Ming Cheng Appointed as A. O. Smith’s next Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
A. O. Smith Corporation
NYSE: AOS
11270 West Park Place
Suite 170
Milwaukee, WI 53224
United States
Main Phone: (414) 359-4000
Website: https://www.aosmith.com
Industry Sector: Industrials, Specialty Industrial Machinery
Full Time Employees: 12,700
Fiscal Year End: December 31
Annual Revenues: $3.8 Billion USD
CEO: Kevin J. Wheeler, Chairman & CEO
Fortune Rank: #801 on the 2025 Fortune 1000 list
Q: What is the significance of Ming Cheng’s appointment as A. O. Smith’s new Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer?
A: Ming Cheng’s appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of A. O. Smith represents a transformative moment for the company, which is a globally recognized leader in water heating and water treatment and currently holds the #801 spot on the 2025 Fortune 1000 list. Cheng’s arrival, effective July 7, 2025, follows the long and impactful tenure of Bob Heideman, who has been instrumental in shaping A. O. Smith’s technology and innovation strategy since 1994. This leadership transition is not merely a change in title but a strategic step that leverages Cheng’s impressive background in global research and development, particularly as A. O. Smith intensifies its focus on technological innovation and expansion into new markets.
Q: What is Ming Cheng’s professional background, and how does it prepare him for his new role at A. O. Smith?
A: Ming Cheng comes to A. O. Smith with a distinguished 25-year career at 3M Company, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development for the Transportation and Electronics Business Group. Throughout his tenure at 3M, Cheng held a variety of leadership roles in global R&D, with significant responsibilities in Greater China and other international markets. His academic credentials are equally impressive, including a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Peking University, a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from Cornell University, and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. This combination of technical expertise, business insight, and international experience uniquely qualifies him to lead A. O. Smith’s innovation agenda and oversee complex, cross-functional technology initiatives.
Q: What responsibilities will Ming Cheng assume as CTO, based on the precedent set by Bob Heideman?
A: In his new role, Ming Cheng will take on comprehensive oversight of A. O. Smith’s global research and engineering functions, continuing the legacy established by Bob Heideman. He will be responsible for leading the company’s Corporate Technology Center, which drives advanced concepts and emerging technologies that underpin long-term product development strategies in water heating and water treatment. Cheng will also direct global engineering and advanced technology development, ensuring that A. O. Smith remains at the forefront of innovation. His responsibilities will extend to overseeing the development and commercialization of energy-efficient products, such as heat pump water heaters and advanced water filtration systems, areas where Heideman made significant contributions. Furthermore, Cheng will guide the company’s digital transformation efforts, including the integration of sensors, artificial intelligence, and data-driven enhancements into product lines, which were key priorities during Heideman’s tenure. He will also play a crucial role in fostering collaboration across international R&D teams, aligning technology initiatives with business objectives, and ensuring that A. O. Smith’s product portfolio continues to meet evolving customer and regulatory demands.
Q: What were Bob Heideman’s key contributions as CTO, and how might they inform Cheng’s approach?
A: Bob Heideman’s tenure as CTO was defined by a relentless pursuit of innovation, energy efficiency, and digital transformation. He was central to the development and launch of industry-leading products, including heat pump water heaters and advanced water filtration systems, which helped establish A. O. Smith as a global water technology leader. Heideman oversaw the company’s research and engineering operations, particularly through the Corporate Technology Center, which became a hub for advanced R&D and product innovation under his guidance. He was also a champion of digitizing A. O. Smith’s product lines, leveraging sensors, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to enhance product performance and customer experience. Beyond his technical achievements, Heideman was known for building and mentoring a high-performing technical team and nurturing a culture of continuous improvement and scientific rigor. His legacy provides a strong foundation for Cheng, who is expected to build upon these achievements by bringing a fresh perspective and leveraging his global R&D experience to accelerate innovation and growth.
Q: How will the transition between Heideman and Cheng be managed to ensure continuity?
A: To ensure a seamless transition, Bob Heideman will remain with A. O. Smith through September 1, 2025, providing guidance and support as Cheng steps into his new responsibilities. This phased handover is designed to maintain stability within the company’s technology leadership and to give Cheng the opportunity to integrate effectively with A. O. Smith’s teams, processes, and strategic priorities. The transition plan reflects the company’s commitment to continuity and sustained innovation during this period of leadership change.
Q: What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for Ming Cheng as he takes on the CTO role at A. O. Smith?
