Rheem celebrates new $5 million Innovation Learning Center

FORT SMITH — Rheem Manufacturing celebrated the grand opening of its $5 million Innovation Learning Center on Thursday.

A press release from the company said the roughly 10,000-square-foot facility allows contractors, wholesalers, engineers and customers to engage directly with Rheem’s residential and commercial HVAC systems. It also has conference rooms and office spaces to facilitate training sessions, conferences, seminars, workshops and other events.

Other Rheem learning centers are in Oxnard, Calif.; Lewisville, Texas; Roswell, Ga.; and Waterbury, Conn., according to the company’s website.

Rheem was founded by Richard and Donald Rheem in Emeryville, Calif., in 1925 and opened its Fort Smith facility in 1970, according to information in the learning center.

Director of Operations Andrew Welch said the center can train on Rheem’s water heater, pool heater and refrigeration products, but will focus on its commercial air conditioning products as Fort Smith is the air conditioning division headquarters and commercial air conditioning focus factory for Rheem. The facility represents Rheem’s commitment to expand its presence in Fort Smith, he said.

“We see customers continuing to visit Fort Smith from all over the world to be trained on our technologies, innovations, and constantly evolving the regulatory challenges right here within these walls,” Welch said. “We see Rheem team members expanding their expertise within a space to bring these ideas to the table. The impact of this center extends beyond our campus.”

Fort Smith Mayor George McGill said he sees the commitment Rheem’s regional employees put into making excellent products. The center wouldn’t be here if they didn’t deliver the quality Rheem expects, he said.

“Because of your commitment, all of us are committed to making this Rheem’s number one place to be. We want to thank you. It has not been easy. There’s been difficult times for all of us,” McGill said, referring to the impacts of flooding and the covid-19 pandemic on Fort Smith. “But Rheem stayed the course, and they’ve stayed the course because of the families that work for your place, come here and do what they do.”

Kevin Ruppelt, senior vice president of the air conditioning division, said Fort Smith is maybe the most business friendly area Rheem has been associated with, and that he looks forward to a promising future.

“Today, we take a step forward into Rheem’s future of innovation education,” Ruppelt said. “The Innovation Learning Center symbolizes an unwavering commitment to excellence to our customers. It’s a place where ideas will flourish, knowledge will be shared and the legacy of Rheem will continue to evolve.”