Brazil's Rohr to invest heavily in rental and events

Brazilian scaffolding and powered access rental company Rohr S/A Estrutura Tubulares is to invest R$300 million (€134 million) up to 2015 to expand its powered access, scaffolding and events divisions.

The company, which is best known as a scaffolding manufacturer and contractor in Brazil, is investing because of the expected growth in the country's infrastructure and because of opportunities related to the Olympic Games and World Cup, both of which are to be held in Brazil.

Brazilian magazine Revista Grandes Construções (RGC) reported that Rohr expected revenues this year to grow by 20% to approximately R$240 million on the back of significant capital investment last year. Investment this year on new machines and training of operators and mechanics will be around R$70 million (€31 million).

Rohr first invested in powered access platforms in 1996 when it imported Genie machines. Its fleet now includes Genie, JLG and Haulotte models.

The investment funds will be raised internally and by other credit lines from banks. However, Fernando Canteruccio, Rohr executive vice president, told RGC that additional funds may be required for acquisitions; "We are looking at an opportunity."

In addition to investment in aerial platforms and scaffolding - including an increase in production capacity at the company's Casa Branca facility - the company aims to exopand its events division by investing in temporary structures.

"Today, this area accounts for up to 5% of our revenues", Mr Canteruccio told RGC, "but with the World Cup and the Olympics should go on to have a little more importance."

He said that 100000 m2 of temporary structures were provided for the World Cup in South Africa; "We were there during the World Cup to check the structures. There is great potential in this niche", he said.

Rohr is privately owned by three familiies and was established 45 year ago.