Executive Change

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 18, 2017 A. O. Smith Corporation (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-475 39-0619790 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 11270 West Park Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) (414) 359-4000 (Registrant’s telephone number) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): ☐ Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 204.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13-e4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers. On May 18, 2017, A. O. Smith Corporation (“the Company”) announced that Kevin J. Wheeler has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective June 1, 2017. Mr. Wheeler joined the Company in 1994 as a regional sales manager and was named senior vice president and general manager of the North America, India and Europe water heating business in 2011. He became president of that business in 2013. As a result, Ajita G. Rajendra, who has been serving as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will continue to serve with the title of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. A copy of the Company’s news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) and is incorporated by reference herein. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits The following exhibit is being filed herewith: (99.1) News Release of A. O. Smith Corporation, dated May 18, 2017. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Date: May 18, 2017 By: /s/ James F. Stern James F. Stern Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary A. O. SMITH CORPORATION Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18, 2017 Exhibit Number Description 99.1 News Release of A. O. Smith Corporation, dated May 18, 2017