Meet the Makers from Seable&Co.
From sweeping workshop floors to building bespoke yacht exteriors
- Wilco Vissers - Furniture Maker - Wilco’s journey in craftsmanship started at a young age and has been shaped by decades of hands-on experience, dedication to the trade, and a passion for creating unique yacht interiors.
“The best thing about this work is that no project is ever the same.”
In our Meet the Makers series, we introduce the people behind Seable&Co — the craftsmen whose knowledge, experience, and eye for detail contribute to the quality and craftsmanship the company stands for. This time: Wilco, who found his way into the craft at a young age.
“The best thing about this work is that no project is ever the same.”
Wilco grew up in Oss, where he still lives today. His family has lived close to each other there for generations. That grounded, practical environment shaped him. “Everything has always been close by here,” he says. “My school, the house where I grew up, and also my work.”
His career started when he was fifteen, working in the workshop. At first he handled simple tasks like sweeping and tidying up, but he was always observing what was happening around him. “I kept my eyes open and tried to learn everything that was going on in the workshop.” At the time, the team consisted of just five or six people, which meant he could learn the craft up close.
Wilco trained as a ship’s joiner, working in yacht construction. Back then, the process looked very different from today. “A ship used to arrive almost like an empty shell. First the floor would be installed, and then the client would come by to decide where everything should go.” Sometimes sketches were literally drawn out on the floor before the team got to work. Today, everything is first designed down to the millimetre in digital drawing programs.
“I kept my eyes open and tried to learn everything that was going on in the workshop.”
Building a Dream Project
What still appeals to Wilco after all these years is the variety in the work. “The best thing is that no project is the same. Every assignment brings something new.” That variation keeps the work interesting and challenging.
One particularly special moment in his career came when a personal wish became reality. Years ago he had seen a Fletcher table in a photo and video, and he once said that he would love to build one himself someday. “When we eventually got the assignment, I immediately claimed it,” he says with a smile. “I even told my parents right away. My father remembered that I had talked about it years before.”
Fletcher table, Wilco's dream project
Passing on the Craft
Looking ahead, Wilco mainly hopes to continue working on many beautiful projects. “It’s great to keep practising this craft and to pass on my experience. In the end, it’s about making sure the craft continues to exist and that we keep creating quality we can be proud of.”
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