Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) has announced that Christopher D. Harris has been named Director of Business Development. In his new role, Chris will be responsible for directing and supporting mergers and acquisitions and corporate development. He will work closely with Applied’s leadership team to identify acquisition targets that align with corporate strategies. Chris will also provide analysis, valuation, negotiation and integration plans for acquisition candidates.

Chris brings more than 20 years of experience managing various roles of mergers and acquisitions. He has been responsible for the acquisition of more than 25 companies in his experience with The Hillman Company and Fluid Power Resource, LLC, which was acquired by Applied® in 2008. Chris will report to Todd Barlett, Applied’s Vice President – Acquisitions and Global Business Development. “Chris’ experience in mergers and acquisitions will be a valuable asset as we increase our efforts to grow the business through acquisitions that will expand our product breadth, service expertise and geographic position and will create value for all our stakeholders,” says Barlett.

Chris is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Penn State and holds an MBA from Duquesne University. He will continue to work from his office in Pittsburgh, PA.

With approximately 480 facilities and 4,700 employee associates across North America, Applied Industrial Technologies is an industrial distributor that offers more than 4 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. Applied also offers maintenance training, plus solutions to meet inventory and storeroom management needs that help provide enhanced value to its customers. For its fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, Applied posted sales of $2.2 billion.

Applied can be visited on the Internet at www.applied.com.

For more information, contact Julie Kho, Applied Industrial Technologies, 1 Applied Plaza, Cleveland, OH 44115-5020, ph. 216-426-4483, e-mail jkho@applied.com.