Blount International Announces Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blount International, Inc. [NYSE: "BLT"] ("Blount" or the "Company") announced today that Andrew W. York has been hired as Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, for its Forestry and Lawn & Garden (FLAG) division. Mr. York will join Blount's Senior Leadership Team and will be based at the Company's headquarters in Portland, Oregon.

Mr. York joins Blount after 10 years with Leupold & Stevens, Inc., where he served as Vice President – Sales, Marketing & Technology, and after more than 20 years of experience in related fields. In his new role, Mr. York will lead the development of marketing and sales strategies to drive further growth of Blount's FLAG division brands – Oregon® and Carlton® – through enhanced sales in new channels, products, and geographies.

"Andy's expertise in marketing strategy, brand positioning, and product innovation will drive the continued expansion of our FLAG business globally," stated Josh Collins, Blount's Chairman and CEO. "We look forward to Andy's contributions in developing and launching market-driven, innovative products and strategic marketing and sales programs."

Blount is a global manufacturer and marketer of replacement parts, equipment, and accessories for the forestry, lawn and garden; farm, ranch and agriculture; and construction markets, and is the market leader in manufacturing saw chain and guide bars for chainsaws.  Blount sells its products in more than 115 countries around the world.  For more information about Blount, please visit our website at http://www.blount.com.

SOURCE Blount International, Inc.