The Timken Co. announced that Donna J. Demerling has been named Senior Vice President — Quality and Lean Six Sigma. Ms. Demerling, who was previously Senior Vice President — Supply Chain Transformation, will report to James W. Griffith, President and CEO.

In her new position, Ms. Demerling will be responsible for quality assurance throughout all of Timken's business processes, including product design, manufacturing, supply chain and administrative areas. She will continue to lead the Lean Six Sigma function.

"Timken was built on a foundation of quality. It is one of our core values and an important part of our brand promise," said Mr. Griffith. "This newly created position underscores our commitment to quality and our intent to be the company where customers turn to improve their own performance.

"Donna's product engineering background and extensive operations experience, as well as the skills she acquired in other leadership positions at Timken, make her well-suited to lead the efforts of our quality teams around the world."

Ms. Demerling began her career with the company in 1972 as an Associate Engineer and went on to hold leadership positions in industrial and aerospace engineering. She also has been a leader in manufacturing, including serving as General Manager of the company's automotive manufacturing and distribution operations in Bucyrus, Ohio. In 1997, she was named an officer of the company and President — Aerospace and Super Precision, where she developed a strategy that delivered ongoing growth in that segment. In 2003, she assumed the newly created role of senior vice president of supply chain, and built a new organization that integrated the efforts of purchasing, order fulfillment, logistics and manufacturing strategy.

Ms. Demerling received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University and completed the Management Program for Executives at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a master's degree as a Sloan Fellow at Stanford University and, in 2000, was named a member of the Sloan Alumni Advisory Board.

Michael J. Hill will succeed Donna Demerling as Senior Vice President—Supply Chain Management.

In his new position, Mr. Hill, who was previously Vice President—Manufacturing for the Industrial Group, will report to Glenn A. Eisenberg, Executive Vice President —Finance and Administration. Mr. Hill will be responsible for purchasing, order fulfillment, logistics and manufacturing strategy.

"As the company continues to grow, we are focused on optimizing our supply chain, from product development through production to customer delivery," said Mr. Eisenberg. "Mike's extensive experience and strong performance in global manufacturing, purchasing and logistics will serve him well as we continue the transformation of our supply chain."

Mr. Hill began his career with Timken in 1974 in engineering. He has served in leadership positions in engineering and technology in Timken's U.S., Latin American and European operations. In 1993 he was named Director of Global Purchasing and Logistics and in 1995 General Manager of the Faircrest Steel Plant. He has overseen manufacturing for the Industrial Group since 2000. He holds a bachelor of science degree in engineering from Ohio University and a master's degree in engineering from Case Western Reserve University.