The Timken Co. announced it has again received the top award for category management from Pronto, one of the largest U.S. automotive buying groups. Timken supplies Pronto with a full line of automotive aftermarket products, including Timken hub unit bearings, tapered roller bearings, grease and seals.

Timken also received this award of distinction in 2013. The award recognizes Timken leadership in returning profitability to the category by helping Pronto members understand and apply the various principles of this important science to the many facets of their business.

The Timken category management system, Demand Insight, provides distributors a quick and easy way to identify and stock an optimal inventory mix that corresponds with their local customers’ current and future demand. Timken introduced Demand Insight a few years ago to support its distributors with valuable programs and technology designed to help them grow sales and profits.

“We are honored to receive this recognition again for a second year,” said Tom Tecklenburg, director of automotive aftermarket for Timken. “It is especially rewarding to be acknowledged for the success of our proprietary database that helps to identify premium aftermarket demand for distributors based on local vehicle registrations, replacement rates, road conditions and more.”