Posted on June 7, 2023
As of today, the first episodes of ‘On Course’ are available for listening. This podcast provides insight into the special history of the Damen Shipyards Group. What was once just a small wooden shed on the banks of the River Merwede, is now one of the world’s largest shipbuilders. Numerous people involved in the story of Damen recreate the path the company has travelled. This includes the founder of the current group, Kommer Damen himself, who for the first time takes such a focused look back.
The six-part podcast ‘On Course’ tells how the family business was created almost by accident nearly century ago and how it has shown its ability to respond to social developments time and time again.
When the young Kommer Damen joined the company in the 1960s, he soon saw that there was potential to realise a lot of opportunities.
Unorthodox view
With what was, for the time, an unorthodox vision, he managed to expand the shipyard at a considerable pace, both in the Netherlands and abroad. In doing so, he made the family business resistant to global economic headwinds, such as the 1970s oil crisis. In the decades that followed, Damen grew into a globally operating company active in various types of shipbuilding, from naval vessels to luxury superyachts.
In ‘On Course’, the history of Damen’s beginnings is placed in the broader context of global economic and historical events, to give listeners a clear understanding of the circumstances under which business decisions were made at the time.
Shipbuilding history
Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen Shipyards Group: “With ‘On Course’ we give colour to an important chapter in Dutch shipbuilding history. With the podcast, we hope to inspire listeners by showing what you can achieve if you stay true to a clear vision – no matter how big the setbacks may be.”
About ‘On course’
‘On Course’ consists of six episodes each approximately 30 minutes in duration, which will appear in June 2023. The podcast is available via all regular listening platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts and can be listened to in either Dutch and English.
‘On Course’ was developed by audio agency Airborne.
