SMITH A O CORP
10-Q, 1999-05-14
MOTORS & GENERATORS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

X      QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR 15(d)  OF THE  SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
       For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999

                                       OR

       TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

       For the transition period from ________________ to _______________

Commission File Number 1-475


                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION


                  Delaware                            39-0619790
         (State of Incorporation)             (IRS Employer ID Number)

                P. O. Box 245008, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224-9508
                            Telephone: (414) 359-4000


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes X No ___


Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of April 30, 1999: 8,705,835 shares

Common Stock Outstanding as of April 30, 1999: 14,484,442 shares

                              Exhibit Index Page 16


<PAGE>



                                      Index


                             A. O. Smith Corporation



Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings
     - Three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998                              3

     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
     - March 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998                                    4

     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
     - Three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998                              5

     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
     - March 31, 1999                                                        6-8

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations                                                   9-12

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk                12

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings                                                     13

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                   13

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                      14

Signatures                                                                    15

Index to Exhibits                                                             16

                                       2
<PAGE>

PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                              AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                   Three Months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998
                     (000 omitted except for per share data)
                                   (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                                      March 31
                                                                      --------
EARNINGS                                                     1999                   1998
- --------                                                     ----                   ----

<S>                                                        <C>                   <C>      
Electric Motor Technologies                                $ 147,875             $ 111,839
Water Systems Technologies                                    81,988                74,554
Other                                                         27,473                36,562
                                                           ---------             ---------
NET SALES                                                    257,336               222,955
Cost of products sold                                        207,003               177,186
                                                           ---------             --------
Gross profit                                                  50,333                45,769
Selling, general and administrative expenses                  28,510                27,900
Interest expense                                               2,331                 1,624
Interest income                                                 (340)               (1,712)
Other expense - net                                            1,955                   722
                                                           ---------             ---------
                                                              17,877                17,235
Provision for income taxes                                     6,475                 6,038
                                                           ---------             ---------
Earnings before equity in loss of joint ventures              11,402                11,197
Equity in loss of joint ventures (note 2)                         -                 (1,019)
                                                           ---------             ---------
NET EARNINGS                                                  11,402                10,178

RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of period                               499,954               466,514
Cash dividends on common shares                               (2,795)               (2,751)
                                                           ---------             ---------

BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD                                   $ 508,561             $ 473,941
                                                           =========             =========

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (note 7)
     Basic                                                 $    0.49             $    0.42
     Diluted                                               $    0.48             $    0.41
                                                                                      
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE                                 $    0.12             $    0.12
                                                                                  

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


                                       3

                                     
<PAGE>


PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
March 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998
         (000 omitted)
                         
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           (unaudited)
                                                          March 31, 1999         December 31, 1998
                                                          --------------         -----------------
ASSETS
- ------

CURRENT ASSETS
<S>                                                        <C>                     <C>         
Cash and cash equivalents (note 3)                         $    17,552             $     37,666
Receivables                                                    171,441                  133,764
Inventories (note 4)                                           100,830                   99,984
Deferred income taxes                                           10,882                   11,376
Other current assets                                             5,058                    4,599
                                                           -----------             ------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                           305,763                  287,389


Property, plant and equipment                                  518,680                  507,033
Less accumulated depreciation                                  265,574                  258,263
                                                           -----------             ------------
Net property, plant and equipment                              253,106                  248,770
Goodwill                                                       146,602                  146,901
Other assets                                                    89,709                   84,372
                                                           -----------             ------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                               $   795,180             $    767,432
                                                           ===========             ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- -------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade payables                                             $    77,244             $     57,429
Accrued payroll and benefits                                    24,357                   31,385
Product warranty                                                 7,491                    7,892
Accrued income taxes                                             9,758                    6,786
Long-term debt due within one year                               4,629                    4,629
Other current liabilities                                       27,090                   24,036
                                                           -----------             ------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                      150,569                  132,157

Long-term debt (note 5)                                        131,535                  131,203
Other liabilities                                               62,013                   60,636
Deferred income taxes                                           44,501                   42,343

