Lennox Heritage. Lennox retools its factories to support the World War II effort, making parts for airplanes and bombs.

Transcription

1 Lennox a history

2 A History of Lennox In the early 1890s inventors Ernest Bryant and Ezra Smith from Oskaloosa, Iowa patented a riveted steel sheet metal coal furnace. In 1895 they shared plans with Dave Lennox who owned a machine shop in Marshalltown, Iowa. They entered into a supplier agreement with Lennox providing iron castings for the grates, fronts and other parts. When Bryant and Smith lost their financial backing they defaulted on payments and Lennox took over their patents, reworking the original design, and marketing his furnace under the Torrid Zone brand name. Sales growth and success followed. Soon after, Lennox decided to sell the business to a local group led by D.W. Norris, editor and publisher of the local newspaper in Company records reveal a purchase price of $57, Norris incorporated the operation as Lennox Furnace Company, and sold 600 furnaces in the first year. Lennox direct to Dealer distribution model was established in the very first year of operation as then company president Norris established the direct link using his expertise in newspaper advertising. The quality and safety advantage of the Lennox furnace over most common cast iron models became quickly evident. Cast iron was prone to warping over time, leading to cracks, allowing smoke and coal gas to leak into a living space. The Lennox model solved this problem since no warping occurred. John W. Norris, son of president D.W. Norris, joined Lennox in 1927 following his graduation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By the early 1930s, the younger Norris had set up a research department in the back of the Marshalltown warehouse. This lab produced several important industry developments and cemented Lennox reputation for industry Innovation. One of the innovations developed was the plan to put blowers on furnaces, bringing forced warm air heating to the industry. From those beginnings, more than 100 years ago, Lennox has grown into an international company touching much of the world with heating, air conditioning and refrigeration products. The balance of this document references a number of these historical developments.

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4 Lennox Heritage 1895 Two inventors, Ernest Bryant and Ezra Smith, hired Dave Lennox, to make parts for their furnace. He was paid in patents when they were unable to pay him D.W. Norris, along with other investors, purchases the Lennox Furnace Company and incorporates the business. The company begins selling direct to installing contractors. The same one-step distribution model is still used today Lennox retools its factories to support the World War II effort, making parts for airplanes and bombs Lennox Research Lab moves to Carrollton, Texas Lennox Corporate HQ relocates to Dallas, Texas Lennox moves into new World Headquarters in Richardson, Texas Lennox International completes an Initial Public Offering of stock becoming a public company on July 28, 1999.

5 Leadership 1904 D.W. Norris, President 1949 John Norris Sr., President, CEO 1971 Ray C Robbins, President, CEO 1980 John Norris Jr., President, CEO 1980 Ray C. Robbins, Chairman of the Board 1991 John Norris Jr., Chairman of the Board 2000 Bob Schjervern, CEO 2006 Richard Thompson, Chairman of the Board 2007 Todd M. Bluedorn, CEO 2012 Todd M. Bluedorn, Chairman of the Board, CEO

6 Innovation & Quality 1895 The Torrid Zone sheet metal furnace was introduced, making obsolete the old cast iron furnace models that were prone to failure Under the direction of John Norris Sr., Lennox R&D develops and adds blowers to furnaces creating the first gas forced-air furnaces, and the first smooth enameled furnace cabinets LII introduces central air conditioning The Duracurve heat exchanger is developed and launched reducing noise in gas furnaces Lennox introduces revolutionary Pulse combustion gas furnace delivering efficiency levels never reached before.

7 Innovation 1972 First 2-speed hermetic compressor 1982 Pulse combustion gas furnace: Today s high efficiency furnace category is born 2003 HSX19: Quietest, most efficient A/C 2005 XC21: First 20+ SEER A/C 2008 SunSource: First integrated solar-assisted residential heat and A/C 2010 Lennox introduces icomfort 2013 XC25: First 25+ SEER A/C Creative Early Days Lennox Stove Lennox Lawn Mower and Snow Plow

8 Marketing & Advertising 1950 Lennie Lennox is introduced at the annual dealer meeting to speak for Lennox (in the time of Speedy Alka Seltzer & Ready Kilowatt) Lennox changes name from Lennox Furnace Company to Lennox Industries Inc. to reflect a national market focus Dave Lennox appears in his first Lennox advertising campaign (L.A. actor Bill Tracy starred in the role) Dave Lennox is succeeded by St. Louis-based actor Bob Tibbets when Bill Tracy retires Lennox acquires Armstrong Air Conditioning Inc. in Bellevue, OH.

9 1995 Lennox celebrates its Centennial with then-governor George Bush delivering the keynote and 12-year-old Leann Rimes singing the U.S. and Canadian national anthems Lennox International launches its new corporate logo to reflect worldwide growth Lennox Industries reveals refinements to historic brand logo design.

10 Lennox: A history of innovation and a reputation for craftsmanship Lennox is built on a legacy of innovation which carries on even today. It started with that very first riveted-steel furnace in 1895 and continues with the solar-assisted home comfort systems today. It all began with Dave Lennox. His inventive personality and quality craftsmanship has been alive in Lennox since he earned the first steel furnace patent and went to work improving it. That spirit of innovation continues. Along the way there were many efforts that showed not only a willingness to blaze new creative trails, but also a commitment to do the right thing. During WWII, Lennox factories were converted to build airplane parts and bombs in support of the national war efforts. Many other creative products were designed and built, but never reached the production line. Among them, a Lennox gas stove, steel box fan, construction site gas heater and a unique tank tread driven combination lawn mower and snow plow called the Kitty Track. Today, the innovative legacy continues with exclusive technologies that deliver the ultimate in quiet, comfort, clean air and consistent heating and cooling. The innovations and industry firsts launched along the way are too numerous to list, but this is a sample: First to manufacture electronically controlled variable speed air handlers in 1978 First high-efficiency gas furnace in 1982 First indoor air quality system that attacks all classes of air contaminants in 2002 First air conditioner to achieve an efficiency rating of SEER in 2003 First air conditioner to achieve an efficiency rating of over SEER in 2005 Lennox has set the standard for home comfort, and we continue to push the standard forward with a lineup of more than 60 leading-edge products that satisfy the home comfort needs of people all across North America. Lennox icomfort Wi-Fi

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