A day of innovation and collaboration: Roland's European Distributor Meeting at the Monza racetrack
On Tuesday, January 20, 2025, Roland’s European distributors gathered for an exclusive event at the iconic Monza racetrack. The day provided a unique opportunity not only to explore Roland’s latest products but also to delve into the company’s business strategy, technological innovations, and the strong partnerships that drive its success.
The event kicked off with insightful presentations from key figures within Roland: Kohei Tanabe, President and Representative Director, Andrew Oransky, Director Managing Executive Officer, Gregory Bilsen, CEO of Roland DG EMEA, and Paul Willems, Head of Product Management & Business Development. They offered a detailed look at Roland’s business philosophy and organizational structure, which enables the company to continuously develop cutting-edge products. The importance of collaboration was a central theme throughout the presentations, with a strong emphasis on the vital role that close partnerships with dealers play in Roland’s success. This collaborative approach is key to maintaining Roland’s strong market position and delivering value to both Roland and its distributors.
Following these strategic discussions, we were treated to a fascinating presentation by two engineers from the Alpine Formula 1 team. They shared insights into the partnership between Roland and the F1 team, explaining how Roland’s technology supports their efforts to achieve top-tier performance in the highly competitive world of motorsport. The engineers discussed the challenges of Formula 1 and how the same principles of precision, speed, and innovation that are crucial in motorsport are applied to both the sales and use of Roland products. It was an exciting demonstration of how top-level sports visions are translated into technological solutions for the business world.
After these captivating talks, we had the opportunity to get up close and personal with Roland's latest products. The XP-6400, TY-300, and Dimens products were showcased, sparking significant interest among the distributors. We also had the chance to engage with specialists and learn more about the applications and benefits of these innovative technologies.
One of the highlights was our conversation with Michel van Vliet, Business Strategy Manager at Roland, who introduced us to the Dimens products. Roland has positioned itself as a leader in 3D printing technology. The Dimens products, including printers, inks, and media—all developed in-house—are set to revolutionize various sectors. Not only do they enable the printing of wallpaper with 3D effects, but they also offer a wide range of other exciting applications that are still under development. The future of these technologies looks incredibly promising.
We also had the chance to hear from Peter Waelkens, Product Manager Software, who shared valuable insights about Roland’s software solutions. Programs such as DGconnect, VersaWorks, and many others are not only keeping pace with market developments but are also ahead of the curve. These software solutions play a crucial role in ensuring that users can fully maximize the potential of their Roland hardware.
The day proved to be an invaluable opportunity to learn about new products, build valuable relationships, and strengthen the ties between Roland and its partners. It was an unforgettable experience that highlighted Roland’s commitment to innovation and collaboration.
A special thank you to the Roland DG team for organizing such an inspiring event. The future looks incredibly bright, and we’re excited to see what Roland will continue to develop in the years to come.
