Timken opens new R&D center in B'lore

BANGALORE: The Timken Company announced the opening of its new research and development facility in Bangalore, India. The new location is one of 10 research facilities around the world that provide engineering services to customers.

James W. Griffith, president and CEO, inaugurated the new seven-acre facility at Electronic City, Bangalore. With an investment of US$ 12 million, the advanced technology center is part of the company’s aggressive strategy to strengthen operations in the Asia Pacific region.

Inaugurating the new center at Electronic City, Bangalore, James W. Griffith, president and CEO said, "This engineering center puts our friction management expertise close to our customers. It’s this kind of customer-centric investment that is facilitating the company’s growth in emerging markets."

"This engineering and research center, Timken’s second largest, is fully integrated with our other technology centers around the world, where the best minds are constantly working to provide customers with innovative products and solutions," said Sal Miraglia, senior vice president — technology.

Timken established research capabilities in Bangalore in 1998. The new center expands those engineering operations, while providing the necessary support services to meet the global requirements of our business. "With 250 skilled professionals, the new center enhances the capabilities of Timken in India and provides Asian markets with better access to the company’s world-class engineering expertise," said Miraglia.

Timken Engineering and Research India is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Timken Company. Timken is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and a provider of related products and services with operations in 27 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Timken recorded 2003 sales of $3.8 billion and employed approximately 26,000 at year-end.

Timken operates through two legal entities in India. Timken India Limited has been manufacturing and selling bearings since 1990. It is a publicly traded company based in Jamshedpur with 2003 annual sales of approximately 50 MUS$. Timken Engineering & Research India Pvt. Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Timken Company, based in Bangalore, and provides engineering research and development services to the company’s global operations.

CIOL Bureau