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Timken Joins Leading Automotive Suppliers to Identify E-Business Solutions

7 June 2000

Timken Joins Leading Automotive Suppliers to Identify E-Business Solutions THE TIMKEN COMPANY LOGO The Timken Company, Worldwide Leader in Bearings and Steel. (PRNewsFoto)[KC] CANTON, OH USA 10/12/1999    

    CANTON, Ohio - The Timken Company recently has joined leading automotive 
suppliers in a study of business-to-business Internet-enabled technologies.
    
    The group includes Dana Corporation, Delphi Automotive Systems
Corporation, Eaton Corporation, Motorola Inc., TRW Inc., and Valeo S.A.  The
companies plan to address technology issues facing the industry and identify
business-to-business technology solutions.
    
    "E-business is transforming the way business is conducted. We recognize
opportunity in that transformation to leverage our technology leadership for
profitable growth of the company and the industry," said Karl P. Kimmerling,
president - automotive - The Timken Company.  "At the same time, we'll avoid
the redundancy which could result from developing individual approaches to
common opportunities. The result will be increased value for both our
customers and shareholders."

    "We believe that this joint effort will complement the initiatives of both
our original equipment and independent aftermarket customers," said Thomas W.
Strouble, senior vice-president, e-business.  "It will likely enable rapid
development of systems and standards to significantly improve supply-chain
management, customer support initiatives and aftermarket activities.  We are
confident that significant opportunities exist to improve the business
processes between ourselves and both our customers and suppliers.  These
opportunities include reduction of costs through common approaches and
improved velocity of all interactions from product concept to delivery.

    The Timken Company provides original equipment and replacement bearings
and related parts, as well as alloy steel and precision steel components, to
automotive markets worldwide. The company specializes in designing innovative
solutions for applications that include axles, wheels, transmissions,
transaxles, crankshafts and other powertrain components.

    The Timken Company is a leading international manufacturer of highly 
engineered bearings and alloy steels with operations in 24 countries.  The 
company employs 21,000 people worldwide and reported 1999 sales of U.S. $2.5 
billion.