A. O. Smith Corporation will discontinue manufacturing at its Renton, Washington, commercial water heater plant effective June 15.

The 101,000 square foot Renton plant manufactures commercial gas and electric specialty water heaters, hot water storage tanks, electric boilers, and skid-mounted systems. The facility employs approximately 55 people.

The company will transfer production of commercial electric water heaters and storage tanks and boilers to its McBee, South Carolina and Lebanon, Tennessee, plants.  Over time the customer service function will be consolidated into the company’s existing customer care facility in Ashland City, Tennessee.

“Today’s action is part of an ongoing initiative to ensure the competitiveness of our North American operations,” David R. Warren, president and general manager of North America water heating, pointed out. “Relocating manufacturing to McBee and Lebanon will create synergies and position that production closer to our commercial engineering resources.

“This was a difficult decision to make, given A. O. Smith’s 40-plus year history in the Seattle area and our experienced team in Renton. We acknowledge this will cause uncertainty for our Renton employees, and we are committed to providing them assistance.”

The company met with affected employees yesterday to discuss details regarding the production transfer.  Employees will be offered severance benefits, and the company will fully fund the facility’s two pension plans. The company expects to end production in Renton on June 15.

Visit www.aosmith.com.