Kennametal Launches "Machinist of the Year" Global Program to Honor Long-Time Customers and Industry Leaders
Rhea-AI Summary
Kennametal (NYSE: KMT) launched the global Machinist of the Year program on February 24, 2026 to recognize long‑time machinist customers across the Americas, EMEA, APAC and India.
Regional nominees will be announced June 2026, winners revealed at trade shows in Sept/Oct 2026; prizes include feature coverage, branded merchandise and a $7,500 (USD equivalent) toolbox award.
The company reported $2 billion in revenues for fiscal 2025 and says roughly 8,100 employees serve customers in nearly 100 countries.
Positive
- Global program across Americas, EMEA, APAC and India expands brand engagement
- $2 billion in fiscal 2025 revenue indicates scale and resource backing for marketing initiatives
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Sector scanner shows 2 peers (e.g., CVR -3.8600001484155655%, TNC -3.009999915957451%) moving down, suggesting broader sector pressure alongside KMT’s -1.39% move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17 | Conference attendance | Neutral | -1.3% | Announced attendance at Loop Capital Conference with IR and finance leaders. |
| Feb 04 | Earnings results | Positive | +7.2% | Reported Q2 2026 growth, higher EPS, raised full-year outlook and dividend. |
| Jan 28 | Conference attendance | Neutral | -0.7% | Planned participation in Barclays Industrial Select Conference with senior finance team. |
| Jan 14 | Earnings call setup | Neutral | +0.6% | Scheduled Q2 2026 earnings call and webcast with CEO and CFO hosting. |
| Dec 15 | Technology partnership | Positive | -0.7% | Announced integration with Hexagon’s Tool Library to deliver digital tooling data. |
Earnings with raised outlook saw a positive price reaction, while partnership news and conference appearances have tended to draw muted or slightly negative moves.
Recent news for KMT has focused on investor outreach, earnings strength, and digital partnerships. On Feb 4, 2026, fiscal Q2 2026 results with $530M sales and raised guidance coincided with a 7.24% gain. Conference participation announcements on Jan 28 and Feb 17 saw small negative moves. A digital tooling integration with Hexagon on Dec 15, 2025 also drew a modest decline. Today’s customer-recognition program fits the pattern of strategic, but non-financial, brand-building news.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Kennametal’s new global "Machinist of the Year" program, offering $7,500 in tooling and recognition at major trade shows for regional winners. It underscores long-term relationships with machinists and reinforces the brand across the Americas, EMEA, APAC and India. In context of recent earnings strength and digital-tooling initiatives, this program adds a customer-engagement layer. Investors may watch participation levels, trade-show visibility, and any follow-on product or tooling demand tied to the campaign.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
"Machinists are the backbone of manufacturing," said Eddie McBarnett, Kennametal's Vice President of Marketing & Strategy. "Kennametal's innovations have always been driven by the needs of these skilled professionals with tooling solutions that cut faster, last longer and help shops achieve greater precision and profitability."
The Machinist of the Year program celebrates this enduring partnership by celebrating machinists who embody craftsmanship and innovation. Teams in the
"Our global search for Machinists of the Year is more than a contest—it's a celebration of the partnerships and expertise that drive our industry forward," said Scott Etling, Vice President of Product Marketing Management.
To enter, participants should post a brief, compelling video on their own social media channels, sharing how they use Kennametal products and why they should be selected as "Machinist of the Year." Entrants must tag Kennametal, include the hashtag #KMTMachinist and have been actively using Kennametal products at their workshop for at least the past year. Finalists will be selected regionally by the company's marketing teams in each region, and final voting will be open to the public on Kennametal's social media channels.
Each regional winner will receive the following:
- Feature on Kennametal's website, blog and social media channels
- Award package including exclusive signage and merchandise
$7,500 - Invitation to lead live machining demonstrations at a global trade show (IMTS, AMB, JIMTOF, IMTEX/AMTEX, as applicable)
- Automatic designation as a Kennametal Brand Ambassador
Timeline
- February 2026 — Official program launch
- June 2026 — Regional nominees announced, voting begins
- September/October 2026 — Regional winners revealed at trade shows and online
For full details, submission guidelines and voting information, visit Kennametal's Machinist of the Year page.
About Kennametal
With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,100 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kennametal-launches-machinist-of-the-year-global-program-to-honor-long-time-customers-and-industry-leaders-302695332.html
SOURCE Kennametal Inc.
FAQ
What is Kennametal's Machinist of the Year program and who is eligible (KMT)?
When are Kennametal (KMT) nominees announced and winners revealed for Machinist of the Year?
What do winners receive in Kennametal's (KMT) Machinist of the Year program?
How does public voting work for Kennametal's (KMT) Machinist of the Year finalists?
Why might Kennametal (KMT) run a global Machinist of the Year program now?
