“ I started on £18.80 a week as an apprentice,” recalls Ian. “It was less money than I was earning in a foundry at the time, but I believed I was learning a trade. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
In those early days, vehicle bodies were built completely from scratch. There were no pre-manufactured insulated panels or advanced production lines. Every component was fabricated by hand, requiring thousands of holes to be drilled and rivets to be installed each day. Apprentices like Ian quickly learned that responsibility came early.
“ You built the whole vehicle yourself,” he explains. “There was nowhere to hide. If something didn’t fit, didn’t work or didn’t look right, it was down to you. That made us better craftsmen.”
The winters were harsh, the facilities basic and the work physically demanding. Ian remembers snow blowing into the workshop during the infamous winter of 1979 and teams digging trucks out before they could continue production. Yet it was also a time of strong camaraderie, innovation and determination.
“ We just found ways to make things happen,” says Ian.
“ Whether it was unloading equipment, building new tooling or helping each other out, it was very much a team effort.”
Throughout his nearly five decades with the business, Ian has worked across almost every area of Solomon Commercials. Starting on the shop floor, he progressed through manufacturing, team leadership, painting, purchasing, aftersales, design and technical roles.
“ There isn’t much from a manufacturing point of view that I haven’t done,” he says. “I’ve always taken an interest in the business and I’ve always been proud of the product. I’ve given my life to it.”
One of Ian’s most significant contributions was leading the company’s vehicle type approval programme, helping Solomon Commercials successfully navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. He also played a central role in developing the company’s ISO systems and has helped drive digital transformation initiatives, including the implementation of paperless processes and integrated digital workflows.
As the refrigerated transport industry has evolved, Ian has witnessed first-hand the transformation from traditional body building to today’s highly engineered solutions.
“ Years ago, we were bodybuilders. Today we’re dealing with compliance, emissions, digital systems, quality management and much more. The vehicles still look like refrigerated bodies on the outside, but the amount of expertise required behind the scenes is incredible.”
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Ian credits much of its success to the culture established by founder Ray Solomon.
“Ray was always fair. I never had a bad word to say about him. When I lost my dad shortly after joining the company, he couldn’t have been more supportive. I don’t remember much about the funeral, but I remember him coming to the funeral. That meant a lot to me and it’s something I’ve never forgotten.”
As Solomon Commercials celebrates its 50th anniversary, Ian’s story stands as a testament to the dedication, craftsmanship and innovation that have defined the company since 1976. From drilling his first chassis as a teenage apprentice to helping shape the systems and processes that support the modern business, Ian has made an indelible contribution to Solomon Commercials’ history.
As the company looks towards the future, it does so on foundations built by people like Ian, individuals whose skill, commitment and passion have helped make Solomon Commercials the industry leader it is today.
