Historical marker honoring Henry Timken dedicated as part of Ohio¡¯s 200th birthday

CANTON, Ohio, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Members of the Ohio Historical Society bicentennial committee, Mayor Richard Watkins and associates of The Timken Company participated in the dedication of the historical marker honoring Henry Timken, company founder. The marker was dedicated today in its permanent location at the corner of Dueber Ave. S.W. and 19th Street, near the company's headquarters. The event included remarks from W.R. "Tim" Timken, Jr., chairman-board of directors, John Werren of Day Ketterer, and Kristina Markel, representative of the Ohio Historical Society. W. J. "Jack" Timken, president of the Timken foundation, and W.J. "Tim" Timken, Jr., corporate vice-president, unveiled the marker. "Our Timken Company has a proud heritage," said W.R. "Tim" Timken, Jr., chairman-board of directors. "The marker is a tribute to our founder Henry Timken and his sons, and their vision for a new industry. It serves as an initiative and inspiration for today's associates, as well as a symbol of the our presence in Ohio for more than half of the 200 years our state has been part of the union." Administered by the Ohio Historical Society, the Historical Marker program enables Ohioans to commemorate and celebrate local history. Designed to be permanent and highly visible, the historic markers are large cast-aluminum signs that tell stories about aspects of Ohio's History. More than 500 new markers will be dedicated this year. "Ohio's history is a particularly rich one," said Mr. Timken. "Both the state and our company have much to be proud of. Both have contributed much to the well being of the citizens of Ohio, and to the people who live and work far beyond our state's borders. What we do here in Ohio touches people in all corners of the world." The innovations and designs by Henry Timken (1831-1909) created significant improvements in roller bearings to minimize friction between parts. In 1901, Henry moved the Timken Roller Bearing and Axle Company to Canton from St. Louis. Since then, The Timken Company has become the worldwide leader in bearings and steel. The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) is a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy and specialty steels and components, and a provider of related products and services. Following its February 2003 acquisition of The Torrington Company, Timken employs 28,000 people worldwide in operations in 29 countries. In 2002, the combined companies had sales of approximately $3.8 billion.