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MPB Expands Distributor Network

9 December 1997

MPB Expands Distributor Network

    KEENE, N.H., Dec. 9 -- MPB Corporation, a Timken Company
subsidiary, announced the authorization of two additional
distributors for product manufactured by its Miniature Precision Bearings
Division (MPBD), located in Keene, NH.
    The newly authorized distributors are:

    * WS Wilson, Port Washington, NY -- 516-621-8800
    * AST Bearings, Montville, NJ -- 201-335-2230

    "This extension of our distributor network represents an opportunity for
MPBD to participate more fully in some market segments," said Cengiz Kurkcu,
vice president and general manager of the Miniature Precision Bearings
Division.  "As one of the leading aircraft distributors, WS Wilson greatly
strengthens our position in the important aerospace service market.  AST
Bearings, on the other hand, offers exciting new opportunities through the
industrial channel."
    MPBD manufacturers a wide range of catalog and special miniature and
instrument bearings up to 30mm OD, thin section ball bearings up to 6" OD,
aircraft control bearings, precision rotating assemblies, and bearing test
equipment.  It sells its product through a direct sales force in the U.S. and
Europe, and a network of bearing distributors with over 1,000 branches
worldwide.
    The Timken Company (http://www.timken.com) is a leading international
manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels.  The company
employs some 19,000 people worldwide and reported 1996 sales of about U.S.
$2.4 billion.

SOURCE  The Timken Company