LATROBE, Pa., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT) announced today that Steven R. Hanna has been elected Vice President and Chief Information Officer. This appointment is effective October 1, 2008.

'With more than 30 years of experience in various aspects of information technology in a variety of industries, Steve has a strong track record of driving IT productivity, functionality and availability,' commented Carlos Cardoso, Kennametal Chairman, President and CEO. 'His enterprise-wide information technology experience is a good fit for Kennametal, and we are pleased that he has agreed to join Kennametal and lead our global IT team.'

In this role, Hanna will have responsibility for Kennametal's global Information Technology organization.

Prior to joining Kennametal, Hanna's most recent position was Corporate Information Officer for General Motors Corporation. He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan.

Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT) 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 approximately $2.7 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 North America. Visit us at www.kennametal.com. [KMT-G]

SOURCE Kennametal Inc.