AO Smith keen to partner government for clean air & water

NEW DELHI: US water technology and air purifying solutions company AO Smith Corp is exploring ways to collaborate with the Indian government in areas of air and water purification, said its global chairman and chief executive Ajita Rajendra.

Air pollution levels in the country, especially in the Delhi-NCR region, had hit alarmingly high levels last October, well below the prescribed standards of WHO, forcing schools to shut down and some executives to leave the city.

With even other cities including Bengaluru and Kolkata showing deteriorating quality, makers of air purifiers and pollution masks have been reporting high sales of late.

“We will be happy to share our technical expertise and collaborate with the government,” Rajendra, whose company’s core business is water heating and purification, told ET.

Rajendra, however, added that the company may enter new domains in India after analysing local needs and evaluating solutions. “We feel the need for clean, healthy water for drinking is large and are committed to provide the right solutions to the Indian consumers,” he said.

The Wisconsin-based AO Smith has named India and China among its key growth drivers.

However, the Indian market contributes only 1% to AO Smith’s global sales now. The company has invested US $75 million in the country so far.

Rajendra said the company’s business grew 8% globally last year while India revenues increased in high double digits. “We have a long-term view on India and our expectation is to continue growing at the current double-digit growth rates,” he said.

In China, AO Smith has leveraged the air quality problem to its advantage over the past four years.

Last year, WHO had named China as the country with maximum deaths caused by air pollution. The $2.54 billion, NYSE-listed AO Smith Corp made its India debut in 2008.