A.O. Smith Corp. has acquired an Appleton-based water treatment company for $107 million in cash, the Milwaukee water technology company announced Monday.
A.O. Smith (NYSE: AOS) purchased Water-Right Inc., a water quality products provider, and all of its subsidiaries, real estate and a sister company, Mineral-Right Inc., which is based in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Water-Right, a supplier of residential and commercial water treatment products, including systems for problem well-water, has approximately 90 employees and annual sales of roughly $60 million.
Kevin Wheeler, A.O. Smith’s president and CEO, touted Water-Right’s market knowledge and established relationships as key to its fit within A.O. Smith.
“The acquisition of Water-Right squarely supports A.O. Smith’s growth trajectory in water treatment and enables A.O. Smith to expand beyond its strong presence in the direct-to-consumer and retail spaces with Water-Right’s capabilities in the wholesale and independent water quality dealer channels,” Wheeler said.
Water-Right’s leadership, the Gruett family, will remain in place following the transaction.