The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR), Canton, OH, reported sales of $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 25 percent over the same period a year ago. Profit for the manufacturer increased 58 percent to $70.3 million.

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The third-quarter sales increase primarily reflects demand growth across the company’s diverse industrial markets, as well as favorable effects from pricing, material surcharges and acquisitions.

For the first nine months of 2011, sales were $3.9 billion, up 31 percent over the same period a year ago. Profit increased 87 percent to $345.2 million.

By Segment:
In the third quarter, Mobile Industries’ sales were $441.6 million, up 9 percent from last year’s third-quarter sales of $404.1 million. Higher demand in the off-highway, rail and heavy truck sectors drove most of the increase, along with favorable pricing and currency.

For the first nine months of 2011, Mobile Industries’ sales of $1.3 billion were up 15 percent from the same period a year ago.

Process Industries’ third-quarter sales rose 40 percent to $328.9 million, compared with $234.5 million for the same period a year ago. Stronger demand from industrial distribution, the Philadelphia Gear acquisition, growth in Asia, higher new-product sales and pricing primarily accounted for the increase.

For the first nine months of 2011, Process Industries sales were $922.2 million, up 41 percent from the same period a year ago.

Aerospace and Defense posted slightly higher third-quarter sales of $81.8 million, compared with $81 million in the same period last year. The segment saw improved demand in commercial and general aviation, largely offset by decreased demand for defense-related products.

For the first nine months of 2011, Aerospace and Defense sales were $244.4 million, down 4 percent from the same period a year ago.

Sales for the Steel segment, including inter-segment sales, were $501.5 million in the third quarter, an increase of 35 percent from $371.3 million for the same period last year. Stronger demand, particularly in the energy and industrial sectors, contributed to broad-based improvement, as well as favorable pricing and surcharges. Raw-material surcharges increased approximately $45 million from the third quarter last year.

For the first nine months of 2011, Steel segment sales were $1.5 billion, up 52 percent from the first nine months of last year. Higher demand in the oil and gas market led the increase, which also reflected broad-based industrial growth and surcharges.