STIGCHEL | BOEI '58

The sail making business B.G. van der Stigchel was started in 1887 by our great-grandfather Van der Stigchel. He also ran a ship’s chandlery, supplying the local contractors and boat owners, quickly establishing himself to become quite well known in and around The Hague. Business went well and another company was acquired: Werner NV, manufacturer of Dutch tents and covers, and Purveyor to the Royal Household.

The company continued to expand its range. Products on offer included foldable canoes, camping equipment, sailing boats etc. By the winter of 1950, Van der Stigchel became the first company in the Netherlands to offer its customers diving equipment and materials. An achievement later echoed, when they were the first in the country to introduce windsurfing boards.

Grandfather Van der Stigchel was drawn to the American small work tents of the time and put these into production. Later these types of tents were imported from America by our father.

Sales went well, partly due to our own innovations being introduced into the tent design, to meet the needs of our customers in Western Europe.
Local councillor Noordanus promised in 1998 to back the planning proposal for the construction of a high rise building on the “Van der Stigchel site”.
For this reason, Van der Stigchel suspended all retail activities and concentrated on sail making and the supply of work tents.
Since 2005, the company has been known as Stigchel-Boei ’58, located at ‘their home’ until Spui/ Lamgroen is demolished, whereupon they will just as enthusiastically continue with their same excellent manufacturing skills and the supply of professional work tents: against a different backdrop this time.