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Columbus, Ohio – Hague Quality Water, a leading manufacturer of water treatment equipment recently acquired by A. O. Smith Corporation, has announced plans to expand its operations in the Columbus Region, investing approximately $7 million and creating 70 new jobs over a three-year period. Hiring for customer service, accounts receivable, purchasing, quality control, supervisor, maintenance, shipping and production positions will begin immediately.
Hague will expand its current operations at 4343 South Hamilton in Groveport, Ohio, and will open a new facility at 2353 Global Drive in Obetz, Ohio, to supplement its ongoing growth. The company currently employs more than 100 people at the Groveport facility.
“Hague was a key acquisition allowing A. O. Smith to broaden our range of water treatment products and services for our existing and potential customers,” said D. Samuel Karge, president for North America Water Treatment, A. O. Smith. “This investment in our people and overall processes is critical for our continued success in this rapidly growing market.”
Hague Quality Water, an A.O. Smith brand, manufactures a comprehensive line of water softener products. The Hague water softener features an innovative multi-compartment, compact tank design and is sold through both retailers and water quality dealers. A. O. Smith acquired Hague in August 2017 to broaden its growing North American water treatment business with additional products and services.
“We are excited and appreciative that Hague is investing in operation efficiency and productivity,” said Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp. “Hague provides tremendous value to our community, and this investment further demonstrates its commitment to its people and to Groveport’s strong workforce.”
“Along with our partners at Columbus 2020, we are thrilled Hague Quality Water has chosen to expand and bring new jobs to the Columbus Region,” said Glenn Richardson, managing director for advanced manufacturing, JobsOhio. “Hague’s growing operations in Groveport and Obetz are essential to meeting growing demand for its products and services.”
The 11-county Columbus Region is one of the most diverse metropolitan economies in the U.S., and is No. 1 among the Midwest’s 10 largest metros in job growth, population growth and GDP growth. Centrally located between Chicago and New York, the Columbus Region boasts the greatest market access of any major metro—with 46 percent of the U.S. population within a 10-hour drive.
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About Hague Quality Water
Established in 1960, Hague Quality Water is a leading brand of water softening products that are sold throughout the U.S. and in more than 20 international markets. The company, part of A. O. Smith Corporation’s North America Water Treatment business unit, has earned numerous awards and recognition for multiple cutting edge technological patents and product designs. Learn more at HagueWater.com.
About Columbus 2020
As the economic development organization for the Columbus Region, Columbus 2020’s mission is to generate opportunity and build capacity for economic growth across 11 Central Ohio counties. In 2010, hundreds of business and community leaders developed the Columbus 2020 Regional Growth Strategy, and the Columbus Region is now experiencing the strongest decade of growth in its history. The Columbus 2020 team conducts business outreach, promotes the Columbus Region to market-leading companies around the world, conducts customized research to better understand the Columbus Region’s competitiveness, and works to leverage public, private and institutional partnerships. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
Columbus 2020 Media Contact
Irene Alvarez
614-225-6941
ia@columbusregion.com
A. O. Smith Media Contact
Mark A. Petrarca
414-359-4100
mpetrarca@aosmith.com