Rollon celebrates 50 years of pioneering excellence in cutting-edge linear motion solutions with further strategic global expansion
Rollon marks milestone anniversary, building on a strong legacy and leading a bold vision for future growth.
May 8, 2025. Rollon, a global leader in linear motion solutions, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1975 in a small workshop in Northern Italy, the company has since expanded with a presence in 11 countries, boasting 14 state-of-the-art manufacturing sites internationally and a team of 1,200 skilled professionals worldwide.
From Rollon’s first product – precision linear guides – the company’s portfolio has advanced to meet customer requirements. Over the past half century, Rollon developed heavy-duty telescopic rails, actuators and systems and more recently introduced ball screws and rod ends, creating one of the broadest product ranges in the industry.
Today, Rollon stands at the forefront of the industrial motion industry, delivering advanced linear motion components with a strong focus on customized solutions that drive innovation and respond to ever-changing market needs. Guided by deep expertise and a strong ethical foundation, Rollon is dedicated to making global industries more efficient and effective through a forward-thinking, sustainable approach.
Timeline of milestones
The company’s early growth throughout the 1980s included the introduction of the first linear and telescopic rails.
In the 1990s, Rollon expanded internationally into key markets, opening branches in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and United States.
In 2001, the Italy location relocated to a new production plant, which has since been expanded to 15,500 sqm to meet increasing product demand and expand extensive in-house product testing.
In the 2010s, Rollon broadened its product portfolio to include advanced linear actuator systems for robotics and manufacturing. The company’s global expansion continued with new branches in China and India, and new sales offices in the United Kingdom and Brazil. When Rollon joined The Timken Company in 2018, it became the flagship brand for linear motion within the company’s Industrial Motion business.
Another pivotal milestone came in 2023, when Timken acquired Rosa Sistemi and Nadella Group (which encompassed Chiavette Unificate, Durbal and Shuton-Ipiranga). These acquisitions enabled Rollon to offer a more comprehensive portfolio – from linear components, actuators and systems to ball screws and rotational units for sectors where product performance, efficiency and reliability are essential.
Honoring the past, forging the future
The 50th anniversary represents a key milestone, offering an opportunity to acknowledge successes while aligning the company’s vision for future growth and innovation.
In addition to celebrating the anniversary, Rollon will also inaugurate two new state-of-the-art facilities in the United States and Germany this year.
Rollon opened its first U.S. branch in 1998. Throughout the 2010s, Rollon gradually expanded its U.S. sales and engineering team to support growing demand, particularly in the robotics and automation and aerospace sectors. When Timken acquired Rollon, it further boosted the company’s presence and capabilities in North America. In 2021, Rollon further expanded production of linear rails and actuators.
Rollon established a presence in Germany in 1991 and experienced strong growth in German-speaking markets, driven by demand in railway, material handling and industrial machinery. In 2013, the company relocated to a larger facility to accommodate a growing team and increased inventory needs.
The investments in larger, state-of-the-art facilities in both the United States (Michigan) and Germany (Düsseldorf), represent important milestones within two strategic markets for Rollon. They enhance production capabilities, enable faster delivery times and strengthen the company’s ability to support a growing international customer base by providing highly tailored solutions that meet diverse and evolving needs.
Digital transformation
Over the years, Rollon has also embraced digital transformation to provide a streamlined digital experience for customers and empower engineering teams. The company has invested strategically in key technologies and tools, and most recently launched myRollon, an intuitive, easy-to-use digital working platform designed to streamline the selection and configuration of linear and rotational solutions.
“Digital transformation has been at the heart of Rollon’s evolution,” said Rollon CEO, Rüdiger Knevels. “Our investment in advanced tools and platforms like myRollon reflects our commitment to simplifying the customer journey and establishes the foundation for further digital innovation. By delivering a more intuitive and connected digital experience, we’re not just enhancing how our solutions are accessed and configured, we’re redefining what our customers can expect from a global motion technology partner.”
Recognising the stakeholders now and into the future
Knevels, continued, “At Rollon, our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and precision engineering has fuelled five decades of success, establishing us as a trusted global partner in automation and industrial motion solutions. As industries evolve and challenges become more complex, we are driving the future forward, ensuring that innovation remains at the heart of everything we do.
Rollon is economy-building for the future – we don’t just operate within global economies, we aim to help shape, expand, and sustain them. We are always looking ahead to the future of automation, so we can continue to pioneer cutting-edge innovations, enhance efficiency, and empower our customers with smarter, more reliable, and future-ready solutions.
Our capabilities in linear motion have become recognised as some of the best in the world. Rollon is focused on investing in the future of manufacturing and building solutions that will have a lasting impact. We are interested in how to bring the future to life – shaping the evolution of manufacturing and the world around us.”
United in celebration across every team and location
Rollon has planned a series of global events over the coming months to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The first will take place at SPS Italia (May 13-15 in Parma, Italy), where the Rollon team will celebrate the milestone alongside customers. This will be followed by another customer-focused event at Automatica (June 24-27 in Munich).
The inaugurations of the new Michigan facility in June and Düsseldorf site in July offer opportunities for local teams to commemorate the anniversary. Rollon will also host events for employees at all its locations, providing an opportunity to celebrate as one unified team.
“Our anniversary events over the next few months are the perfect opportunity to thank employees and partners for their continued support. We take great pride in our dedicated team, with many long-standing employees whose expertise and loyalty drive our success. Their commitment ensures valuable skills retention, fostering innovation and excellence across our operations,” concluded Knevels.
