Kennametal Inc. has been recognized by several customers for product and service excellence during the most recent fiscal year.

Automobile manufacturer Honda presented Kennametal with a Supplier of the Year Award for production cutting tools, which include drills, taps, inserts, tool holders, cutters and die punches.

"Kennametal exemplifies Honda's philosophy of delivering the highest possible value to our customers through its quality products and customer services," said Jan Gansheimer, purchasing manager for Honda of America.

Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines, bestowed upon Kennametal two distinctions. The Peoria, Ill.-based company designated Kennametal a "preferred supplier," a distinction afforded to just one other tooling manufacturer. In addition, Kennametal achieved Caterpillar's Supplier Quality Excellence Process Recertification MQ11006, which is presented to suppliers that demonstrate a commitment to Caterpillar's objective to implement a culture for zero defects among its supply base. Kennametal earned this recognition on the strength of quantifiable measures of excellence in delivery and performance.

Pratt & Whitney Canada, an aircraft engine manufacturer, recognized Kennametal for product performance, as well. The Quality Achievement Award, which Kennametal also received in 2002, designates suppliers who maintain a product-rejection rate of less than 1 percent.

"Customers are at the heart of our enterprise," commented Gary Weismann, Kennametal President, Business Groups. "We are committed to delivering on our promises to our customers, and it is our job to help make them more productive each day. To be recognized by our customers for excellence is one of the highest forms of recognition and we are proud to be such an integral element of their value chain."

Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers seeking peak performance in demanding environments by providing innovative custom and standard wear-resistant solutions. This proven productivity is enabled through our advanced materials sciences and application knowledge. Our commitment to a sustainable environment provides additional value to our customers. Companies operating in everything from airframes to coal mining, from engines to oil wells and from turbochargers to construction recognize Kennametal for extraordinary contributions to their value chains. In fiscal year 2010, customers bought approximately $1.9 billion of Kennametal products and services - delivered by our approximately 11,000 talented employees doing business in more than 60 countries - with more than 50 percent of these revenues coming from outside North America. Visit us at www.kennametal.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: Christina.reitano@kennametal.com

SOURCE: Kennametal Inc.