Based on its recent analysis of the cutting tools market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Kennametal Inc. with the 2008 North American Frost & Sullivan Green Excellence of the Year Award for its exceptional approach toward the stage-gated new product development process, which is a component of the Kennametal Value Business Systems (KVBS), Kennametal’s global management operating system. While this approach has earned Kennametal significant revenue and a leading position in the market, its persistent stance in nurturing a sustainable environment by developing eco-friendly and long-wearing products has placed it beyond the reach of industry peers.

The KVBS helps the company deliver outstanding customer value, but the primary focus of the products and solutions emerging from the KVBS is to facilitate customer productivity through lean and green manufacturing. Kennametal’s approach of developing an innovative product line through an astute process and partnerships with customers and equipment manufacturers is the benchmark in the cutting-tools industry.

“The comprehensive portfolio of products in turning, milling, holemaking, end-milling and various tooling systems not only provides a holistic processing solution, but also assists customers in improving profitable margins,” says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Padmakumar L. Sundaran. “Kennametal’s ability to insulate itself against market downturns is predominantly due to its unfailing ability to adapt to customer needs.”

Apart from providing greater value by using advanced materials for manufacturing its tools, Kennametal also offers unique designs to facilitate tool change-over and replacement. For instance, its pioneering Kentip indexable drill need less than a minute for a changeover, while conventional tools need more than 30 minutes.

The indexable drill, over a tool holder, is by far a better performer than traditional drills and reduces the time required for subsequent finishing processes (external grinding, internal grinding, and deburring). Kennametal’s technology, by using considerably lower amounts of materials and hydro carbonated lubricants as well as decreasing energy and production costs, has limited the impact on the environment.

“The percolation of a green sustainability thought process to each and every employee in an organization has been a key challenge for companies and has hampered their ability to implement processes to sustain their environmental initiatives,” notes Sundaran.