Contributing to Engineering Success

Last year was historic for The Timken Company. Its acquisition of Torrington has positioned the company to offer not only a broadened portfolio of products and services to markets globally, but also leveraged Timken as a strategic contributor to our customers' success. That focus, in essence, is what the Timken brand stands for, no matter if it's stamped on a product, shown on the shirt of a sales engineer, or displayed on the screen of the company's electronic analysis tools.

Commitment to Building Stronger Relationships

Timken has long worked closely with design engineers to analyze and enhance bearing performance with new products, design modifications, sophisticated analytical tools, and innovative solutions. The Timken Company is now able to draw upon even greater resources and application knowledge to broaden horizons for engineering. Whether improving load-carrying capabilities, extending bearing life, or offering sensors, lubrication, sealing, or integrated design solutions, Timken anticipates customers' needs and delivers solutions to meet them. Here are a few examples:

• Recently, a Midwestern U.S. utility plant was operating older pulverizers when plant personnel realized that a classifier within one of the pulverizers was not running properly. The plant, seeking the most cost-effective solution, hoped to salvage a large portion of the malfunctioning equipment. It was determined that the old ball bearings needed to be replaced with a newer tapered roller bearing design. Timken application engineers were dispatched to provide technical specifications and machining guidelines, as well as options for assembly. Once the new Timken^® bearings were properly set and positioned, the pulverizer began operating smoothly and efficiently.

• Last year, Timken's aerospace business earned a federally funded contract to develop phase one hybrid bearings for the military's next advanced jet engine. Entering the process at this early stage gives Timken a competitive advantage. This focus on customer centricity is paving the way to tremendous opportunities in an economically challenged market.

• When a new baseball stadium in Milwaukee opened for the 2001 season, fans welcomed the comforts of the new, state-of-the-art facility, including a retractable roof. A year and a half later, the stadium roof began to make loud noises when opening and closing. Careful review traced the problem back to the five pivot locations above home plate. At the end of the 2002 season, Timken was contacted to provide a solution. Although the noise was the noticeable symptom, the problem lay within the misalignment of the pivot bushings at each of the five pivot locations. Having a clear understanding of the needs through extensive research, testing, and redesign, Timken engineers recommended a customized Timken^® spherical roller thrust bearing. The roof was operating flawlessly by opening day 2003.

These examples illustrate Timken's commitment to the design engineering community, regardless of the circumstances, challenges, or timetables. Contributing to customers' strategic focus is not merely a mission, it's a daily activity that all Timken associates around the world embrace.

Commitment to Engineering Achievement

Timken and the former Torrington Company's 17-year involvement with the Design News Engineering Achievement Awards Program underscores the company's recognition and commitment that engineering strength is a fundamental driver to success. Timken looks to colleges and universities to play a critical role in expanding the technical knowledge base that is so valuable to manufacturing and the customers it serves.

That is why Timken also supports engineering education for associates through affiliations with a number of institutions around the country. Paul Bevilaqua at Lockheed Martin embodies that spirit of engineering strength . . . and The Timken Company salutes his achievements with the Design News Engineer of the Year Award.