Case Study: Kennametal achieves supply chain maturity and improved data integration with Kinaxis RapidResponse

Connecting the data dots to develop an integrated supply chain

Kennametal, a global leader in engineered components and cutting tools, faced rising complexity from a high SKU count, volatile demand and a fragmented global supply base. Bloated inventory, low S&OP maturity and widespread use of spreadsheets and non‑integrated middleware limited cross‑functional visibility and hurt customer service, prompting a program to connect data and mature supply‑chain processes.

Kennametal selected Kinaxis RapidResponse and rolled it out in phases to align S&OP, demand and supply planning, inventory optimization and capacity planning, supported by new data governance and user training. The transformation delivered substantially better collaboration and visibility, improved 3–6 month forecast accuracy by 30–50%, drove significant inventory reductions, and shifted the organization toward more anticipatory, integrated decision‑making.

Kennametal

Jochen Kraetschmer

Manager of Global S&OP