Timken Receives Quality Excellence Award from Rockwell Automation

CANTON, Ohio, May 16, 2003 -- The Timken Company was recently honored by Rockwell Automation as a recipient of its 2002 Quality Excellence Award. The award, which was presented in March at Rockwell's Key Suppliers Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, recognizes suppliers who excel in four quality performance metrics. They include:

  * Lot rejection - providing consistently superior products that result in
    zero rejected shipments.
  * Dock to stock - earning the right, through historical quality
    performance, to bypass the receiving inspection and be shipped from
    Timken to the stock locations.
  * ISO certification - meeting criteria set by the International
    Organization of Standardization.
  * Process capability related to customer needs - ability to maintain
    consistent and reliable products that meet the specific demands of the
    Rockwell's operations.
  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991012/TKRLOGO )

"Since 1993, Timken has received this honor every time the award has been given," said Gary Long, Rockwell commodity manager. "That kind of commitment to high performance is one of the elements that contributes to our success."

"More than selling products, we strive to meet the critical requirements of our customers," said Erik A. Paulhardt, Timken general sales manager - North America - OE Sales. "It is very satisfying to be recognized for the quality products we supply to Rockwell because it reinforces our continued commitment to excellence."

Rockwell Automation, Inc. ( http://www.rockwellautomation.com/ ) is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company employs about 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

The Timken Company ( www.timken.com ) is a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy and specialty steels and components, and a provider of related products and services. Following its February 2003 acquisition of The Torrington Company, Timken employs 28,000 people worldwide in operations in 29 countries. In 2002, the combined companies had sales of approximately $3.8 billion.

  For Additional Information:
  Eric Stasiowski
  Senior Marketing Communications Representative
  (330) 471-4392

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