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A famous wood on Dartmoor is the inspiration behind a rebrand and move to Bovey Tracey for a specialist carpentry & joinery company…
Wistman’s Proprietors Wayne Elliott and Jeremy Robinson tell GLEN KING about their expansion and big move for their Devon business to the edge of Dartmoor
Long-standing independent Devon-based company Wistman’s Ltd., specialists in bespoke joinery and carpentry, celebrates its 25th anniversary with a re-brand and move from Dartmouth to larger premises at Heathfield Industrial Estate near Bovey Tracey.
Formerly known as Rendle & Elliott Carpentry & Joinery Ltd., the independent company was established in Dartmouth in 1997 by Adrian Rendle and Wayne Elliott. Today the well-respected business has been renamed Wistman’s Ltd, inspired by the local and famous woodland known as Wistman’s Wood, based at Two Bridges, Dartmoor, one of the highest oakwoods in Britain and, as an outstanding example of native upland oak woodland with trees as old as 500 years.
Working with both private customers and commercial clients in the South-West and across the UK, as a whole, Wistman’s has its own in-house workshop based at their new business premises located at Heathfield. It’s here their fully-qualified team of craftsmen, many with decades of experience in the trade, put their heart and soul into lovingly creating bespoke pieces from a variety of wood, made individually to order for clients. They take pride in offering a completely personal service, from design and manufacture in the workshop to delivery, installation, and fitting on-site, all carried out by Wistman’s experienced and skilled professionals. The company designs and creates high-end architectural joinery and carpentry, and even has a specialist team producing Wistman’s kitchens. Hours of work and care go into each individual piece made from high-quality wood, finished in a variety of ways including with oils to bring out the natural effect of the grain and character in the timber.
Wayne Elliott explains how it all began: “Having worked with Adrian at a local building firm for a couple of years, we decided that it was time to go into business together and set up Rendle & Elliott in 1997. Initially, we rented a small unit at the Old Abattoir in Dartmouth where I was based in the workshop full-time, and Adrian went out on-site; it was a great partnership. As time moved on, we outgrew the premises and were lucky to have one of our best customers arrange for us to rent a workshop in Blackawton and the business grew from there. We gradually took on more and more joiners and carpenters and as a result needed to move to bigger premises at an industrial unit in Dartmouth in 2014. I believe it’s our ethos to ensure each customer is 100% happy with the finished job that has helped to grow our reputation over many years.”
In 2021 Adrian Rendle decided to retire from the company and sold his 50% share to Jeremy Robinson who joined Wayne Elliott as a director and moved the business to the larger premises, which he owns near Bovey Tracey located on the edge of Dartmoor.
Jeremy Robinson – Director, Wistman’s explains: “Rendle & Elliott’s reputation for creating superior craftsmanship for many years means much of their work is down to customer recommendations – and this was true for me! I commissioned them to build four Yurt-inspired cedar-clad buildings which my wife and I designed for our holiday rental business. We were so impressed with the quality of the workmanship that I asked them to carry out further bespoke carpentry throughout my home in Devon which was highly specialised and beautifully created by their in-house craftsmen. The work was so stunning that when I heard Adrian was ready to retire from Rendle & Elliott, I didn’t hesitate to offer to become a shareholder with Wayne and we moved to larger premises, taking on more staff and renaming the company ‘Wistman’s.”
He adds: “We have a specialist dedicated team and our in-house craftsmen pride themselves on creating bespoke fitted and free-standing furniture, handcrafted windows and doors to beautifully designed and luxurious kitchens, statement staircases, garden studios, and much, much more. After 25 years, the business is thriving, and I’m excited to announce that Julia Kendell, has teamed up with Wistman’s as our ‘specialist design consultant’ to help our valued customers design their dream kitchen.”
Well-known for her interior design expertise working alongside DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, and endearing Devon boys, Chris Frediani and Julian Perryman, Julia has over 35 years of experience as a leader in the design community, discussing wellbeing in the home. She is writing a book (due out in Autumn 2023) entitled ‘Happy, Healthy Home’ where she looks at how good design can improve our cognitive ability, mood, and health.
Julia says: “I am delighted to be working alongside Wistman’s team of professionals to share my design expertise and bring the very latest ideas and trends in kitchen innovation for their clients who are looking to create a very special space. When designing a kitchen, which is undoubtedly the most sizeable investment you’ll make in your home, it is vital to balance functionality, aesthetics, and the feel and experience of the space. As the past couple of years have shown, our kitchen/living areas are the beating heart of the home and vital to our well-being, and good design should ensure the whole family can go about their daily routines in an organised, manner whilst feeling uplifted and energised.”
She concludes: “I turn to Wistman’s for interior joinery for my discerning clients’ projects and can rely on their quality, superior service, and attention to detail and sustainability. Not least, they are a great bunch of people to work with, which makes my job so much easier!”
