Canton, Ohio January 13, 2003 The Timken Co. has named Donna Demerling to be senior vice president of supply chain transformation, a new position responsible for global manufacturing strategy implementation, lean Six Sigma, purchasing, bearing order fulfillment and logistics.
Timken 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 18,100 people worldwide and recorded 2001 sales of $2.4 billion.
"In the last three years, our company has transformed into a more customer-focused organization better able to compete globally," said James Griffith, president and CEO of the company. "As part of that, we've restructured manufacturing and reduced asset intensity. Now, we're taking the next step to further optimize our entire supply chain from product development through production to customer delivery. The efficiencies that come from a strong leader like Donna bringing product supply into one tight stream brings value not only to our customers, but also to shareholders.
Griffith added that Demerling would help integrate additional product supply sources into the company's supply chain upon completion of its acquisition of the Torrington Company.
Demerling started her career with Timken in 1972 as a mechanical engineer, and she has held a number of leadership positions, including manager of production operations at Lincolnton Bearing Plant in North Carolina, general manager of Bucyrus Bearing Operations in Ohio and, most recently, president of the company's aerospace and super precision business in New Hampshire.
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.