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Class A common stock, $5 par value: authorized
   14,000,000 shares; issued 8,737,575                          43,688                   43,688
Common stock, $1 par value: authorized 60,000,000
   shares; issued  23,811,787                                   23,812                   23,812
Capital in excess of par value                                  51,334                   51,121
Retained earnings (note 5)                                     508,561                  499,954
Accumulated other comprehensive income (note 6)                 (2,230)                  (1,488)
Treasury stock at cost                                        (218,603)                (215,994)
                                                           -----------             ------------

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                     406,562                  401,093
                                                           -----------             ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                 $   795,180             $    767,432
                                                           ===========             ============

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

</TABLE>

                                       4

<PAGE>


PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                             A.O. SMITH CORPORATION
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                   Three Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998
                                  (000 omitted
                                   (unaudited
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                                                        March 31
                                                                                        --------
                                                                                   1999             1998
                                                                                   ----             ----
OPERATING ACTIVITIES

CONTINUING
- ----------
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>     
Net earnings                                                                    $ 11,402          $ 10,178
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided/
  (used) by operating activities
         Depreciation and amortization                                             9,003             6,919
         Equity in loss of joint ventures (note 2)                                     -             1,019
         Net change in current assets and liabilities                            (17,383)          (14,711)
         Net change in noncurrent assets and liabilities                          (5,254)           (6,223)
         Other - net                                                                (139)              266
                                                                                --------          --------

CASH USED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                 (2,371)           (2,552)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures                                                             (10,395)           (6,942)
Capitalized purchased software costs                                                (408)             (308)
Investment in joint ventures (note 2)                                                  -            (2,652)
Acquisition of business (note 2)                                                    (531)                -
                                                                                --------          --------

CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                (11,334)           (9,902)
                                                                                --------          --------
CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS
         BEFORE FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                             (13,705)          (12,454)

DISCONTINUED
- ------------
Cash used by discontinued operations
         before financing activities                                              (1,301)             (814)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Long-term debt incurred                                                              332               641

Purchase of common stock held in treasury                                         (2,691)          (20,231)
Proceeds from common stock options exercised                                          42                 -
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options                                             4                 -
Dividends paid                                                                    (2,795)           (2,751)
                                                                                --------          --------
CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                 (5,108)          (22,341)
                                                                                --------          --------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                        (20,114)          (35,609)
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period (note 3)                            37,666           145,896
                                                                                --------          --------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                                      $ 17,552          $110,287
                                                                                ========          ========

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


                                       5


<PAGE>

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                             A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 1999
                                   (unaudited)

1.     Basis of Presentation
       The  consolidated  financial  statements  presented  herein  are based on
       interim  figures and are subject to audit.  In the opinion of management,
       all adjustments  consisting of normal accruals considered necessary for a
       fair presentation of the results of operations and of financial  position
       have been made.  The results of  operations  for the  three-month  period
       ended  March  31,  1999 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the  results
       expected for the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December
       31, 1998 is derived from the audited  financial  statements  but does not
       include  all  disclosures   required  by  generally  accepted  accounting
       principles.  Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform
       to the 1999 presentation.


2.     Acquisitions
       Prior to December 1998,  the company had majority  interests in two joint
       ventures in the People's Republic of China. These ventures were accounted
       for on the equity method as the local partners held certain participating
       rights. In December 1998, the company purchased its partner's interest in
       the water systems venture,  and the company  consolidated  this entity at
       December 31, 1998.

       In January 1999,  the company  purchased  its  partner's  interest in the
       Chinese fiberglass piping venture.  The excess of the consideration paid,
       including  the  distribution  to the partner of certain  inventories  and
       equipment  over  the fair  values  of the  assets  acquired  amounted  to
       $750,000 and has been recorded as goodwill. The company consolidated this
       entity effective January 1, 1999.


3.     Statement of Cash Flows
       For purposes of the Consolidated  Statement of Cash Flows,  cash and cash
       equivalents  include  short-term  investments  held  primarily  for  cash
       management  purposes.  These  investments  normally  mature  within three
       months from the date of acquisition.


