For years, the Brabant-based stand construction company Stabilo has been responsible for setting up the TEFAF Maastricht art fair. But not only that—Stabilo also works on numerous other art fairs worldwide, as well as various international events. Additionally, owner Harry van der Hoorn has acquired the entire ENCI complex in Maastricht. It happened by chance, but still, he sees opportunities everywhere.

“My father started this company. The name Stabilo is a somewhat creative abbreviation for ‘stand construction and sleeper trade.’ The ‘o’ at the end refers to the small tail section at the back of an airplane, which he found fitting. My father originally came from the theater world and worked as a stage manager. In essence, he built stage sets, which isn’t that different from constructing stands for an art fair. He started in 1978, and I remember that in 1987, I already accompanied him to the old Eurohal in Maastricht, where the Pictura fair was held at the time. A year later, it moved to the brand-new MECC and was renamed TEFAF.”