Nadine Solomas

“Transmission, to me, is a magic word”

She took over from her father at the head of Solomas, an artisanal cabinetmaker specialising in bespoke furniture since 1972.

Heritage Prize

“Your daughter will tread the boards,” said a midwife the day she was born. But Nadine Solomas chose to become a cabinetmaker rather than an actress. “I first worked in the restaurant business with Maximin. When the family cabinet making business moved to Saint André de la Roche, I went along to help and never left. In 2015, I bought back the company from an English group. I wanted to keep our rich heritage alive.” French craftsmen have been honing their skills over thousands of years; through history in response to ever-changing needs and tastes. Solomas is helping to preserve this heritage – something that is particularly crucial in today’s globalised world.

“Our craft is about generosity.”

Nadine Solomas is now steering her company in the right direction, covering a wide range of competencies, from purchasing to managerial control and human resources: “Learning this trade is an honour, but it is increasingly difficult to find young people to train. I must turn down jobs for lack of personnel. And for a long time now, I’ve sounded the alarm. I enjoy visiting schools and colleges; I am an examiner for the Best Apprentice in France competition. The winners leave to do their apprenticeship and don’t always come back. They prefer to go to the Southwest, where rents are cheaper, or abroad.” She adds: “I am committed to preserving traditional skills and techniques, using my feminine approach, looking for the simplicity of lines. I have also created a magical material library occupying 150 m². If I had to remember only one word, it would be transmission.”

Solomas

Solomas, the company built by Monique and Raymond Solomas, has been creating brasseries since the beginning. Their daughter Nadine Solomas opened the business to top French chefs and stars like Brad Pitt and Bono. And among other things, she has developed a design department in collaboration with architects. “As early as 2015, I asked our suppliers to sign a wood traceability charter. We have a strong bond with them. I am also always looking for competent, passionate people to join our team, from the management controllers to the cabinetmakers.” The company also works on apartments and villas, large and small boats, in France and abroad. “There’s a significant technical component to our work, and we combine materials like alchemists: metal, stone and light besides wood.”

Création : 1972

Localisation : Saint-André-de-la-Roche

Activité : Ébénisterie / Agencement

Dirigeante : Nadine Solomas

Effectifs : 15 salariés