                                       6
<PAGE>





4.     Inventories (000 omitted)

                                           Mar. 31, 1999         Dec. 31, 1998
                                           -------------         -------------
       Finished products                       $  59,688           $  58,534
       Work in process                            18,806              18,354
       Raw materials                              49,344              50,542
       Supplies                                    1,768               1,350
                                             -----------         -----------
                                                 129,606             128,780

       Allowance to state inventories
         at LIFO cost                             28,776              28,796
                                             -----------         -----------
                                               $ 100,830           $  99,984
                                             ===========        ============


5.     Long-Term Debt
       The company's  long-term credit agreements contain certain conditions and
       provisions which restrict the company's  payment of dividends.  Under the
       most restrictive of these provisions,  retained earnings of $65.5 million
       were  unrestricted  as of March 31, 1999 for cash  dividends and treasury
       stock purchases.


6.     Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
       Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 130 - "Reporting
       Comprehensive  Income"  requires  the company to  disclose  comprehensive
       earnings/(loss),  consisting  of net  earnings  and all  other  non-owner
       changes in equity during the period. The company's comprehensive earnings
       for the first  quarter  1999 and 1998 were  $10,660,000  and  $9,866,000,
       respectively.  Comprehensive  earnings, for both periods presented,  were
       comprised of net earnings and foreign currency  translation  adjustments.
       No provisions  or benefits for U.S.  income taxes have been made on these
       foreign currency translation adjustments.


7.     Earnings per Share of Common Stock
       The numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share
       is net earnings.  The following table sets forth the computation of basic
       and  diluted  weighted  average  shares  used in the  earnings  per share
       calculations:

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                              March 31
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                       1999             1998 
                                                    -----------     -----------
       Denominator for basic earnings per share
       - weighted-average shares                     23,224,580      24,092,946

       Effect of dilutive stock options                 517,766         620,564
                                                    -----------    ------------

       Denominator for diluted earnings per share    23,742,346      24,713,510
                                                    ===========    ============

                                       7
<PAGE>


8.     Operations by Segment
        (000 omitted)                                   Three Months Ended
                                                             March 31 
                                                    ------------------------- 
                                                      1999            1998    
                                                    ----------      ---------
       Net Sales
       ---------
       Electric Motor Technologies                  $  147,875      $ 111,839
       Water Systems Technologies                       81,988         74,554
       Other                                            27,473         36,562
                                                    ----------      ---------
       Net Sales                                    $  257,336      $ 222,955
                                                    ==========      =========
    
       Earnings before Interest and Taxes
       ----------------------------------
       Electric Motor Technologies                  $   18,146      $  12,917
       Water Systems Technologies                        8,360          6,719
       Other                                                (1)         2,161
                                                    -----------     ---------
       Total Segments                                   26,505         21,797
    
       General Corporate and Research
             and Development Expenses                   (6,637)        (6,334)
       Interest (Expense)Income - Net                   (1,991)            88
                                                    ----------      ---------
       Earnings before Income Taxes                     17,877         15,551
       Provision for Income Taxes                       (6,475)        (5,373)
                                                    ----------      ---------
       Net Earnings                                 $   11,402      $  10,178
                                                    ==========      =========
   
       Intersegment sales, which are immaterial, have been excluded from segment
       revenues.  Total  assets by  segment at March 31,  1999 have not  changed
       materially from December 31, 1998.




                                       8


<PAGE>



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 1999 COMPARED TO 1998

Sales were  $257.3  million in the first  quarter of 1999,  an increase of $34.3
million or 15% over sales of $223.0  million in the first quarter of 1998.  Most
of the  increase  in  sales  was  attributable  to the  acquisition  of  General
Electric's  hermetic  motor business in  Scottsville,  Kentucky in July of 1998.
Stronger sales of other motor  products and water heaters were partially  offset
by sharply lower sales of storage tanks and fiberglass piping.

First quarter net earnings of $11.4 million  increased  $1.2 million or 12% over
1998's first quarter net earnings of $10.2 million  primarily as a result of the
increased  sales.  The higher net earnings,  and lower shares  outstanding  that
resulted from common stock repurchases during the last twelve months,  generated
diluted earnings per share of $.48, an increase of 17% compared with $.41 in the
first quarter of 1998.

