Tax Guide 2026: The rules all business should know
Tax Guide 2026: The rules all business should know
Merlo UK gains full attachment visibility with ABAX Worksite
Merlo UK and Ireland manufactures telescopic handlers for the construction and agricultural sectors, operating across the UK and Ireland through a nationwide dealer network. With machines and attachments regularly moving between customers, visibility is essential.
Contents
The challenge: high-value attachments in constant circulationThe previous process: manual and time-consumingThe solution: ABAX Worksite for attachments, ABAX Fleet for vehiclesThe results: reduced losses and measurable ROIThe challenge: high-value attachments in constant circulation
Merlo’s telescopic handlers are built to be versatile. Each machine can be fitted with a range of interchangeable attachments, allowing it to adapt to different customer needs.
Across the demo fleet, around 20–25 attachments are in regular use. These attachments can be worth anywhere from £1,000 to £20,000, and they frequently move between customers alongside machines.
With machines changing hands multiple times per month, there is a genuine risk that attachments can be left behind during collection or transport.
“We have to keep a really good track as to where the attachments are and also make sure that they stay with the machines at all times and don't get left behind when the haulier comes in to collect, to move the machine on to the next customer.”
Even one missing attachment represents a significant financial impact.
The previous process: manual and time-consuming
Before implementing ABAX Worksite, locating a missing attachment meant retracing paperwork, checking delivery records, and trying to identify the last known movement.
This reactive process took time and created operational disruption, particularly when attachments needed to be recovered quickly for the next customer.
“Part of the process has always been to go back through the paperwork and look at where the last movements of it were, look at where the last movements were of the machine,” Owen explained.
Merlo needed a faster, more reliable way to track attachments in real time.
The solution: ABAX Worksite for attachments, ABAX Fleet for vehicles
Merlo introduced ABAX Worksite to track each attachment individually. Trackers are fitted as soon as attachments arrive in the UK and are mounted discreetly so they do not interfere with machine performance.
ABAX Worksite works alongside Merlo’s own machine telematics, giving the team visibility of both machines and the attachments that travel with them. “We can identify where the machine is, but in addition we can tell where every single piece of equipment and attachment is, alongside that demonstration unit,” explained Merlo.
Alongside attachment tracking, Merlo uses ABAX Fleet for company vehicle tracking, improving visibility across daily operations. Together, this provides a complete tracking solution.
The results: reduced losses and measurable ROI
Since implementing ABAX Worksite, Merlo has significantly reduced the time spent searching for misplaced equipment.
Instead of investigating paperwork, the team can now log into the portal and immediately see where an attachment is located.
“(ABAX) has helped save us many hours, looking for pieces of equipment that we've lost in the past. And the ABAX system itself has already repaid for itself.”
By using ABAX Worksite to track attachments and ABAX Fleet to track company vehicles, Merlo has reduced equipment loss, saved time, and strengthened operational control.
