Other initiatives launched by the UK arm of the German press manufacturer include a user group for Roland 200 presses, an enhanced 'quality assured' secondhand offering and a press oil testing service.
According to Manroland sheetfed sales director Gary Doman, the firm's Technical Support Desk will offer all Manroland users free technical advice during office hours (8am to 6pm) and an enhanced free 24-hour service to clients of its TelePresence service and ProServ maintenance contracts.
He added that the Roland 200 Club is about recognising the significance of B2 printers to the future industry.
"These guys can often get left out, and what we're saying is we recognise their importance and to support them we're going to run special networking forums, webinars and also offer discounts on parts and servicing," said Doman.
Membership is open to any Roland 200 user, and benefits include a 10% discount on servicing, a 15% saving on parts and invitations to various customer events.
Allied with the changes to its service offering, the firm has also "raised the stakes" of its secondhand press division.
As well as offering used machines via its global database of machines from sister Manroland operations, the firm's refreshed used machinery offering will offer buying and selling advice, including free valuation, as well as installation and decommissioning support via Manroland GB's service engineers.
The division will be headed up by Mark Stribley, used machinery specialist at Used Machinery Direct – a division of M Partners.
The final link in the enhanced service chain is laboratory oil testing, changing and supply service at "the most competitive rates in the market".
"In what is widely expected to be a challenging market… service and support is an area where suppliers can add real value to their existing customers," said Manroland GB service director Peter Redmond.
The unveiling of the enhanced UK service offering comes after parent Manroland's preliminary 2008 results showed a drop in sales and profit.
Also see: Manroland to shed 625 jobs following drop in orders
Review: Manroland R50
