Power
SOLID NATURE
SolidNature is one of the largest players in the field of natural stone. The world is the playing field, with recent projects such as the national library of Qatar, the Fondazione Prada in Milan, the Yves Saint Laurent catwalk in New York and the Parnassus Tower on the Zuidas. The uniqueness of the company: never say no, tackle every challenge with a smile. “We are the new generation – fearless, passionate and open minded.”
Online editor: Natasha Hendriks
Text: Bart-Jan Brouwer
One-stop-shop
Onyx is a very exclusive material that was rarely used in the Netherlands, although there was indeed a market for it. SolidNature saw opportunities, partly seen the difference between the asking price of the quarries and the market price. The Aalsmeer-based company started as a wholesaler of natural stone and has gradually developed into the... one stop shop which it is today. Since onyx is a fragile type of stone that breaks into thousands of pieces if treated incorrectly, SolidNature took the production in-house. To this end, it invested in the most innovative equipment, including 3D machines that can be used to create any shape the customer desires from large blocks. For the same reason, it also started doing installation, project management and maintenance itself. The company now has responsibility for the entire process and can guarantee the highest quality. “The history of SolidNature is therefore not the usual story of many stone suppliers: from father to son, dust in the hair, next to a machine,” says major shareholder David Mahyari. “We have no nonsense, but above all, our company does not consist of legacies from previous generations. That is also our strength: we are the new generation – fearless, passionate and open minded. We have not been indoctrinated by lessons from the past about what is and is not possible. We experiment on what the past has taught us, then push boundaries to create a new standard. We are new, we do it our way, a different way.”
World's first
This other way can be outlined using a few examples. For example, SolidNature has signed for the first swimming pool ever made entirely of onyx. That was the customer's wish, because onyx is a transparent stone that you can illuminate from the back. But nothing like this had ever been done before. Stone suppliers worldwide told him: 'Forget about it, does'nt work.' Because you are not only dealing with a fragile type of stone, but also with electricity, water, chlorine... SolidNature was prepared to take on the challenge and experimented for a year and a half and involved world leaders in the field of materials research. “We have not closed that door,” Mayhari emphasizes. “That says something about our identity: we don't like to say no.”
The best building material
SolidNature works closely with architects and interior designers, but has also become increasingly one in recent years consumer brands. This is partly due to Instagraminpeople become inspired by seeing all the possibilities and unique materials and more and more end users visit the showroom. By the way, there is much more on display there than just onyx. The company now works with six hundred types of natural stone, and the intention is that there will be eight hundred in a few years. “Those who know us, mainly know us from onyx. There is hardly any project in which we do not use onyx, even if it is only the back wall of a toilet. But the most sold material is basic cream marble, and other eye-catchers are requested. For example, the floor in calm cream-colored marble in combination with a quartzite kitchen top or an onyx wall. You can't have eye-catcher upon eye-catcher.” What not everyone knows: natural stone is not only an exclusive product and a treat for the eyes, it is also the best building material available. “We approach every project as a signature project, offering the highest level of service and quality control to achieve the result the customer envisions.” In addition to the head office in Aalsmeer, SolidNature has branches in London and Dubai. A new office in New York was to be added last March, but this was postponed due to corona. This expansion fully fits in with David Mahyari's plan. “I would like to further expand the brand internationally first global brand in the field of natural stone.”