The company's  gross profit margin for the first quarter was 19.6% compared with
a margin of 20.5% in the first  quarter of 1998.  The lower gross profit  margin
was  primarily  due to the lower sales volume in the  company's  Other  business
segment,  which  includes the  company's  storage  tanks and  fiberglass  piping
businesses.

First  quarter  sales in the  Electric  Motor  Technologies  segment were $147.9
million or $36.1 million higher than the same period last year. The increase was
primarily attributable to the Scottsville motor acquisition; the Tier One supply
agreement  with  York  International   negotiated  in  July  of  1998;  and  the
continuation of a healthy air conditioning motor market during the first quarter
of 1999.

First  quarter  operating  profits for  Electric  Motor  Technologies  increased
significantly from $12.9 million in 1998 to $18.1 million in 1999 as a result of
the higher volume and improved operating efficiencies.

First quarter sales of the Water Systems Technologies segment were $82.0 million
or 10% higher than 1998 first quarter sales of $74.6 million.  A stronger market
for standard  commercial  product,  an increase in residential unit volume,  and
consolidation of the company's  Chinese water products  operation  accounted for
the higher sales. In December 1998, the company purchased its partner's interest
in the Chinese water systems  joint  venture and began  consolidating  financial
results at year-end 1998.

First quarter  profits of Water Systems  Technologies  of $8.4 million were $1.7
million,  or 25% higher than the $6.7 million  generated in the first quarter of
1998 primarily as a result of the increased volume.



                                       9
<PAGE>


First quarter sales in the Other segment  declined 25% from the same period last
year.  Demand for  fiberglass  pipe  declined  more  steeply  than  storage tank
products as both petroleum  production and chemical markets  continued at levels
significantly lower than in last year's first quarter.  The soft demand in these
markets is attributable to weak commodity prices and an associated  reduction in
capital  spending by customers in those  markets.  First quarter sales of bolted
storage tanks also declined  because of weak commodity prices and a reduction in
associated capital spending. In January 1999 the company purchased its partner's
interest in its Chinese  fiberglass  pipe joint venture.  Financial  results are
consolidated in the Other segment.

As a result of the  significantly  lower  volume,  earnings of the Other segment
were essentially  break-even  compared with the $2.2 million profit generated in
the first quarter of 1998.

Selling,  general and  administrative  (SG&A)  expenses for the first quarter of
1999  increased  $.6 million  from the same  period of 1998.  As the result of a
significantly higher level of sales combined with a relatively small increase in
administrative expense, SG&A decreased to 11.1% of sales in the first quarter of
1999, from 12.5% in the first quarter of 1998.

The company  recognized net interest  expense of $2 million in the first quarter
of 1999,  compared  with net  interest  income of $.1 million in the same period
last year.  The decline in net interest  income was  primarily the result of the
aforementioned Scottsville acquisition.

Other  expense  increased  from $.7 million in the first quarter of 1998 to $2.0
million  in the same  period of 1999.  The  increase  was  primarily  due to the
amortization of goodwill associated with the Scottsville acquisition.

The first  quarter  effective  tax rate was 36.2% in 1999  compared with a 35.0%
rate in 1998. The 1998 rate benefited from higher  research and  development tax
credits relative to 1999.

As previously  mentioned,  the company purchased its partners'  interests in the
Chinese water products and fiberglass pipe joint ventures  effective in December
1998 and January  1999,  respectively.  In 1998,  losses  associated  with these
entities were recorded on an equity basis. In 1999,  operating  results of these
entities are consolidated.

During  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities" (the Statement)
which is required to be adopted for years  beginning  after June 15,  1999.  The
Statement  will require the company to recognize all  derivatives in the balance
sheet at fair value.  The company will adopt the Statement no later than January
1, 2000,  and  estimates  that the effect will not be material to its results of
operations, financial position, or cash flows.



                                       10
<PAGE>

Liquidity & Capital Resources
The company's working capital was $155.2 million at March 31, 1999,  essentially
unchanged from December 31, 1998. Lower cash levels and sales related  increases
to accounts  payable offset the $37.7 million sales related increase to accounts
receivable.  Cash used by operations was $13.7 million during the quarter,  very
similar to the $12.5 million used during the first quarter of last year.

