THE TIMKEN COMPANY LOGO The Timken Company, Worldwide Leader in Bearings and Steel. [KC] CANTON, OH USA 10/12/1999

    CANTON, Ohio, June 15 The Timken Company announced it will
raise minimum order quantities for all carbon and alloy steel bar products
from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds beginning with orders placed after June 30 or all
bar orders scheduled for shipment after September 30, 2001. A combination of
changed market conditions and low-priced imports have resulted in continued
downward price pressure in key steel markets.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991012/TKRLOGO )
    "A thorough analysis utilizing our activity-based costing system has led
us to conclude that managing large numbers of small orders is not sufficiently
cost-effective," said Robert N. Keeler, director - sales - steel - North and
South America. "Discontinuing small quantity bar orders will better enable us
to remain competitive in the marketplace."
    The Timken Company ( http://www.timken.com ) is a leading
international manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy and specialty
steels and components, as well as a provider of related products and services.
With operations in 24 countries, the company employs about 20,000 people
worldwide and recorded 2000 sales of U.S. $2.6 billion.