A: Ming Cheng faces the dual challenge of sustaining A. O. Smith’s legacy of innovation while navigating the company through rapidly evolving market and technological landscapes. One of his primary challenges will be to drive innovation and accelerate the development of next-generation water heating and treatment technologies, building on the company’s strong foundation in energy efficiency and sustainability. With his significant experience in both Asian and U.S. markets, Cheng is also well-positioned to lead A. O. Smith’s R&D efforts in expanding markets, particularly in Asia, where demand for advanced water technologies is on the rise. Another major opportunity lies in continuing the digital initiatives started under Heideman, with a focus on integrating smart technologies, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence into A. O. Smith’s product lines to enhance customer value and differentiate the company in a competitive marketplace. As environmental standards become more stringent globally, Cheng will need to ensure that A. O. Smith’s products not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements for efficiency and safety. Additionally, nurturing and expanding the company’s technical talent pool will be critical, especially as A. O. Smith continues to invest in advanced research and global innovation hubs.
Q: How does Ming Cheng’s appointment reflect A. O. Smith’s broader strategic vision?
A: The selection of Ming Cheng as CTO underscores A. O. Smith’s commitment to global innovation, diversity of thought, and leadership in water technology. CEO Steve Shafer has emphasized Cheng’s ability to drive innovation through complex business challenges and his deep appreciation for the company’s legacy and values. Cheng’s international perspective and proven track record in R&D leadership align perfectly with A. O. Smith’s ambition to deliver long-term profitable growth through technological excellence and customer-centric solutions.
Q: What can stakeholders expect from A. O. Smith under Cheng’s technological leadership?
A: Stakeholders can expect a continued emphasis on breakthrough innovation, enhanced product performance, and global market responsiveness. Under Cheng’s leadership, A. O. Smith is likely to accelerate the pace of new product development, particularly in areas of energy efficiency, smart home integration, and advanced water treatment. The company is also expected to expand its presence in high-growth international markets, leveraging Cheng’s expertise in global R&D management. Strengthening collaborations with academic, industrial, and governmental partners to foster open innovation and address emerging challenges in water technology will be another area of focus. At the same time, A. O. Smith will maintain its reputation for quality, reliability, and sustainability, while exploring new business models and digital services that add value for customers worldwide.
Q: How will this announcement about Ming Cheng affect the A.O. Smith org chart?
A: Ming Cheng’s appointment as A. O. Smith’s new Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer will bring a notable but evolutionary change to the company’s technology organization chart. Cheng will directly replace Bob Heideman, who has held the CTO position since 2013 and has been with the company in various technical and leadership roles since 1994. The reporting structure at the top of the technology organization will remain largely intact, with the CTO continuing to oversee all global research, engineering, and advanced product development functions. Cheng, like Heideman before him, will report to the CEO and serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team.
Cheng’s background at 3M, where he led global teams in technology, product development, and engineering—including significant stints in Greater China and the electronics materials division—suggests he may bring a more globally integrated perspective to A. O. Smith’s R&D operations. However, the core structure of the technology organization, which includes the Corporate Technology Center (CTC) in Milwaukee as the hub for research and engineering, is expected to remain unchanged in the immediate future. The transition is being managed to ensure continuity, with Heideman staying on through September 1, 2025, to facilitate knowledge transfer and organizational stability.
Given Cheng’s experience managing large, diverse technical teams and his expertise in both U.S. and Asian markets, it is likely that he will encourage even greater cross-regional collaboration within A. O. Smith’s technology organization. This could lead to a more matrixed or globally networked approach to R&D, but there is no indication from the company’s official announcements that any major restructuring or changes to the reporting lines beneath the CTO are planned at this time. Instead, the focus is on leveraging Cheng’s leadership to drive innovation and growth while maintaining the strong foundation and processes already established under Heideman.
In summary, the announcement signals a leadership succession at the top of A. O. Smith’s technology organization, with the CTO role’s scope and authority remaining consistent. Any further changes to the org chart would likely be evolutionary and aimed at enhancing global integration and innovation, rather than representing a wholesale reorganization.
Q: What does this leadership change mean for A. O. Smith’s future?
A: The appointment of Ming Cheng as Senior Vice President and CTO signals a new chapter for A. O. Smith, one that blends the company’s rich legacy of innovation with a forward-looking, global approach to technology leadership. With Cheng at the helm of R&D and engineering, A. O. Smith is poised to strengthen its position as a global leader in water technology, deliver cutting-edge solutions to customers, and achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. This leadership change is not only a testament to A. O. Smith’s enduring commitment to innovation but also a clear indication of its aspirations for the future.
