Earl Roland, founder and chairman of Roland Machinery, died recently at the age of 90. Roland founded the company in 1958 along with Ken McElroy, acquiring McElroy’s interest in the company in 1969.
Roland began his business career as a salesman in 1944. He was also involved in property development, had two additional construction distribution companies, a saw mill and a popcorn business. Roland was instrumental in shaping the fiber optics industry by developing the first cable plow attachment for a bulldozer.
Roland was active in many charities, such as United Way and Contact Ministries. He was also instrumental in building the Roland Fine Arts Center and Roland Library at Hannibal LaGrange University in Hannibal, Mo.
Roland Machinery, which began as a distributor for International Harvester Corp., is now run by his son Ray Roland, CEO, and grandson Matthew Roland, president, and represents major manufacturers such as Komatsu, Wirtgen, Vogele, Hamm, Kleeman, Sennebogen and Leeboy. It has a major rental division and is ranked No. 90 on the RER 100. Roland retired from day-to-day operations in 1982.
