LATROBE, Pa., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Timken Latrobe Steel today held an inaugural ceremony to launch the upgraded continuous rolling mill at its Latrobe, Pennsylvania plant. The mill enhances the company's capabilities as a leading international supplier of high quality steel bar and wire for specialty applications.

"This modernization project allows us to manufacture product to closer tolerances and improve already high quality levels," said Hans J. Sack, president - Timken Latrobe Steel. "While the design focuses on quality and flexibility, productivity has also been improved and will help us serve our customers better during this period of increased demand for the types of steel we manufacture."

The mill is equipped with electric induction and resistance heating, making it possible to roll small-size product with a high-degree of flexibility and minimal decarburization. The mill uses a three-roll configuration throughout its finishing train. This is ideal for Timken Latrobe's product program of hard-to-roll materials such as high-speed and tool steels. The configuration also allows the company to address markets in specialty metals and stainless products.

Timken Latrobe Steel, a subsidiary of The Timken Company, is a leading specialty steel producer in North America.

The Timken Company, (NYSE: TKR, www.timken.com) keeps the world turning, with innovative ways to make customers' products run smoother, faster and more efficiently. Timken's highly engineered bearings, alloy steels and related products and services turn up everywhere. With operations in 27 countries, sales of $4.5 billion in 2004 and 26,000 employees, Timken is Where You Turn™ for better performance.

Jason Saragian, Public Relations Manager, Telephone: (330) 471-3514, Facsimile: (330) 471-7032, Jason.saragian@timken.com

Steve Tschiegg, Manager - Investor Relations, Telephone: (330) 471-7446, Facsimile: (330) 471-2797, Steve.tschiegg@timken.com

SOURCE The Timken Company