LATROBE, Pa., May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For showing "exceptional documented cost savings or productivity improvements to an end user," the Industrial Supply Association (Pittsburgh, PA) awarded WIDIA Products Group and Ron Wallace & Associates its American Eagle Value-Added Partner Award at the 2011 ISA Product Show and Conference (May 14-17, Rosemont, IL). WIDIA and Ron Wallace & Associates join a select group of companies to receive this prestigious award.

Specifically, the award recognizes how WIDIA, a manufacturer of high-tech metalcutting tooling and systems, along with manufacturers representative Ron Wallace & Associates, and Cornerstone Supply, a WIDIA distributor, helped a Florida medical manufacturer save significant time and money. Through coordinated effort and information-gathering, WIDIA was able to develop custom WIDIA-Hanita™ end mills that resulted in half the cycle time and double the tool life.  Producing more parts faster with longer tool life was calculated to save the customer more than $353,000 in annual costs.

"In these challenging economic times, it is imperative to understand that manufacturer, distributor, and end-user drive each other's businesses," says Suzanne King, Manager, Distribution Development – Americas for WIDIA Products Group. "Building on an already strong relationship, WIDIA and Ron Wallace & Associates delivered increased productivity and significant cost savings to our customer by working together to provide an innovative solution specific to their needs."

Accepting the award, Paul Chen, Director of Sales, WIDIA Products Group, stated," The relationships and trust that our people have earned in the market allow us to start each day with a winning attitude.  We're very pleased to be recognized by the Industrial Supply Association for what we do for our customers every day and will continue doing."

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.

SOURCE WIDIA