Merlo America’s new finance manager targets reporting, dealer support 

Merlo America’s new finance manager says she is focused on strengthening financial reporting, inventory management and dealer support as the telehandler manufacturer expands its North American presence. 

Holly McDade joined Rock Hill, S.C.-based Merlo America in April as finance manager, bringing more than 15 years of accounting and financial management experience across construction, industrial manufacturing, oil and gas, and nuclear-related manufacturing, she told Equipment Finance News.  

McDade entered the role as Merlo America builds out its U.S. finance function and prepares for a systems migration designed to better align the company with Italy-based parent Merlo Group. 

McDade said her early priorities include:  

• Completing the company’s audit; 

• Formalizing accounting policies and procedures; 

• Improving inventory data accuracy; and  

• Preparing for a Microsoft Dynamics 365 migration expected early next year. 

“There are a lot of different policies, procedures that we’re going to put in place to enhance the finance team and ensure that audits are easy,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Merlo America’s inventory and financial systems are separate from the parent company’s platform, creating additional steps for financial reporting, intercompany transactions and inventory reconciliation, McDade added.  

Merlo America’s expansion 

The finance system improvements come as Merlo America expands its dealer network and product presence across construction, agriculture, forestry and rental markets, McDade said.  

The company represents Merlo Group in North America and offers telehandlers, attachments and material handling equipment manufactured in Italy. 

Merlo America also is monitoring dealer growth by state, inventory availability, warranty processes and the timing of equipment and parts shipments from Italy, McDade said.  

Those metrics are critical as the company works to support dealer stocking needs and end-user demand. 

“The expectation, based off our size, is to grow,” she said. “It’s getting in there and jumping over some of the hurdles with tariffs.”

“All of the parts, all the equipment, ships from Italy, so getting it all [stateside]. How quickly can we get some of it, ensuring that we have enough on hand to help our dealers, so they can help their end clients.” 

Merlo America’s financing is handled through its corporate office rather than an external bank, McDade said. That structure increases the importance of intercompany coordination, exchange-rate management and reporting consistency between the U.S. operation and the parent company. 

Merlo America also is evaluating finance options for dealers to help them stock equipment, she said.  

Additionally, McDade said she expects to meet with dealers during Merlo’s annual dealer meeting in Italy this September as she builds relationships across the network. 

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” she said. “There’s just a lot going on and we run lean, so everyone’s got to be on their A game.” 

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