Capital  expenditures  during the first quarter  totaled $10.4 million  compared
with $6.9 million  during the same period in 1998.  The majority of the increase
in capital spending was related to capacity expansion in the motor business. The
company  expects higher  capital  spending in 1999 compared to 1998, but expects
such capital expenditures to be covered by operating cash flow.

The company  repurchased  126,400  shares of its common  stock  during the first
quarter  under the  company's  stock  repurchase  program.  Since the  program's
inception  in  January  1997,   approximately   8.6  million  shares  have  been
repurchased.

At its April 15, 1999  meeting,  A. O.  Smith's  Board of  Directors  declared a
regular quarterly dividend of $.12 per share on its common stock (Class A Common
and Common).  The dividend is payable on May 17, 1999 to  shareholders of record
April 30, 1999.

Year 2000
A.O.  Smith  continues  the  efforts  begun  several  years ago to  address  its
potential Year 2000 (Y2K) issues. It has organized its activities to prepare for
Y2K  under  a   company-wide   plan  that  involves   four  steps:   assessment,
modification, testing and implementation..

The  company's  business  segments  operate  independently  of each other.  Each
business  segment has a core of  full-time  individuals  who have been  assigned
specific Y2K responsibilities in addition to their regular assignments.  The Y2K
readiness project is a company wide effort and is monitored centrally.

The  assessment  phase  is  complete  and  the  modification  phase  is  nearing
completion. Key customers, vendors and service providers have been queried about
their Y2K readiness,  and their responses have been analyzed.  Follow-up efforts
have commenced to obtain feedback from critical suppliers.

The testing and implementation phases for renovated Information  Technology (IT)
systems are underway.  Implementation  of all new and renovated systems that are
Y2K compliant should be completed by mid-1999.  Testing will be completed during
the second half of 1999.

Costs  specifically  associated with  renovating  software for Y2K readiness are
funded through operating cash flows and expensed as incurred.  Y2K-related costs
have not had a material effect on the company's financial position or results of
operations.  The  company  expects to incur total  costs of  approximately  $2.0
million on the Y2K problem of which the remaining costs are estimated to be $375
thousand.  Costs of 



                                       11
<PAGE>

replacing some of the company's  systems with Year 2000  compliant  systems have
been capitalized as these new systems were acquired for business reasons and not
to remediate Y2K problems, if any, in the former systems.

The company  believes that all critical IT and non-IT systems and processes will
be Y2K compliant  and allow the company to continue  operations in the Year 2000
and beyond  with no  material  impact on its  financial  position  or results of
operations.  Unanticipated  problems  including,  but not limited  to,  critical
suppliers and business  partners not meeting their  commitments to be Y2K ready,
and the loss of critical  skilled  personnel,  could  result in an  undetermined
financial risk.

As part of its  ongoing  Year 2000  Project,  business  continuity  plans may be
expanded during 1999 for potential  contingencies regarding currently unforeseen
Y2K problems.

ITEM 3. - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE OF MARKET RISK

As is more fully  described in the company's  annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended  December 31, 1998, the company is exposed to various types of market
risks,  primarily  currency and certain  commodities.  The company  monitors its
risks in such areas on a  continuous  basis and,  generally  enters into futures
contracts  to minimize  such  exposures  for periods of less than one year.  The
company does not engage in speculation in its derivatives strategies. There have
been no material changes in the company's  futures  contracts since December 31,
1998.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this report are forward-looking  statements.  Although the
company  believes that its  expectations  are based upon reasonable  assumptions
within the bounds of its  knowledge of its  business,  there can be no assurance
that its financial goals will be realized. Although a significant portion of the
company's sales are derived from the replacement of previously installed product
and such sales are therefore less volatile,  numerous  factors may affect actual
results  and may cause  results to differ  materially  from those  expressed  in
forward-looking  statements  made by or on behalf  of the  company.  Among  such
numerous  factors the company  includes the  continued  growth of the  worldwide
heating,  ventilating and air conditioning market; the weather and its impact on
the heating and air conditioning market; the pricing environment for residential
water heaters;  capital spending trends in the oil,  petrochemical  and chemical
markets; and the successful development of the company's business in China.


