Kennametal
What is Kennametal?
Kennametal is an international manufacturer of metal cutting tools, wear-resistant materials, and industrial solutions. Its products are widely used in machine shops and manufacturing plants. The company is especially known for utilizing carbides and other advanced materials in machining tools. Kennametal's operations are based on combining materials engineering, manufacturing technology, and machining applications, and its products are used in processes such as turning, milling, drilling, and other cutting methods.
The company serves the manufacturing industry globally, with solutions specifically designed for demanding production environments where tool longevity, process reliability, and repeatability are key requirements.
The History and Development of Kennametal
Kennametal was founded in 1938 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, USA, by metallurgist Philip M. McKenna. The company's original name was McKenna Metals Company. The foundation of the company was based on McKenna's development of a new carbide-based alloy consisting of tungsten carbide and titanium. This material proved to be significantly more durable than the traditional tool materials of its time, enabling more efficient machining of steel and other metals.
During World War II, the demand for carbides grew rapidly, fueling Kennametal's growth. In the decades following the war, the company expanded its product range and developed new cutting tools for industrial needs. At the same time, Kennametal began to internationalize, establishing production, sales, and technical support in multiple countries.
Over the years, Kennametal has grown into a global player, expanding its expertise through both organic growth and acquisitions. Their development efforts have especially emphasized the application of carbides, coatings, and wear-resistant solutions in machining and other demanding industrial uses.
Kennametal in the Manufacturing Industry
In the manufacturing industry, Kennametal is known as a supplier whose products are designed for industrial-scale production as well as demanding single-part machining. Its tools are used for machining steel, stainless steels, cast iron, titanium, and superalloys. Deep knowledge of material groups and suitable tool geometries and coatings are a central part of Kennametal's product development.
Kennametal solutions are used in both traditional CNC machining and modern production environments that emphasize automation, process optimization, and digital tool management. The company's tool systems support machine shops in their efforts to standardize and achieve predictable machining processes.
Kennametal’s Product Range
Kennametal’s product range extensively covers cutting tools and related systems. The range includes turning tool solutions, such as indexable inserts and toolholder systems, used for external and internal turning, grooving, and parting operations. For milling, there are both solid carbide end mills and indexable milling solutions for face, side, and form milling applications.
On the drilling side, Kennametal’s solutions include modular drilling systems and solid carbide drills designed for stable and precise hole making in various materials. The company also manufactures tools for threading, finishing, and specialized machining. Many tools are enhanced by coating solutions such as PVD and CVD coatings to improve wear resistance and chip control.
Expertise in Materials and Wear-Resistant Solutions
Kennametal’s operations are not limited to cutting tools. The company also has a long history in the development of wear-resistant materials and components. Carbides and other specialty materials are used, for example, in mining, energy, and process industry applications. This materials expertise is evident in their machining tools, which combine mechanical strength, heat resistance, and long service life.
Summary
Kennametal is an international manufacturer of cutting tools and carbide-based solutions founded in 1938, with roots in the development of materials technology. The company’s history is closely tied to the use of carbides in machining and the advancement of the manufacturing industry. Kennametal’s product range encompasses a wide variety of tools and systems for turning, milling, and drilling, used in machine shops and manufacturing facilities around the world. The company’s operations are based on materials expertise, a keen understanding of processes, and meeting the demands of industrial production.
