Kaman Industrial Technologies (USA, NASDAQ: KAMN; 5251R9N7) announced that Steven Smidler has been named Senior VP and COO of its Kaman Industrial Technologies division. This is a newly-created position, reporting to Kaman's legendary President, T. Jack Cahill.

Recently focusing more resources to industrial distribution, Kaman is North America's third-largest distributor of bearings and power transmission products. Kaman Industrial Technologies carries almost 3 million SKUs in 200 branches, DCs and customer service centers across the U. S., Canada and Mexico. KIT also offers a variety of value-added services. The company's other business unit, Aerospace, is a key player in airframe components aerospace component supply markets, including specialty bearings.

Mr. Smidler comes to Kaman from Lenze Americas Corp., where he was Executive VP and held a number of other key management positions. Lenze specializes in producing high-end drive and automation technology components and systems.

Mr. Cahill said: "Steve is an excellent fit for Kaman Industrial Technologies. He brings 28 years of experience in high technology products, sales management, marketing and general management. Steve's many years of customer interaction in the same industries that Kaman serves, and his knowledge of electrical, mechanical and fluid power products, position him to engage immediately with Kaman's sales and operating organization."