The Wisconsin Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG Wisconsin) recognized A.O. Smith Corp. of Milwaukee with an Outstanding Growth Award during the chapter’s member meeting this month.
Accepting the award on behalf of the company at the Milwaukee Athletic Club was Ajita Rajendra, chairman, president and chief executive officer of A.O. Smith. A.O. Smith Corp. is a global water technology company manufacturing residential and commercial water heaters, boilers and water purification systems.
Each year, ACG Wisconsin members are called upon to nominate businesses that they believe exhibit sustained financial performance, a strong corporate culture and strategic excellence. The 2014 pool of nominees included 23 public and private Wisconsin-based businesses. J.F. Brennan Company Inc., a La Crosse-based marine construction and environmental remediation company, also won an Outstanding Growth Award.
“The awards committee was challenged with a large pool of candidates,” said Karin Gale, shareholder, Schenck S.C., and ACG Wisconsin president-elect and awards committee chair. “However, our two award winners consistently rose to the top of the list in each criteria category. A.O Smith is an iconic name with a 140-year history in Milwaukee, but it was the company’s compounded growth over the last five years and its position as the leading water heater brand in the Chinese market that was most impressive. J.F. Brennan also has a long corporate history in Wisconsin. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, (J.F. Brennan Company) is well-positioned for sustainable growth with its continued expansion throughout the Midwest, long-term succession planning, and proven commitment to environmental concerns and innovation.”
The ACG Wisconsin is comprised of 225 business leaders in corporations, private equity, finance and professional service firms.
