Hospitality industry for 64 years common thread for Breda-based interior builder

Opinionated partner for customization

Meuviro Interior Design has now been specializing in custom work for the hospitality, office, education and healthcare industries for 64 years, with a strong focus on hospitality. What once began on a cargo bicycle grew into a company with 25 employees that distinguishes itself through its turn-key services. Director Joep van Oosterhout reminisces about the past and looks forward to the future together with the future owners, Wouter Sterk and Roel Akkermans.

Meuviro's adventure began in April 1960, says Van Oosterhout: "Together with two companions, Joop Couvreur started an interior construction company by taking over an existing business that had existed since 1928. In the beginning, they took wood and sheet material by moped and cargo bicycle." As early as the 1960s, the company specialized in custom furniture. "In those days, materials were more expensive than labor and everything was built on site. Now everything is meticulously measured and prepared. As a result, on-site assembly requires less and less time and we can work with as little inconvenience as possible."

The common thread in Meuviro's customer base (furniture, remodeling, interiors, renovations and designs) is the hospitality industry. "Initially, we came mainly to restaurants, hotels and cafes. Over the years, however, this has been joined by the office world, as well as education and healthcare. However, hospitality is still the common thread; for example, we create pleasant reception areas and company restaurants. At the front end, we think critically about the entire project. Whatever we think up, we also execute. In doing so, we actively consider the right choices to match the budgets with the client's wishes."

A new location and technological advances

Soon Meuviro grew so much that a first van could be purchased. For a long time, however, business operations still took place in a small hall behind a café, with representatives being received in the café. In 1982, Meuviro moved to a much larger location on Haagweg. "When I joined the company, I had only minimal experience," Van Oosterhout confesses. "From production, I learned about the company and later moved on to commerce. Eventually I got the chance to take over Meuviro, first with a partner and from 1998 on my own."

Around that time, the interior builder started working with a CNC machine for the first time, which accelerated growth. "Old-timers fall off their chairs when they see what's possible! We bought our first machine second-hand from a fellow interior designer who thought it was too slow. That didn't apply to us because we do almost no serial work. The CNC lent itself perfectly to our custom-made products, such as bar furniture and service furniture. So we still used it for 12 years," Joep recalls. Meuviro grew into a total furnisher of catering establishments, from small pubs to very large clients such as Count Floris Utrecht, Nationale Opera & Ballet, Mars in Veghel, Zalando, Google, Hotel Ryder in Vught, the NAC stadium and the new branches of the high-profile restaurant concept Vegitalian.

In 2022, Meuviro moved and has since been located at Minervum on the outskirts of Breda. "How proud we are of this place! This building is not even bigger in square meters, but it can be used much more effectively. All the experience we have gained over the last 10 years is reflected in this. We have also optimized the machinery so that we have all the conveniences and technical gadgets we need to realize the most beautiful projects with our team."

Roel Akkermans and Wouter Sterk: a dynamic duo

Currently, Meuviro is in the final stages of the acquisition process initiated several years ago. With this, Meuviro Interieurbouw will pass to Roel Akkermans and Wouter Sterk. For Sterk, his first internship at Meuviro, during his education at HMC, immediately felt like a warm bath. "I learned a lot here and felt completely at home in the team. I don't have furniture making in my fingers, but making something has always intrigued me. Hence, I did stay within the industry and found that I possessed other qualities. Years later, I came back to Meuviro and started here in 2015 as a project manager. Since then, I have made a strong commitment to the further professionalization of the company, together with Joep and later with Roel. There was good chemistry right away and we really complement each other."

"They couldn't do it without me," laughs Akkermans. "I joined the club more than six years ago. Before that, I gained ten years of experience at a hospitality consulting firm and saw a lot of the market. By now I've built up quite a network. It started with a cup of coffee with Joep and Wouter in 2018, but this became much more!" Meuviro's drive and his ability to tell a complex story simply have contributed to its commercial growth.

Culture and future

Strong emphasizes the strong corporate culture and long-term vision that characterize Meuviro. "When new people come to work here, they often stay here their entire working lives. This sense of loyalty and shared values is why people like to work with us, and that's what makes our company."

Akkermans also faces the future with optimism: "It is important to respond to developments in the market and to take initiatives. For example, we have been working with PaletteCAD software since 2020 to optimize our business process." 

This investment in technology and efficiency helps Meuviro continue to provide high-quality custom solutions. In doing so, the company does not want to grow in size, but rather in name, reputation and quality. "We are building relationships with architects and 'Design & Build' companies so that clients find us for their custom projects. It's about long-term, not single projects. We want to be the party you don't hassle with, and who honors agreements. Only when the client is satisfied, are we finished."