Timken takes Ploiesti over Darlington

US-based Timken, the largest industrial and automotive bearings maker in America, is planning to transfer the productive equipment from a factory in UK to Ploiesti. The move would leave 104 people unemployed. The Cincinnati Enquirer says relocating the Darlington plant, which specialises in making bearings for wheels and equipment parts, takes into account the low operating costs offered by Romania. “The operations in Darlington will be relocated to a factory in Ploiesti starting this July, as the latter can provide higher productivity at lower costs,” the above-mentioned publication says, quoting a statement of Denise Bowler, Timken’s spokesperson. The American company has announced plans to close down the Darlington facility, which is scheduled to take up eight to twelve months. Mediafax