The Timken Company (USA; NYSE: TKR) announced several, "leadership changes as part of an organizational realignment for increased operating efficiency."

In late 2007, Timken extensively reorganized its business units under the Steel Group and the Bearings and Power Transmission Group. Bearings and Power Transmission Group remains under its President Mike Arnold, but many of the people reporting to him are now changing.

2007 article: Timken lays out restructuring
[ includes a helpful organization chart ]
Christopher Coughlin has been named as President - Process Industries. Mr. Coughlin joined Timken's steel operations in 1984 and most recently had been Senior VP - Supply Chain and Project O.N.E. Since 2007, he has been and will continue to be responsible for all Bearings and Power Transmission Group's distribution management and global supply chain management.

Mr. Coughlin replaces Michael Connors.

Richard Kyle has been named President - Mobile Industries. He had been Manufacturing VP within the Mobile Industries segment.

Douglas Smith has been named Senior VP - Technology. Since 2007, he had been Director of Manufacturing for Timken's Asian operations and oversaw the company's manufacturing expansion there. Although Mr. Smith's position encompasses all of Timken's product line operations, from steel to power transmission to friction management, he will still report to Mr. Arnold.

Mr. Smith replaces Alastair Deane, who is leaving the company to, "pursue other interests." Three years ago, Timken brought in Mr. Deane specifically for his expertise in driveline technologies. However, amid the automotive meltdown, Timken is now actively moving away from automotive driveline technologies.

Dan Muller is now Timken's CIO and Senior VP of Strategy, replacing the retiring Jon Elsasser. Mr. Muller had been President of Distribution and Services (formerly Distribution and Sales) for the Bearings and PT Group and has a very strong IT and operations background. No replacement was named for his former position.

Mr. Muller now reports to Glenn Eisenberg, Executive VP of Finance and Administration.

Jon Elsasser retired as CIO and Senior VP, after a long, successful, and wide-ranging career at Timken. Along the way, Mr. Elsasser headed bearing operations from Europe to Africa, West Asia, and Brazil.

Mark Samolczyk has retired as Senior VP of Corporate Planning and Development. He had the responsibility for successfully merging the Timken and Torrington automotive businesses; prior to that, he was GM and President of Precision Steel Components and had managed Timken's operations in Canada and Mexico.