Solaris another Formula 1 winner in Brazil

Brazilian rental company Solaris rented 10 aerial platforms to help prepare the Interlagos F1 racing circuit for last weekend's dramatic Grand Prix in which Brawn's Jenson Button sealed the 2009 championship.

The lifts were used to erect banners, temporary buildings and posters around the circuit and also to maintain and check signage and electrical systems. In addition, the company supplied two telehandlers to help remove crashed cars during the race.

Winning the Iterlago contract has capped a good year for the company with revenues growing by 15% compared to 2008.

Commercial director Paulo Esteves told IRN that all its businesses had grown this year - aerials, power and earthmoving equipment - but that power was the best performer; "The main business indicators such as industrial capacity utilisation and non residential construction were affected during the period from September 2008 to March 2009, and after that have been increasing each month.

"I believe that the next few years will be very interesting due to: soccer World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics Games in 2016. In addition, many infrastructure projects in many sectors will help the [rental] industry."

Solaris, which is owned by Sullair Argentina, operates from 11 depots in Brazil and rents aerial platforms, generators, telehandlers and earthmoving equipment.