ACHR News
search
Ask ACHR NEWS AI
cart
facebook twitter instagram linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ACHR News
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
    • New HVAC Products
    • Featured Products
    • Manufacturer Reports
    • HVAC Data
    • Legislation
    • ACHR NEWS Centennial
  • RESIDENTIAL
    • Air Conditioners
    • Furnaces
    • Residential Heat Pumps
    • Ductless
    • Residential IAQ
    • Testing, Monitoring, Tools
    • Components & Accessories
  • COMMERCIAL
    • Air Handlers
    • Rooftop Units
    • Chillers and Cooling Towers
    • Commercial Heat Pumps
    • Boilers and Hydronics
    • VRF/Ductless
    • Commercial IAQ
  • REFRIGERATION
    • Refrigerants
    • Refrigerant Regulations
    • Leak Management
  • CONTRACTOR PRO
    • Geothermal
    • Homeowner Study
    • VRF and VRV Ductless
    • Unitary Trends
  • EDUCATION
    • Training and Education
    • Business Management
    • Service and Maintenance
    • Continuing Education
    • Market Research >
      • HVAC Brand Awareness Report
      • VRV, VRF, VRVZ Report
      • Unitary Trends Report
      • Water Heat Professionals Report
    • Webinars
    • Sponsor Insights
    • eProducts Info
    • White Papers
  • EVENTS
    • HVAC Contractor Forum
    • Industry Events and Webinars
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • AHR Expo 2025 Videos
    • Podcasts >
      • ACHR News Podcast
      • HARDI Podcasts
      • AHR Expo Podcasts
      • ACCA Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Quizzes
    • eBooks
    • HVAC Talkback
  • HVAC GROUP
    • ACHR NEWS >
      • Current Issue
      • Digital Edition
      • Subscribe
    • Distribution Trends
    • SNIPS NEWS >
      • Join SNIPS NEWS
    • Engineered Systems News >
      • Join ES News
    • HVACR Directory
    • Contests
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • My Account
NewsHVAC Breaking News

A. O. Smith Wholesale Partners Celebrate Essential Workers at Five North American Plants

Recognizes them through COVID-compliant luncheon

AO-Smith-Logo
February 15, 2021

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. — A. O. Smith recently partnered with more than 35 U. S. wholesale manufacturer’s representative agencies to honor plant employees with a COVID-compliant luncheon. To thank essential workers and show their appreciation for the employees’ dedication during the pandemic, the agencies organized donation efforts to provide boxed lunches to more than 4,500 employees at five plant locations.

In less than two months, the group, led by Steve Kidwell, president and CEO at ROI Marketing in Millersville, Maryland, raised roughly $60,000.

“A. O. Smith plant employees have dedicated their efforts to supporting our businesses throughout the pandemic,” said Kidwell. “Nationwide, my colleagues and I felt a deep need to show our gratitude. In a normal year, reps and contractors from across the country visit the A. O. Smith facilities to meet employees and see product production first-hand. That sense of community is core to our industry, and this is a first step to get it back.”

“While many businesses saw massive delays due to COVID, the A. O. Smith team kept things moving, so our customers could continue to serve theirs,” said Kidwell.

Employees were honored at plant locations in Ashland City, Tennessee; Johnson City, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; McBee, South Carolina; and Juarez, Mexico. In addition to the boxed lunches, banners were hung in the employees’ honor stating, “Not every hero wears a cape.”

“Clean, hot water is essential, especially with more people at home, and A. O. Smith plant employees have been working tirelessly, so homeowners and business owners can stay safe and comfortable during the pandemic,” said Dave Warren, senior vice president at A. O. Smith Corporation, and president and general manager for North America Water Heating. “This event really speaks to the relationship we have with our customers, and we are beyond grateful for their partnership.”  

Appreciation efforts will run through this week to ensure all employees receive a boxed lunch in a COVID-compliant way.

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS →

KEYWORDS: HVAC Manufacturer News hvac manufacturer rep news

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • HVAC-enrollment

    The Trades Are Back: HVACR Programs See Nearly 30% Enrollment Spike

    A new wave of future technicians is entering the pipeline.  
    Training and Education
    By: Matt Jachman
  • 2025 Top 40 Under 40

    2025 Top 40 Under 40 HVACR Professionals List

    The 11th annual Top 40 Under 40 list highlights those...
    HVAC Light Commercial Market
    By: Hannah Belloli-Oster
  • LG Ductless Mini-Split Systems

    The 9 Types of Heat Pumps

    As the U.S. moves toward electrification, heat pumps are...
    News
    By: Joanna R. Turpin
Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to The News audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The News or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Piggy Bank
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Energy Prices, Inflation, and HVAC: What Today’s Homeowners Care About

  • Refrigerated Food
    Sponsored bySolstice Advanced Materials

    R-455A Refrigeration: A Cold Storage Solution for the Future

  • Airex Rooftop Units
    Sponsored byAirex Manufacturing Inc

    Consolidating Roof Penetrations: A Growing Trend in Multifamily HVAC Design

Popular Stories

Refrigerants-and-gauge.jpg

HVAC Industry Warns of Counterfeit Refrigerants Entering U.S. Supply Chain

U.S. Supreme Court building

95% Furnace Efficiency Rule to Get New Hearing

Midea-training.jpg

HVAC Workforce Crisis Expands Beyond Technicians to Instructor Shortages

Data_Center_facility.jpg

HVAC Manufacturers Respond to Growing Data Center Backlash

HVAC Minute retail refrigeration system

EPA Final Rule’s Impact on R-410A Deadlines

View The ACHR NEWS
Centennial Anniversary Timeline

The ACHR News Timeline Chart
Submit a Letter
Submit a letter to our editors.

Events

November 6, 2025

Next-Gen Data Center Cooling: HVAC Innovation and Real-World Solutions

On Demand As AI workloads and high-density computing push traditional cooling methods to their limits, the data center industry is accelerating the adoption of next-generation HVAC technologies.

June 23, 2026

HVAC Duct Sealing Mastics: Why Selection Matters

In this webinar we will detail what HVAC material buyers and technicians need to know when selecting duct mastics, including matching mastic to substrate, alternatives to liquid mastic, and where UL 181 Listings fit into real world installations.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Summer Staff

Are you fully staffed for the summer season?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

See More Products
HVAC Duct Sealing Mastics: Why Selection Matters - Free Webinar - 6/23/2026

Related Articles

  • A.O. Smith.jpg

    A. O. Smith Announces Summer Promotion with Participating Wholesale Partners

    See More
  • A.O. Smith.jpg

    A. O. Smith Announces North America Water Heating and Global Supply Chain Personnel Updates

    See More
  • Johnny Unitas AO Smith

    A. O. Smith Names Five Finalists for 2019 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award®

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Lessons Learned in a Boiler Room: A common sense approach to servicing and installing commercial boilers

  • UnderstandingJCOVER ONLY.jpg

    Understanding Manual J® - A Companion Guide

  • A-Heat-Pump-Thats-Not-Delivering-Any-Air-DVD-Cover-218x300.jpg

    A Heat Pump That’s Not Delivering Any Air

See More Products

Related Directories

  • NATE (North American Technician Excellence)

    Service and installation certifications in air conditioning, air distribution, air-to-air heat pumps, gas furnaces, oil furnaces, hydronics gas, hydronics oil, light commercial refrigeration, commercial refrigeration and more.
×

Sign Up. Stay Informed.

The #1 trusted source for the HVACR industry since 1926

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Advisory Board
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Letter
    • Directories
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing