---

Organizational Historian Chronicles The Timken Company's Past

8 February 1999

Accomplished Organizational Historian Chronicles The Timken Company's Past

    CANTON, Ohio, Feb. 8 -- As part of The Timken Company's
Centennial commemoration, associates around the globe are
receiving a detailed history book chronicling the company's first 100 years.
The book -- a gift to associates for their dedication and commitment to the
company -- is the result of five years of research, interviewing and writing
by noted professional historian Bettye H. Pruitt.
    The hardbound history recounts The Timken Company's century-long saga of
manufacturing highly engineered bearings and more than 80 years of producing
specialty alloy steel.  Mrs. Pruitt brings to life the people and events that
shaped the company's rich past; from Henry Timken's immigration and first
tapered roller bearing patents, to the Great Depression, to Timken Company
plants in Europe absorbing bombs during World War II, to surviving the '80s
steel industry crisis.
    "We are fortunate that such a skilled historian and author was available
to document our company's history for our Centennial year," said W. R. Timken,
Jr., chairman, president and CEO.  "We also are pleased that Harvard Business
School Press published Bettye's book."
    A Ph.D. in history, Mrs. Pruitt studied at Harvard and Boston Universities
and has authored a lengthy list of published works.  Currently the head of her
own research and consulting firm specializing in organizational history, Mrs.
Pruitt has practiced historiography for more than 15 years.
    Reflecting on her study and analysis of The Timken Company, Mrs. Pruitt
said she was "particularly impressed with The Timken Company's combination of
a solid core of corporate identity and purpose with the capacity to change
when necessary.
    "But the most unique aspect of this company," Mrs. Pruitt said, "is the
combination of two such fundamentally different businesses -- steelmaking and
precision manufacturing -- into a single enterprise."
    Mrs. Pruitt noted the pride Timken associates exhibit toward their
company.  "I have been touched by the respect and enthusiasm that associates
have for their history," she said.
    Interested readers can order the book by phoning Harvard Business School
Press at 800-668-6780, using the Internet and accessing Amazon.com or by
visiting an area bookstore.
    The Timken Company (http://www.timken.com) is a leading international
manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels with operations in
25 countries.  The company employs 21,000 people worldwide and reported 1998
sales of more than $2.6 billion.