Building Brum Programme Director Conor Nolan & SOLUS Lee Simmonds discuss Birmingham, new trends and the changing landscape over the past year.

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“Investment is flooding into the area and the ‘Big City Masterplan’ has already seen, and will continue to see, major improvements that will benefit Birmingham for years to come.”

Solus’ Area Sales Manager Lee Simmonds

 

Solus has recently announced that it is the newest partner of Building Brum, why did you feel it was important to lend your support to the series? 

The ethos of Building Brum is all about regeneration and creating a bright future for our amazing city while at the same time assisting local businesses to support each other. Investment is flooding into the area and the ‘Big City Masterplan’ has already seen, and will continue to see, major improvements that will benefit Birmingham for years to come. Never has this level of development been so vital, creating employment opportunities across a host of sectors, from hospitality to leisure and construction, and offering a sense of hope and positivity as we move forward to better and less turbulent times. Solus is keen to be part of the city’s transformation, supporting the wider Birmingham economy, local businesses and its own team members, the majority of whom live and work in the region.

The pandemic has caused ripples throughout every sector, how has Solus coped with the situation? 

We have an extremely dedicated team at Solus and as a company we are 100 per cent devoted to providing excellent customer service along with the highest quality and most on-trend products – that commitment was no different during lockdown. A core team continued to work from home and in the warehouse, adhering to Covid-safe measures, so that we could secure the future of our company and assist architects and designers in the delivery of their projects. The forward-thinking nature of the business and the willingness of both management and the team to overcome any challenges we faced was integral to our ability to continue to operate throughout the pandemic and beyond. The company’s newly launched Enterprise Resource Planning system - SAP Business One – also played a key role. Its automated financial, operational and human resources functions enabled our team to keep calm and carry on providing the first-class service we are renowned for. We believe that maintaining the core business throughout the pandemic has put Solus in a stronger position to weather the storm and navigate our way to calmer waters.

Can you share your thoughts on which tile trends are currently proving popular in design projects? 

Italian inspired terrazzo has been the jewel in the crown of design projects for more than five centuries and its enduring popularity means the style is set to retain its position for many more years to come. The artisanal appearance of terrazzo enhances otherwise minimalistic spaces, offering a stunning wow factor that is truly second to none. At Solus we like to think outside the box, offering a twist on tradition alongside the more classic styles. Our terrazzo inspired Peppered range is a great example of this, with its unique chroma adorned with chips of various sizes, while our environmentally friendly authentic terrazzo range of Furnish is an excellent sustainable option thanks to its composition of up to 80 per cent recycled material. Geometric patterns are also massively on-trend at the moment, with the A&D community showing immense interest in the recent launch of our Transition and Congress ranges.

Have you seen an upsurge in any particular area of the market in recent months?


With stringent lockdown restrictions in place during the spring and early summer, millions of people across the UK turned their attention to their gardens, enhancing the space they could safely utilise and effectively creating additional living areas, outside. Likewise, restaurants, cafes and bars now need to create more space for alfresco drinking and dining due to the continued social distancing measures. This has resulted in a direct correlation in the amount of interest our outdoor products have been receiving. We offer more than 40 2cm ranges with excellent slip resistance ratings - perfect for external use. The ranges include a wide selection of styles from concrete to limestone and wood to slate, to name but a few, so whatever aesthetic is required, we have it covered.

You have worked for Solus for a number of years, what is it about the company that appeals to you?


I joined Solus 14 years ago and the company has fully supported me as I have journeyed along my career path. I initially started in operational support and have worked my way up to my current post as Area Sales Manager for the Midlands, North West Home Counties and Staffordshire. As a Birmingham boy, born and bred, I am passionate about my patch. I live in Hall Green so understand the area’s past and am looking forward to contributing to its successful development in the future. Solus is also a Birmingham based company, with its head office in Tyseley meaning its roots are firmly planted in the city’s soil. Thanks to the strong ethics and vision of the Bentley family, which launched Solus 25 years ago, I have seen the company grow from one that was predominantly Midlands-based to a national, and even international, powerhouse. I am proud to be part of the Solus story and am looking forward to the next chapter in its history.

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