Manulift EMI, the Canadian importer of Merlo telehandlers, has signed three dealership agreements throughout Canada, allowing the Merlo’s agricultural and low boom (under 10m) products to be available across the country.

In 2010, Manulift EMI announced a significant expansion plan and is now expanding its operation on a national level. The company plans to achieve this project by strategically targeting and signing dealership agreements with dynamic businesses established and recognized in their respective region for the quality of their goods and services. Manulift has recently signed agreements with the following companies.

Mienen Brothers Agri Service, which is located in Agassiz, British Columbia. The company serves the dairy industry in the Fraser Valley. Ben Mienen, president, came to Canada in the early 1990 on an exchange program. He soon bought a dairy farm and started his business by helping local farms with welding tasks and repairs around the farm. First selling consumable goods, such as disinfectant trays and temporary calf shelters, he then moved to robotic milking system, silage management tools, vertical feed mixers, and now Merlo telehandlers. Mienen Brothers Agri Service will be providing the entire Merlo agricultural product line to the dairy industry and developing the poultry and mushroom markets in the Fraser Valley.

Raymond Lasalle Inc., which is located in St-Thomas de Joliette, Quebec. The company has been operating in the agricultural communities in Lanaudiere since 1962. Like Manulift, this is a family business with the third generation recently joining the management team. Regardless of all the changes they have seen over the years, they stayed focused on providing the best products to their customers and offering the very best in service. Raymond Lasalle Inc. is confident in the success of Merlo agricultural products, setting a new record with the completion of their first sale within a week of becoming a new dealer.

Curran Farm Equipment, which has two locations in Curran and Maxville, Ontario. The company has been serving Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec for the past 32 years. The Corbeil family, owners of the company, has based its business on service and selling the best equipment for the job. Losing its Maxville facility in a fire in 2009, the family saw an opportunity to better serve customers by building a new facility in St-Isidore, Ontario. Merlo will be the first product in this new facility. In addition to the expanded showroom and parts facility, the building boasts a modern service area with 12 working stations and the ability to pull a combine with a 40-foot head right into the shop.

In order to ensure the growth and to support new dealers, a start-up plan has been jointly established with all the Manulift EMI departments. This plan includes a 90-day period during which Manulift EMI is providing the tools and training for the sales, parts and mechanics departments. Afterwards, the new dealers will be able to operate the Merlo dealership autonomously along with the continuous support and expertise of Manulift EMI.

A variety of models have already been delivered to the new dealers including Panoramic, Turbofarmer and Multifarmer models. Due to the exclusive technology and patents of Merlo’s models, more than 700 units have been sold in Canada since 2004. Class 1 hydrostatic transmission, full anti-torsion chassis built with the exclusive Ring of Steel, low fuel consumption, and powerful hydraulic systems are just some of the benefits of these telehandlers.