With roots in Birmingham, Solus Ceramics is shaping spaces and building connections across the country
For nearly 30 years, Birmingham-based Solus Ceramics (Solus) has been at the forefront of architectural tile supply in the UK. From car showrooms to independent restaurants, its products can be found in projects of every scale, but what sets Solus apart is not only its catalogue of ceramic and porcelain tiles, but the people behind the business.
Founded in 1995 by Peter Bentley, Solus quickly built a reputation for quality and reliability in the corporate and automotive sectors. Today, under the leadership of CEO Marcus Bentley and Managing Director Ryan Bennett, the company remains family-run and proudly headquartered in Birmingham. With a clear ethos built around people, products, and planet, Solus continues to evolve while keeping its Midlands roots at the centre of its identity. 
When Creative Director Sam Frith and Commercial Director Ian Hamilton joined the company in 2021, they stepped into a well-established operation with a strong reputation and dedicated team. “What struck us immediately was the depth of talent across every department,” Sam opens. Our role has been to build on those strengths bringing in fresh ideas and experiences to enhance and grow a well-structured business.”
Ian agrees: “We’ve both worked in the tile industry for nearly 20 years, and the real inspiration here has been the Solus team. Across logistics, operations, marketing, design, and sales, people are deeply committed to the success of the business. This spirit has allowed us to build on strong foundations and shape a long-term growth plan that is both ambitious and achievable.”
Design-led showrooms
Solus’ showrooms aim to redefine the typical showroom experience. More than places to just browse products, they’re destinations to connect, collaborate, and spark ideas. The concept launched in their London showroom, then expanded to Manchester – both created with the architectural community in mind. Now, Solus is extending the vision to the Midlands across two locations: a fully renovated showroom at its HQ near Solihull, tailored to the residential market, and a shared commercial space in Digbeth.
“Opening at the end of the year, our new HQ showroom is conceived as a unique destination for anyone renovating their home across the Midlands,” explains Sam. “At its centre is a 25-metre feature wall of large-format materials, displayed in clear groupings alongside inspiring room settings. An intuitive sample ‘grab-and-go’ area makes tile selection effortless, enjoyable, and unlike anything else in the region.
“Also completing by year’s end, our new Architectural Showroom in Digbeth, developed in partnership with EH Smith, will act as a creative hub for Birmingham’s architecture and design community,” he continues. “Blending an event space with a dynamic sample dispensary, it’s designed to equip A&D professionals with the resources, inspiration, and support they need, right in the heart of the city.
“As our headquarters and home of our business, Birmingham holds a special place for us, so we’re approaching this new showroom from a people and community-first perspective.”
Community, wellbeing, and sustainability 
The company’s showrooms also act as a platform for important conversations. Through its Building Minds event series, Solus has brought together architects, contractors, and industry leaders to discuss some of the most pressing issues in construction. Topics have ranged from suicide prevention in construction, with guest speaker Frank Bruno, to the empowerment of women in architecture with Dame Kelly Holmes.
From a service perspective, the company’s approach is about consistency and credibility. “We support customers from the very first stages of a project right through to completion,” Ian explains. “We offer guidance rooted in deep product knowledge, drawing on the history of materials and the context of a site as much as on new developments in the markets. Protecting the integrity of specifications is central to what we do.”
Sustainability is another major focus, with Solus launching Spolia, a UK-made, low-carbon terrazzo product created in partnership with Quiligotti, in 2023. By recycling demolition waste into high-quality terrazzo, Spolia offers architects and developers a practical and inspiring solution. The idea was born during the Finsbury Dials project, where striking pink granite from the building’s façade was transformed into new terrazzo for its refurbishment.
Looking ahead
As our conversation closes, we’re keen to hear what Sam and Ian have in store for Solus in the years to come. “I’m personally involved in a project about investigating the history of mosaics to explore how we can reposition mosaics in the wider industry,” Sam shares. “I’m looking at both ends of the scale, from a 250-year-old furnace making handmade Murano glass mosaics in Venice to the most efficient, cost-effective, and culturally relevant mosaics, to find clever and interesting ways to make them accessible for architects and designers.”
As Solus celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Sam and Ian are excited about the future. “We’re aiming to complete our Digbeth showroom, which has capacity for 1000 people and is due to soft launch in October, in time to host our 30th anniversary celebrations in December,” Sam shares.
“We’re proud of what the business has achieved over the last three decades,” he reflects. “Our role is really about carrying that forward – continuing to grow in London and Birmingham, expanding into other parts of the UK, and building international opportunities – while staying true to the company’s values.”
Ian adds: “The last few years have been challenging for the wider industry, but Solus has continued to invest in people, processes, and relationships. For us, the biggest achievement will be seeing those investments come to life, creating sustainable growth and keeping Birmingham at the heart of everything we do.”
As both directors emphasise, the real strength of Solus lies in its people – a passionate, skilled, and committed team that works together to deliver excellence. With that foundation, the next chapter looks set to be as bold and dynamic as the last.