Merlo telehandlers have earned their place in the machinery fleet of PARC Engineering, a Perth-based supplier of major infrastructure, resources and defence projects.
The green machines from Merlo made their impression at PARC practically right from the start.
Established in 2018, the business brought in its first Merlo telehandlers just a year later. And they’ve performed so well that the fleet has been quick to add more Merlos to the fleet.
As PARC Engineering’s Equipment and Logistics Manager Juan van Huyssteen says, the company now has six Merlo P72.10 7.2-tonne lift capacity telehandlers and two Merlo TF33.7 3t lift telehandlers in its arsenal.
“These machines are assigned to many different tasks that range from lifting, loading and other material handling work, using dedicated attachments to deliver the job,” Juan said.
“One of the dominant applications involves using the Merlo telehandlers with a crane jib.
“For example, they have played a key role to assist with construction of the biggest dome shelter in the Southern Hemisphere at a lithium hydroxide refinery at Kwinana.
“At that site, two of our Merlo telehandlers were deployed for loading and unloading, where their high reach capabilities gave us the needed solution.”
PARC Engineering carries out civil and structural works across Australia and internationally.
“This experience has given us an understanding of the importance of having the most productive machines,” Juan said.
“Our services include engineering, design and project management and civil earthworks, site preparation to in-ground services and trenching. We also perform concrete works, structural, mechanical and piping, electrical and Instrumentation and many other construction services.”
Efficient machine use
Juan said PARC was attracted to the Merlo machines for a number of reasons, chief of which was their versatility and immediate readiness to perform different tasks.
The Merlo telehandlers reduce the need to have multiple specialised machines on site that may sit idle between tasks.
“This efficient use of fewer machines on site is important for reasons of cost, efficiency and site safety,” he said.
“Their use also ensures the optimum time deployment of the telehandlers where we can fit the Merlo machines with buckets, craning gear and more that gives us basically an all-in-one solution.”
Juan said that because PARC Engineering had an extensive fleet, “the more productive hours we can get per machine, the better”.
“We don’t want machines sitting in the plant yard, and aim to have all our machines fully engaged throughout every shift,” he said.
“There is no doubt that the Merlo telehandlers have made a significant contribution to the productivity and bottom line for PARC Engineering.
“The manoeuvrability of the Merlo vehicles is good, which is especially important in areas with limited access as with work fronts encountered on large rail infrastructure projects in which we have been involved in recent years.”
One of the key attributes of the P72.10 is the ability to electronically de-rate the machine from 7t down to 3t.
“This is a really good feature, along with all the other safety features, such as overload prevention, which are provided on all the Merlo telehandlers,” he said.
“Our Merlo machines have performed very well in terms of maintenance and reliability. Any issues have been rare and at those times our supplier, Source Machinery, has been there to minimise any downtime, even to the extent of providing a loan machine.”
The source of success
Juan said that as a supplier of major Australian infrastructure works, PARC has a Merlo telehandler deployed on almost every one of its projects.
“Our eight Merlo telehandlers are an integral part of our entire plant inventory and workforce that is designed to ensure we adhere to schedules and deadlines on the projects,” he said.
“The proven reliability of Merlo machines was definitely taken into account in gaining their place in the PARC Engineering fleet.
“Merlo is a reputable brand that has more than lived up to its expected performance. All operator feedback about the Merlo machines has been positive.”
Juan valued the support that PARC has had from Source Machinery, based in Perth and Karratha in Western Australia.
“Source has been particularly good in providing sound technical support and parts availability has been excellent across all the brands they supply,” he said.
“It’s important to note that we have not just purchased Merlo telehandlers from Source Machinery.
“Our asset management plan provides for trading in old Merlo machines for new to ensure we have a fully productive fleet. This has involved development of a full rotational program with Source Machinery.
“This arrangement works very well for us, because the relationship is well established and Source Machinery has been particularly good at helping us mange this process efficiently.”
Source Machinery Director Barry Murphy said its vast experience in distributing Merlo equipment had been a great success for all stakeholders.
“As the leading Merlo dealer in Perth, Source Machinery has long specialised in Merlo construction and agricultural machines, including Merlo telehandlers,” he said.
At the recent Merlo Group Australia 20th anniversary celebration, Source was recognised by Merlo for its efforts, receiving the inaugural Frank Trefilo Memorial Award. The event brought together dealers and guests from across the country and included representatives from Merlo Italy.
“We had thought we may have received the Ten-Year Service Award; however, we were pleasantly surprised by receiving the Frank Trefilo honour,” Barry said.
The accolade recognises outstanding achievement in machine sales, parts sales and the model administration of warranty and manufacturer process, and dedication to the Merlo brand and commitment to administrative excellence.
“From our perspective, Merlo is recognised for its high-quality in telehandler and construction equipment manufacture,” Barry said.
“We are pleased to be part of its vision to lead in technology and safety. It is clear that Merlo’s vertical integration approach to the design and manufacture of telehandlers, with ninety percent in-house manufacturing, and a high level of investment in research and development has helped its success.
“Source Machinery sources, services, distributes and values construction, mining and agricultural machinery and equipment. We provide both on-site and in-house technical support, service and parts back up.
“We carry a comprehensive stock of new and used machines and spare parts. We have a team of Merlo telehandler-trained service engineers who operate out of our Kewdale and Karratha workshops and from fully mobile, on-call service vehicles.”
For further information on Merlo telehandlers, visit www.merlo.com/aus/en/