CANTON, Ohio, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- To provide the best possible service and efficiency for their distributors, The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) has launched an e-business site as part of PTplace.com. The company has joined INA Holding Schaeffler KG, Rockwell Automation, and The SKF Group to launch PTplace.com, an online shopping mall for industrial components.

Just four months ago, these founding companies formed CoLinx, LLC with the express purpose of developing an Internet shopping site for industrial products. On April 30, CoLinx launched www.PTplace.com , which now serves markets throughout the United States with an online shopping mall for premium industrial products including Timken bearings.

"PTplace.com allows distributors to fill a shopping cart with some of the best industrial products at one Internet site," said Michael C. Arnold, president-industrial-The Timken Company. "The manufacturers maintain control of their own product offering, brands, and distributor relationships while benefiting from increased site traffic and shared development costs."

The site was designed with the customer in mind. CoLinx based development decisions on feedback from distributors. "This entire effort is based on customer centricity," said Scott G. Biltz, global manager-e-business integration. "Our work is designed around distributor needs and we've included distributors at every step of the implementation plan."

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) ( http://www.timken.com ) is a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy and specialty steels and components, as well as related products and services. With operations in 24 countries, the company employs about 20,500 people worldwide and recorded 2000 sales of U.S. $2.6 billion.

SOURCE The Timken Company