26.10.2012

Merlo moves into the USA

Italian telehandler manufacturer Merlo launched its move into the US market at this week’s Lift and access Showcase in Orlando.

The company, which already has a strong presence in Canada, has previously chosen to avoid the US market due to production capacity limitations and product differentials.

However with increased capacity and a sluggish market in Southern Europe as well as shifting product preferences among local buyers it seems that the time is now right and the company has appointed its first distributor – Applied Machinery Sales, which also trades as AMS. The company, which is based in Pineville, North Carolina, just south of Charlotte, will handle the East Central territory. The company has already imported a range of straight frame telehandlers, including compact models and will shortly take delivery of its first Roto 360 degree model.
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Merlo with its first move into the USA

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The Merlo team (L-R) Daryl Kidd of dealer AMS, Andrea Ferri of Merlo and Garth McGillewie of AMS

Merlo says it will initially ship all US product through Charleston as it seeks to find and appoint dealers to cover the rest of the country.

AMS is also a distributor for Ormig pick & carry cranes and Kegiom spider cranes.

AMS owner Garth McGillewie previously owned Hydra Platforms, the underbridge specialist that was acquired by Terex in 2008.