MILWAUKEE, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A. O.
Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) today announced Christopher L. Mapes, executive vice president
and president of its Electrical Products unit, will leave the
company at the end of August to become chief operating officer of
Lincoln Electric and a member of its executive management team.
Lincoln Electric, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, designs, develops, and
manufactures arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems,
plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and serves the brazing and
soldering alloys market. As chief operating officer, Mapes
will be responsible for all of Lincoln Electric's businesses as
well as the company's global product development initiatives.
Mapes has served as president of Electrical Products, a global
manufacturer of electric motors for residential, commercial, and
industrial applications, since joining the company in September 2004. He was elected an executive
vice president of the corporation in 2006.
"Chris has done a tremendous job leading the transformation of
the Electrical Products business over the last seven years,"
Paul W. Jones, chairman and chief
executive officer of A. O. Smith Corporation, said in making the
announcement. "Under his direction, the Electrical Products
team has successfully structured the business to achieve consistent
profitability."
"Chris also has been a key player in the sale of Electrical
Products to Regal Beloit Corporation," Jones continued. "His
leadership has been critical in driving the transition process
while continuing to focus on serving Electrical Products' global
customer base. On behalf of our employees and our Board of
Directors, I want to thank Chris for his many contributions to
A. O. Smith's success."
Mapes is a member of the Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.
(NASDAQ:LECO) Board of Directors. In his new position, he
will remain a member of the board.
A. O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is a global leader applying
innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products
marketed worldwide.
SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation