Roland is closing down roland Europe :(

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 3:13 am

I'm guessing here a bit - but I believe Roland Europe is NOT Roland. It's a separately run entity, as are Roland Japan, Roland US ....

Again - only guessing as I only scanned the initial statement - but it looks like Roland Europe made a bad investment in Italy, and that has sunk Roland (Europe) only.

I suspect this has nothing to do with the parent company, their business model or the success of their music technology. I would guess Roland are doing about as well as anyone else. Furthmore they have a viable printer / scanner business - and they are clever with music technology placement in education and worship. Meanwhile, Boss Strompboxes do well.

Overall, I suspect that Roland are doing OK; but will stand corrected if I have misunderstood. And, this is encouraging:

http://www.rolandconnect.com

Kevin.

billysynth1 · Post by **billysynth1** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:16 am

That's depressing Kevin...now we have to wait a month for Roland NAMM.

Regards
Billy

paul59539 · Post by **paul59539** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 6:48 am

Am I right that the various Roland EU distributors remain open for business as usual. Right? Thanks

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 8:17 am

Kevin Nolan wrote:I'm guessing here a bit - but I believe Roland Europe is NOT Roland. It's a separately run entity, as are Roland Japan, Roland US ....

Again - only guessing as I only scanned the initial statement - but it looks like Roland Europe made a bad investment in Italy, and that has sunk Roland (Europe) only.

I suspect this has nothing to do with the parent company, their business model or the success of their music technology. I would guess Roland are doing about as well as anyone else. Furthmore they have a viable printer / scanner business - and they are clever with music technology placement in education and worship. Meanwhile, Boss Strompboxes do well.

Overall, I suspect that Roland are doing OK; but will stand corrected if I have misunderstood. And, this is encouraging:

http://www.rolandconnect.com

Kevin.

Roland europe was where they designed the arranger keyboards and produced them, same as for Korg europe, arranger keyboards are designed and created here...

Main question is, did Roland just pull out of the arranger buiseness?

KONNECTORAS · Post by **KONNECTORAS** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:15 am

Local Roland offficials, state no.
Arranger business as well as accordion projects will be continued from other Roland Corporation facilities round the world.

javaj · Post by **javaj** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:23 pm

This all sounds like Blackberry.

PianoManChuck · Post by **PianoManChuck** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:34 pm

In my Winter NAMM 2014 predictions video, I bring up the fact that Roland went from having the entire arena area as their "booth" just 2 years ago (and previous years), to just a couple of small rooms in 2013 and now again in 2014. So this major change says a lot of their situation.
You can catch that video here:
http://youtu.be/dkLKPjG7zdw

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:50 pm

PianoManChuck wrote:In my Winter NAMM 2014 predictions video, I bring up the fact that Roland went from having the entire arena area as their "booth" just 2 years ago (and previous years), to just a couple of small rooms in 2013 and now again in 2014. So this major change says a lot of their situation.
You can catch that video here:
http://youtu.be/dkLKPjG7zdw

That does not have to be the reason behind the change...

Because about 2 years ago Roland changed its whole marketing strategy. They are trying to reach customers by having these events at internet that show all their new gear...

And because of that change, they cut down their budget on the big shows like NAMM..

The reason behind this whole changed strategy does not have to be a financial one..

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 4:55 pm

Bachus wrote:They are trying to reach customers by having these events at internet that show all their new gear...

And because of that change, they cut down their budget on the big shows like NAMM..

Seems a little contradictory. Although it's a trade-show, WNAMM has also become a very significant 'internet event' for customers looking to see what is on the horizon. The buzz on forums is at its greatest during the WNAMM period. Not just KorgForums, but all music gear manufacturers and related forums/blogs. It is the period where the target audience' interest is at their greatest and most receptive. It's a highly important and strategic event from a business aspect.

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 2:59 pm

Timo wrote:
Bachus wrote:They are trying to reach customers by having these events at internet that show all their new gear...

And because of that change, they cut down their budget on the big shows like NAMM..
Seems a little contradictory. Although it's a trade-show, WNAMM has also become a very significant 'internet event' for customers looking to see what is on the horizon. The buzz on forums is at its greatest during the WNAMM period. Not just KorgForums, but all music gear manufacturers and related forums/blogs. It is the period where the target audience' interest is at their greatest and most receptive. It's a highly important and strategic event from a business aspect.

I think their motivation is...

If you show something at NAMM you need to share attention with everyone else.. If you show it at a different time with your very own internet event, you have all the attention from everyone in the buiseness for your very own products..

But then there havent been any real aspiring Roland products for some time now (and thats not only the keyboard part)

MoonMusic · Post by **MoonMusic** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 6:08 pm

Timo wrote:Seems a little contradictory. Although it's a trade-show, WNAMM has also become a very significant 'internet event' for customers looking to see what is on the horizon. The buzz on forums is at its greatest during the WNAMM period. Not just KorgForums, but all music gear manufacturers and related forums/blogs. It is the period where the target audience' interest is at their greatest and most receptive. It's a highly important and strategic event from a business aspect.

I agree, I am on the internet all weekend of WNAMM searching for what the companies are showing that's new....That is when my interest is at it's peak....Through the year, not so much... If I'm not on a companies news email list, I probably won't see it unless a lot of people are talking about it on KVR, Gearslutz, etc....

On the flip side I have Eric from Spectrasonics on my Facebook page and he was recently saying he's going to be at NAMM but he's not renting a bunch of space either (or maybe even none?) but is going to be there personally anyway...They should have something exciting for 2014 but didn't seem to suggest it's going to be ready for WNAMM....I guess now that (well known) companies can easily launch their own product releases via online pretty successfully, it's harder to justify the cost of a bunch of space....And let's be honest, if a company somehow manages to get new product info to you that you are interested in, the first thing your going to do is go to their website to find out more about it....That's just how it works now.....moon

nitecrawler · Post by **nitecrawler** » Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:16 pm

" it's harder to justify the cost of a bunch of space....And let's be honest, if a company somehow manages to get new product info to you that you are interested in, the first thing your going to do is go to their website to find out more about it....That's just how it works now.....moon[/quote]"

I agree that the dynamics are changing and shows are not as critical as before there was wide computer use. I also use the computer to access new product info. But, hands on experience of new equipment can not be underestimated as important to promote product as well. Personally, I have to have hands on more and more these days.