Timken Names Lucian Boldea President and Chief Executive Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Timken (NYSE: TKR) has appointed Lucian Boldea as its new President and CEO, effective September 1, 2025. Boldea, who joins from Honeywell where he led the $10 billion Industrial Automation segment, succeeds Richard G. Kyle, who has been serving in an interim role since March 2025.

Boldea brings over 25 years of industry experience and previously held executive positions at Eastman Chemical Company. At Honeywell, he spearheaded the company's transformation in autonomous operations, leveraging AI, IoT, and advanced sensor technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, an MBA from Wharton, and serves on the U.S.-China Business Council Board.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Potential adjustment period as new CEO transitions from different corporate culture
• Short tenure at previous company (Honeywell since 2022) might indicate adaptation challenges

Insights

Corporate Leadership Analyst

Timken's new CEO brings automation expertise that could accelerate innovation and portfolio diversification, potentially enhancing long-term competitiveness.

Timken's appointment of Lucian Boldea as CEO represents a strategic leadership transition that could significantly influence the company's future direction. Boldea's background is particularly notable - coming from Honeywell's $10 billion Industrial Automation division with 31,000 employees, he brings specialized expertise in precisely the technological areas where industrial manufacturing is evolving most rapidly.

His experience in artificial intelligence, IoT, and advanced sensor technologies aligns perfectly with the ongoing digital transformation in the industrial bearings and motion sector. This appointment signals Timken's likely acceleration toward more technology-driven solutions beyond traditional engineered bearings.

The timing is significant, coming after Richard Kyle's interim leadership following his previous decade-long CEO tenure ending in 2024. This suggests a deliberate transition rather than an unexpected departure, allowing for strategic continuity while bringing fresh perspective.

Boldea's unusual combination of technical and business credentials - a Ph.D. in organic chemistry plus a Wharton MBA - coupled with his experience at both Honeywell and Eastman Chemical (where he spent over 20 years advancing through multiple roles), indicates he brings both deep technological understanding and proven operational leadership.

His board position with the U.S.-China Business Council also suggests valuable international perspective for Timken's global operations across 45 countries. This appointment appears focused on accelerating Timken's stated strategies of portfolio diversification and sustainable growth in increasingly technology-driven industrial markets.

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com), a global technology leader in engineered bearings and industrial motion, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Lucian Boldea the company's president and CEO and member of the Board, effective Sept. 1, 2025. Boldea will succeed Richard G. Kyle, who has been in an interim role since March after having previously served as president and CEO from 2014 to 2024.

Boldea joins Timken from Honeywell, where he served as President and CEO of Industrial Automation, a global business segment with over $10 billion in sales, 31,000 employees and 70 manufacturing sites worldwide. With more than 25 years of industry experience, he brings a demonstrated record of strategic leadership and innovation.

"Following a comprehensive search, the Board is confident that Lucian is the right leader to continue to advance Timken's strategy, accelerate growth and deliver long-term returns for stakeholders," said John Timken, chairman of the Board. "He shares our values and has the vision, experience and leadership qualities to take Timken to new levels of performance."

Boldea is a globally recognized executive, thought leader and innovator in industrial automation and advanced manufacturing. Since joining Honeywell in 2022, he's been at the forefront of the company's transformation toward autonomous operations, leveraging artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things) and advanced sensor technologies. Previously, he served in executive roles at Eastman Chemical Company, starting his career there as a chemist and advancing through a variety of leadership, strategy and operational positions over more than two decades.

"I'm honored to join Timken, a company recognized globally for its strong products, values and customer commitment," said Boldea. "I look forward to collaborating with the Timken leadership team and engaging with employees, customers and partners as we continue to diversify our portfolio, strengthen our operations and drive sustainable growth."

Boldea serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Business Council. He holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Florida, an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of West Florida. He will be based at Timken's world headquarters in North Canton, Ohio.

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 2024 and employs approximately 19,000 people globally, operating from 45 countries.

Media Relations:
Scott Schroeder
234.262.6420
scott.schroeder@timken.com

Investor Relations:
Neil Frohnapple
234.262.2310
investors@timken.com 

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SOURCE The Timken Company

FAQ

Who is the new CEO of Timken (NYSE: TKR)?

Lucian Boldea has been appointed as Timken's new President and CEO, effective September 1, 2025. He joins from Honeywell where he served as President and CEO of Industrial Automation.

What is Lucian Boldea's professional background before joining Timken?

Boldea was President and CEO of Honeywell's Industrial Automation segment ($10B in sales), and previously held executive roles at Eastman Chemical Company. He has over 25 years of industry experience.

When will Timken's new CEO Lucian Boldea start his position?

Boldea will assume his role as President and CEO of Timken on September 1, 2025.

Who did Lucian Boldea replace as Timken CEO?

Boldea succeeds Richard G. Kyle, who has been serving as interim CEO since March 2025, after previously serving as president and CEO from 2014 to 2024.

What are Timken's current business operations?

Timken is a global technology leader in engineered bearings and industrial motion, operating in 45 countries with approximately 19,000 employees and $4.6 billion in sales in 2024.