Timken Receives Award From Volkswagen Transmission in China

CANTON, Ohio--The Timken Company announced that its manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China, received a 2006 Excellent Supplier award from Volkswagen Transmission Shanghai Co. Ltd. The Timken plant was one of only two suppliers to win the award. Timken has become the sole supplier of needle roller bearings to Volkswagen Transmission.

The Wuxi plant began working with Volkswagen Transmission in 2003. Timken’s business with the Shanghai venture has grown rapidly, and annual sales more than doubled between 2005 and 2006.

“From the beginning, Timken has been dedicated to serving Volkswagen globally, including in growth markets like China," said Kevin Raketich, general manager of Timken's Asian automotive business. "Timken engineering, sales and manufacturing teams are positioned throughout the world to meet the needs of our global customers wherever they operate."

In addition to its relationship with Volkswagen Transmission, Timken also supplies Germany-based Volkswagen AG with products that include needle and tapered bearings for transmissions and needle bearings for finger followers, which are engine valve train components.

During the early days of the relationship in Shanghai, Volkswagen Transmission requested assistance in reducing bearing noise caused by another supplier's product, and Timken engineers helped formulate a solution. This attention to service, which improved Volkswagen’s system performance, is a fundamental part of how Timken serves customers’ local operations. Timken holds annual evaluations at the Wuxi plant to hear Volkswagen Transmission’s suggestions regarding product and service improvements. The plant also takes an active part in all customers' quality improvement programs.

Volkswagen Transmission Shanghai is a joint venture between Volkswagen AG and two of China's leading car manufacturers, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and First Auto Works. The venture produces transmissions for numerous well-known Volkswagen models in China, including Bora, Golf, Polo and Octavia.