Early Life
Kommer Damen was born in 1944 in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands. His family has been involved in shipbuilding for generations, with his father and uncle starting the Damen Shipyards in 1927. He studied at the HTS Scheepsbouw in Dordrecht, Netherlands.
Rise to Success
In 1967, Damen entered the family business. In 1969, Kommer Damen took over the family business. Under his leadership, Damen Shipyards grew into one of the world's largest shipbuilding companies. The company has built over 5,000 vessels since then, including a wide range of ships, from small fishing boats to large cargo ships. His vision was to produce vessels in series for stock, which revolutionized shipbuilding, building on that success to build a global company.
Key Business Strategies
Damen is known for its innovative approach to shipbuilding, including modular construction and standardized designs. The company has expanded its operations globally, with shipyards and related companies worldwide. Damen Shipyards focused on standardization, modularization, series production and keeping vessels in stock. Damen's key strategy included series production and delivering vessels on time. They also focus on the needs of their customers and the lifecycle of their assets. He also focused on vertical integration.
Philanthropy
Kommer Damen is known for his philanthropy and support of various charitable organizations. He is involved in many enterprises, including the Nederlands Dans Theater.