Timken Wuxi Bearing Co. Ltd. (China, a division of The Timken Company, USA; NYSE: TKR) brought additional large bearing manufacturing capacity fully online ten days ago.

Timken's first Wuxi facility, which has now grown to several related plants, was initially brought online in mid-2005 tied to a facility it acquired with Torrington. In addition to manufacturing, Timken also operates a Technical Training Center in Wuxi, and a new Bearing Maintenance Center.

This newest Wuxi operation to reach full production is important because it adds much-needed capacity for large industrial bearings.

The Wuxi production dedicated to automotive-size bearings has also been making progress in market penetration among China's automakers and transplants. A recent contract with Volkswagen is cited as an example.

In all, Timken employs nearly 1,800 workers in Wuxi's Industry Development Zone, and the plants there cover more than a million square feet of property.