Leonard Valve Co. sold to A. O. Smith Corp.
Leonard Valve Company, a provider of water temperature and flow control solutions, and Bessemer Investors LLC, a New York-based investment firm, announced Bessemer has completed the sale of Leonard Valve to A. O. Smith Corporation.
A. O. Smith previously announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Leonard Valve on November 12, 2025.
Bessemer invested in Leonard Valve in 2019 alongside third-generation owner, Niles Wilcox. Since then, Bessemer has partnered with Wilcox and the Leonard Valve team to execute a succession plan, enhance the management team, and support organic growth, operational initiatives and strategic M&A. During Bessemer’s ownership, Leonard Valve expanded its digital and thermostatic mixing portfolio and acquired Heat-Timer Corporation, a leading supplier of commercial heating controls and energy management systems, creating a broader platform in water and hydronic system management.
Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Cranston, Rhode Island, Leonard Valve designs and manufactures water temperature control valves, digital and thermostatic mixing systems, and related monitoring devices used in hospitals, schools, universities, industrial facilities and other institutional and commercial settings. Together with its Heat-Timer brand of advanced boiler controls, Leonard Valve helps customers ensure safe, precise and efficient control of water temperature and hydronic heating in demanding environments.
“Bessemer has been a highly supportive and value-added partner for Leonard Valve,” said David Brakenwagen, Chief Executive Officer of Leonard Valve. “With their backing, we have invested in our people and technology, broadened our solutions and enhanced our ability to serve critical institutional and commercial customers. Joining A. O. Smith will help accelerate adoption of our digital and thermostatic mixing solutions, expand our advanced boiler control offering, and deliver an even more integrated product suite.”
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The November/December issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Applied Industrial Technologies. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
