Dutch paint with heart and soul

Every now and then we are surprised by products that are not only good, but also have a story to tell. That happened to us when we got to interview Toon van Westerhoven, co-owner of Rigo Verffabriek from IJmuiden. Toon, together with his brother Machiel, has owned Rigo Verffabriek since 2014 and enthusiastically talks about their special way of working.

We begin first with a bit of company history. The two brothers took the helm in 2014 from their father and uncle, who in turn had taken over the paint factory from their parents. Grandpa and grandma Van Westerhoven founded the paint factory in 1938. 

Still chose the family business

So Toon and Machiel are the third generation at the paint factory. "Actually, we both had our own careers," Toon continues. "Machiel held senior positions in the paint industry and I myself was head of human resources at Tata Steel. In 2008, I chose my family and resigned there. My wife also quit her job and together we made a trip around the world. At sunset, in a South African garden, I suddenly saw "the light. My future was in the family business. In 2010, I flew back to the Netherlands to assist my uncle as deputy director at Rigo. Whether I already knew about paint back then? Not a bit!"

Toon soon realized he needed his brother. "Machiel is a chemist and trained in paint technology. We talked a lot and set a course together. After perfecting the plans, the time came to actually put our shoulders to the wheel."

Creating powerful people in a fine environment

"We want to make powerful people in a fine environment. Our paint should be used to make an environment more beautiful, we want to create a place where people feel fine. This is also how we want to be as an employer. Our employees
need to have a good time and be in their power. Our production process is a tool for that," Toon explains. "The great thing is that we also have complete control over the raw materials. We choose to buy as locally as possible. For example, we have partnerships with farmers in the immediate area who grow the flax for us, from which we extract our linseed oil. Linseed oil is the natural binder for our paint systems, just like in the old days. We take the flax harvest to the Zaanse Schans, where the oil is extracted from the flax using an old windmill. Sustainable? Absolutely, but we find the pleasure of working together in the local chain just as important," says Toon. "That's how we give our product the right energy. You can feel that."

The target audience recognizes the value of the product

Rigo Paint Factory makes masterfully good linseed oil paint that is honest in every way. "Above all, we want to work with people. Automation is of interest to us only if it is not at the expense of labor. We would rather create work than take it away. That's fine, as long as you have customers who recognize the value of the product. Those customers we fortunately have."

Rigo paint systems are popular with restorers of monumental heritage. Prescribers therefore get all the help they need from IJmuiden: "They can contact us directly. We draw up technical specifications, determine the status of the substrate to be painted and do color historical research. This results in specifications with sound advice on which painters can base their quotations. They can purchase the recommended products from us," explains Toon. "In addition to TOPLIN Linseed Oil Stand Paint, RIGO Verffabriek is also the inventor and producer of SKYLT Original invisible paint, with which they were featured at Architect@Work. I have the best job there is. Making paint with heart and soul with fine people around me. Pure and natural, for a more beautiful world!"