A.O. Smith Corp announced that Malcolm B. Kinnaird has joined the company as vice president-corporate development. He will be responsible for identifying new product and market opportunities in the global water treatment and filtration market segment. 

Initially Kinnaird will focus on the Asia Pacific market, helping to identify potential strategic partners and acquisition candidates, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Jones said in the announcement. 

“The company sees water treatment and filtration as a significant growth opportunity, particularly in Asia,” he noted. “It also represents a logical extension of our very successful water heater business in China. With his extensive experience in this field, Malcolm will be instrumental in helping the company take advantage of these market opportunities.”

Kinnaird joins A.O. Smith from Pentair Inc. where he was vice president and general manager of the company’s Water Treatment and Filtration business in Milwaukee, Wis.