Mervyn Solly was born in Collingwood, Nelson, and remains there today.

At the age of 15 he became a driver for his father‘s business, becoming manager at 23.

In the 1980s he began growing the business. He began Sea Tow Ltd, a company that barged dolomite from Golden Bay. He purchased Fernbrae Farm, which included Fernbrae Lime Ltd. In 1992 he purchased TNL Group Ltd‘s Golden Bay rural operation in Takaka, and in 1999 he added Nelson Coal Distributors.

Under his governance the business also became a share-holder in Taylor‘s Coal Ltd and Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd.

The business has grown from a small local five-truck business to a 100-truck national business, while keeping the local focus. He is a member of the Road Transport Association and the Contractors Federation. 

HALL OF FAME 2016

Click to read more