Taking GF Building Flow Solutions Americas to the Next LevelContinued Leadership GF Building Flow Solutions Americas, the manufacturer of Uponor branded products, has announced John Reutter as President. John joined the organization in 2018 as vice president of Finance and has been an instrumental leader over the past seven years. He will continue to be Read more
President
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GF Building Flow Solutions Americas, the manufacturer of Uponor branded products, has announced John Reutter as President. John joined the organization in 2018 as vice president of Finance and has been an instrumental leader over the past seven years. He will continue to be based out of the North America headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn., and will report to Michael Rauterkus, president and CEO of GF Building Flow Solutions.
In his role as President, John Reutter will lead the growth strategies for the Americas business with a focus on delivering locally driven solutions, expanding into emerging markets, and ensuring alignment with the company’s global objectives. He’ll oversee day-to-day operations and business performance while fostering strong collaboration between regional teams and global counterparts.
Taking GF Building Flow Solutions Americas to the Next Level
“I am thrilled to see John Reutter step into the role as President of the Americas division,” says Rauterkus. “John has been a proven leader from day one, fostering a collaborative yet high-performing environment. Under John’s leadership, we are well positioned to maintain strong customer relationships while taking the business to the next level.”
John brings extensive experience into this role. Prior to joining GF, he held several management positions at Ecolab, most recently Vice President of Finance, Global Healthcare. Additionally, John brings experience from the professional services industry, having worked at Deloitte.
“It’s an honor to take on this role and the opportunities that lie ahead for GF Building Flow Solutions Americas,” says Reutter. “I’m grateful to be surrounded by a team that is committed to growth and delivering strong customer outcomes. I’m excited to see what we accomplish next.”
Continued Leadership
John Reutter will continue to be a member of GF Building Flow Solutions’ Global Leadership Team and will also lead the Senior Management Committee in the Americas. John will also remain as the interim vice president of Finance until a permanent vice president is named.
For information about John Reutter, GF and Uponor products and services, visit uponor.com.
For recent news on GF, https://mechanical-hub.com/gf-building-flow-solutions-americas-wins/
Kevin Wheeler RoleStephen Shafer RoleExperience The A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) Board of Directors announced that Kevin Wheeler will transition from chairman and chief executive officer to executive chairman of the corporation, effective July 1, 2025. At that time, Stephen Shafer will be appointed to the Board of Directors and will assume the role Read more
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The A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) Board of Directors announced that Kevin Wheeler will transition from chairman and chief executive officer to executive chairman of the corporation, effective July 1, 2025. At that time, Stephen Shafer will be appointed to the Board of Directors and will assume the role of president and chief executive officer.
Kevin Wheeler Role
As executive chairman, Wheeler will continue to lead the company’s Board of Directors and remain actively involved in strategic development, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and executive talent development.
Stephen Shafer Role
Shafer becomes the 11th chief executive officer in the company’s 151-year history. He will have responsibility for the company’s global operations, as well as strategy development and implementation, profitability and shareholder return. Shafer joined A. O. Smith as president and chief operating officer in March 2024 to lead the company’s global business units, including operations, supply chain, corporate technology and information technology.
“Steve’s broad business experience, coupled with his strategic business acumen, uniquely positions him to guide A. O. Smith as the company continues its journey as a global water technology leader,” said Wheeler. “For the past year, Steve has collaborated closely with me and other business leaders to understand our business and identify opportunities to drive enhanced performance and continued growth in both sales and profitability.”
“A. O. Smith experienced significant progress and profitable growth under Kevin’s leadership,” said lead director Ron Brown. “During his tenure, the company acquired Giant Factories, a Canadian water heater manufacturer, as well as six water treatment companies, including one in India. As chairman, president and chief executive officer during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin led the company through an unprecedented period, maintaining business continuity while prioritizing the health and safety of employees.”
Experience
Wheeler joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager for the former Water Products Company. Over the course of his 31-year career with A. O. Smith, he has held numerous senior leadership roles, including vice president – international, overseeing all European and Asian water heating operations; senior vice president and general manager of the U.S. retail water heater business; and senior vice president and president for the North America, India and Europe water heating businesses.
Prior to becoming chairman and chief executive officer, Wheeler was chairman, president and chief executive officer from April 2020 to March 2024, and was president and chief executive officer from September 2018 to April 2020. He was named president and chief operating officer in June 2017 and elected to the A. O. Smith Board of Directors in July 2017.
Before A. O. Smith, Shafer worked at 3M Company from 2010-2024 and held several positions with increasing levels of responsibility in multiple business units in the U.S. and China. His most recent role at 3M was president of the Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division. Prior to 3M, he worked for McKinsey & Company and Ford Motor Company, holding various roles focusing on manufacturing, supply chain and operational improvement.
He is a member of the Executive Advisory Board for WorkBoard Inc., a former board member of Shanghai American Chamber of Commerce and served as a Big Brother Big Sister mentor.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to step into the role of chief executive officer and lead this great company and exceptional team,” said Shafer. “I look forward to continuing to build on the solid foundation at A. O. Smith and deliver outstanding value to our shareholders, employees and customers.”
“The board is extremely pleased with how well Kevin and Steve have worked together to make this a smooth transition,” said Brown. “As a board, we look forward to continuing to support both of them in creating additional value for our shareholders.”
For more on A.O. Smith, https://mechanical-hub.com/a-o-smith-celebrates-product-development-center-grand-opening/
NIBCO INC., a leading provider of flow control solutions, today announced its Board of Directors has promoted Ashley Martin to president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Martin joined NIBCO in 2012 and has most recently served as president and chief operating officer since 2023. Before that, she held the position of executive vice president Read more
NIBCO INC., a leading provider of flow control solutions, today announced its Board of Directors has promoted Ashley Martin to president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Martin joined NIBCO in 2012 and has most recently served as president and chief operating officer since 2023. Before that, she held the position of executive vice president from 2021. She represents the fifth generation of family leadership since the company’s inception in 1904.
In this role, she will now oversee the overall vision, mission, strategy and performance of the company.
NIBCO Board of Directors has also announced that Steve Malm has been appointed as the new executive chairman.
“We are thrilled to have Ashley step into the chief executive officer position at NIBCO,” said Steve Malm, NIBCO executive chairman. “Ashley is a proven leader who has demonstrated her ability to lead the organization through challenging times while successfully pursuing growth and driving continuous improvement efforts throughout the company. She is ideally suited to drive the company forward, while remaining committed to the core values which have guided NIBCO’s success over the past 120 years.”
“These are exciting times at NIBCO, as we celebrate our 120th year of being in business,” said Ashley Martin, president and chief executive officer. “Fewer than one percent of companies make it to the fifth generation, so I am especially honored to take on this role and lead the company with excellence and integrity, as well as uphold our legacy of family ownership and stewardship. I’d also like to recognize and thank Steve for his leadership and impact on the organization over the past 25 years.”