September 2025
Innovation rooted in tradition — it may sound like a contradiction, but it is the guiding principle that has driven Merlo S.p.A. since its founding in 1964. The Cuneo-based company, now a global leader in telehandlers and specialised work vehicles, is living proof of how a family-run industrial business can not only endure but excel in the highly competitive mechanical engineering sector. Its success rests on vision, ingenuity, and an unrelenting drive toward the future.
Founded by Amilcare and Natalina Merlo, the company began by producing construction machinery. Even in its early, artisanal years, Merlo showed a strong focus on innovation. In 1981, the company revolutionised the handling sector with the launch of the SM30 — the world’s first telehandler. Compact, versatile, and powerful, the SM30 was more than a product: it was the foundation of an industrial philosophy built on vertical integration, full control of the production chain, and a strong in-house design identity.
Technological Evolution: Embracing the Green and Digital Revolution
Over the decades, Merlo has consistently demonstrated a rare ability to anticipate market needs, driven by continuous investment in research and development. Breakthroughs such as hydrostatic transmission, dynamic safety systems, modular chassis, and suspended cabs — all designed and patented in-house — highlight this commitment, with more than 90 international patents to date.
A clear example of Merlo’s philosophy is the ASCS – Adaptive Stability Control System, which dynamically adjusts machine behaviour according to load conditions, stability, and configuration. The result: maximum safety and productivity across every operation.
Today, Merlo is at the forefront of intelligent and sustainable mechanics. A cornerstone of this strategy is the e-WORKER, the first fully electric telehandler. Offering zero emissions, low noise, compact design, and excellent performance, the e-WORKER is ideally suited for urban construction sites, agricultural operations, and environmentally sensitive areas.
But the company’s technological push goes further. Digitalisation is reshaping its offering, with solutions such as MerloMobility, a cloud-connected fleet management platform that enables real-time monitoring of performance, maintenance, safety, and geolocation. By providing access to Industry 4.0 incentives and streamlining complex fleet operations, it exemplifies Merlo’s commitment to smarter working.
Other innovations include the autonomous self-driving Cingo, an evolution of the company’s compact carriers equipped with advanced navigation systems, intelligent sensors, and proprietary algorithms, and the Radio Control system, a state-of-the-art wireless interface that allows operators to control machines remotely and safely — particularly useful in hazardous or high-precision environments. These developments represent significant steps toward the controlled robotisation of lifting and handling equipment.
A Family Legacy with a Global Outlook
In a fiercely competitive global market, Merlo continues to stand out thanks to its distinctive production model: vertical control of its supply chain, strong in-house expertise, and a family-driven DNA that has always combined strategic foresight with bold investment choices.
Today, Merlo employs more than 1,700 people in Italy and across eight international subsidiaries. Its industrial campus in San Defendente di Cervasca is one of Europe’s most advanced centres for applied mechanics.
Another pillar of Merlo’s success is its commitment and investment in technical training. The Merlo Training and Research Centre welcomes operators, technicians, and dealers from around the world every year, ensuring that innovation goes hand in hand with expertise and skill.
