Kennametal History

A Pioneer in Materials Science

Breaking barriers in materials science is what we do. This mission started 85 years ago with our founder, metallurgist Philip M. McKenna, and it has continued ever since. After years of research, McKenna created a tungsten-titanium carbide alloy that provided a productivity breakthrough in the machining of steel. With McKenna’s innovation, Kennametal tools cut faster and lasted longer than the competition, enabling customers across industries – from transportation to aerospace – to machine metal at rates never seen before.

Today, Kennametal continues to help customers across industries build better by transforming our operations around the world with investments in technology, equipment and people. Intelligent machines together with intelligent teams deliver products at a quality and efficiency that ensures customer success and shareholder value.

Our Metal Cutting business is a market leader in providing solutions that allow our customers to run longer, cut faster and machine for greater precision. Our Infrastructure segment leverages innovation, technology and expertise to deliver wear and earth-cutting solutions.

Kennametal is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Technology Centers around the world, including Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Our global footprint ensures that every day approximately 8,700 employees are helping more than 80,000 customers in nearly 100 countries improve their competitiveness.

From the cars we drive, to the roads we drive on and the energy sources that power our daily lives, Kennametal tools and solutions play a part in making it possible.