Timken Launches Production In China

The Timken Company (USA) announced production has begun at its aerospace and precision stainless steel bearings manufacturing facility in Chengdu, China.

Announced in late 2006, Chengdu is Timken's third water pump bearings plant in China, joining others in Wuxi and Yantai.

Budgeted at approximately USD $15 million and initially employing 200 people, Chengdu production will begin with ball and cylindrical roller bearings, up to 12 inches OD.

Expansion in China’s Wind Power Sector

Furthering its presence in China, Timken is scheduled to begin construction of a new joint-venture facility in Xiangtan.

It will manufacture ultra-large-bore precision output shaft ball bearings for China's fast-growing wind power sector.

Growing Manufacturing Footprint in Asia

With the inauguration of Chengdu and the launch of early production in Chennai, India, Timken now operates seven manufacturing facilities across Asia.

Although Chengdu was originally scheduled to be online by late 2007, setbacks delayed production kickoff by several months.

Eventually, the plant is expected to add related operations, including sales, engineering support, and customer service.

Targeting Aerospace and Specialty Markets

By producing aircraft and aerospace bearings in China, rather than the U.S., Timken aims to expand its share of the Asian market, where aircraft and aerospace sales are growing at up to 30% per year.

The move also targets one of the most profitable specialty bearing sectors.

Strategic Investment in People

Leong Fang, head of Timken's operations in China, said:
"Our investment in Chengdu is not just in a plant, it's also in people. We have recruited local engineers and will continue to train and develop a highly skilled workforce in China."

Jim Griffith, Timken President and CEO, added:
"The opening of our plants in Chennai and Chengdu is not only important to our ability to serve customers in Asia, it represents a major step forward in our strategy of driving growth in global industrial markets."