LATROBE, Pa., May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WIDIA Products Group announced today that it has signed an agreement with Fastenal to become WIDIA's North American National Distributor.  

"This is a very exciting day for WIDIA. Fastenal has been selling WIDIA brands for years, and we are adding the complete portfolio to the Fastenal Company, aligning with our brand and channel strategy going forward," said Bernard C. McConnell, Vice President, WIDIA Product Group and Services. "Fastenal provides coverage in areas not generally supported through our traditional distribution channels," concluded McConnell.

WIDIA continues to make solid progress on its strategy to further increase market presence in distribution channels.  By aligning certain brands under the WIDIA name, the company has built an outstanding product portfolio, improved customer access to these products worldwide, and created a robust distribution brand.  

WIDIA-brand products and services have defined innovation in the metalcutting industry for more than 80 years — from the world's first patent for carbide indexable inserts to the development of the world's first coated grades. WIDIA, a brand of Kennametal Inc., (NYSE: KMT), offers a complete portfolio of precision-engineered products and services. With thousands of milling, turning, holemaking, and tooling systems products available through a worldwide network of authorized distributor partners, customers can find everything needed from one single source.

Fastenal operates approximately 2,500 stores located primarily in North America with additional locations in Asia, Europe, and Central America. The Company operates fourteen distribution centers in the United States - Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Washington, California, Utah, North Carolina, Kansas, and three outside the United States - Ontario, Canada; Alberta, Canada; and Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

SOURCE WIDIA