At just 25, Merlo America's Lead Parts Specialist Alex Comer's career is already well established. His journey shows how opportunity and experience can shape the next generation of industry talent.

For Comer, success in his role is defined by showing up each day with a commitment to curiosity and a desire to keep learning. The lead parts specialist at Merlo America plays a central role in keeping equipment running smoothly, supporting everything from inventory management and parts distribution to troubleshooting and customer service and operating at the center of the company's parts function where problem-solving is part of the daily rhythm.

Based at Merlo America's headquarters in Rock Hill, S.C., Comer represents a generation defined by adaptability and continuous development. His journey reflects the company's "Building Future Leaders" philosophy in practice, where growth is driven by responsibility and the invaluable experience gained on the job.

Head-First Into Hands-On Learning

Comer did not enter the workforce with a fixed plan, instead choosing to begin working straight after high school to gain practical experience and develop his skills in real-world environments. Early roles in equipment parts and warehouse operations introduced him to inventory systems, logistics and the technical foundations of the industry.

He later expanded his experience further in a medical equipment warehouse environment before returning to the construction equipment sector at Merlo America, bringing with him a broader operational skill set and a practical understanding of how different systems connect in practice.

Assembling Successful Career

Since joining Merlo America, Comer has progressed from parts specialist to lead parts specialist, taking on greater responsibility within the department while supporting dealers across North America. His day-to-day work now blends technical knowledge with hands-on problem-solving, whether that involves identifying parts, troubleshooting issues, processing shipments or assisting customers and dealers navigating internal systems.

Comer said the most rewarding part of the role is solving problems and helping customers find the right solution quickly. Much of his development has come through learning in real time and taking on greater responsibility.

"There is real value in figuring things out yourself," he said. "It sticks with you and helps you grow."

'Building Future Leaders' Through Mentorship

A key part of Comer's development has come through Merlo America's "Building Future Leaders" approach, which he describes less as a formal program and more as a culture of opportunity and trust, particularly through his close working relationship with recently appointed Parts Manager Mike McBroom.

McBroom believes developing future leaders is a core responsibility of management.

"If someone expresses a genuine interest in moving into another role within Merlo America, then it is my job to channel and guide that person towards their goals and ambitions," he said. "Our development philosophy is a great roadmap to support younger talent who can then transition into leadership roles and transfer shared knowledge throughout the organisation."

With decades of industry experience, McBroom brings depth, structure and perspective to the department, while also actively valuing Comer's product knowledge and systems understanding, creating a collaborative dynamic where expertise is shared rather than directed.

"Mike brings a huge amount of experience to the Merlo America warehouse, but he approaches every conversation as a collaboration," said Comer. "I'm learning from his industry knowledge, while he values my understanding of Merlo products and systems, so we're constantly learning from each other."

McBroom is equally complimentary of Comer's approach.

"Alex has a great attitude and aptitude for growth. He is detail-oriented, organized and takes real pride in his work. He is always thinking and that is a great trait to have in this business."

Seeing The World With Merlo America

Beyond the day-to-day role, Comer has been given opportunities that reflect the wider intent of "Building Future Leaders," including a visit to Merlo Group headquarters in Italy where he met colleagues from across the global business and toured the manufacturing facility, an experience that also marked his first time travelling by air, as well as participation in ConExpo-Con/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas, where he engaged directly with customers and industry professionals and stepped outside of his daily role to be a brand ambassador for Merlo America.

"Going to Italy was my first time on a plane, so it was a pretty big moment," said Comer. "Meeting colleagues from different countries and seeing the factory gave me a completely different perspective on the business. Then at ConExpo, I spent time speaking to customers and industry professionals, which helped me understand the industry from a much wider perspective."

Merlo photo

A visit to Merlo Group headquarters in Italy where Alex met colleagues from across the global business.

The Parts Still to Come

Looking ahead, Comer sees management as a natural next step in his development. He said Merlo America's "Building Future Leaders" philosophy is reflected in the responsibility employees are given early in their careers, allowing them to grow through experience. He also describes the younger members of the team as a close-knit "brotherhood" that supports one another and shares knowledge.

For Comer, professional development has come through staying consistent and open to opportunity, rather than following a defined path.

"Stay patient and keep going," he said. "If you show up, work hard and stay open to opportunities, things tend to work out."