Sign Maker Profile
Robert added: “I think there’s a lot more people looking forward to having something handmade, with proper techniques, rather than just relying solely on a machine.”
Recognition
This pride towards his craft is what has led him to his first awards nomination, with several entries into the recent Sign Industry Awards.
For Robert, and his one-strong team, he mentions it is an honour to be recognised for the products that they are making. Robert said: “I haven’t been in for any awards previously, so it’s really nice to because it’s in the sign industry and we’re a small company down in Cornwall, but we’re making a big impact on the industry and supplying timber signs all around the UK.
“So, it’s really important that we get recognised that it’s not just a machine turning out a piece of a product. It’s actually someone making something by hand, and that’s really important in this day and age.”
Since, the awards Hartwood Timber has been highly commended for two of its three nominations; Sustainable Product of the Year and Robert himself for Excellence in Craftsmanship.
Hartwood Timber is breaking the mould on not only timber signage, but also on how seriously the company takes sustainability.
Sustainability
Instead of implementing sustainability measures once the company was founded and secure in its running, as most companies across all industries have done, Hartwood Timber did their environmentally-friendly efforts slightly differently.
Embracing eco-friendly measures within Hartwood Timber has been part of the company’s ethos since its creation. By using timber as its only product-making material, Robert wanted to make sure that everything he did was in line with certifications and sustainability measures from the very start.
Robert said: “We only buy FSC certified timber, so that we know we’re using sustainable products. For instance, we’re not using timber that’s being cut down and not replanted again. We’re really careful to make sure that we are using certified timber.
www.signupdate.co.uk Robert in his workshop creating bespoke signage
“It’s been the philosophy and ethos of the company since day one. I have to make sure I’m using everything sustainably, even to the point of our waste material. All of our sawdust goes to a local company, who turn all the sawdust into briquets and then they sell the briquets on.”
Robert continued to mention that buying materials in the correct way can make a difference in being sustainable. Robert added: “We’ve got to make sure that in this day and age that we’re using timber as a sustainable resource, as we don’t have a lot of it. We’ve got to make sure that whatever we’re buying, that they are doing it in the correct way.” It’s not just the timber area of the business that is sustainably sound, Robert also installed solar panels on the roof and uses linseed-based oils when finishing to limit the amount of harmful chemicals used on his timber signage, creating more eco-friendly signage for people, animals, and the environment.
Looking outwards
Robert’s aspirations for Hartwood Timber is to expand its trade clientele more, as it predominately focuses on retail and one-time customer-based business.
A blend of modern and traditional methods create Robert's signage
March/April 2026 | 45 |
“We’re really open to working with more trade companies in the sign industry, especially those who cannot make the signs themselves.” Today, the company produces a wide range of timber signage, including hanging signs, wall and gate signage, estate and entrance signs, ladder signs, and larger wayfinding schemes and has recently introduced fully painted framed signage. This desire for growth is sure to lead Hartwood Timber into yet another new era of its business, so just think as you walk around a National Trust property that Robert and Hartwood Timber may have had a hand in making those.
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