In Pesariis, a small village in Carnia (Friuli), the Fratelli Solari di Pesariis company is founded, an award-winning clockmaking factory specializing in the production of tower clocks.
Under Giovanni Battista Solari, the company evolves from an artisan workshop into an industrial enterprise in the field of mechanical clockmaking.
Internal family disputes lead brothers Remigio and Fermo Solari to move to Udine, where they establish a new company that would soon dominate the industrial clockmaking, time-stamping, and public information display markets, thanks to Remigio’s invention of the famous “split-flap display system.”
In the 1960s, Solari becomes the main supplier to railways and airports across Europe – including the Italian and French railways, then as now – as well as to clients in the United States, South America, Asia, and Africa. It becomes one of Europe’s leading sellers of industrial clocks and time-stamping devices.
Fermo Solari is awarded the “Mercurio d’Oro” prize, a recognition of excellence that celebrates individuals, companies, and their contributions to shaping a nation’s identity, assessed based on commercial integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, and professional seriousness. At the time, Solari operated branches in Rome and Milan, had 42 agents in Italy, and 24 authorized dealers abroad.
Solari becomes part of the Pirelli Group, experiencing steady growth across all market sectors, from public information systems to human resource management products.
These years mark a period of market consolidation and significant investments in R&D, especially focused on software development.
Solari secures a major contract for teleindicators at Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia. In the same year, it develops new human resources products, including a terminal with a magnetic card reader (RPS – magnetic badge – series 90).
Thanks to innovations in architecture, particularly in software, Solari wins major contracts for large installations, including Paris Saint-Lazare station, Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport, Milan Malpensa and Linate airports, JFK Airport in New York, and airports in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte.
Solari launches its own proprietary Human Resources Management Software.
The company introduces an innovative new software for attendance management.
Entrepreneur Massimo Paniccia acquires Solari and initiates a major relaunch, establishing the company as a market leader in public information systems, human resources management, access control, and other sectors.
Under his leadership, Solari expands into highway and city information systems, designs the first “Made in Italy” parking meter, and invests in new technologies such as LED, LCD-TFT, and ticketing systems.
New terminals for HR management are developed, alongside software for attendance and access control applications, while continuing to strengthen the traditional industrial clock sector through partnerships with its network of loyal dealers throughout Italy.
Solari acquires the historic Fratelli Solari di Pesariis, completing the reunification of the two companies.
The company is a finalist for the prestigious SMAU Industrial Design Award with the “Foglio” terminal, which becomes a benchmark product in attendance management. Simultaneously, it wins major contracts at Istanbul Airport, Abu Dhabi Airport, Chittagong (Bangladesh), and Casablanca (Morocco).
Under Massimo Paniccia’s leadership, Solari thrives in both Systems and Products sectors, becoming a major player across Europe and worldwide in public information systems with key projects for the Italian, French, and Moroccan railways, among others.
In Italy, it leads in HR management, access control, and queue management for major clients such as Poste Italiane, INPS, RAI, Agenzia delle Entrate, and many public and private entities, thanks to its network of dealers. It launches a new market-leading software for attendance and access management.
Solari signs a contract for the public information systems of Rome’s Grande Raccordo Anulare.
Solari makes its Hollywood debut in Steven Spielberg’s film The Terminal, where a giant split-flap display plays a key scenographic role.
Its displays later become icons in retail, fashion, and advertising worldwide. Solari is also a finalist for the “Compasso d’Oro” award for its LED departure/arrival board at Venice Airport.
Solari strengthens its U.S. presence by founding Solari Corp, renewing a relationship that dates back to the 1950s.
Solari secures the contract to supply over 800 displays for New Delhi Airport.
Solari wins a major tender for Aeroports de Paris, supplying over 1,200 TFT displays.
The Paris public transport company RATP entrusts Solari with the development of 6,000 smart displays for the city’s bus stops.
The Solari Lineadesign project is launched, reissuing the iconic split-flap clocks, especially the Cifra3 designed by Gino Valle.
Solari strengthens its position as a qualified supplier for the Italian Railways, not only with public information systems but also by designing an innovative platform access control system for major Italian stations.
After its first installation in 1956, Solari returns to Belgium, supplying public information systems for the entire INFRABEL railway network. It also wins a major tender for on-board train displays for Deutsche Bahn (Germany).
Solari receives the Award of Excellence from Starbucks Reserve Roastery, recognizing craftsmanship, passion, and partnership, with installations worldwide.
Solari brings Italian design to the world’s most anticipated hotel, the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport, assembling around 34,000 parts by hand to reproduce the iconic sound recognized by travelers everywhere.
Solari develops an offline application (with constant updates) that allows Green Pass scanning directly on attendance or access control terminals, automating a process that would otherwise burden HR and health & safety departments.
It designs a FIDS system (Flight Information Display System) for Istanbul Airport, managing over 3,000 displays daily.
The “Smart Letter Box” project is launched, developing intelligent mailboxes for Poste Italiane.
Solari designs Smart Lockers for Poste Italiane, enabling package dispatch and reception (similar to Amazon Lockers).
It also implements an intelligent LED lighting system for all French railway stations.
The company launches a new LED wall public information device for the French and Belgian railways.
It releases the new rs12 terminal and the “Smart People” application for human resource management.
On the occasion of its 300th anniversary, SOLARI DI UDINE SPA is changing its name and returning to its roots: “SOLARI SPA – Premiata Fabbrica Orologi fondata nel 1725 – Pesariis (Udine)”.
A new name to celebrate the historic union of tradition and innovation, and to pay tribute to the long-standing legacy of the Solari family, which began in Pesariis in 1725.
