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Kennametal Launches Global Machinist of the Year Program

Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT), a worldwide leader in metalworking solutions, has announced the launch of its annual "Machinist of the Year" program. This new initiative aims to celebrate the skills, dedication, and innovation of long-term customers within the metalworking industry across various regions. Winners will be recognized in North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), Asia-Pacific, and India.

Eddie McBarnett, the Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Kennametal, stated, "Machinists are the backbone of manufacturing. Our innovations have always driven the needs of these skilled professionals. We aspire to provide tools that cut faster, last longer, and enable workshops to achieve greater precision and profitability."

The Machinist of the Year program honors this enduring partnership by recognizing machinists who exemplify craftsmanship and innovation. Teams across North America, EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and India will celebrate the best machining excellence in their respective regions.

Scott Etling, the Vice President of Product Marketing, expressed, "Our worldwide competition for the Machinist of the Year is more than just a contest; it’s a celebration of partnerships and expertise that push our industry forward."

To participate in the competition, individuals must post a brief, engaging video on their social media accounts, showcasing how they utilize Kennametal products and why they deserve to be selected as "Machinist of the Year." Participants are required to tag Kennametal, include the hashtag #KMTMachinist, and have been active users of Kennametal products in their workshop for at least the past year. Regional marketing teams will select finalists based on their submissions, and final voting will occur publicly on Kennametal's social media channels.

Each regional winner will receive:

• - A feature on Kennametal’s website, blog, and social media platforms
• - A prize package including exclusive promotional items and branded merchandise
• - $7,500 worth of Kennametal brand tools and “Machinist of the Year” products
• - An invitation to showcase live machining demonstrations at a global trade show (IMTS, AMB, JIMTOF, IMTEX/AMTEX, depending on the location)
• - Automatic designation as a Kennametal brand ambassador

Contest Timeline

• - February 2026: Official launch of the program
• - June 2026: Announcement of regional nominees and start of voting
• - September/October 2026: Unveiling of regional winners at trade shows and online

For more detailed information, submission guidelines, and voting procedures, please visit the Kennametal Machinist of the Year webpage.

About Kennametal

With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal empowers customers through material science, tools, and wear-resistant solutions. Customers in aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering, and transportation rely on Kennametal for precision and efficiency in manufacturing. Each day, around 8,100 employees assist customers in nearly 100 countries to maintain their competitiveness. In fiscal year 2025, Kennametal generated revenues of $2 billion. For more information, visit kennametal.com and follow @Kennametal on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.