About SouthWood
History l Newsroom l Affiliations l Contact Info l Facility l FAQ
History of SouthWood
In 1970, upon graduation from college, Ernest Dwight began producing wooden signs as an extension of his new wife's embroidery business. Mr. Dwight's interests in architecture and woodworking, coupled with the graphics and lettering aspects of the embroidery and monogramming in his wife's business, provided a unique mix of capabilities with which to enter the sign business.The company, then known as F&D Wooden Signs, initially focused its energies calling on architectural and design firms in the Carolinas. The goal was to offer those firms a dependable, quality driven source for the production of the newly-coined term "architectural signage," but in methods and materials which had a different look from the norm. Literally pioneering the methods and materials used to create "natural" looking wood signs, the company soon had to add staff and move to a larger facility. As a part of this move, and anticipated future growth, the decision was made to change the firm name to SouthWood Corporation.
Within several years it became evident that many clients needed more in-depth sign planning and graphic design expertise than was regularly available, so the company staffed its own in-house wayfinding & design department. This allowed the organization to offer full design-to-fabrication capabilities to clients who required it, while also strengthening SouthWood's ability to "speak the language" of design with its designer clients.
As demand for its services and products grew, SouthWood found itself doing work over a broader geographic area, and becoming more involved in the use of different materials for fabrication. The growth prompted two more facility moves, resulting in the company's 40,000 square foot current location. Over the past 30+ years SouthWood has clients throughout the United States and in over two dozen countries.
Today the firm employs approximately 50 people, several of whom have been at SouthWood over 20 years. The emphasis is design/build, although much work continues for outside design and specifier firms. Likewise, most of SouthWood's work today is for large, sometimes multi-site signage systems, although commissions for single pieces and smaller projects are still taken.
Recent Articles & Press Releases
I Saw the Sign
Units
July 2009
Like the Park Staff, Park Signs Identify, Inform and Guide
Parks and Rec Trades
January 15, 2009
SouthWood Identifying Our Community Grant to Award $100,000 in Free Signage and Services
August 2008
Signs of the Times
American School & University
July 2008
SouthWood marks 38 years in business
Charlotte Observer Celebrations
March 30, 2008
Knowing the Signs
Greater Charlotte Biz
June 2007
Big Ideas
Charlotte Business Journal
April 20, 2007
Take The Lead
Charlotte Observer
February 18, 2007
SouthWood Creates Signage for Distinctive Caribbean Club Resort on Grand Cayman
August 13, 2007
SouthWood Helps Build Brand Identification for Shone Lumber
July 23, 2007
SouthWood Goes Hollywood with Signage for Radius Condominums
July 9, 2007
SouthWood Signage Distinguishes Orient Express Properties in the Caribbean
July 2, 2007
SouthWood Signage a Natural Fit for Crescent's Springfield Community
June 18, 2007
Affiliations and Trade Shows
Organizations we are affiliated with and whose trade shows we regularly attend or exhibit include:- ASLA – American Society of Landscape Architects
- ALFA – Assisted Living Federation of America
- AAA – Atlanta Apartment Association
- NAA – National Apartment Association
- ULI – Urban Land Institute
- NAHB – National Association of Home Builders
- ISA – International Sign Association
- CHA – Caribbean Hotel Association
- USSC – United States Sign Council
- SEGD – Society for Environmental Graphic Design
Getting in Touch with Us
Call us Toll-Free at 800-727-6884. If you're outside the US, you can reach us by phone at 704-588-5000.
Our fax number is 704-588-5017.
Send us mail to PO Box 38900, Charlotte, NC 28278. For overnight deliveries, our physical address is 4700 Westinghouse Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273.
We're open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm EST.
We encourage your visit! To get to our facility from I-77, take exit 1 Westinghouse Blvd heading west. We are 4 miles on the right hand side. From I-85, take Billy Graham Parkway south to I-77 south and follow directions above.
Facility
SouthWood is pleased to be housed in a modern, new, company-owned 40,000 sq ft facility on 6+ acres of land in southwest Charlotte. We are located on Westinghouse Blvd, exactly 4 miles west of I-77, and about 10 minutes from Charlotte's Douglas International Airport. We encourage you to visit and tour our operation, but until you do, here are photos to show you more:
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