With the Merlo Roto 50.35 and support from Merlo America and Wood’s CRW, construction site contractor and certified WBE founder Carley Hill is elevating CaHill Resources to new heights: on sports stadium mega projects and alongside IndyCar driver James Roe at the Milwaukee Mile.
ROCK HILL, SC - For Carley Hill, founder and owner of CaHill Resources and CAHill TECH, construction is in her blood. From the age of 11, she’d spend summers with her father at her family’s highway contracting firm, where the yard and worksite felt like her playground. Those early experiences built her confidence with equipment, safety and high-stakes environments; skills that have shaped her entrepreneurial path.
In 2017, Hill launched CaHill Resources, a heavy civil site construction firm followed by CAHill TECH, a nationally accredited hybrid workforce training company in 2019. Today, her companies are tackling ambitious projects across the northeast. CaHill Resources has grown more than 400% in just a few years and, since 2023, has served as a contractor on a major construction project in the Western New York area.
Now a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Hill is focused on creating opportunities for her team while investing in the tools and partnerships that keep them competitive. Her most recent fleet addition, the Merlo Roto 50.35, has already proven to be a star signing.
Making projects possible with Merlo
“In the first three months alone, we served around 15 different companies with the Merlo 50.35,” Hill shares. “Its reach, all-terrain capability and versatility have solved problems other equipment simply
couldn’t. Whether it’s lifting shipping containers in tight laydown areas or navigating critical lifts while traveling on rough site terrain, the Merlo has made our operations safer, faster and more resourceful. It’s been a real game-changer for us.”
Hill was introduced to the Merlo lineup by Philip Donoway, Territory Manager at Wood’s CRW, one of Merlo America’s trusted dealer partners. Family-owned for more than 60 years, Wood’s CRW serves the Northeast with deep expertise in lifting equipment, making them a go-to partner for contractors tackling complex projects.“Carley made it clear that she needed versatility. That meant rigging in tight spaces, lifting in stadium environments and switching attachments quickly,” he explained. “When I shared some options with her, she immediately said: ‘Hey, what’s that green machine?’ It quickly became clear that a Merlo 50.35 Roto Telehandler was soon going to join her team.”
When it came to onboarding the machine, Hill emphasises: “Phil and the team at Wood’s CRW made the decision easy, providing a generous demo and letting our team put the machine to work. They supported us every step of the way. As a small, start-up company their service and responsiveness were key. It showed me that with Merlo, buying a piece of equipment is just one part of the deal. You’re also becoming part of a family that supports you in taking on bigger challenges with confidence.”
A winning weekend at the Milwaukee Mile
That sense of family extended off the jobsite when Hill joined Merlo America and Wood’s CRW at the Milwaukee Mile, to cheer on racing star James Roe, proudly sponsored by Merlo America.
“It was my first IndyCar race, and such an incredible experience,” Hill recalls. “We went trackside and had the chance to meet the drivers. I even saw the behind-the-scenes action that makes the race possible. What really stood out was meeting James Roe and his father. Hearing about his journey and the family support behind his career really resonated with me. That’s exactly what helped get me behind the wheel in construction too: teamwork and people who have your back.”
“Being at the Milwaukee Mile with Carley and the Merlo team was one of the best experiences I’ve had,” added Donoway. “There’s always a real sense of community when working with Merlo America, and sharing that with a customer like Carley made it feel like we were all part of the same family.”
Capturing that team spirit at the event, Jennifer Brigman, Vice President of Strategy and Operations at Merlo America, said: “Meeting Carley at the racetrack was an unforgettable moment! We've been cheering on her incredible work in building a world-class sports arena, and it’s thrilling to know Merlo America machines are playing a part in that journey. Racing and construction both demand precision, trust, and seamless teamwork - and we’re all in. Our team is genuinely excited to stand behind Carley’s crew as this amazing project takes shape!”
Partnerships that power progress
Hill sees Merlo as central to her company’s continued growth. “We’re a young company building a toolbox of assets and talent for future megaprojects, and Merlo fits perfectly into that strategy. Their innovation and commitment to quality mirrors how we operate. We’re certainly planning to additional Merlo equipment.”
Donoway has already supported that expansion, with CaHill Resources adding a second Merlo machine to its fleet - this time a P50.18HM telehandler, to replace an aging machine, delivering dependability on complex projects.
Merlo America is proud to support professionals across the U.S. with operator-focused equipment built with versatility, safety and reliability in mind. Equally, Merlo is proud to partner with James Roe, a rising star whose dedication mirrors the values shared by contractors like Carley Hill. Together with its dealer partners and customers, Merlo America looks forward to continuing to cheer Roe on trackside, as well as welcoming him at future events, and celebrating the shared spirit of teamwork and perseverance that drives both racing and construction.
