TIMKEN CO

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors, and the entire cost of solicitation will be paid by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail, our officers and other employees, without extra remuneration, may solicit the return of proxies by any means of communication. Brokerage houses, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians will be requested to forward soliciting material to the beneficial

owners of shares held of record by them and will be reimbursed for their expenses. We have retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee not to exceed $17,500 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.