Founded in 1938 in the United States, it is one of the top ten brands of CNC tools, the world's leading supplier of tool solutions, and its cemented carbide tools are internationally renowned

Innovation, unwavering commitment and a close focus on customer needs have been a hallmark of Kennametal since its inception. After years of research, metallurgist Philip M. McKenna invented tungsten-titanium carbide in 1938, which was used in cutting tools to make a major breakthrough in the cutting efficiency of steel. The faster cutting speed and longer life of "Kennametal®" tools have led to the development of metalworking, from automotive production to aircraft to the entire mechanical industry. Using this invention, Philip founded the McKenna Metals Company in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The company was later renamed Kennametal and is now a world leader in metalworking, with its corporate headquarters still located in Latrobe.

McKenna Metal initially had 12 employees and annual sales of about $30,000 in its first year. However, during World War II, heavy industry in the United States entered a stage of rapid development. As a result of the widespread use of the company's knives in the wartime economy, Kennametal had annual sales of nearly $10 million and employed nearly 900 people.

After the wartime boom, Kennametal actively sought new ways to develop the toughness and wear resistance of tungsten carbide alloys. In the mid-40s of the 20th century, the company pioneered the application of tungsten carbide tools to the mining industry, which led to the continuous development of mining machinery. At the same time, Kennametal also uses tungsten carbide in applications that require high wear resistance, such as valves, dies, drill bits and snow plow scrapers.

Internationalization of growth in the global sector:

Kennametal has had an eye on the international market from the very beginning. Early on, Philip bought patents to British entrepreneurs and went on to set up Kennametal in Canada. In the first five years of the company's existence, the company exported $2.5 million in products, and by 1995, the products had covered 19 countries. The company's overseas manufacturing began in 1957 with the creation of a payroll company in Italy. This was followed by a joint venture in the UK and a sales subsidiary in Germany. Between 1972 and 1981, the share of foreign sales in total sales rose from 17 percent to 34 percent.

In 1993, Kennametal acquired Hertel AG Tool Company, headquartered in Fürth, Germany, which operates in Europe and around the world. This gives the company an edge in Western Europe, better access to the emerging Eastern European market, and additional production lines for the Asia-Pacific region. Highlights in the Asia-Pacific region include a joint venture in China to produce mining tools and a metalworking tool production plant in Shanghai. In 2002, Kennametal acquired Widia, a leading manufacturer of cutting tools in Europe and India. The acquisitions of Conforma Clad Inc. and Extrude Hone further enhance Kennametal's ability to serve customers around the world, with the former being a leading supplier of engineered components providing best-in-class wear solutions, and Extrude Hone, a market-leading supplier of engineered component process technology.

Innovation - Research & Development:

Kennamental was founded on the basis of technological innovation and has been investing heavily in research and development ever since. At present, there are more than 1,000 highly trained scientific and technical personnel and engineering technicians working tirelessly. They create new advanced materials for demanding applications and design high-performance, proprietary products for our customers.

Kennametal's R&D efforts have resulted in an average of 30 U.S. patents per year. Many patents go into commercial applications, and 45% of Kennametal's annual revenue comes from new products that are less than 5 years old. Of course, we also have many real and reliable solutions to choose from. But none of the best technologies are the best, and we are constantly improving, replacing or surpassing them.

The $30 million technology center in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and our global footprint ensures that our customers can continue the technological benefits we have achieved. Each of the technical centers in Germany, India and the entire United States is accelerating the development of the products required by our customers.

The competitive advantage they bring to our customers is invaluable.