CANTON, Ohio, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) was recently recognized as "Best Supplier" by the Oshkosh Truck Corporation, a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the fire and emergency, defense, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. The recognition honors Timken's excellent performance in delivery, quality and product support. Last year was the first year Oshkosh formally recognized suppliers with this award.

To be nominated, Oshkosh requires suppliers to demonstrate ongoing quality products and services. Based on the number of product receipts, suppliers are judged on a 100-point scale and must receive and maintain the maximum rating of 100 percent for an extended period of time.

"We view Timken as a partner who shares in the success of our organization," said Michael Wuest, executive vice president and chief procurement officer for Oshkosh. "Timken consistently maintains excellent performance, and such commitment does not go unrecognized. We are proud to be associated with Timken and look forward to continuing our successful relationship."

"It's an honor for The Timken Company to be recognized by Oshkosh," said Tom Dwyer, vice president for the company's off-highway group. "Our organization takes pride in meeting Oshkosh's criteria for exceptional product support, service and delivery. It's part of our ongoing commitment to customer centricity."

For more information about Oshkosh Truck Corporation, log onto its company Web site at www.oshkoshtruck.com .

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.

For Additional Information: Eric Stasiowski, Communications Manager, (330) 471-4392. Or visit http://www.timken.com/media

SOURCE  The Timken Company
    -0-                             02/02/2004
    /CONTACT:  Eric Stasiowski, Communications Manager of The Timken Company,
+1-330-471-4392/
    /Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991012/TKRLOGO
             AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.timken.com
                http://www.timken.com/media
                http://www.oshkoshtruck.com
    (TKR)

CO:  Timken Company; Oshkosh Truck Corporation
ST:  Ohio
IN:  AUT
SU:  AWD

KM-JK 
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0935 02/02/2004 11:05 EST http://www.prnewswire.com