Burton’s leading sign makers and suppliers, Hardy Signs celebrates its 15th
anniversary on 1 August 2008.
The company, originally located on Hunter Street, moved to its current Falcon Close
offices and workshops nearly 5 years ago. Founder Nik Hardy has witnessed wholesale
changes in the sign designing, manufacturing, and installation parts of his business. “In 1993 when I started, the first sign design and production software was just being
introduced.”
“We served our ‘apprenticeships’ without the benefit of this software, manufacturing
signs in the time-honoured way. Back then, traditional sign-writing still accounted for
roughly 75% of sales; now it’s less than one percent.”
Behind closed doors, less than a mile from the centre of Burton, the company conjures
up its daily magic act. Call in any morning and you’ll find the roller doors firmly closed.
In the workshops, the next car or van will be receiving the ‘special’ treatment.
If for any reason the shutters are open, it’s the clearest sign that the company’s teams
are hard at work preparing their highly visible blue and gold vans for a day’s installation work anywhere across the Midlands, the North and as far south as the Isle of Wight.
I am often asked ‘why did you start a sign designing and manufacturing business in
Burton?’ remarked Nik Hardy. “It was the natural progression. I’d served what is the
longest of all the trade apprenticeships, some 8 years. Slynns sign makers gave me a
rock solid foundation in the Industry; I am grateful for that introduction.”
“The breweries provided a ready-market for Hardy Signs; and, today they are still heavy users of corporate identity and signs for their beer brands right through to each and every public house.”
What has changed is the major development in vinyl and proprietary sign materials, plus the introduction of special adhesives that assist the application of lettering and logos, and constantly improving ranges of materials in every conceivable colour.
And the sign industry is far more complex today than it was back in the early 1990’s.
“Today, we digitally print on an expanding range of materials”, continues Adam Bates,
Design Manager at Hardy Signs, “In order to exactly match client’s colour schemes.
We no longer have to rely on a standard palette of colours”.
Technology has also allowed Hardy’s in-house designers to create spectacular identities for new businesses to which they have added new techniques, like vehicle wrapping.
Any car or van can be entirely ‘wrapped’ from bumpers to roof in vinyl, making it effectively a moving billboard. “It can even trick the eye and create a new shape for the vehicle”, points out Nik Hardy.
Some of the company’s largest signage projects have been at Pirelli Stadium, Coors and B&Q with the most complex at Bristol News and Media which incorporate digital electronic flashing message boards with LED illuminated signage.
Around Burton, Hardy Signs are on every street and corner in the Town, for example,
on the Burton Mail, The Queens Hotel, Burton Albion, Queens Hospital, Roger Bullivant,
East Staffordshire Borough Council, Wing Wah Chinese Restaurant, W T Parker, Bristol
Street Motors – simply anywhere!
“Our work is more than an ‘art’”, added Nik Hardy, “it’s simultaneously a ‘science’. We
are keenly aware that in our changing markets keeping ahead of the game is important.
So, we have just completed our new web site and launched a Summer photographic
competition with £1,000 worth of prizes for all budding local photographers aged 4 to 16.
More details can be found on the Burton Mail and Hardy Signs web sites”. |
