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	About Bii | Timeline/History 2000 | 1990 | 1980 | 1970 | 1960 | 1950     The Timken Company acquires Bearing Inspection, Inc. in October 2005 to become the new leader in aerospace bearing inspection and repair. The addition of Bii positions Timken as the world's #1 MRO provider for critical use anti-friction bearings.     Bii begins development of next-generation, customer-centric programs designed to meet the needs of 21st century operators. By the end of 2003, support programs include Certified ReconditioningTM, Certified InspectionTM, Ship DirectTM and Maximum YieldTM.     Bii develops its new Strategic Mission Statement and company wide key metric to refocus on emphasizing customers' needs. Based on providing individualized support that helps customers optimize operations and reduce cost of ownership, Bii today is implementing a number of new programs that can further help operators maximize safety and increase operational and cost efficiencies today and in the future.     Bii supports the military as it gears-up and declares war on terrorism. The increase in fleet utilization and extreme environmental conditions encountered in Afghanistan and Iraq represent a challenge to engine maintenance, a challenge that is met by Bii.     Bii receives CAAC approval.     Continued growth compels Bii to move into an 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Los Alamitos, California. The new facility, which was designed specifically for Bii operations, incorporates the latest production, test, quality assurance, customer support technology and process flow strategies. The new facility quadruples the capacity.     Bii receives Thai DOA approval.     Bii achieves certification to international quality standard ISO 9002. ISO 9002 certification is a worldwide seal of approval comprising the national standards bodies of nearly 100 countries. The certification ensures that the practices and procedures of quality management and quality systems are securely in place as the basis for a company's operations.     In 1996, Bii again raises the bar with the development of its new BA-96 Bearing Analyzer. As with the BA-20, BA-96 is a major technical breakthrough and instantly plays an integral role in further advancing the science of bearing inspection and repair.     In 1993, Bii receives JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) approval, clearing the way for the further expansion of commercial business on a global scale. Within two years, Bii begins the focused development of Bii customer service and professional sales teams to accommodate the evolving needs of operators worldwide.     During Operation Desert Storm, Bii is again called on to help the U.S. military meet the demanding maintenance programs necessitated by the rigors of war.     In late 1988, the B-2 stealth aircraft is unveiled to the public. An all-wing airplane, the B-2 has approximately the same dimensions and weights as does the Northrop YB-49 bomber that was abandoned in 1949. The B-2 revolutionized many aspects of modern military flight and is a key aircraft in U.S. defense.     By the mid 1980's, the increasingly competitive commercial aircraft environment, coupled with the economic advantages of Bii's Level 2 repair process, propels the company into a leadership role. Bii is the largest independent bearing inspection and repair company in the world and airlines worldwide depend on Bii for maintenance support.       In July 1978, Airbus launches the A310, a shortened version of the A300 seating 218 passengers in a standard, two-class configuration. The aircraft features the first ever two-man cockpit equipped with six cathode ray tubes displays, replacing the older dials.     Because of the increasing awareness of the advantages of Bii's Level 2 repair process among the world's operators, Bii's business continues to grow and in 1976 the company expands its Santa Fe Springs facility to accommodate the increased volume.     In 1976, Bii receives General Electric approval for CF6 engine bearing reconditioning. Starting in 1971 with the 40,000 lb. thrust CF6-6 and continuing today with the 72,000 lb. thrust CF6-80E1, more CF6 engines have been produced and have flown more hours than any other high bypass engine family.     In 1971, Bii receives Pratt & Whitney approval for JT8 engine bearing reconditioning. One of the leading engines of its time, JT8s are in use around the world and Bii's OEM approval serves as a springboard into what becomes a major platform for the company during the 70's, 80's and into the 90's.       Bii keeps pace with the increasing involvement of U.S. troops in the Vietnam conflict. The company helps the Military raise aircraft operational readiness and cope with the greater number of engine overhauls resulting from the war effort.     Dwarfing all earlier commercial aircraft, Boeing's 747-200 enters service with a passenger carrying capability of nearly 500. With a range approaching 5,600 miles, it becomes the mainstay of international travel.     To support its burgeoning business, Bii moves to a larger facility in Santa Fe Springs. The move more than doubles capacity and allows Bii to better accommodate the increased demand for bearing services from both the commercial and military sectors.     Early in 1968, Bii achieves a technological breakthrough with the development of the BA-20 Analyzer. Based on the ultra-sensitive acoustic measurement of the rolling element over the raceway, the BA-20 redefines state-of-the-art in bearing inspection and reconditioning.     Bii announces that United Airlines has become its first commercial customer for bearing reconditioning. The program is a success and over the next decade Bii adds a number of major airlines to its customer roster.     Two years after receiving FAA Certification, Bii begins overhauling military gas turbine engine bearings. Having already built a successful track record of inspecting bearings for over a decade for the military, Bii is now able to further help reduce costs of operations for the military and streamline engine maintenance operations.     Bii obtains FAA Repair Certification for all anti-friction aircraft bearings in 1960. The FAA approval for all aircraft engine bearings validates Bii's bearing reconditioning approach and opens the way to the future success of bearing repair as a mainstay of Bii's business.       In the late 1950's, Bii is awarded a U.S. Patent for the development of its Bearing Analyzer. This revolutionary Analyzer allows Bii to measure and document bearing condition to a far greater degree than previously possible. Its development helps propel the company to the technical forefront of its field.     In 1956, Bii begins development of the Level 2 Reconditioning Process. Bii is commonly acknowledged as the founder of the modern day reconditioning process for turbine jet and other critical use turbine engine bearings. The Level 2 Reconditioning Process has the advantage of providing maximum savings to the customer, while bringing the bearing back to the functional equivalent of new.     The same year Bii commences operations, the B-52 enters service. The largest bomber ever built, the B-52 is still in use today, seeing extensive service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bii originally began as a military supplier providing engine bearing inspection services, but expanded its services and operation to support the rapidly growing worldwide fleet of both military and commercial turbine jet engines during the 50's and 60's.     Born as a result of aviation turning to jet turbines, Bearing Inspection, Incorporated (Bii) was founded in Huntington Park, California in 1955 -- just three years after the first commercial jet airliner had begun operations. As its name suggests, the company was originally founded as a bearing inspection facility and would not begin bearing repair until 1960.     The first commercial jet airliner, the de Havilland Comet, enters service. Although plagued with a number of problems and only offering marginally better performance than its propeller counterparts (44 passengers, a distance of 1,750 miles at a cruise speed of 280 mph), the Comet ushers in the commercial jet age by proving the economic viability of jet turbines.