#USA #Pittsburgh #Kennametal #Metal Cutting #Machinist of the Year

Kennametal Launches Global Machinist of the Year Program

Kennametal Inc., a leader in metal cutting solutions, has unveiled its latest initiative: the Machinist of the Year program. Set to begin in February 2026, this annual program aims to celebrate and acknowledge the exceptional skills, dedication, and innovative approaches of machinists worldwide.

Recognizing Excellence in Machining

The launch of this program signals Kennametal's commitment to honoring long-term clients and industry leaders who exemplify excellence in metalworking. Eddie McBarnett, the Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at the company, stated, "Machinists are the backbone of manufacturing. Kennametal’s innovations have always been driven by the needs of these skilled professionals to cut faster, last longer, and achieve greater precision and profitability."

The Machinist of the Year program is not merely a competition but an opportunity to highlight the importance and value of partnerships within the industry. Teams from different regions, including North and South America, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), the Asia-Pacific region, and India, will nominate standout machinists who exemplify the spirit of craftsmanship and innovation.

Participation Details

To participate, candidates must create and publish a compelling video on their social media channels showcasing how they utilize Kennametal products and make their case for why they deserve the title of Machinist of the Year. Participants must tag the Kennametal account and include the hashtag #KMTMachinist. Additionally, they must have actively used Kennametal products in their workshop for at least the past year.

Finalists will be selected by Kennametal’s marketing teams in their respective regions, followed by a public voting process on Kennametal's social media channels, allowing the broader community to engage and support their favorite candidates.

Prizes and Recognition

Each regional winner will receive a variety of prizes, including:

• - Showcase on Kennametal’s website and social media platforms, as well as in the company blog.
• - A gift package featuring exclusive Kennametal products and tools.
• - A branded Machinist of the Year toolbox equipped with Kennametal tools, valued at approximately $7,500.
• - An invitation to conduct a machining demonstration streamed live from prestigious international exhibitions such as IMTS, AMB, JIMTOF, or IMTEX/AMTEX.
• - Automatic ambassadorship for the Kennametal brand.

Timeline of Events

• - February 2026: Official launch of the program.
• - June 2026: Announcement of regional nominees and start of the voting phase.
• - September/October 2026: Winners announced at exhibitions and online.

For more details, application guidelines, and voting information, individuals can visit the Machinist of the Year contest page on the Kennametal website.

About Kennametal

Founded over 85 years ago, Kennametal Inc. has been at the forefront of industrial technology, delivering high-performing metalworking solutions through materials science research and tool development. Companies in aerospace, defense, earthworks, energy, general manufacturing, and transportation turn to Kennametal for enhanced precision and efficiency in their processes. With around 8,100 employees, Kennametal helps clients maintain competitiveness in nearly 100 countries. In the fiscal year 2025, Kennametal reported revenues of $2 billion. To learn more, visit kennametal.com or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.