The proposed merger between Alo of Sweden, maker of Quicke and Trima tractor loaders, and its French rival MX, whose loaders are sold in the UK under the Chillton name, has been called off.

The merger would have added to Alo’s 40% European market share and was subject to an EU Competition Commission investigation.

Alo says simply that the merger had become “a long process” and pointed to the current economic situation as another factor in the decision.

Plans for Kidderminster-based Titan Europe, one of the industry’s largest manufacturers of agricultural vehicle and implement steel wheels, to be re-acquired by its former US parent, Titan International, have also been dropped.