Timken Receives AISIN AW Technical Award for Work on Toyota Tundra Transmission
Engineers Design Special Bearing for 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
CANTON, Ohio -- Oct. 9, 2007 -- The Timken Company (NYSE:TKR) has received the 2006 Technical Award from AISIN AW Co. Ltd. for support in developing the six-speed B-800 transmission. The rear-wheel drive B-800 is installed in the 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup made in the United States and Land Cruisers produced in Japan. As part of the joint development process, Timken engineers developed a special double-row drawn-cup bearing to help increase the durability of the transmission while retaining its performance characteristics.
In response to AISIN AW's challenge, Timken engineers from the company's technical centers in Japan and Greenville, S.C., worked to develop, produce and launch prototypes of the proposed bearing design. The design was ultimately chosen by AISIN AW after a collaborative effort between Timken engineering and production teammates in Japan and the United States demonstrated its effectiveness.
"This award is a resounding example of how Timken is focused on developing differentiated products for our customers," said John J. Law, a director of sales for Timken. "On this project, Timken used its engineering expertise to help AISIN AW achieve the exacting technical standards required for this new transmission."
Customer representatives noted that this was the first time that AISIN AW used an overseas supplier in the launch of a new transmission and the first time the technical award has been presented to a firm not headquartered in Japan.
In addition to this special technical award, Timken received four quality awards from AISIN AW's production facility in North Carolina. The awards included the Superior Launch award for the B-800 Tundra transmission.
The Timken Company provides other products for Toyota vehicles, including tapered roller bearings for axle and manual transmission applications manufactured in Japan and Europe, respectively, as well as drawn cup bearings and thrust bearings for automatic transmissions manufactured in the United States.
About AISIN AW Co. Ltd.
AISIN AW is a subsidiary of the Aisin Group, headquartered in Anjo City, Aichi, Japan. Headed by Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., Aisin Group is a worldwide supplier of automotive components, such as brakes, transmissions, drive train, chassis, body and information-related systems and components, and engine-related parts. An affiliate of Toyota Motor Corp., Aisin Group's worldwide sales in 2006 climbed 12 percent to 2,378.6 billion yen.
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 $5.0 billion in 2006, operations in 26 countries and approximately 25,000 employees, Timken is Where You Turn(TM) for better performance.
CONTACT: The Timken Company
Media Contact:
Gloria Irwin,
330-471-7948
Manager - Trade Media Relations
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gloria.irwin@timken.com
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SOURCE: The Timken Company
