file:///C:/ELINK/02filing/April02Lisa8K/ek04082002.txt
1.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 8, 2002
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THE TIMKEN COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Ohio 1-1169 34-0577130
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
1835 Dueber Avenue, S.W., Canton, Ohio 44706-2798
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (330) 438-3000
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Press Releases
On April 8, 2002, The Timken Company issued the following press release:
Timken and NSK form joint venture
to build plant in China
CANTON, OH - April 8, 2002 - The Timken Company and NSK Ltd. have agreed to
form a joint venture that will build a plant near Shanghai, China to
manufacture certain tapered roller bearing product lines. Construction of the
plant is to begin later in 2002, and production is scheduled to start early in
2004. Ownership of the joint venture, Timken-NSK Bearings (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.,
will be divided evenly between Timken and NSK.
"This initiative continues the transformation of The Timken Company. It
positions us to work more effectively with our global customers by establishing
manufacturing capacity in Asia for small-size automotive product," said
James W. Griffith, president and chief operating officer. "It also continues
our efforts to reduce our manufacturing costs by adding a low-cost source for
these products. This joint venture with NSK will help both of us grow
profitably as independent companies."
"Both Timken and NSK are bearing industry leaders," said Tetsuo Sekiya,
president and chief executive officer of NSK Ltd., "and this joint venture will
help both companies maintain their worldwide competitiveness. This partnership
will enable us to combine our technical and management strengths in the
production of bearings that are used widely."
The joint venture plant will specialize in the production of single-row
tapered bearings that are used in medium- to high-volume applications,
frequently in automotive and also in certain industrial applications. Equipment
for the plant will come from a Timken plant in the United Kingdom that is
closing, as well as from NSK operations in Japan.
"The markets for these bearings are fiercely competitive," said Mr.
Sekiya. "To meet the demands of our customers, we must manufacture them in a
total lowest cost environment."
In April of 2001, Timken launched a manufacturing restructuring that
includes rationalizing its plant operations to create a global network of
factories focused on producing specific product lines or components. In
addition, a major goal of the strategy is to reduce manufacturing costs by
$100 million by the end of 2004. "We are on track to achieve our cost-
reduction goal. This joint venture will further contribute to reducing costs
and increasing our global competitiveness," said Mr. Griffith. "Our
fundamental goal is to create additional value for both our customers and
shareholders, and this joint venture will do precisely that."
The new venture will supply Timken and NSK with bearings made to each
company's specifications. And, each company will then market the product
independently under their respective brands.
The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) (http://www.timken.com) is a leading
international manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy and specialty
steels and components, as well as a provider of related products and services.
With operations in 24 countries, the company employs about 18,700 people world-
wide and recorded 2001 sales of U.S. $2.4 billion.
NSK (http://www.nsk.com) is the largest bearing company in Japan and a
leader in the world bearing industry. The company employs more than 23,000
people, operates in 26 countries and has 51 manufacturing plants in 14
countries. Recorded sales in 2001 were U.S. $4.3 billion.
Certain statements in this news release (including statements regarding the
company's future performance) that are not historical in nature are "forward-
looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions that actual results may differ
materially from those projected or implied in forward-looking statements due to
a variety of important factors, including the company's ability to successfully
implement the joint venture described in this press release and the company's
ability to achieve the benefits of its ongoing restructuring programs. These
and additional factors are described in greater detail in the company's 2001
Annual Report, page 39 and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statement.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the under-
signed hereunto duly authorized.
THE TIMKEN COMPANY
By: /s/ Gene E. Little
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Gene E. Little
Senior Vice President - Finance
Dated: April 8, 2002