CANTON, Ohio – Oct. 20, 2008 – The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) today announced that it is expanding its offering of thin-section ball bearings to provide a standard line of bearings that can perform with greater precision and resist corrosion.

The new bearings have a minimum precision level that meets ABEC 5 and ISO P5 standards for bearing tolerance.  Prior to Timken’s introduction of the new series, thin-section bearings meeting these tolerances were not available as a standard offering.

The thin-section bearing series is specifically designed for applications where smooth, consistent movement and compact bearing size are critical, such as precision robotics, satellite guidance systems, medical equipment and positioning-control mechanisms. 

The new bearings are available in both angular-contact and deep-groove designs, and are manufactured from chrome steel or 440C stainless steel to resist corrosion.

“At Timken, we engineer solutions for complex or demanding friction-management requirements. These new precision bearings offer customers increased accuracy, lightweight design and consistent performance,” said Gilberto Ramos, product manager-precision ball bearings. “They are designed to combine enhanced stiffness with minimal torque in environments that demand stringent tolerances.”

Available up to 300 mm (12 inches) outside diameter, both angular-contact and deep-groove designs feature superfinished raceways and high-quality Grade-5 balls, reducing internal friction, vibration and torque. 

Timken thin-section precision bearings are available in numerous size, material and separator options to match the custom needs of advanced equipment designers.

Timken precision bearings are manufactured to standards established by the Annular Bearing Engineers Committee (ABEC) and the standards set by the International Standards Organization (ISO).  ABEC rates bearings using an odd-numbered scale ranging from 1 to 9.  A higher number represents greater manufactured precision of the bearing. 

About The Timken Company  

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR, www.timken.com) keeps the world turning, with innovative friction management and power transmission products and services, enabling our customers to perform faster and more efficiently. With sales of $5.2 billion in 2007, operations in 27 countries and approximately 25,000 employees, Timken is Where You Turn™ for better performance.

Source: The Timken Company

Media Contact: Elaine Laps
Senior Communications Consultant - Media Relations
Telephone: 330-471-5806
Facsimile: 330-471-2509

elaine.laps@timken.com

Investor Contact: Steve Tschiegg
Director - Capital Markets & Investor Relations
Telephone: 330-471-7446
Facsimile: 330-471-2797
steve.tschiegg@timken.com

For Additional Information:
www.timken.com/media

www.timken.com/investors