A. O. Smith to acquire Lochinvar

Milwaukee — A. O. Smith Corporation announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lochinvar Corporation of Lebanon, Tenn., for $418 million and will not assume Lochinvar’s existing debt.

Privately held Lochinvar is a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency boilers used in commercial and residential hydronic heating and hot water applications. A. O. Smith expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings per share in the amount of approximately $.10 in the fourth quarter of 2011, excluding one-time purchase accounting charges and professional fees related to the acquisition, and in the range of $.40 to $.50 per share in 2012. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review.

“This acquisition fits squarely within our stated strategy to expand our core product offering with new technologies, which emphasize high-efficiency products that can be applied globally,” Paul W. Jones, chairman and chief executive officer, observed. “This is a significant first step in growing our diversified global water heating platform and the beginning of the redeployment of the proceeds from the sale of our Electrical Products Company.”

Oregon’s new Reach Code’ utilizes IAPMO supplement

Ontario, Calif. —The state of Oregon has adopted a first-of-its-kind “Reach Code,” a set of optional construction standards designed to increase the efficiency of buildings above the mandatory statewide building code.

The Reach Code, established in Senate Bill 79 (2009), requires the State of Oregon Building Codes Division to adopt a code encompassing construction methods and technology designed to increase energy and water efficiency over the mandatory codes for builders that choose to incorporate them. Chapter 7 of the code, Water Resource Conservation and Efficiency, is based upon the 2010 IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement (GPMCS), a tool designed to be used as an overlay to any building code to provide code officials with comprehensive, progressive and enforceable green provisions toward sustainable construction practices.

The inclusion of the water efficiency provisions of the GPMCS into the Oregon Reach Code ensures that they are consistent with the requirements of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, which is based upon the IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code. The IAPMO GPMCS was explicitly developed to work seamlessly with the Uniform Plumbing Code, while maintaining performance, health and safety.

NSF International appoints Pierre Sbabo as vice president of Water Systems Division

(pe0911_nsf_Sbabo)Ann Arbor — NSF International, an independent organization that protects human health and the environment, has appointed Pierre Sbabo as vice president of its Water Systems Division. In this role, Sbabo will focus on the geographic growth of the division while simplifying the product certification process and continuing to strengthen customer service. Sbabo also will oversee the development of new standards and services to support emerging water treatment technologies worldwide.

Working closely with Sbabo, Rick Andrew will manage all facets of the NSF Drinking Water Treatment Units Program in his new role as General Manager.

Supporting Sbabo and Andrew will be Grant Thornley in the role of Business Development Director for the NSF Water Systems Division. Thornley will assist companies worldwide with their water testing and certification needs.