Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT), Latrobe, PA, reported sales for the third quarter ended March 31, 2011, were $615 million, up 25 percent over the same period a year ago. Organically, sales increased 25 percent. Profit was $64.7 million, compared to year-ago profit of $9.7 million.

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For the first nine months, sales were $1.7 billion, an increase of 31 percent over the prior year period. Organic growth was 29 percent. Profit was $143 million, compared to year-ago profit of $5.8 million.

Industrial segment third-quarter sales of $392 million grew 28 percent versus the prior year quarter, driven by organic growth of 29 percent and a 1 percent favorable foreign currency impact. On an organic basis, sales increased in all served market sectors led by strong growth in general engineering and transportation sales of 34 percent and 29 percent, respectively. On a regional basis, sales increased by approximately 32 percent in Asia, 29 percent in Europe and 23 percent in the Americas.

Infrastructure segment sales of $223 million increased 19 percent versus the prior year quarter due to organic growth. The organic increase was driven by higher sales in the energy and earthworks markets of 21 percent and 17 percent, respectively. On a regional basis, organic sales increased by approximately 20 percent in the Americas, 15 percent in Asia and 11 percent in Europe.