Kennametal Inc. announced today the promotion of Ronald C. Keating to Corporate Vice President and President of the company's Metalworking Solutions Services Group (MSSG) reporting to President and CEO Carlos M. Cardoso. This appointment is effective March 1, 2006.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060217/CLF042)

"We are excited to have Ron step into this position. During his tenure at Kennametal, he has delivered stellar results and his commercial and strategic skills are world class," commented Cardoso. "Ron's abilities to identify new markets, anticipate competitive trends, and grow the business through solid execution will be great assets as we take Kennametal to the next level of performance. Also, Ron's selection from inside Kennametal speaks to the depth of the company's leadership bench and the strength of the succession planning component of our Talent Development process. This process is a part of the Kennametal Value Business System (KVBS), which is the set of six core processes by which we manage the company."

In his new role, Keating will have responsibility for all of Kennametal's Metalworking Solutions and Services Group worldwide, comprising about 60 percent of the company's overall sales revenues. The position became available January 1, 2006, when then-Chief Operating Officer (COO) Carlos M. Cardoso was appointed President and CEO. As COO, a position that will not be continued, Cardoso also served as President of MSSG.

Keating, most recently Vice President of Kennametal's Energy, Mining and Construction Solutions Group, has also served as VP and General Manager of Electronics Products Group. Keating came to Kennametal in 2001 from Ingersoll- Rand, where he executed assignments of increasing global scope and financial responsibility during his nearly decade-long tenure.

Keating's educational background includes a BS in industrial distribution from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the Kellogg School, Northwestern University.

Kennametal Inc. is a leading global supplier of tooling, engineered components and advanced materials consumed in production processes. The company improves customers' competitiveness by providing superior economic returns through the delivery of application knowledge and advanced technology to master the toughest of materials application demands. Companies producing everything from airframes to coal, from medical implants to oil wells and from turbochargers to motorcycle parts recognize Kennametal for extraordinary contributions to their value chains. Customers buy over $2.3 billion annually of Kennametal products and services -- delivered by our 14,000 talented employees in over 60 countries -- with almost 50 percent of these revenues coming from outside the United States. Visit us at www.kennametal.com [KMT-G]

SOURCE: Kennametal Inc.