With hands-on courses delivered at its Ringwood training centre and through its dealer network, Merlo UK is equipping engineers with the expertise needed to deliver the highest standards of technical support to customers. 

Merlo UK’s dedicated training programme has supported more than 220 engineers and dealer personnel across the UK and Ireland this year, helping to develop technical expertise, promote safe working practices and prepare the dealer network for future technologies. 

As machinery technology continues to evolve, ensuring engineers have deep expertise to support customers with confidence remains a key priority for Merlo UK. Its technical training programme forms part of the company’s wider dealer support and aftersales offering, building on the expertise delivered from its Ringwood headquarters. 

Delivered at the company’s purpose-built training centre, with courses held at dealer locations across the UK and Ireland, the programme currently offers 25 technical training courses, with this number set to grow as new products are introduced and technology continues to advance. Each course is designed to equip engineers with the skills needed to keep machines working efficiently, from first diagnosis through to maintenance and repair. For customers, that means the peace of mind that wherever their machines are operating, they’re backed by highly skilled Merlo engineers trained to deliver fast, effective support that keeps their business moving. 

Practical training, built on real-world experience 

Leading the programme is Training Manager Sam Bowles, who is responsible for developing and delivering training courses across Merlo UK’s dealer network. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in agricultural and construction equipment engineering, Bowles works closely with dealers to ensure their teams remain up to date with the latest products and technologies, while shaping practical training around the challenges engineers face in the field. 

The Ringwood training centre, which opened in 2021, was purpose-built for practical training. With access to dedicated machines, specialist training rigs and dismantled machine components, engineers can build familiarity with Merlo systems in a realistic learning environment, away from the pressure of a live customer breakdown. 

The programme offers foundation training for those new to Merlo products, as well as more advanced modules on the systems engineers work with every day, including hydraulics, driveline, electrics and diagnostics. Courses can also be tailored to individual requirements, allowing engineers to focus on the areas most relevant to their role and level of experience. 

Designed to support engineers at every stage of their career, the programme provides a clear pathway for progression. Whether completely new to Merlo machines, looking to broaden existing expertise or a technically advanced engineer with decades of experience, the courses are designed to challenge and develop engineers’ technical expertise.  

For Shaun Groom, General Manager at Merlo UK, the breadth of training is central to the programme’s success.  

“Every engineer is at a different stage of their career, so it’s important our training reflects that,” says Groom. “Sam has built a programme that grows with our engineers. As new products and technologies are introduced, the training continues to evolve, giving engineers new opportunities to develop throughout their careers.” 

Building confidence through specialist training 

Among the growing portfolio of specialist courses available is Merlo UK’s ROTO telehandler training programme, which gives engineers an in-depth understanding of one of Merlo’s most advanced product ranges. Over the course of a week, attendees move from machine operation into system understanding, diagnostics and fault finding, building the confidence to support ROTO machines when customers need them most. 

Through BAGMA-accredited courses, engineers can also gain the qualifications needed to undertake Thorough Examinations, helping dealer teams support machine safety through critical inspections and compliance checks. 

Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with Merlo UK’s training courses achieving an average satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 across approximately 400 participant responses. “One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing engineers return to training and watching their confidence grow,” says Bowles. “Having worked as an engineer myself, I understand the realities of diagnosing and repairing machines in the field, and the difference practical, hands-on training makes in helping engineers build both confidence and capability.” 

Keeping pace with innovation 

In his role, Bowles has spent considerable time at Merlo Group’s headquarters in San Defendente di Cervasca, near Cuneo, Italy, receiving extensive training on the company’s machines and technologies. Working closely with Merlo’s technical and training teams in Italy, he helps bring the latest product knowledge back to dealers across the UK and Ireland. 

As new Merlo products come into the UK and Ireland market, Bowles and the wider Merlo UK team are focused on keeping dealer teams ready for the machines their customers depend on. That includes preparing engineers for electric models and more advanced machine technologies. 

“We’re constantly developing and updating our training programmes to ensure our dealers are ready to support both current and future products,” confirms Bowles. “The industry is evolving quickly, and it’s important that engineers have the knowledge and confidence needed to support customers as new technologies emerge.” 

The programme reflects Merlo UK’s continued investment in its people and dealer network, at a time when skilled engineers are in high demand. 

“Behind every productive machine is a skilled engineer,” says Shaun Groom, “The success of the programme is a testament to the commitment of Sam and the wider team, as well as the enthusiasm of the engineers taking part. Seeing attendees return, develop their skills and grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding, and we’re proud to support that development across our dealer network.”