The Timken Corp. has been named as a General Motors Supplier of the Year for its overall business performance in providing GM with world-class parts and services.

The GM Supplier of the Year Award began as a global program in 1992. Selecting the award winners is a global team of executives from purchasing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics. The team evaluates award candidates on the basis of performance in quality, service, technology and price. This year, General Motors honored 78 suppliers for their excellence throughout 2004. Timken was selected for the award from more than 3,500 GM suppliers worldwide.

"Our Supplier of the Year winners are the best of the best, and Timken is part of this elite group based on their outstanding performance in 2004," said Bo Andersson, Vice President — GM Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. "Its balanced focus on performance and behavior support GM's priorities, and make it a model for suppliers worldwide."

"We strive to meet the critical requirements of each one of our customers," said Jacqui Dedo, President—Automotive. It is very satisfying to be recognized for the quality products, service and innovative technology we provide every day. This award from General Motors exemplifies the commitment of each one of our more than 26,000 dedicated team members and our continued commitment to excellence in everything we do."

The Timken Corp. is a subsidiary of The Timken Co. Timken's highly engineered bearings, alloy steels and related products and services are utilized in a wide variety of applications. With operations in 27 countries, sales of $4.5 billion in 2004 and 26,000 employees, Timken is Where You Turn^(TM) for better performance.