                                       12
<PAGE>




PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Dip Tube Litigation
Generally,  residential  water heaters with a top inlet  connection for the cold
water  supply have a plastic tube which brings the cold water near the bottom of
the heater.  This tube,  which is called the "dip tube",  is intended to prevent
incoming cold water from mixing with  existing hot water.  Some of the dip tubes
that were supplied by  Perfection  Corporation  to A. O. Smith's Water  Products
Company and most other  water  heater  manufacturers  between  August,  1993 and
October,  1996 were  defective.  The defective dip tubes in some instances break
off within the water heater or slowly  disintegrate  and may release small white
plastic particles into the plumbing.  In either case, the supply of hot water is
reduced.  Perfection  Corporation has advised the Company that the dip tubes are
made of non-toxic  materials and pose no health risk. The United States Consumer
Products  Safety  Commission has also advised  consumers that it poses no health
risk.

Since learning of the dip tube problem, the Company has been replacing defective
dip tubes and flushing  affected water  heaters,  hot water lines and appliances
connected to hot water lines at no cost to consumers. Company-provided toll-free
telephone  lines and service  procedures  have been  utilized by  consumers  and
plumbers to correct the problem.  Nevertheless,  ten lawsuits have been filed in
1999 in the state courts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, California and
Tennessee by individual water heater owners against  Perfection  Corporation and
various  water  heater  manufacturers  including  Rheem  Manufacturing  Company,
American Water Heater Company,  Bradford White  Corporation,  State  Industries,
Inc.,  Lochinvar  Corporation  and A. O.  Smith,  seeking (i)  compensation  for
alleged damages related to defective dip tubes,  (ii)  certification  as a state
class  action,  and (iii) other forms of relief.  Also,  the  Michigan  Attorney
General's  office in 1999  began an  investigation  of this  matter and served a
notice of intended action on the same parties noted above. The Company and other
water  heater   manufacturers  that  are  involved  in  this  investigation  are
cooperating with the Michigan Attorney General.

Based  on  information  currently  available  to the  Company,  as  well  as the
Company's prior experience with litigation,  the Company's program to remedy dip
tube problems at no cost to the consumer,  and the  availability of insurance to
Perfection Corporation and its customers (the water heater  manufacturers),  the
Company's  management  believes  that  the dip tube  litigation  will not have a
material effect on its financial position or results of operation.


ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.


                                       13
<PAGE>


ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

         (27)     Financial Data Schedule
         (27-1)   Restated Financial Data Schedule

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the  company in the first  quarter
of 1999.




                                       14
<PAGE>




                                   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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                         A. O. SMITH CORPORATION




May 14, 1999                             /s/John J. Kita
                                         John J. Kita
                                         Vice President,
                                         Treasurer and Controller




May 14, 1999                             /s/G. R. Bomberger
                                         G. R. Bomberger
                                         Executive Vice President
                                         and Chief Financial Officer






                                       15
<PAGE>





                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                -----------------



Exhibit
Number            Description
- ------            -----------
 (27)             Financial Data Schedule

 (27-1)           Restated Financial Data Schedule






                                       16

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF A.O. SMITH  CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE
THREE  MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         3,726
<SECURITIES>                                   13,826
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,441
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    100,830
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               305,763
<PP&E>                                         518,680
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (265,574)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 795,180
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          150,569
<BONDS>                                        131,535
                          67,500
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     339,062
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   795,180
<SALES>                                        257,336
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               257,336
<CGS>                                          207,003
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  207,003
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               30,125
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2,331
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                17,877
<INCOME-TAX>                                   6,475
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            11,402
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   11,402
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.48
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF A.O. SMITH  CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE
THREE  MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         3,907
<SECURITIES>                                   106,380
<RECEIVABLES>                                  144,163
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    79,132
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               349,030
<PP&E>                                         454,745
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (246,478)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 703,447
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          130,081
<BONDS>                                        101,605
                          45,053
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     341,773
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   703,447
<SALES>                                        222,955
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               222,955
<CGS>                                          177,186
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  177,186
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               26,910
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,624
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                17,235
<INCOME-TAX>                                   6,038
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            10,178
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   10,178
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.41
        


</TABLE>


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