise de Eaux, of Naperville, Ill., a leading provider of integrated water treatment and process improvement services, chemicals, and equipment programs for industrial and institutional applications, where he held positions in engineering, sales, and marketing. Kinnaird earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh and an executive MBA from the Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the Water Quality Association, ChemPharma (R) professional association, the Sales Executive Council, Societe de Chimie Industrielle, United Cerebral Palsy, Special Olympics, and the Milwaukee Water Summit. A. O. Smith Corporation, with 2007 sales of $2.3 billion, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment, offering a comprehensive product line featuring the best-known brands in North America and China. A. O. Smith is also one of the largest manufacturers of electric motors for residential and commercial applications in North America. DATASOURCE: A. O. Smith Corporation CONTACT: Media Inquiries, Mark A. Petrarca, +1-414-359-4100, or Analyst- Investor Inquiries, Craig Watson, +1-414-359-4009, both of A. O. Smith Corporation Web site: http://www.aosmith.com/

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