Roland van der Aa

President Europe @ METRA | Executive MBA | Aluminium Enthusiast

Basel Metropolitan Area

About

I am an experienced business and commercial leader, with a passion for growth, continuous improvement and innovation. Result oriented team player combined with wide international (global) sales, marketing & product development experience. Ability to manage remote teams under rapidly changing circumstances, as well as go creative ways to explore new methods to improve the performance of the team and its individuals. Specialties: Strategy development and deployment, Organizations, Product Development, Sales and Marketing

Experience

  • Co-Founder, Co-Owner and Director at Infinity Estate Investments Pvt. Ltd
    Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

  • President Europe at METRA
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

    In this capacity I am responsible for the European commercial and operational activities. METRA is a global, vertically integrated manufacturer of complex extruded aluminium profiles and high value-added services, including painting, oxidation, machining, welding and assembly. With a production capacity of over 100,000 tonnes/year, METRA meets the most challenging needs of over 2,300 customers globally, offering innovative solutions for industry and building industry in Europe and North America. METRA is headquartered in Rodengo Saiano, Italy, with ten production plants strategically located in Italy, the USA and Canada.

  • Norsk Hydro (8 yrs 3 mos)
    • Vice President South West Europe
      Dec 2019 - Mar 2024 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      Regional Vice President Responsible for France and Italy with in total 6 production Facilities

    • Vice President Commercial & Operational Excellence
      Jan 2018 - Dec 2019 · 2 yrs

    • Vice President Germany, Austria & Switzerland (DACH)
      Jan 2016 - Dec 2017 · 2 yrs

      Full P&L responsible for the so called DACH region (Germany, Austria & Switzerland). It entails 4 locations with over 100´000 tons of production and a turn over greater than 500 Million Euros. In Total a 1000+ people are employed in this business region of Sapa Extrusion Europe.

  • Sapa ()
    • Vice President, Commercial & Business Development
      Nov 2014 - Dec 2015 · 1 yr 2 mos

    • Vice President, Marketing & Product Development
      Mar 2012 - Oct 2014 · 2 yrs 8 mos

      In this role, I was responsible for European marketing and product development within Sapa AS, which is the world’s largest aluminum profiles extruder. • Management of Sapa’s marketing and product development team containing 18 FTE’s located in different European countries. • Working closely with Sales and Technology on customer specific solutions and heading the “towards solutions” program. • Business opportunity development, as well as business models and “go-to-market” strategies.

  • Alcoa (11 yrs 10 mos)
    • Global Director Growth Practice
      Nov 2008 - Feb 2012 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      In this role I was responsible for the overall global management of the Alcoa Growth Practice, which is Alcoa’s internal strategy and marketing consultancy department. Successful management of a global remote team with 7 team members located in the USA, Europe and China. Development of strategy and marketing tools, which are implemented on a global level within the company as best practice.

    • Commercial Director Consumer Electronic Products
      Jan 2009 - Mar 2010 · 1 yr 3 mos

      50% on a project basis

    • Marketing Director - Flat Rolled Products
      Oct 2002 - Oct 2008 · 6 yrs 1 mo

      Based in Switzerland, I have created, deployed and managed the marketing team for this division, which was accountable for a portfolio of over $500 million and increased the European business with 35% since 2005. People management of 7 persons deployed over Europe. Responsible for new product and market development. Created a technical customer service department in cooperation with the manufacturing facilities, to support the sales & marketing organization. Successfully developed and deployed a pan-European E-Business strategy.