Global water technology company A. O. Smith Corporation welcomed U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R–TN) and U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary James Danly to the company’s facility in Lebanon, Tennessee, on Monday, April 20, for a tour and discussion focused on American manufacturing, energy efficiency and innovation.
During the visit, the delegation toured the facility, met with A. O. Smith executives and learned more about the company’s operations in Tennessee, which collectively represent the largest manufacturing output of water heaters in the country. They also discussed its manufacturing leadership in providing high-efficiency water and hydronic heating solutions that support energy and operational savings for consumers and commercial facilities, as well as helping utilities with demand-side management programs. Company leaders highlighted ongoing investments in U.S. manufacturing, advanced product development and the company’s workforce growth in the state, which currently stands at 3,685 employees.
“We were honored to host Senator Hagerty and Deputy Secretary Danly at our Lochinvar headquarters,” said Steve Shafer, chief executive officer of A. O. Smith Corporation. “Their visit underscores the importance of collaboration between industry and government as we work to advance innovative, energy-efficient technologies, strengthen domestic manufacturing and deliver best-in-class hydronic and water heating solutions that benefit customers and communities across the country.”
The Lochinvar site is a state-of-the-art facility and a major manufacturing and engineering hub for high-efficiency residential and commercial boilers, commercial water heaters, storage tanks and pool heaters.
As part of the visit, the delegation also toured A. O. Smith Product Development Center (PDC), which opened in 2025 and serves as a cornerstone of the company’s innovation efforts. The 60,000-square-foot facility brings together engineering, electronics and research and development teams in a collaborative environment dedicated to advancing next-generation, energy-efficient water heating technologies. The center supports accelerated product development, testing and validation for residential and commercial applications.
The visit reaffirmed A. O. Smith’s commitment to innovation, energy efficiency and U.S.-based manufacturing, as well as the company’s role in supporting local jobs and economic development in Tennessee.
