#4 - Conquering the world

Kommer Damen has managed to build a company that can withstand economic ups and downs: the shipyard continues to grow steadily. Within the Netherlands, Damen acquires various specialist yards.After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the world changes rapidly and globalisation makes its entry. It offers Damen the opportunity to gain a foothold in former Eastern Bloc countries by taking over shipyards there. But how do you negotiate with governments that know nothing but communism?There are also challenges in the Netherlands: it appears to be quite difficult to get into the niche markets of naval and luxury yachts. But that changes thanks to the actions of a iconic American businessman: Donald Trump.This episode covers the period between 1985 and 1999. 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.