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Timken to launch aerospace manufacturing in China

The Timken Co. has announced plans to launch an aerospace precision products center in the High Technology Development Zone in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, the first investment of its kind by an international company, the company says. The facility initially will employ approximately 200 people in aerospace products manufacturing. Across time, it is expected to include sales, engineering support, and customer service capabilities for a range of aerospace bearings and other precision products.

The company said the new center aligns with China's goal of investing in West China and focusing on key strategic industries for the country. Timken aid it selected Chengdu as the location for its sixth plant in China in part because it is a major Chinese aerospace center with a good technical infrastructure and educated work force.

"This investment is directly tied to Timken's strategic initiatives to expand our presence in industrial markets in Asia, as well as to build an increasingly diverse portfolio of aerospace precision components and services worldwide," said Michael C. Arnold, president of Timken's Industrial Group.

Initially, more than 200 associates will manufacture ball and cylindrical roller bearings up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter. The first product shipment from Chengdu is anticipated for late 2007.

With China headquarters in Shanghai, Timken has an established network of seven sales offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenyang, Wuxi, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Taipei. The company has invested in five large-scale manufacturing sites in Wuxi (3), Yantai, and Suzhou, a logistics center and an engineering training center to better serve its Chinese customers.