#1 - From stovepipe to boat

Around a hundred years ago, brothers Jan and Marinus Damen ran a small, simple firm out of a wooden shed beside the Merwede. They adapted to local demand, and made everything from stovepipes to bicycles. But when they built a boat and it sold almost immediately, they decided to focus entirely on that.In the decades that followed, the company grew into a small shipyard. Meanwhile, Jan Damen’s son was born: Kommer. He grows up among the ships under construction at the shipyard, but he doesn't seem to be interested in working at his father’s company. However, at the end of the 1960s, Kommer is called upon: he can no longer avoid working there. And that proves to have far-reaching consequences…This episode covers the period between 1927 and 1967. Want to know more about this podcast? Check out podcast.damen.com‘On Course’ is a Damen Shipyards podcast and is produced by audio agency Airborne.

Om Podcasten

How does a tiny company grow to become one of the worlds biggest shipbuilders? In On Course, we follow the unique history of Damen Shipyards Group. At one time the company was nothing more than a wooden shed on the banks of the Merwede River, run by a couple of handy young men. The company now has a global presence and builds virtually every conceivable model of ship.The key figure in this story is Kommer Damen. With his revolutionary vision and entrepreneurial spirit, he set up the company at a time when the world was changing rapidly: from the oil crisis in the 1970s to the fall of the Berlin Wall.In ‘On Course’, Kommer Damen talks extensively about the rich history of this family business for the first time. In addition, many others speak about Damen’s turbulent growth, but also about developments within the shipping industry and the global economy. ‘On Course’ is a 6-part podcast series; a special story about headwind and perseverance, about daring and doing.Liever luisteren in het Nederlands? Prefer to listen in Dutch? Please note that the original version of this show is Dutch and available under the name 'Op Koers'. Want to find out more? Check out podcast.damen.com‘On Course’ is a Damen Shipyards podcast and is produced by audio agency Airborne.