Timken Foundation Greenhouse Project Empowers Inclusivity

A new greenhouse and veranda have been inaugurated to support educational and social activities for people with disabilities organised by the Gruppo Familiari Corte Crivelli association. The project was made possible thanks to the contribution of The Timken Foundation through Rollon, and the commitment of the local administration and other entities.

The new greenhouse and veranda of the Gruppo Familiari Corte Crivelli association, funded by The Timken Foundation with the local support of Rollon, were recently inaugurated.

The Gruppo Familiari Corte Crivelli – which has been active since 2005 in the development of initiatives for people with disabilities – can now count on a modern veranda and greenhouse, designed to strengthen and expand its horticulture project. In fact, the Orti Familiari (Family Gardens) were created with two main objectives: to promote active ageing for the elderly and to welcome people with disabilities from the Day Centres of the towns of Usmate and Vimercate. In this context, participants, together with their educators and volunteers, can experience an integrated educational project, in which working the land becomes an opportunity for inclusion, autonomy and personal growth.

To make this space even more accessible and functional, a greenhouse and a veranda – complete with toilets – were built. The construction was made possible thanks to the support of the Municipal Administration and several private entities, including The Timken Foundation through Rollon. These two permanent structures will allow longer stays in the area, enable safer and more comfortable work conditions, and make the space usable even in adverse weather.

“It is important for us to support organizations that make a real difference in people’s lives and help build more inclusive and caring communities. This project is a tangible example of how corporate support can translate into real opportunities for those who need it most”, says Stefano Zecchinato, Branch Manager Italy at Rollon.

Projects supported by The Timken Foundation through Rollon

For years, The Timken Foundation, with local support from Rollon, has been contributing to initiatives that benefit the local communities hosting the facilities of The Timken Company and its subsidiaries.

The first project dates back to 2021 and involved the renovation of a playground in Arcore, redesigned to be accessible for children with motor disabilities. In 2022, an ambulance was purchased for the AVPS association in Vimercate, equipped with an on-board sanitization system that significantly reduced vehicle downtime. In 2023, a tensile structure was built at the A Tutto Sport park in Vimercate, allowing year-round use of the basketball court. The organizations also purchased a mobile structure to be mounted on fire department rescue vehicles for severe road accidents.

In 2024, three projects were financed: the construction of a greenhouse and veranda for Gruppo Familiari Corte Crivelli, the purchase of a minibus for disabled transport for Cooperativa Iride, and the installation of a sound-absorbing covering for TeatrOreno.

Further investments are already planned for 2025–2026, confirming the ongoing commitment of The Timken Foundation through Rollon to supporting social, cultural, and sports initiatives. The goal is to contribute to the growth and well-being of local communities by promoting inclusion, participation, and quality of life through concrete and long-lasting actions.

The Timken Foundation of Canton

The Timken Foundation of Canton is a private, nonprofit, family foundation, founded in 1934 by Henry H. Timken, Sr. Over that time, the Foundation has disbursed more than $400 million in grants. The Timken Foundation makes grants primarily in the communities where The Timken Company operates.

Rollon: Motion Technology for All Types of Automation

Founded in 1975, for 50 years Rollon has specialized in the production and development of linear motion systems. Since 2018, Rollon has been a part of The Timken Company, representing the linear motion unit within the Industrial Motion segment of Timken. Rollon’s solutions are globally adopted in industrial automation, aerospace, medical equipment, material handling, and other sectors where product performance, efficiency and reliability are essential. With the acquisition by The Timken Company of Nadella, Chiavette Unificate, Durbal, Shuton-Ipiranga, and Rosa Sistemi, Rollon is now able to offer its customers an even more comprehensive product range – from linear components, actuators and systems to ball screws and rotational units.

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