A. O. Smith (AOS) 10-Q 2016 Q3 Quarterly report

Exhibit 32.1

Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned certifies that to the best of my knowledge:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of A. O. Smith Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of A. O. Smith Corporation.

November 8, 2016

/s/ Ajita G. Rajendra

Ajita G. Rajendra

President and Chief Executive Officer