CLEVELAND, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) ranks as the third best service company to sell for in the U.S., according to Selling Power's 2011 list of "The 50 Best Companies to Sell For." For the fourth consecutive year, Applied has been the highest ranking distribution company on the list and is ranked third in the service category.

Selling Power's annual list is the result of extensive research by its corporate team of experienced professionals who have compiled data, analyzed it, and ranked each company with emphasis on compensation, training and career mobility. Selling Power magazine has been ranking the best companies to sell for among the largest sales forces in the U.S. for eleven years.

"Our sales associates serve a very valuable role in the success and growth of Applied. They are trained to solve customer challenges - even anticipate them - and provide value-added solutions to help improve their processes and productivity," says Ben Mondics, President & Chief Operating Officer for Applied. "We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition four years in a row since it is a reflection of our commitment to provide our sales associates with product training, skills training, and opportunities for career advancement that ultimately benefit all stakeholders."

With approximately 470 facilities and 4,600 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.

SOURCE Applied Industrial Technologies