Suzhou, April 13, 2025 – Timken has officially opened its new Groeneveld-BEKA (GVBK) manufacturing facility in Suzhou High-Tech Zone, marking a significant expansion of its presence in China. The new facility will focus on producing advanced automatic lubrication systems, further solidifying Timken's commitment to serving China's growing industrial and machinery sectors.
Timken Vice President Christopher Coughlin and Timken China President Yu Lan and other company executives attended the facility's inauguration ceremony. Local government officials including Suzhou District Party Secretary Sun Chanjiao also attended the event, highlighting the strategic importance of this investment to Timken and the region.
The Suzhou facility will integrate technologies from three Timken subsidiaries: GGB (bearing technology), Rollon (precision linear motion systems) and Groeneveld-BEKA (lubrication systems). At the opening, Timken introduced six new products designed for applications in the energy, environmental and food processing industries – industries that are increasingly placing a premium on automation and sustainability.
The Suzhou government reaffirmed its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and highlighted initiatives to support innovation and attract foreign investment. Currently, Suzhou District has more than 2,000 foreign-invested enterprises, including 60 projects from Fortune 500 companies.
For Timken, the new plant is more than just a production center, but also a long-term strategic move to deepen its influence in one of the most dynamic manufacturing markets in the world. By localizing production and complying with national industrial priorities, Timken aims to better serve Chinese customers while contributing to the modernization of the local machinery manufacturing industry.