Lennox International
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration |
| Founded | 1895 in Marshalltown, Iowa, United States |
| Founder | Dave Lennox |
| Headquarters | Richardson, Texas , United States |
Area served | United States, Mexico, Europe (until divestiture in 2023) |
Key people | John W. Norris, III (9.8% owner) |
| Products | Climate control solutions for HVAC and refrigeration sectors; pellet stoves; commercial HVAC services |
Number of employees | 750+ (2024) |
| Website | www |
Lennox International Inc. is a United States-based supplier specializing in climate control solutions for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration sectors. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Richardson, Texas. John W. Norris, III, a descendant of DW Norris who acquired the firm in 1904, holds a 9.8% ownership stake. The company’s main manufacturing plants operate in Saltillo, Mexico, Marshalltown, Iowa, and Orangeburg, South Carolina.
History
The origins of the company date back to 1895 in Marshalltown, Iowa, when Dave Lennox founded it as a machine repair shop primarily serving railroad clients. At this location, inventors Ezra William Smith and Ernest Bryant created a riveted steel coal furnace prototype. Rather than receiving monetary compensation, Lennox obtained their patent rights and subsequently established the Lennox Furnace Co.
In 1904, ownership transferred to DW Norris, who managed the company until his passing in 1949.
During the period from 1964 to 1965, Lennox briefly manufactured the Kitty Track 600 crawler tractor and mower powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine.
The company entered the public market in 1999 through an initial public offering.
In 2018, a tornado devastated the Marshalltown manufacturing facility; however, the company rebuilt the plant. By 2024, this site employed more than 750 individuals.
Acquisitions and divestitures
In 1971, Lennox divested its low pressure gas cylinder division to Worthington Industries.
Two years later, in 1973, the company expanded by acquiring Heatcraft along with its associated brands: Larkin, Bohn, Chandler, and Climate Control.
In 1998, it further broadened its portfolio by purchasing Pyro Industries, known for pellet stoves.
December 2010 saw Lennox acquiring Kysor/Warren from The Manitowoc Company for $138 million.
Most recently, in September 2023, Lennox sold its European commercial HVAC and refrigeration segments to investment funds overseen by Syntagma Capital.
Following that, in October 2023, the company acquired AES to enhance its commercial HVAC service offerings.
Brands
The corporation manages the following brand portfolio:
Home Comfort Solutions
- Lennox
- Dave Lennox Signature Collection
- Armstrong Air
- Ducane
- AirEase
- Concord
- MagicPak
- ADP Advanced Distributor Products
- Allied
- Elite Series
- Lennox Merit Series air conditioner
- Comfort Sync
- Healthy Climate
- Healthy Climate Solutions
- iComfort
- ComfortSense
- Lennox Stores
Building Climate Solutions
- Lennox
- Model L
- CORE
- Enlight
- Xion
- Energence
- Prodigy
- Strategos
- Raider
- Lennox VRF
- Lennox National Account Services
- Allied Commercial
- Elite
- AES Industries
- AES Mechanical
- ES Reclaim
- Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration
- Bohn
- MAGNA
- Larkin
- Climate Control
- Chandler Refrigeration
- Frigua-Bohn
- IntelliGen
- Interlink
Legal issues
In 1998, the company resolved an age discrimination claim by agreeing to pay $6.2 million following the termination or demotion of staff members between 41 and 58 years old.