As Solus approaches its 25th anniversary of trading in December, we can look back and confidently say we have weathered the storms that have shaken the country’s financial foundations over the years, drawing on our resilience to not only survive in challenging times, but to thrive.

When life as we knew it ground to a halt overnight and the shock waves of Covid-19 reverberated around the world, I am proud to say that our dedicated team took the ethos of ‘keep calm and carry on’ to heart.

Throughout the pandemic, our employees have continued to provide a first-class service, assisting the architectural specification industry in its on-going operations, albeit under the umbrella of a ‘new normal’.

Our workforce mobilised, setting up offices in their homes and using technology to the best of its ability, hosting meetings with each other, our customers and suppliers over Teams and Zoom, ensuring that the Solus ship sailed smoothly.

While many of our employees embraced working from home, a handful continued their work in the warehouse, where strict social distancing and Covid-secure measures were adhered to, ensuring that deliveries were sent to site, and planned projects could proceed.

As the hands of time turned and the seasons have changed, we have been able to carefully re-introduce some members of our team back into head office, marking the dawn of a new era, while others continue to do a sterling job from home.

Our award-winning Clerkenwell Showroom also re-opened in June, after a temporary closure to help stave off the spread of the infection, and a core team returned to the flagship venue to welcome our customers back.

Architects and designers we had previously worked with, as well as some new faces, were once again able to view our inspirational and innovative products in person, with the Birmingham-based Tile Studio following suit shortly after.

It is undeniable that the world has seen a seismic shift in 2020, which has not only seen Covid-19 reap a devastating impact on global health, but also on businesses.

I would like to thank our staff for the dedication they have shown throughout the crisis and our customers for their unwavering loyalty to the company during difficult times.

I would also like to reassure specifiers that Solus is now, always has been and always will be, an innovator, viewing arduous situations not as obstacles but as challenges to navigate on the road to success.

We have been honoured to serve the design community throughout the entirety of the pandemic and we will continue to be on hand, offering a winning combination of excellent service and high-quality, stylish products.