NORTH CANTON, Ohio, April 24, 2026 — The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com), a global technology leader in engineered bearings and industrial motion, is pleased to announce that two of its employees have received 2026 STEP Ahead Awards from the Manufacturing Institute. Michelle Barnhart, human resources manager at the company’s Lincolnton (N.C.) plant, was named an “Emerging Leader” and Abby Causey, plant manager at Timken’s Bucyrus (Ohio) facility, received an “Honoree” award. Each year, the STEP Ahead Awards recognize exceptional women and allies in manufacturing who set the standard for leadership at every level, from the shop floor to the C-suite.
“Abby and Michelle exemplify the high caliber of leadership we cultivate at Timken,” said Natasha Pollock, Timken senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Through their vision, dedication to operational excellence and meaningful community engagement, they inspire our teams and set a powerful example for others. Their achievements highlight the breadth of opportunity within manufacturing. Congratulations to Michelle and Abby on this well-deserved recognition.”
Barnhart has made a transformative impact at Timken by founding and leading the company’s Celebrating Abilities Network (CAN), an employee resource group dedicated to disability, neurodivergence and caregiver inclusion. In its inaugural year, CAN hosted a robust line-up of events attracting nearly 800 attendees and engaged more than 400 unique participants.
As chair of the Operations Development Program (ODP) – Timken’s leadership pipeline for high-potential manufacturing talent – Barnhart has helped guide the mentorship and training of emerging leaders across 15 plants. Beyond Timken, she serves as board chair of the United Way of Lincoln County (N.C), works as an adjunct professor and studies as a doctoral candidate in industrial-organizational psychology, researching barriers to manufacturing employment for individuals with disabilities.
Like Barnhart, Causey has demonstrated exceptional leadership at Timken. Within 18 months of assuming the plant manager role in Shiloh (N.C.), performance metrics in safety, quality and delivery all increased by double-digit percentages. Under her leadership, Shiloh’s employee survey results also improved measurably. Subsequently, Timken promoted Causey to lead the larger Bucyrus plant in November 2025.
Causey prioritizes people development, serving as an ODP mentor and steering committee member, helping emerging talent advance through strategic coaching. As a board member of CAN, she champions inclusion and supports colleagues with disabilities. Before relocating to Ohio last year, Abby served as co-chair of the United Way of Rutherford County (N.C.) and managed funding allocations in support of children’s engineering camps, youth initiatives and housing partnerships.
On April 23, the Manufacturing Institute formally recognized Barnhart, Causey and other award winners at a gala in Washington, D.C. Timken’s latest honorees join a network of more than 1,700 STEP Ahead alumni committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of manufacturing leaders.
About The Timken Company
The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com), a global technology leader in engineered bearings and industrial motion, designs a growing portfolio of next-generation products for diverse industries. For more than 125 years, Timken has used its specialized expertise to innovate and create customer-centric solutions that increase reliability and efficiency. Timken posted $4.6 billion in sales in 2025 and employs approximately 19,000 people globally, operating from 45 countries.
Media Relations:
Sarah Factor
234.262.4878
Sarah.factor@timken.com