History of Merlo
In 1964, Amilcare Merlo established Merlo SPA in Cervasca, Italy and began producing mobile construction equipment. Today, its main facility is still in Cervasca and occupies 2.3 million square feet with 1,200 employees.
Merlo’s philosophy is to build as much in-house as possible (92%) using automation.
A tour of the facility features 38 robots, 16 machining centers, 11 automatic steel cutting lines, and 3 high-tech powder coating lines. Merlo’s first telehandler arrived in 1981 with the SM series, which is still in use worldwide. Since that first machine, a series of true innovations ensued, including “industry firsts” for side-engined telescopic handlers, rotary telehandlers, the first true agriculture tractor/telehandler (Multifarmer) and the first 26,500 lb. capacity unit.
Big performance advancements in compact design, safety, visibility, maneuverability, and hydrostatic drives that offer unparalleled comfort, efficiency and above all, safety, soon followed. More innovation is sure to come as Merlo remains committed to research, advanced technology and mechanization.
1964 - The Merlo company is born, focusing on construction machinery.
1981 - SM 30, the first telescopic handler.
1991 - ROTO 25.11 XS, the first telescopic handler with a rotating turret.
1996 - TURBOFARMER, the first specialized handlers for agricultural machinery use.
2000 - The MULTIFARMER is born: the telescopic handler meets the agricultural tractor for heavy farm equipment use.