Timken plans major upgrade

$7.1 million to be spent for new equipment at Iron Station facility

DEBORAH HIRSCH

Timken, a company that manufactures bearings, will invest $7.1 million into new equipment at its plant in Iron Station. The money will go toward retrofitting a machine to modify the size and shape of the bearings, said Crystal Gettys, with the Lincoln Economic Development Association.

Timken is one of the largest employers in Lincoln County, with more than 950 workers.

As an incentive, the county has agreed to provide cash grants of about $19,700 per year for five years once the project is finished, which is expected to be by July, Gettys said.

McDonald's jazzy playground

A Gastonia McDonald's has the honor of being the first in the nation to open a new, interactive playground, the company announced last week.

It's called the Ronald Fun Machine. According to a news release, the playground is designed to help kids ages 4 to 12 explore scientific principles related to motion, sound, music and light through hands-on activities. Children can climb a mini rock wall, blow bubbles, spin wheels and dance.

There's also a toddler area with more musical activities and toys that the children can ride around a track. And of course, there's a slide.

Softplay, a Huntersville-based company, manufactured the play area. A McDonald's spokeswoman said similar playgrounds could be introduced at other stores on a case-by-case basis.

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