What DeFabrique does

DeFabrique Evenementen B.V. operates an industrial-heritage event venue complex in Utrecht, Netherlands, hosted in a 100+ year-old repurposed linseed oil and animal feed factory. The venue comprises four flagship halls (Copraloods at 1,450-person / 1,887 m² capacity, Kalvermelkfabriek at 1,000-person capacity, Perserij at 800-person capacity, and Smederij at 750-person capacity) plus 25+ additional loodsen, silos, and smaller spaces, collectively accommodating 150 to 1,450+ guests per event. Core service offerings are organized around five event types — congresses, corporate parties (bedrijfsfeest), trade fairs (beurs), sitting dinners, and corporate festivals — delivered as full-service packages including exclusive in-house catering, AV/technical infrastructure, and entertainment booking through an in-house Event Producer team. Target customers are mid-to-large Dutch enterprises and organizations across financial services, technology, automotive, healthcare, government, and nonprofit sectors (named clients include Rabobank, bol.com, Porsche, Capgemini, ChipSoft, Rijksoverheid, ANWB, and Prinses Máxima Centrum). The company is family-owned (Jan and Krijnie van Eck), self-funded, and operates as a Dutch B.V. with 101–250 employees, holding Green Key Gold sustainability certification and 334 solar panels supporting energy-neutral event operations.

Name

DeFabrique

Legal name

DeFabrique Evenementen B.V.

Website

https://defabrique.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

DeFabrique operates an industrial-heritage event venue in Utrecht, Netherlands, hosting corporate conferences, trade fairs, galas, and festivals for mid-to-large Dutch enterprises across 25+ repurposed factory spaces with full-service catering and event production.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Caterers (722320), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations (MPAGALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Venue & Facility Reservations (Private Rooms, Event Spaces) (HSACALAJ), Venue Guest Services & Front-of-House Operations (Ushers, Box Office, Accessibility) (MPAGALAK)

Keywords

• Industrial event venue
• Corporate event catering
• Congress and conference venue
• Trade fair and exhibition space
• Event management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental (Locatiekosten): The primary revenue stream is rental of industrial event spaces (loodsen, halls, silos) to corporate and private clients. Rent is charged per booking and includes base facilities. Pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed.
2. Catering (exclusive in-house): Catering is exclusively provided by DeFabrique and is a significant revenue stream. Per the general terms, catering is reserved exclusively to the venue operator. Catering costs are invoiced separately from location costs and are calculated based on guest numbers and selected menu options. No external catering is permitted.
3. Event Services and Add-ons: Additional revenue comes from entertainment coordination, technical AV services, entertainment booking, and other event-related services arranged through the venue's partner network. These are invoiced as 'overige kosten' (other costs) in the agreement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DeFabrique is a Dutch industrial event venue complex in Utrecht offering rental of more than 25 repurposed factory buildings (warehouses, silos, halls including Copraloods, Perserij, Kalvermelkfabriek, and Smederij) for corporate events such as conferences, trade fairs, company parties, seated dinners, and corporate festivals, accommodating 150 to 1,450+ guests. The venue bundles space hire with exclusive in-house catering, on-site event production, AV/technical services, and entertainment coordination. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with minimum guest counts per venue block (1 block = 150 guests; full venue = 700 guests).

Product overview

DeFabrique is an industrial event venue complex in Utrecht, Netherlands, comprising four main venue spaces (Copraloods, Kalvermelkfabriek, Perserij, and Smederij) plus additional smaller spaces. The venue offers a unified platform of event services including congresses, corporate parties, trade fairs, seated dinners, and corporate festivals. Catering and entertainment services are integrated into the venue offering. With over 25 warehouses, silos, and halls featuring raw industrial character with modern facilities, the location accommodates events from 150 to 1450+ guests. The venue operates as a single unified product with spaces available individually or combined, supported by comprehensive event management services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Copraloods Venue The largest venue space at DeFabrique, an industrial warehouse character with a steel mezzanine accommodating up to 1,450 persons across 1,887 m² and 4 sub-spaces, used for large corporate conferences, parties, and trade fairs.
• Kalvermelkfabriek Venue A converted calf milk factory space featuring authentic silos and an industrial atmosphere, accommodating up to 1,000 persons across 1,673 m² and 10 sub-spaces, used for corporate events and dinners.
• Perserij Venue A historic pressing room with raw industrial character including a steel mezzanine, accommodating up to 800 persons across 1,360 m² and 7 sub-spaces, used for company parties, conferences, and dinners.
• Smederij Venue A forge-inspired venue space featuring authentic industrial elements, accommodating up to 750 persons across 903 m² and 7 sub-spaces, used for corporate events, dinners, and product launches.
• Congres (Congress) Service Congress and conference event service offering professional conference facilities and event management for corporate and professional gatherings.
• Bedrijfsfeest (Company Party) Service Corporate party event service for company celebrations, jubilees (e.g., 75th anniversary parties), and staff gatherings of 150 to 700+ guests.
• Beurs (Trade Fair) Service Trade fair and exhibition event service offering space and logistics for exhibitions and trade shows (e.g., insurance industry events with 40+ exhibition stands).
• Sitting Dinner Service Formal seated dinner service for galas, award ceremonies (e.g., ANWB Camping van het Jaar Gala), and intimate corporate dining experiences.
• Corporate Festival Service Festival-style corporate event service combining entertainment, dining, and networking in an industrial festival atmosphere (e.g., Capgemini corporate festival for 360 guests).
• Catering Services On-site catering featuring creative, flavorful, and sustainable dining experiences with local ingredients, including lunch concepts and dinner concepts (De Smaken Van De Markt, De Smaken Van De Stad, De Smaken Van Buiten), supplied by local artisan partners and invoiced separately from venue rental.
• Entertainment Services Entertainment booking and coordination service connecting clients with speakers, acts, artists, and entertainment providers through DeFabrique's creative Event Producers network.
• Accessibility Services Accessibility and mobility services for events including 700+ free parking spaces, electric shuttle buses from Maarssen station, and 14+ electric vehicle charging points.

