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$3.3 Million Grant To Enhance Timken Steel Manufacturing    

25 October 1999

$3.3 Million Grant To Enhance Timken Steel Manufacturing    

    CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 25 -- The United States Department of
Energy recently awarded a $3.3 million grant to The Timken Company
for the research and development of controlled thermo-mechanical processing
(CTMP) technology to optimize the manufacture and performance of seamless tube
and pipe.  The process will greatly improve quality and significantly reduce
product variability.  The total cost of the project is estimated at
$4.7 million.
    "Timken is the world leader in seamless mechanical steel tubing because we
continue to be a pioneer in steel process research," said Karl Kimmerling,
group vice president - alloy steel.  "That investment consistently results in
quality product solutions for our customers and increases shareholder value."
    Through the CTMP technology, Timken will be able to provide enhanced
products to its customers while protecting the environment through reduced
energy consumption.  This enhanced manufacturing process will enable
significant savings to be achieved by steel producers industry-wide, and by
the end user in the processing and application of steel tubes.  Economic value
to the overall domestic steel industry is projected to exceed $400 million
annually.
    Timken will work in conjunction with major automotive manufacturers, U.S.
and international laboratories and numerous other groups to develop the new
technology.
    Earlier this year, Timken was awarded a similar grant by The Department of
Energy to begin the development of a laser gauging system for dimensional
control that enhances the manufacturing process of seamless mechanical tubing.
    The company invests nearly $50 million a year in research and development.
Timken(R) steel products, including bars, tubes and precision steel
components, are highly engineered for specialty applications.
    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 U.S. $2.6 billion.