Oconee County Economic Development Commission
Timken invests $18 million, bringing jobs
By David Williams Oconee-Pickens Bureau
November 1, 2006
WALHALLA - Oconee County has finally netted Project Trout, which means at least
an $18 million investment at the Timken plant on Torrington Road.
While Timken and Oconee economic development officials would not comment on the
exact number of new jobs, reports during the 13-month process to land the
expansion project have said that as many as 200 jobs could be available. The
project was code-named Project Trout.
"With the continued support of the community, we will advance our efforts to
strengthen the performance of our manufacturing operations in Walhalla," said
Roger Ellis, vice president of operations for Timken’s Automotive Group. "Timken
appreciates the strong relationship we have with Oconee County."
Walhalla Mayor Lamar Bailes also praised the community’s relationship with
Timken, which serves the automotive, industrial, aerospace, rail and
super-precision industries.
"I’m extremely pleased with their announcement," Mr. Bailes said. "Our
relationship is great, couldn’t be better. They’re providing new jobs in our
neighborhood. They’re great community members. They donate a lot to the
community, a lot that is not known, the athletic department, just a whole list
of things they’ve done in a quiet manner."
Mr. Bailes also credited plant manager Jim McCoy with his work during the
restructuring of Timken’s automotive business and the push for jobs and
expansion in Walhalla.
"It’s to Jim McCoy’s credit the plant has done well," Mr. Bailes said. "He has
been a super person to work with and he is the reason they’re expanding here."
Jim Alexander, executive director of Oconee County’s Economic Development
Commission, said Timken is expected to complete its construction in the next few
months.
"We’ve gotten good support from many, many team members including the (South
Carolina) Department of Commerce," Mr. Alexander said. "We certainly welcome the
jobs here in Oconee County."
The Walhalla plant manufactures bearings and was acquired by Timken in 2003 in
its acquisition of Torrington from Ingersoll-Rand. The plant was opened in 1960
and currently employs about 380 workers. In announcing its third quarter
results, Timken reported sales of $1.27 billion, up slightly from the same
period a year ago. The company achieved third-quarter net income of $46.5
million.
The expansion at the Walhalla plant is part of a plan to address declines in the
North American automotive market and includes closing some operations in Laurens
County.
"We are taking actions to adapt to the decline in demand and will continue to
pursue structural changes to bring our automotive business to profitability,"
said James W. Griffith, president and chief executive officer.
The Automotive Group’s third-quarter sales of $363.6 million were 11 percent
below the same period a year ago. The decline in sales was the result of
significant reductions in vehicle production by automakers headquartered in
North America. Timken has operations in 27 countries and 27,000 employees.
David Williams can be reached
At (864) 882-0522 or by e-mail at
Williamsde@Independentmail.com