TIPP CITY, Ohio - A. O. Smith Corp. announced that Christopher L. Mapes has been named president of its Electrical Products Company headquartered here.

As president, Mapes will assume full profit and loss responsibility for Electrical Products, A. O. Smith's largest operating unit with 2003 sales of $824.6 million. The unit manufactures fractional horsepower, hermetic, and integral horsepower electric motors and has manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

"Chris Mapes brings unique background and perspective to this position, with global experience both in motor manufacturing and on the supplier side of the electrical market," said Paul W. Jones, president and chief operating officer of A. O. Smith Corp. "He has the industry knowledge, management experience, and skills to provide dynamic leadership to Electrical Products during these challenging times."

Mapes joins A. O. Smith from Regal-Beloit Corp., Beloit, Wis., where he was president of motor sales and marketing and an officer of the company. In that position, he was responsible for product development, sales, and marketing for Regal-Beloit's global motor business as well as the profit and loss for other operations within Regal-Beloit including its global logistics operations.

Publication date: 10/04/2004