Roland DG Corp., parent company of US-based Roland DGA, has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility based in Bangkok, Thailand, for the company’s digital printing equipment. It is the company’s first manufacturing center located outside of Japan.
“We established this production center in Thailand primarily to plan and manufacture large-format inkjet printers for developing countries across Asia, but it will also serve Roland globally in the areas of design and development,” says Masahiro Tomioka, president of Roland DG Corp. “With Thailand’s good infrastructure, plus the availability of skilled labor and strong network of supporting companies, we believe this new production center will help us achieve our goals for global expansion.”
The construction of the Thai factory was begun in January 2012 and the facility became fully operational in October. Though the factory in Thailand will initially be a central base for operations in the local region, going forward it will also handle planning and design functions which will enhance operations globally, the company reports. Production at the new facility is based on Roland’s “Digital Yatai” manufacturing model, a cell-based approach that employs digital technologies such as on-screen instructions and automated systems to assist employees in the production of products.
“By setting up this manufacturing facility in Thailand, Roland is now able to produce more affordable products that meet the increasing demand for wide-format inkjet printers in Asia, as well as the rest of the world,” says Rick Scrimger, president of Roland DGA Corp. “It’s exciting to see the company expand its reach in this way. We look forward to passing on the many benefits of this new global center to our customers, not only across Asia and the surrounding regions, but here in the Americas as well.”
ROLAND DGA
www.rolanddga.com