New sound-absorbing covering for TeatrOreno funded by The Timken Foundation and Rollon

The Timken Foundation, in partnership with Rollon, has recently funded the installation of acoustic panels at TeatrOreno—an important intervention to enhance the theater’s acoustics and another step in Rollon’s commitment to supporting the local community.

TeatrOreno, a cultural landmark for the Vimercate and Brianza community, now benefits from a new anti-reverberation covering, made possible through funding from The Timken Foundation in collaboration with Rollon.

Following renovations that introduced two mobile sections to the theater, the installation of four steel columns became necessary. However, these columns generated disruptive reverberation. Thanks to funding from The Timken Foundation, managed operationally by Rollon, it was possible to complete the sound-absorbing covering and restore optimal acoustics to the venue.

“As Filodrammatica Orenese, we wanted to make a tangible contribution to improving the theater,” explains Massimo Perrone, head of Filodrammatica Orenese, the oldest amateur drama company in Brianza. “With the funds we raised, we managed to cover part of the hall, but the project remained incomplete. That’s when The Timken Foundation and Rollon stepped in, allowing us to finish the work”.

The impact of this project extends beyond acoustics, significantly benefiting the local community and cultural life. Monsignor Maurizio Rolla, who, together with Don Eugenio Calabresi, oversees TeatrOreno on behalf of the parish of Vimercate, highlights its broader significance: “We live in a region rich in relationships and cultural initiatives that foster social cohesion, and TeatrOreno is a remarkable example of this. We often underestimate the value of culture, yet it profoundly nourishes our inner life and strengthens the meaning of our actions. This funding is an investment in the values we seek to preserve and pass on to our community.”

Projects supported by The Timken Foundation and Rollon

The installation of sound-absorbing panels at TeatrOreno is the latest in a series of projects made possible by The Timken Foundation in collaboration with Rollon. Since 2021, Rollon and the Foundation — which primarily supports initiatives in the communities where The Timken Company, Rollon’s parent company, operates — have undertaken multiple initiatives to enhance the Brianza area.

In 2021, a $50,000 budget funded the renovation of a playground in Arcore, making it accessible for children with physical disabilities. The following year, in 2022, a $100,000 budget enabled the purchase of an ambulance for the AVPS in Vimercate, equipped with an on-the-go sanitization system that significantly reduces vehicle downtime.

The year 2023 marked an even larger investment, with a total budget of $150,000. Of this, $100,000 was allocated to the municipality of Vimercate for constructing a tensile structure at the “A Tutto Sport” park, ensuring year-round usability of the basketball court. The remaining $50,000 supported the Vimercate Fire Department in building a mobile structure to be deployed on rescue vehicles in the event of serious traffic accidents.

In 2024, with a total budget of $150,000, three key projects were funded. The first involved the construction of a greenhouse for the Gruppo Familiari Corte Crivelli, which promotes initiatives for people with disabilities, enabling year-round horticulture activities. The second project facilitated the purchase of a van for Cooperativa Iride to transport individuals with disabilities. The third initiative was the installation of acoustic covering at TeatrOreno. Looking ahead to 2025, a budget of $160,000 has been planned, with projects currently under selection.

Over the past five years, more than $600,000 has been allocated to the local community. As Eng. Stefano Zecchinato, Branch Manager Italy of Rollon affirms: “If we have the ability to support the community, we have a moral obligation to do so. Moreover, we want our employees to feel proud to work for a company that actively contributes to local well-being. Finally, we aim to challenge the perception that multinational companies are solely profit-driven: our commitment to these projects demonstrates that community support is just as important to Rollon”.