The Timken Company has announced an agreement with Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (XEMC) to establish a joint venture in China to manufacture ultra-large-bore bearings for main rotor shafts of multi-megawatt wind turbines for the Chinese wind energy market.

The companies plan to build a new US$38 million facility in Xiangtan to collaborate on the manufacture of main-shaft bearings for wind turbines. The new facility is scheduled to begin construction in 2008. This joint venture is expected to employ more than 110 people.