CHENNAI: Eyeing the growing Indian mining, energy and heavy industries, US-based bearings maker Timken on Wednesday announced the launch of its new bearing manufacturing plant at Mahindra World City Special Economic Zone (SEZ) here.

Timken President and Chief Executive Officer James W Griffith told newspersons that the economic boom and rapid infrastructure development in the region had prompted the company to establish, Timken India Manufacturing Private Limited, at a cost of US Dollar 25 million.

The company,which concentrated on friction management and energy saving products, would mainly cater to the global demands. With the completion of phase-I manufacturing line by October 2008, the production is expected to touch 3,10,000 bearings annually, he said adding it would touch 4,20,000 bearings under the Phase-II, expected to be completed by 2009.

Timken-India Managing Director Gordon Robinson said the company was focusing on Indian automotive sector, particularly the truck industry to boost the sales.

The Timken Technology Centre in Bangalore would take up more research and development activities to bring the latest technological advancements to the Indian customers.