Timken expands footprint in China with strategic investment in high-tech district
Suzhou, April 13, 2025 –Timken has officially opened a new Groeneveld-BEKA (GVBK) manufacturing facility in Suzhou’s high-tech district, marking a significant expansion of its operations in China. The new plant will focus on producing advanced automatic lubrication systems, further reinforcing Timken’s commitment to serving China’s growing industrial and machinery sectors.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior company executives, including Christopher Coflin, Vice President at Timken, and Yu Lan, President of Timken China. Local government officials, led by Suzhou District Secretary Sun Chanjiao, also took part in the event, underscoring the strategic importance of the investment for both the company and the region.
The Suzhou facility will integrate capabilities from three key Timken subsidiaries: GGB (bearing technologies), Rollon (precision linear motion systems), and Groeneveld-BEKA (lubrication systems). During the opening, Timken unveiled six new products designed specifically for applications in the energy, environmental, and food processing industries — sectors that are increasingly prioritizing automation and sustainability.
Suzhou’s government reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, highlighting efforts to support innovation and attract foreign investment. The district is currently home to over 2,000 foreign enterprises, including 60 projects from Fortune 500 companies.
For Timken, the new facility is more than a production hub — it represents a long-term strategic move to deepen its presence in one of the world’s most dynamic manufacturing markets. By localizing production and aligning with national industrial priorities, the company aims to better serve Chinese customers while contributing to the modernization of the local machinery manufacturing sector.
