Merlin Equipment, the U.K. power systems specialist, said it has completed a multi-million dollar investment in its business, kick starting a global expansion plan.
Merlin will open headquarters in Hampton Bays, New York, and a 70,000 square foot Combat Applications Center in North Carolina, in addition to significantly increasing its research, product and business development capabilities in the United Kingdom and Europe,
Merlin’s U.S. operation will be led by CEO William Silhan who brings a wealth of experience to the company through his background in successfully developing leading edge marine and military electronic solutions.
In addition to his pioneering work in moving map technologies in the early 1990’s, Silhan also designed and developed critical network centric warfare architecture used for many years by U.S. and International Special Forces.
Silhan will be joined by John Forsberg, vice president, Combat Applications, who will oversee the Fayettville operation, which is near Fort Bragg.
In addition to working closely with Silhan in the past, Forsberg served U.S. Army Special Operations for over 20 years and brings a unique perspective and understanding for implementing Merlin’s battery monitoring and management solutions for military vehicle platforms and marine craft.
In addition to further refining and improving existing technology, the investment will also allow Merlin to engineer ground breaking new products in the fields of solar and fuel cell technologies, which it will manufacture in the United Kingdom and United States and distribute globally.
Merlin will continue to operate predominantly in the Marine, Special Vehicle and Defense sectors.
James Hortop, managing director of Merlin in the U.K., said, “A strong and respected presence in the U.S. will allow us to properly support our valued customers there and enhance our products reputation in the market. Offices in the Middle East and Australia will provide local technical resource in markets that are new to us.”