FUNDAMENT

More About FUNDAMENT

Coffee roasting has recently returned to the famous Van Nellefabriek in Rotterdam. The new specialty coffee brand Fundament is breathing new life into this historic location. The brand opts for a down-to-earth approach, avoiding unnecessary complexity. Their central promise is as clear as it is practical: a solid foundation every day.

The Van Nellefabriek is a striking industrial complex from the 1920s, designed around natural light and efficient production lines using plenty of steel and glass. The building was fully renovated in 2002 and was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. Fundament explicitly weaves this industrial heritage into its brand story. The public launch took place around September 18, 2025, with official online presence following in early 2026.

The Roastery and the Founders

No names of specific founders or head roasters are shared on official channels. However, various social media accounts consistently refer to ‘Rob van Fundament’. Daily production takes place in Schiehal E, within the roastery of A.M.O.C. This facility is owned by Rob Clarijs, the winner of Coffee Masters London in 2019. While a direct link is highly probable, this has not been formally confirmed.

The brand’s focus is on consistent quality for daily use. The facility used features state-of-the-art equipment, including a Loring S35 Kestrel roaster and a Sovda color sorter. There is also a dedicated space for quality control. Fundament roasts in small batches weekly, consciously avoiding the storage of old stock.

The Assortment: Beton, Staal and Glas

The brand offers a very streamlined assortment via the webshop. The three permanent coffees bear the names of the factory’s building materials. They are specifically developed for both espresso and filter coffee. Customers can choose from 250g or 1000g bags. Each package features a clear roast date for optimal freshness.

BETON: This is the dark-roasted pillar of the assortment. This single-origin from Brazil grows at altitudes between 1,100 and 1,350 meters. The Catuai and Obata beans come from Farm 209 in São Paulo, a farm started by the producers in 2016. The coffee offers a full body, low acidity, and accessible notes of milk chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel.
STAAL: This house blend represents the versatile and layered middle ground. The blend combines beans from Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia, grown at various altitudes between 1,100 and 2,000 meters. The mild flavor profile is characterized by praline, stone fruits, almond, and a crisp finish with light citrus.
GLAS: The light-roasted and elegant single-origin from Colombia. These beans grow at an altitude of 1,750 meters at Finca El Girasol. This farm employs agroforestry, growing coffee alongside bananas and citrus. The bright profile delivers flavors of red apple, mixed nuts, and a subtle floral undertone.

Sourcing and Strict Traceability

Fundament maintains direct and transparent communication regarding their sourcing. The chain runs directly from the farmer or washing station, via the importer, to the roastery. Every coffee is one hundred percent traceable. The processing of the GLAS coffee illustrates this precision. The cherries undergo an initial oxidation of thirty-six hours. This is followed by a second fermentation of fourteen to sixteen hours, after which they are dried on open patio’s.

Market Position and Sales Channels

The brand positions itself resolutely as a local Rotterdam player in specialty coffee. Fundament does not have its own physical store or café. Sales primarily occur via e-commerce, hospitality, and corporate channels. Local consumers can also obtain the coffees at the Van Nelle Winkeltje. Online orders are provided with track & trace and are typically shipped within Europe within one to two business days.

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