10 QUESTIONS WITH…
Each month, we ask a flooring industry professional 10 Questions. This month, we chatted to Peter Bentley, Chairman of Solus Ceramics.
design, style, format or shape is introduced. I enjoy the spectacle of the exhibition circuit and discovering new trends.
Q4
If you could hire any one person to be part
of your team, who would it be
and why? I have known Piero Cassandro most of my professional career. I would value his vast industry knowledge, unrivalled experienced and deep understanding of how our industry works especially in the architectural sector.
Q5
Q1 Q2
What was your first job? My first job was working
in an upmarket kitchen showroom, selling high-quality bespoke kitchens to retail customers.
How did you get into the industry?
During my time at the kitchen showroom, I was also responsible for selling handmade ceramic tiles as part of the overall package to customers. We had a beautiful display and I found the process incredibly exciting and rewarding. Coincidentally, a tile distributer owned the showroom and I was eventually invited to become a full-time sales manager, selling tiles to commercial clients within the architectural specification market. Some years later I eventually started my own company, Solus Ceramics.
Q3
What do you think are the positives and
negatives of the flooring trade? The main positives are that it is a fast moving industry influenced by technology, fashion and innovation. Products are constantly being created and it seems like every month a new
52 | 10 QUESTIONS
What’s the best advice you could
give to someone new coming
into the industry? Don’t try to be something you’re not, be yourself and most importantly act with honesty and integrity. Industry professionals who you will work with are incredibly savvy and can read you like a book.
Q6
If you could invent any product what would it
be and why? I wish I could have invented the water jet cutting technology we use in the
tiling industry. These machines can produce unbelievable results, creating unexpected shapes, bespoke format tiles and detailed etchings with pin- point accuracy.
Q7
If you could have a dinner party with any
three people, dead or alive,
who would they be and why? Muhammad Ali – He was probably the greatest sporting legend of all time. I would love to know what made him tick and what motivated him.
Nelson Mandela – I would like to delve into his past and find out what gave him strength in his convictions.
Marilyn Monroe - She seemed like such a complex person, from Norma Jean to bombshell Hollywood star.
Q8
What do you think the future holds for
flooring design? In the tiling industry, size seems to be almost limitless these days. I expect we are going to see even more monolithic shapes and sizes!
Q9
What would you like to see in a future issue of
Tomorrow’s Contract Floors? I’d like to see more step-by-step articles that show the before and after of an installation, so you can really see how the end result was achieved and how it was brought to life.
Q10
Mark Bushell, TM Manager - Flooring
and Refurbishment, Sika asked: What’s your proudest
professional achievement? Starting Solus Ceramics and guiding it to what is today is my proudest achievement.
www.solusceramics.com
Check out next month’s issue to see what Peter asked our next industry professional…
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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