Applied Industrial Technologies Inc. (AIT) News

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, May 12 /CNW/ -- Applied Industrial
Technologies Ltd. today announced the appointment of Ron Sowinski as President
& Chief Operating Officer, effective June 1, 2006.
Mr. Sowinski, age 44, will replace Gerry Rein, a 25-year veteran who will
retire from the company on May 31.
"As Applied Industrial Technologies Ltd. positions itself for continued
growth throughout Canada, it is critical that its leader possess the proper
experience in order to manage the complex demands of our business," said Todd
A. Barlett, Applied's Vice President-Acquisitions and Global Business
Development.  "I am confident that Ron will build on our past success and
create enhanced value for our customers."
Sowinski brings 19 years experience to the position, previously serving as
Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer of Applied Industrial
Technologies Ltd.  Prior to that, he served as Vice President-Finance and
Controller, as well as Assistant Controller.
Sowinski received his bachelor of commerce degree in accounting from the
University of Saskatchewan, followed by the designation of Chartered
Accountant.  Ron and his wife, Estelle, reside in Saskatoon.

Applied Industrial Technologies Ltd. is the Canadian-operated subsidiary
of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.  Headquartered in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Applied Industrial Technologies Ltd. does business as Bearing &
Transmission, B & T Rubber, HyPOWER, PV Hydraulique, Pro Hydraulique and
Groupe GLM.  Applied Industrial Technologies Ltd. operates 51 locations in
five provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.
Together, these locations have 610 employees.
With more than 440 facilities and 4,500 employee-associates across North
America, Applied Industrial Technologies is an industrial distributor that
offers more than 2 million parts critical to the operations of MRO and OEM
customers in virtually every industry.  In addition, Applied provides
engineering, design and systems integration for industrial and fluid power
applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber and fluid
power shop services.  For its fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, Applied posted
sales of CDN $2.16 billion.  Applied can be visited on the Internet at
http://www.applied.com.

/Web site:  http://www.applied.com /