The Power of Diverse Perspectives: Enriching Timken Communities

Sanjay Koul, managing director, Timken India

The kindness of just one person makes an impact; the kindness of many creates lasting change. Worldwide, The Timken Company and its individual employees strengthen communities through volunteerism, community leadership and financial contributions – focusing on the areas of basic needs, education and economic development. Sanjay Koul, managing director of Timken India, reveals how his team adapts a global commitment to community to improve the lives of people in local neighborhoods.

Sanjay, tell us about Timken India.

Koul: We employ nearly 1,500 associates who work with large manufacturers and end users through our vast network of authorized distributors. We’re also contributing to a diverse range of end markets, including designing essential parts for growing alternative energy options, such as solar panels and wind turbines. I started in 1987, and I’m proud of being one of the company’s first associates in India. I’m convinced I couldn’t have picked a better place to advance my career. At Timken, we understand that advancing our company means creating value for all our stakeholders—including our customers, associates and communities.

How are Timken India associates empowered to create positive change in India, beyond technology?

Koul: I think Timken is unique in that we collectively and individually are devoted to making the world a better place. We hire people with diverse perspectives who are naturally eager to help, and then encourage them to do so. That translates to helping communities, too. One example is Shashi Kumar Somashekhara, a lead accounts payable analyst in Bangalore. He saw a specific need in a local neighborhood where some residents were unable to access food during India’s COVID-19 lockdown. Shashi took the initiative to deliver meals to 40 people twice a day—on his own—and then enlisted the help of friends and colleagues to ultimately serve food to 800 people continuously for 55 days. He saw an opportunity to help people meet their basic needs, took action, and inspired others to join in. It was remarkable.

How does Timken India as an entity improve communities where associates live and work?

Koul: Timken as a corporation is committed to making the world a better place, and that’s evident in India. For us, helping people meet their basic needs means building a dialysis center to improve residents’ access to medical care. Advancing education means supporting infrastructure projects for rural schools. Promoting economic development means helping adults build skills so they can find work and create businesses. We believe in the power of leadership, and we’re working to make a difference in the communities we call home. I, along with our associates in India, are happy and proud to see the positive impact these contributions are having here.

Where do you see Timken India headed in the future?

Koul: Timken India is uniquely positioned to grow with the country’s economy. Recently, the government of India launched a new high-speed train project, and Timken was chosen to build the bearings for it. This accomplishment is due to the power of our people, who embody our values every day—working ethically and responsibly. We’re very proud of our associates.

Timken continuously champions those who move the world forward now and in the future. The company invests in employees and communities through professional and philanthropic programs, volunteer work and STEM-focused educational initiatives. At the same time, Timken’s global team brings to work its diverse perspectives and backgrounds every day, and is stronger because of it.

Learn more about Timken initiatives in the latest Timken Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

Last Updated: 2021/08/19

Published: 2021/02/15