Quantifiable outcome

• Spin for Life 2025: €250,000 raised for pancreatic cancer research with 714 cyclists and 9,354 donors
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Bakkerij AkkermansminorOthersLocal artisan bakery in Vleuten that has been baking bread and pastry for over 90 years. Supplies fresh bread and baked goods directly to DeFabrique's catering operations, ensuring freshness and quality.
• De Bakkende BrabanderminorOthersArtisan sausage roll producer run by brothers Bart and Michiel, who bring authentic Brabant flavors to DeFabrique's catering menu.
• SCHULP sappenminorOthersFamily fruit juice company established in 1861 along the Vecht river in Breukelen. Supplies fresh fruit juices to DeFabrique, delivered locally to minimize transport.
• Roze Bunker SiropenminorOthersFruit syrup producers who reduce transportation emissions by producing syrup concentrates. Their system yields a full crate of drinks from one bottle of syrup, contributing to biodiversity, short supply chains, and circular production.
• De Notenwinkel van ZeistminorOthersPremium nut and delicacy retailer in Zeist, offering freshly roasted, carefully selected nuts and delicacies for DeFabrique events.
• Weingut CH. W. BernhardminorOthersGerman winery in Rheinhessen, just across the Dutch border, producing red, white, and rosé wines served at DeFabrique. The region has been cultivating grapes since Roman times.
• Vuurproeven (Barry Muns & Peter Bras)minorOthersBBQ and wood-fired cooking duo who bring smokers to DeFabrique for the 'De Smaken Van.. Buiten' catering concept. They specialize in flavorful dishes cooked over wood, fire, and coals.
• Markus & MarkusminorOthersTraditional stroopwafel bakers since 1965. Produces crispy, soft stroopwafels served as a sweet finale or snack at events.
• De CliqueminorOthersProduces vegan bitterballen made from food waste streams, offering a circular and surprising sustainable snack option for DeFabrique events.
• Vernooij FruittelersminorOthersFruit farm in Cothen spanning approximately 27 hectares, growing fruit in an environmentally friendly manner for use in DeFabrique's catering.
• De Wit BoerenkaasminorOthersCheese farm located approximately 12 km from DeFabrique in Harmelen, producing authentic Dutch farm cheese featured in DeFabrique's 'Authentiek & Magnifiek' catering platter.
• Brand New LiveminorOthersEvent production company referenced as a client and partner. Brand New Live organizes events and works with DeFabrique as a venue partner and client.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Postillion Hotels: Largest Dutch conference hotel chain with multiple properties hosting corporate events, congresses, and meetings. Competes broadly with DeFabrique for the same enterprise event budgets but as part of a wider hotel portfolio rather than a dedicated industrial venue niche.
• Van der Valk Hotels: Major Dutch hospitality chain with extensive conference, meeting, and event facilities across multiple locations. Serves the same enterprise event market as DeFabrique through a hotel-based delivery model.
• NH Hotels: Broad international hotel group with significant Dutch presence, offering meeting rooms and event facilities as part of a wider hospitality portfolio. Competes for the same mid-market and enterprise corporate event RFPs.

Direct peers

• Beurs van Berlage: Iconic Amsterdam event and conference venue housed in the former 19th-century commodities exchange, offering comparable premium positioning for corporate events, congresses, and galas. Operates in the same Dutch corporate event market with similar enterprise client base as DeFabrique.
• Hotel New York Rotterdam: Rotterdam event and conference venue housed in the former Holland America Line headquarters, offering comparable heritage character combined with full-service hospitality for corporate events and galas.
• Felix Meritis: Heritage Amsterdam cultural venue hosting conferences, corporate events, and galas in a historic building on the Keizersgracht. Competes with DeFabrique for premium corporate and cultural event briefs in the Netherlands.
• A'DAM Toren: Amsterdam event venue atop the A'DAM Tower offering panoramic views and full-service corporate event hosting. Competes with DeFabrique for corporate galas, product launches, and brand activation budgets.
• NDSM Loods: Amsterdam industrial heritage event venue on the NDSM wharf, offering comparable raw industrial character, large hall spaces, and corporate festival positioning. The closest aesthetic parallel to DeFabrique within the Dutch event venue market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/defabrique
• Facebookfacebook.com/defabriqueevenementenlocatie

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DeFabrique