8-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): JULY 26, 2000

                             Commission file number:
                                    000-15760


                                  HARDINGE INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


NEW YORK                                                     16-0470200
- --------                                                     ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

                       ONE HARDINGE DRIVE ELMIRA, NY 14902
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

                                 (607) 734-2281
               (Registrant's telephone number including area code)


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

          On July 26, 2000, Hardinge Inc. issued a press release announcing that
the Hardinge Repurchase Program was authorized for an additional one million
shares. The Board of Directors expanded the Company's share buyback program by
authorizing a plan to repurchase up to an additional one million shares. The
press release is included as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and
is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a)      Not applicable
(b)      Not applicable
(c)      Exhibits

         99 Press Release issued by registrant on July 26, 2000.


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                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                           HARDINGE INC.


AUGUST 3, 2000                             By: /s/ RICHARD L. SIMONS
- --------------                             -------------------------------------
Date                                       Richard L. Simons
                                           Executive Vice President and Chief
                                           Financial Officer (Principal
                                           Financial Officer)


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EX-99

                                                                      Exhibit 99


HARDINGE INC.
                                                              ONE HARDINGE DRIVE
                                                              ELMIRA, NY  14902
                                                              (NASDAQ: HDNG)


AT THE COMPANY:                    AT THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:
Richard L. Simons                  For General Info: Kerry Thalheim/ Maura Gedid
Executive VP & CFO                 For Analyst Info: John McNamara
(607) 734-2281                     For Media Info: William Keegan
                                   (212) 661-8030

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                  HARDINGE REPURCHASE PROGRAM AUTHORIZED FOR AN

                          ADDITIONAL ONE MILLION SHARES

ELMIRA, N.Y., JULY 26, 2000 -- Hardinge Inc. (Nasdaq:HDNG) today announced that
its Board of Directors has expanded its share buyback program by authorizing a
plan to repurchase up to an additional one million shares. Any such purchases
will be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions and will be at the discretion of management. Shares repurchased
will be available for use under the Company's employee incentive compensation
plans and for other general corporate purposes.

         Robert E. Agan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The
decision to repurchase our stock reflects management's optimism about the
long-term performance of the Company and future prospects for the machine tool
industry. At current values, we believe a stock buyback is an appropriate use of
the Company's financial resources."

         A previous stock repurchase plan, authorized in April of 1999, resulted
in the company purchasing over 900,000 shares in the open market.

         Hardinge Inc., founded more than 100 years ago, is an international
leader in providing the latest industrial technology to companies requiring
metal-cutting solutions. The Company designs and manufactures
computer-numerically controlled metal-cutting lathes, machining centers,
grinding machines, electrical discharge machines and other industrial products.
The Company's common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol "HDNG."

    To receive additional information on Hardinge Inc., via fax at no charge,
                    dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter code HDNG.