CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Timken recently extended its strategic alliance with North Coast Bearings, Inc. (NCB) of Avon, Ohio. NCB has been the distributor of DT Components® products for differentials and transmissions, which are marketed by The Timken Corporation, since the alliance was formed in 1997.

"This joint effort has been a successful venture for both Timken and NCB," said Jack Cameron, general manager -- automotive aftermarket -- North and South America. "We are very proud of the program and the products we have developed for the automotive aftermarket. With the kit expertise of NCB and the bearing expertise of Timken, we have experienced substantial growth in sales. We now offer the most complete line of differential and transmission kits available in the U.S. medium- and heavy-duty truck aftermarket."

Timken and NCB formed the strategic alliance to market and distribute differential and transmission kits and components under the product name DT Components for the medium- and heavy-duty markets. The kits include all the products necessary to do the job right the first time, including the growing portfolio of Timken bearings.

According to Bud Hagy, president and chief executive officer of NCB, this is the second extension of the alliance and it bodes well not only for Timken and NCB, but also for customers. "The kitting aftermarket has undergone tremendous change in the last several years. Timken and NCB are industry leaders, well positioned to meet and exceed customer demands by continuing to build upon the outstanding value and breadth of kit offerings currently available."

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR, www.timken.com) is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and a provider of related products and services with operations in 29 countries. The company recorded 2003 sales of $3.8 billion and employed approximately 26,000 at year-end.

DT Components® Bearings, Inc. under license agreement.

Media Contact, Eric J. Shirley, Communications Manager,
(330) 471-7105, http://www.timken.com/media

Investor Contact, Kevin R. Beck, Manager - Investor Relations,
(330) 471-7181, http://www.timken.com/investors

SOURCE The Timken Company