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Kevin Wheeler to Retire as Executive Chairman; President and CEO Stephen Shafer Named Chairman

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MILWAUKEE, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a global leader in water technology, announced today that Executive Chairman Kevin Wheeler will retire effective July 1. The company’s board of directors has elected Stephen Shafer, president and chief executive officer (CEO), as chairman upon Wheeler’s retirement. Wheeler will remain a member of the company’s board of directors.

“Kevin’s impact on A. O. Smith spans three decades,” said Chris Mapes, lead director of the board. “During his tenure, the company expanded its global footprint, strengthened its portfolio through multiple acquisitions and successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining strong operational performance.”

Wheeler joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager for the former Water Products Company and held various senior leadership roles across the business before becoming president and CEO in 2018 and chairman in 2020.

Shafer, who has served as president and CEO since July 2025, becomes the 11th CEO to assume the role of chairman in the company’s history. He joined A. O. Smith in 2024 as president and chief operating officer. As chairman, Shafer will lead the board of directors and continue to oversee the company’s global operations, strategic direction, profitability and shareholder return.

“Steve has demonstrated strong, strategic leadership and a deep understanding of our business and growth opportunities,” said Mapes. “His combined role as chairman and CEO will further strengthen alignment across our strategy, operations and long-term value creation.”

Before joining A. O. Smith, Shafer held roles of increasing responsibility at 3M Company across multiple business units in the U.S. and China. Earlier in his career, he worked at McKinsey & Co. and Ford Motor Company. Shafer serves on the boards of the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, as well as the Executive Advisory Board for WorkBoard Inc.

“As chairman, I will continue leading this outstanding company and team with focus and discipline,” said Shafer. “We remain committed to driving innovation, serving our customers and advancing our purpose to find a better way. I would also like to thank Kevin for his leadership and continued support through this transition and look forward to benefiting from his continued guidance as a member of our board going forward.”

About A. O. Smith

A. O. Smith Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment and water management products. For more information, visit www.aosmith.com.

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SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation

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Ricoh earns place on TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2026 list for third consecutive year

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TOKYO, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh Company, Ltd., today announced that it has been named one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2026 by TIME magazine and Statista, marking the third consecutive year the company has been recognised.

Compiled by TIME and Statista, the ranking evaluates companies through a detailed, multistep methodology covering sustainable business practices; public commitments and external ratings; reporting and transparency; and environmental and social stewardship. For the 2026 list, more than 5,800 companies across 43 countries and 20 industries were assessed, with 750 companies selected worldwide.

The TIME and Statista evaluation recognised Ricoh’s strong performance in public commitments, external ratings and transparency, particularly in environmental performance. Key strengths included science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, clear reporting on progress toward those targets and Ricoh’s CDP double-A score for climate change and water security. The assessment also highlighted Ricoh’s robust disclosure across the key performance indicators evaluated. These results underscore Ricoh’s focus on measurable climate action, credible reporting and responsible management across its global operations.

“Earning a place on TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2026 list for the third consecutive year is a great honour for Ricoh and reflects our ongoing commitment to integrating sustainability into our business with transparency and accountability,” said Mikako Suzuki, chief sustainability and risk management officer at Ricoh Company, Ltd. “Guided by the Three Ps Balance — Ricoh’s approach to aligning prosperity, people and the planet — we will continue to create value for customers and society by helping organisations transform the way people work while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

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Ricoh raises decarbonization targets under new ESG strategy in the latest mid-term strategy
https://www.ricoh.com/release/2026/0408_1Ricoh named in TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2025
https://www.ricoh-ap.com/news/2025/07/07/ricoh-named-in-time-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-of-2025Ricoh named in TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024
https://www.ricoh-ap.com/news/2024/06/28/ricoh-named-in-time-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-of-2024    

Related Links

Sustainability > Materiality for the Ricoh Group
https://www.ricoh.com/sustainability/materialityIntegrated Report > Commitment and Recognition
https://www.ricoh.com/about/integrated-report/data/commitment

About Ricoh

Ricoh is a global integrator in workplace transformation, operating in approximately 200 countries and regions and headquartered in Tokyo. Supporting customers’ value creation, Ricoh offers workplace services and solutions that empower organisations to work smarter through advanced technologies—including AI— together with long-standing expertise rooted in printing. Ricoh also operates commercial and industrial printing businesses and delivers new solutions leveraging inkjet technology. In the financial year ended March 2026, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,608 billion yen (approx. 16.4 billion USD).

For 90 years since our founding, Ricoh has upheld its mission and vision of empowering individuals to find Fulfilment through Work—and that commitment continues today. By understanding and transforming how people work, we unleash their potential and creativity to realise a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

© 2026 RICOH ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

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SOURCE Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

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Trek-First Travel Planning Gains Momentum as Indian Travelers Seek Cooler Escapes this Summer, Reports Agoda

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SINGAPORE, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As temperatures rise this summer, Indian travelers are increasingly considering destinations that offer easy access to trekking routes and outdoor experiences. According to digital travel platform Agoda, accommodation searches for mountain destinations such as Leh, Kasol and McLeod Ganj have risen significantly compared to last year, driven largely by travelers from metro cities.

