Timken To Supply Bearings To Chinese Rail Wagon Builder

CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2003 -- The Timken Company announced recently that they will supply Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock (Group) Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese railway wagon builder, with Timken(R) AP-2(TM) Class K railroad bearings for freight wagons.

Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock produces more than 230,000 wagons in eight categories and 120 specifications, covering more than one third of the overall Chinese output.

"The Chinese rail market is an integral part in the growth of our global rail business," said James M. Gresh, president-China-Timken. "Since the development of the first Timken rail bearing more than 70 years ago, Timken continues to support the global rail industry."

The Timken AP-2 bearing provides improved service life under heavier loads compared to previous standard bearing designs. The AP-2 bearing axle design results in less axle flexure which eliminates or reduces fretting wear between components and potential for the assembly to loosen in service. The improved Timken HDL(TM) seal design provides the lowest torque in freight car service. In addition, the AP-2 bearing has fewer parts and features a more compact design. The seal wear rings have been eliminated; thereby eliminating fretting wear grooves under the seal wear ring and subsequent axle repair by plating.

"Timken produces good products, has good service and delivery. We believe Timken's new bearing technology will increase the service life of our customers' equipment," said Mr. Yang Guohua, marketing manager-Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock "The tremendous technical strengths of Timken and Qiqihar will provide our customers with more reliable service as well as reducing their operating and maintenance costs."

"The high-quality product and technical expertise that Timken brings to customers, like Qiqihar, assists rail lines to run more reliably and efficiently," said James R. Callan, global manager-marketing and business planning-rail-Timken. "The team of Timken rail bearing experts continue to bring greater value to customers around the world, through new technology, new products and services."

The Timken Company offers Timken(R) AP(TM), SP(TM) and AP-2(TM) bearings, which are self-contained, pre-assembled and pre-lubricated tapered roller bearings that reduce maintenance costs and achieve more miles per bearing. It also supplies related products and services, including premium rail bearing grease and reconditioning services.

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.

  Timken is the registered trademark of The Timken Company.
  AP, SP, AP-2 and HDL are trademarks of The Timken Company.

For Additional Information: Robert G. Bourquin, Senior Marketing Communications Representative, Phone: (330) 471-7106 (U.S.), or visit www.timken.com/media .