July 29, 2010 6:30 a.m.
CANTON, Ohio -- The Timken Co. has received a contract worth $26 million to supply wind turbine products and services to China's Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. The companies also will collaborate on future wind-turbine developments.
Xinjiang is one of the world's top five wind power equipment manufacturers, according to Leong Fang, president of Timken China.
In 2009, Goldwind received new wind power capacity orders for about 2,722 megawatts, accounting for approximately 19.7% of the wind generation added in China last year. Goldwind's contract with Timken will support more than 1,500 megawatts of new wind power capacity, with Timken providing engineering support, advanced bearings that include the new Timken UltraWind tapered roller bearings and condition-monitoring systems and services.
Timken's product offering also includes a full complement of seals, lubrication and online condition monitoring and support services for the life of the equipment.
"The collaboration between our companies brings together two leaders developing advanced technologies for efficient, green power generation," Fang noted. "Combining Timken's century of experience with Goldwind's leading innovation in large-scale wind turbines, we are prepared to serve China's needs for renewable energy, and to promote global development as well."
Christopher Coughlin, president of Timken Process Industries, added that the companies have agreed to collaborate further on development programs, including using Timken's advanced engineering design to reduce cycle times for new platforms and incorporating the company's "life cycle" service approach to contribute to sustainable performance and up-time of Goldwind's projects around the world. "We've established wind power manufacturing and service capabilities on three continents, which is important as Goldwind looks to grow globally," he said.
Timken recently began producing ultra-large bore bearings for wind turbines in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, and retooled and expanded its facilities in Asheboro, N.C. and Tyger River, S.C., to serve customers in the industry. This is in addition to Timken's existing wind-bearing production in Wuxi, China; Chennai, India; and Ploiesti, Romania. The company also provides Timken steel from its facilities here for its own production and for various wind-energy components for other customers.
The Timken Co. reported sales of $3.1 billion for 2009 and has operations in 27 countries and territories.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio