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Timken Latrobe Steel Earns Major Certifications

14 October 1998

Timken Latrobe Steel Earns Major Certifications

    CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 13 -- Timken Latrobe Steel recently
completed the last of three 1998 audits and, as a result, has earned major
quality certifications essential to serving customers in its primary markets.
The certifications presented to Timken Latrobe Steel demonstrate compliance
with the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program
(NADCAP), the Fastener Quality Act (FQA) and ISO-9002 at its Latrobe, Pa.,
facilities.
    "Timken Latrobe has pursued these certifications to demonstrate our strong
determination to continuously improve as a competitor in the markets we
serve," said Jack Dillon, vice president and general manager - Latrobe
manufacturing business.  "It has been a lot of hard work for our associates to
put our quality systems in place, but well worth the effort.  These
certifications ensure that Latrobe Steel products will continue to be of the
highest quality and a benchmark in the industries we serve."
    NADCAP represents major prime contractors, suppliers and government
agencies in aerospace, defense and related agencies throughout the U.S. and
world.  NADCAP certification assures that a company's quality systems and
chemical and mechanical testing laboratories meet its rigid standards.
    As a steel producer for the industry, Timken Latrobe Steel was obligated
to gain FQA certification.  To ensure public safety and excellent performance,
all fasteners, including screws, nuts, bolts, studs and washers, must be
inspected, tested and certified in accordance with the U.S. Fastener Quality
Act.
    The Performance Review Institute (PRI), a not-for-profit trade association
affiliated with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), served as Timken
Latrobe Steel's auditing agency.  PRI granted NADCAP and FQA certification
Timken Latrobe Steel in April.
    Timken Latrobe Steel gained ISO 9002 certification in August.  ISO 9002 is
an international standard for quality systems.  Certification guarantees that
a company has its quality systems in place.  Global Registrars Inc. served as
the auditing agency.
    "We are pleased to have received these major certifications in this our
85th year in business," said Jack. "It gives us even more reason to be proud
of Timken Latrobe Steel's accomplishments."
    Timken Latrobe Steel, a Timken Company subsidiary, is a high-
quality specialty steelmaker offering more than 300 grades of high-speed, tool
and die, high-strength, corrosion resistant and bearing steels.