Kennametal Picks Penn State for University Alliance Program

August 23, 2001

University Park, Pa. --- Kennametal Inc., an advanced cutting tool developer and manufacturer located in Latrobe, Pa., has named Penn State one of three participants in the company’s University Alliance Program.

Under the program agreement, which was signed today (Aug. 23) in special ceremonies, the University will receive research support and Kennametal will receive access to University faculty and staff members for consultations on technical issues related to Kennametal’s business. The alliance will also provide opportunities for Kennametal personnel to pursue advanced degrees at the University and for Kennametal to recruit Penn State students for employment at the company.

Two departments in Penn State’s College of Engineering, industrial engineering and mechanical engineering, and a department in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, materials science and engineering, have been identified as the primary participants. Kennametal has pledged a $100,000 commitment in the first year.

Dr. Eva J. Pell, Penn State vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School, said, "Making Penn State’s world class expertise in materials science, manufacturing processes and metalcutting technology available to Kennametal also gives our students the opportunity for real world experience with an industrial leader. That’s a ‘win-win’ partnership that offers exciting potential for both sides. We look forward to growth in this alliance which is the latest stage in Penn State’s longstanding research partnership with Kennametal."

Tanna Pugh, acting director of Penn State’s Industrial Research Office, will coordinate Alliance activities with Kennametal, principally managing electronic dissemination of requests for proposals "This program will provide the framework for us to strengthen our existing relationship with Kennametal," she says. "We are very appreciative of the support from Kennametal and look forward to kicking off the program this fall."

Kennametal identifies participants for its University Alliance Program through a competitive process. Other Alliance schools announced this year are Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Illinois.

Kennametal provides customers a broad range of technologically advanced tools, tooling systems and engineering services aimed at improving customers manufacturing competitiveness. With 13,000 employees worldwide, the corporation’s annual sales are approximately $1.8 billion, with a third coming from sales outside the United States. The company has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania by Great Places to Work Institute.

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Contacts:

Barbara Hale (814) 865-9481 bah@psu.edu

Vicki Fong (814) 865-9481 vfong@psu.edu

EDITORS: Tenna Pugh is at (814) 865-2878 or tannapugh@psu.edu by e-mail; Charles Glazer is at (724) 539-4618 or charles.glazer@kennametal.com by e-mail.