For over thirty years, MERIN Srl has been at the forefront of developing and manufacturing both standard and customized flexible tanks for prominent automotive brands involved in motorsports. The company also produces safety tanks for international clients in the aerospace and defence sectors, designed to withstand the toughest conditions globally. Enzo Giambartolomei, Founder and CEO of MERIN, highlights that a key to the company’s success is its commitment to creating bespoke solutions that meet specific customer needs. “ It is a precise company choice not to have a standardization of our products, except in a few cases; the design of a new tank, usually carried out in close contact with our customers, constitutes a fundamental point in the development of each new project,” he notes. In an interview with Aeromag, Giambartolomei shares insights into the company’s operations, focus areas, strategic partnerships, and future growth plans.
Enzo Giambartolomei,
Founder & CEO, MERIN
Since MERIN Srl’s inception in 1994 you’ve grown into a developer of customized flexible tanks for the most famous automotive companies engaged in sports competitions. You have also marked your excellence in the defence sector. How do you evaluate this remarkable journey? Could you talk about the major milestones?
If we want to summarize in a list the main milestones that have marked the growth of Merin, the following points can be highlighted:
1994 foundation of the Company by the current Owner and CEO – Enzo Giambartolomei
1998 Qualification of sports car fuel tanks according to FIA FT3-1999
2001 Company certification in accordance with ISO 9001 standards
2005 first supply of fuel tanks for the Ferrari customer
2013 First supply of fuel tanks for TB2 UAV to Baykar Company (Turkey)
2013 Company certification in accordance with EN9100 standards
2021 Qualification by Leonardo for the supply of fuel tanks for AWHero
2021 Award of the first contract for the development and delivery of tanks for Turkish main battle tank
2023 Start of the first project for the development of a bladder tank for Formula 1 racing cars
M.E.RIN is recognized for its innovative solutions in the production of safety tanks for international clients in the aerospace and defence sectors. How does M.E.RIN collaborate with clients and industries to customize solutions for their specific needs and challenges?
One of the essential points of Merin’s success consists of our ability to develop completely customized solutions according to customer needs. It is a precise company choice not to have a standardization of our products, except in a few cases; the design of a new tank, usually carried out in close contact with our customers, constitutes a fundamental point in the development of each new project. In this phase, innovative solutions must often be identified, which allow a better result to be obtained.
In the nautical sector, M.E.RIN supplies flexible and self-sealing tanks for anti-piracy patrol boats. What are the unique features of these tanks, and how do they compare to offerings from other major players in the market?
The nautical market is a market of strong interest for Merin, but still in the development phase as regards the penetration of our products in the market. The technology of self-sealing tanks for patrol boats derives from that for armored cars, in which Merin has been operating since its foundation.
M.E.RIN has recently secured a strategic partnership with Cha Lew Performance, thus entering into the US Motorsport market. How do you see this development?
M.E.RIN has always looked at the American market as an interesting growth opportunity; beyond the Sportscar market, the US Motorsport product range is quite different in comparison to the rest of the word. Thanks to this strategic partnership with T Bach Sports Marketing, Inc. and Cha Lew Performance, M.E.RIN will focus on the right product and start developing a distribution network. Aware of our construction quality, we are confident that we will make our products known to the Sprint Cars and NASCAR teams.
In an era of rapid technological advancements, how does M.E.RIN adapt to change, and how do you ensure that the organization remains agile and responsive to evolving market demands?
Despite the significant growth of the company in terms of volumes and turnover, Merin remained essentially a family-owned company, with a limited decision-making part. The constant presence and commitment of the management allows us to react quickly to external stimuli and make the appropriate decisions in a quick way.
Building a skilled workforce is crucial for success. How does M.E.RIN invest in talent development and ensure that its teams are equipped with the necessary skills to excel in a dynamic industry?
The training of staff, both workers and clerical workers, constitutes an essential point for the development of skills, as well as the valorization and loyalty of resources in order to maintain skills at a level of excellence.
What is the current status of your export operations, and how do you plan to expand your presence in India? What unique opportunities and challenges do you foresee in this market?
Since its foundation, but even more so over the following years, Merin has made its presence on international markets a strong point, and this has been achieved through constant marketing work and assiduous presence at international fairs. Currently, approximately 80% of the company’s turnover is linked to foreign customers. After a few years of initial approaches to the Indian market, which immediately seemed very promising for our products, during 2023 Merin decided that the time had come to have a constant presence and thus created a subsidiary of Merin based in Mumbai.
The objective is to guarantee a presence in the Indian market, initially from a mainly commercial and logistical point of view, but immediately after with an integration and a complete manufacturing of our products in India.
