We are committed to reducing and, where feasible, eliminating negative environmental impacts associated with our operations and products. We are working to reduce energy consumption across the organization, which improves both our environmental footprint and our global competitiveness. Below are some highlights of our efforts:

• The environmentally friendly design and operation of our bearing facility in Xiangtan, China, will save nearly 1 million tons of standard coal and 300 million cubic meters of water per year. It is our first LEED-certified manufacturing facility.

• Our aerospace and defense team expanded its efforts to reduce energy consumption around the world through a new "Turn It Off" campaign. The initiative is designed to increase associates' awareness of the importance of conserving energy. Our Keene, NH, facility reduced its electrical footprint by 15 percent over the past two years by implementing more efficient clean room technology, improved HVAC systems and lighting upgrades. Associates in our Rutherfordton, NC, facility are working on several lighting projects that will reduce annual electrical usage by approximately 725,000 kilowatt hours resulting in a savings of over 650 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Our facility in Chengdu, China, placed Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) systems on three roof-top air handling units, two coolant pumps, two cooling pumps and two chiller pumps. This cut electrical usage in half for these units, saving approximately 500,000 kilowatt hours per year. 

• At our Gambrinus Steel Plant in Canton, Ohio, we retrofitted the recuperative burners with regenerative technology, which produce significantly more heat while consuming less energy. The investment will achieve annual energy savings of 18 percent while reducing natural gas use by 70,000 MCF and eliminating 3,800 pounds of NOx. At current rates, the equivalent amount of gas saved is enough to heat 750 homes per year.

• Continuation of our program to eliminate mercury-containing devices has resulted in more than 3,600 devices removed to date.

• Our Corporate Environmental Affairs Department conducts comprehensive audits to ensure compliance with ISO 14001, environmental regulations and Timken standards. Every year, audits are completed at our facilities worldwide; additionally, manufacturing facilities complete compliance self-assessments on an annual basis.