Mixed 2014 for Mills

The rental division of Brazil-based Mills Estruturas e Serviços de Engenharia saw net revenues rise 3.8% in 2014 to R$370.8 million, a new annual record.

On a quarterly basis, however, net revenues totalled R$ 83.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, a 7.8% reduction from the same period in 2013.

The utilisation rate continued below previous levels too, said the company, although there was an improvement specifically compared to the third quarter in 2013.

Regarding the market for access equipment and telehandlers, the company said 4400 new machines entered the Brazilian market in 2014, an increase of 14.9% compared to the end of 2013, bringing the total fleet to 34400.

“We believe in a strong growth potential for the motorised access market in Brazil due to the growing possibilities of its use, due to productivity gains and safety issues,” said a company spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that falls from height was the leading cause of fatal accidents on worksites in Brazil and pointed out that AWPs were ranked as the safest option to carry out such work and would therefore substitute less safe options.

Sergio Kariya, Mills CEO, said, “In Rental we continue our geographic expansion plan, a strategy that has proved to be successful. In order to enable this expansion, we are relocating our fleet, using idle equipment and avoiding new investments, until we return to the historical levels of utilisation rates and prices.

He continued, “We believe in a strong growth potential for the motorized access market in Brazil due to the growing possibilities of its use, due to productivity gains and safety issues. Despite the negative short term scenario, there was no change in the competitive environment or in the growth drivers for our markets. We continue to be confident in growth opportunities and in recovery of profitability, mainly through improvements in efficiency which, as we mentioned before, will be our focus in 2015.”