Leh, set in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, witnessed a 143% increase in searches. Home to high-altitude trekking routes including Markha Valley and Lasermo La among others, Leh appeals to adventure seekers looking for challenging terrain and unique landscapes.  Searches from New Delhi and Mumbai-based travelers saw growth of 140% and 158% respectively compared to last year, and searches from Hyderabad increased by 106%.

Kasol follows closely, seeing a 126% increase in searches from India compared to the previous year. The picturesque hotspot is known for its access to trails like Kheerganga and Tosh Valley, as well as its scenic Parvati Valley location. Key cities with an increase in travel interest include New Delhi, with accommodation searches increasing by 129% year-on-year, as well as Chandigarh, which saw a 178% increase in searches.

Additionally, travelers are also showing increasing interest in McLeod Ganj and the surrounding areas, which offer trekking-focused experiences along scenic routes in the Dhauladhar range like Triund, Kareri Lake, and Indrahar Pass.

This shift reflects a broader evolution in how travelers are approaching trip planning, with outdoor accessibility becoming a primary consideration rather than an afterthought. The rise of destinations with accessibility to popular trekking trails indicates that travelers are moving beyond traditional itineraries and seeking destinations that offer immediate access to nature-based activities.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda said, “The decisions of India travelers today are increasingly shaped by experiences and not just the destination itself. Destinations like Leh, Kasol and McLeod Ganj are emerging as strong choices because they offer both cooler climates and immersive outdoor experiences. At Agoda, we are making it easier for travelers to discover and plan these getaways with a wide range of accommodation options, great value deals and a seamless booking experience.”

Through its platform, Agoda enables travelers to plan their journeys seamlessly with access to over 6 million holiday properties worldwide, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all available in one place. Travelers looking to explore mountain escapes and nature-focused destinations can discover and book their trips easily through Agoda’s website and mobile app.

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SOURCE Agoda

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Haier Energy Makes Intersolar Europe 2026 Debut with Integrated Residential and C&I Energy Solutions

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New portfolio combines solar generation, storage, energy management and AI-driven optimisation to support Europe’s energy transition

MUNICH, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At Intersolar Europe 2026, one of the world’s leading exhibitions for the solar and energy storage industry, Haier Energy is showcasing its latest portfolio of residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) energy solutions, designed to help households and businesses improve energy resilience, optimise consumption and accelerate decarbonisation.

The company is presenting a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates solar power generation, energy storage, intelligent energy management and energy trading. Key innovations on display include the E-Tower Ultra all-in-one residential energy storage system (ESS), the E-Bank ESS platform, PV inverters and the HEnvision AI energy management platform.

Supporting Smarter Energy Management for European Households

As European consumers face energy price volatility and rising electricity costs, Haier Energy’s Residential Smart Solution supports greater energy independence and more efficient energy use.

The E-Tower Ultra features a cable-free modular architecture designed to simplify installation and commissioning. The system incorporates active fire protection technology and is engineered to operate reliably in temperatures down to -20°C. AI-driven energy optimisation analyses real-time electricity tariffs to automatically adjust charging and discharging strategies, helping homeowners maximise self-consumption and reduce energy costs.

When integrated with the HEnvision platform, the system can also incorporate weather forecasts and household consumption patterns to further optimise energy use. An optional whole-home backup module enables seamless switchover ensuring continuity for critical household loads during grid outages.

The E-Bank ESS is designed for simplified installation and operation, featuring dedicated grid and load interfaces, cable-free metering and tool-free magnetic mounting. The system operates from -30°C to 60°C and incorporates AI-based fault detection to enhance operational reliability.

C&I Solutions Focus on Efficiency, Safety and Grid Compliance

For commercial and industrial customers, Haier Energy’s C&I Smart Solution combines PV inverters, three-phase hybrid inverters from 30 kW to 125 kW, and the HEnvision AI platform to maximise energy performance while meeting evolving grid requirements.

A key highlight is the new 150 kW PV inverter, equipped with eight independent Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) channels to optimise energy yield across varying site conditions.

The inverter incorporates third-generation silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology, which delivers higher conversion efficiency, reduced energy losses, improved thermal performance and greater long-term reliability compared with conventional silicon-based solutions. The technology also enables more compact system designs and faster switching performance, supporting improved operational efficiency in demanding environments.

To further enhance system safety, the inverter integrates an AI-enabled Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) alongside real-time DC terminal temperature monitoring, helping to mitigate operational risks and support long-term asset protection.

The solution is designed for a wide range of C&I applications, including manufacturing facilities, industrial parks and commercial buildings seeking to increase renewable energy utilisation.

Through its expanding portfolio of smart energy technologies, Haier Energy aims to support customers worldwide in advancing the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

https://www.haier-energy.com/
https://www.haier.com/global/

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SOURCE Haier Energy

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