Timken Latrobe Steel held an inaugural ceremony this week to launch the upgraded continuous rolling mill at its Latrobe, Pa., plant.

The upgraded mill is now equipped with electric induction and resistance heating, making it possible to roll small-size product with a high degree of flexibility and minimal decarburization. The mill uses a three-roll configuration throughout its finishing train, which is ideal for Timken Latrobe's product mix of hard-to-roll materials such as high-speed and tool steels. The configuration also allows the company to address markets in specialty metals and stainless products.

"This modernization project allows us to manufacture product to closer tolerances and improve already high quality levels," said Hans J. Sack, President of Timken Latrobe Steel. "While the design focuses on quality and flexibility, productivity has also been improved and will help us serve our customers better during this period of increased demand for the types of steel we manufacture."

Timken Latrobe Steel, a subsidiary of The Timken Co., is a leading North American specialty steel producer. The Timken Co. provides highly engineered bearings, alloy steels and related products and services from operations in 27 countries. With 26,000 employees, Timken reported sales of $4.5 billion in 2004.