A.O. Smith Corp. completed its acquisition of MagneTek's worldwide electric motor operations for about $250 million. MagneTek manufactures fractional horsepower and integral horsepower AC and DC electric motors used in such applications as pool and spa pumps, air compressors and commercial air conditioners.

MagneTek's motor operations, headquartered in St. Louis, employ more than 5,500 people in 14 facilities in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Hungary. The company's fiscal year 1998 motor sales were nearly $367 million.