Kennametal Inc. has introduced its tool storage and management system, TOOLBOSS, on its growing Internet site at http://www.kennametal.com/toolboss/toolboss.html . Customers can explore the TOOLBOSS website to learn more about the state-of-the-art system and even place an order online for a free video and product information packet.

Frantz Herko, product manager, E-Applications, said "TOOLBOSS offers the customer a full set of tool management functions that are not available from our competition who offer converted candy vending machines to dispense tooling." While previous methods of automatic dispensing of metalcutting tools and supplies dropped the tools during dispensing, the TOOLBOSS design is a drawer-based system. It does not drop tools during dispensing and accepts industry standard packaging. TOOLBOSS also controls inventory through access to tools by job, machine and/or user, while providing comprehensive tracking and reporting capability.

Herko said that customers are benefiting from the design of the TOOLBOSS. "Customers who first see TOOLBOSS comment that it `looks right' for the shop floor. Customers who use TOOLBOSS say that it pays back quickly and becomes a `cash generator' for their manufacturing operations."

Kennametal Inc. aspires to be the premier tooling solutions supplier in the world with operational excellence throughout the value chain and best-in-class manufacturing and technology. Kennametal strives to deliver superior shareowner value through top-tier financial performance. The company provides customers a broad range of technologically advanced tools, tooling systems and engineering services aimed at improving customers' manufacturing competitiveness. With 13,000 employees worldwide, the corporation's annual sales are approximately $2 billion, with a third coming from sales outside the United States. Headquartered in Latrobe, Pa., USA, Kennametal was founded in 1938 by metallurgist Philip M. McKenna and today has operations in more than 60 countries. Kennametal operations in Europe are headquartered in Furth, Germany. Kennametal Asia Pacific operations are headquartered in Singapore.

SOURCE: Kennametal Inc.