New era for Merlo in the North Island
In New Zealand’s contracting and construction sectors, having the right machine is only half the story. The real measure of a brand’s value is the support network behind it – the people who keep machines running, provide expert advice, and help operators work at their best. For Merlo telehandlers, that support in the North Island has entered a new chapter, with Ag & Civil Machinery Direct appointed as the official dealer.
A dedicated division of Waikato Tractors Ltd, Ag & Civil Machinery Direct was established in 2017 to meet rising demand for specialised machinery across agriculture, earthworks and civil construction. Over seven years, it has built a reputation for sourcing premium equipment and matching it with the right advice, service and parts support. The business already represents names like Kemper, Bunning, Erth Engineering and Moreni.
Adding Merlo marks a milestone. Merlo, a family-owned company from Cuneo, Italy, has been producing innovative telehandlers since 1964 and now operates in over 80 countries with more than 800 dealers. In New Zealand, over 1,000 Merlo machines are already at work. Power Farming built that presence over 25 years; their exit has paved the way for Ag & Civil Machinery Direct to take the reins in the North Island, focusing on continuity for existing customers and growth for the future.
Backed by Waikato Tractors Ltd and The Tractor Centre Ltd in Pukekohe, Ag & Civil has over 35 trained technicians across the network, ready to provide rapid service, maintenance and parts support. Strong links to Merlo Australia ensure access to time-critical parts and technical resources. Key Merlo experts, Ken Bill (“Mr Merlo”) and Daniel Strachan, will support the North Island network, adding knowledge and on-the-ground capability.
Ag & Civil plans to expand its presence with new permanent locations to strengthen sales, service and parts coverage, keeping pace with Merlo’s global innovation.
For contractors, Merlo’s technology is proven. Rotating telehandlers for construction, compact models for farmyards, and high-capacity units for bulk handling all improve efficiency and safety. Combined with Ag & Civil’s local knowledge and after-sales support, operators can tackle bigger, more demanding jobs with confidence.
For North Island Merlo owners, this means continuity, capability, and commitment to keeping machines running at their best. For those new to Merlo, now is the perfect time to see what these telehandlers can do – backed by a dealer network that understands the machines and the industries they serve.
Downtime costs money, performance drives profit, and the combination of Merlo equipment and Ag & Civil support is set to make a real difference. This isn’t just a dealer change – it’s a new era for Merlo in the North Island.