Daumann Heavy Construction - Information Page (WiP - Updating)

Early Expansion:

Daumann Heavy Construction was originally founded under the name Alexander Yards in the year 52 A.S. Oder Shipyards were launched in the year 83 A.S with the girder work completed by 85 A.S. By 89 A.S the yards were officially declared open and construction began on The Ring. Daumann Heavy Construction quickly established itself under its first line of vessels being built in space; the humpback line of vessels quickly became the corner stone of Rheinland ship development as years passed.

The Ring was completed by 97 A.S the second marvel of Rheinland as it was called for its halo like appearance in the New Berlin Sun. By 100 A.S the Mineralienkrieg had begun. With The Ring developing faster and more improved mining equipment by the year Rheinland explorers and miners spread throughout the system, flagging the resources for the Nation's expansion.

Alexander Daumann stepped down from his empire at 112 A.S. 112 years taking office, his body was laid to rest within the Daumann Crypts on the day of his death. The firm was renamed Daumann Heavy Construction in his honor with a large tract of land outside of the city of Berlin placed in the families name. The firm was placed within Alexander Daumann's grandsons' control Alwin Daumann. With the President's new found vigor Rheinland expansion began immediately by the year 113 A.S. By 120 A.S the young man was accredited with the discovery of the Frankfurt system. Expanding into the system, surveys uncovered planetoids and an asteroid field. No official report was released by the system was left and abandoned by the Daumann Heavy Construction soon after and left to the Kruger Mineral Company. The remainder of Alwin's career was lack luster, the failure of the Frankfurt system shadowing his judgement there-after. His final change while managing the office opened contracts with the Rheinland Polizei battalions of New Berlin and mineral exploitation their primary goal. Stepping down Alwin appointed his younger brother Engel, German for Angel, following his namesake Engel made several changes toward pilot and miner safety, lowering casualties of Rheinlanders on the job and off.

With the discovery of Liberty in the late Expansion period and the Sigma systems Rheinland advocates demanded for the Government to be ready against those from the outside of their space and the Rheinland Military developed in full swing. Daumann Heavy Construction began immediate and long term contracts, developing the first generations to the Rheinland Gunboat and the first draft designs of the Rheinland Heavy Kreuzer.

Daumann Survey teams were once again sent back to the back water system of Frankfurt with orders to not return until discoveries were made. It took the team nearly half a decade before they reported of the viability of the Sigma 13 jump hole. The original jump hole team was unable to make it through and have weeks of waiting and no return signals the term were declared lost team's lost covered up. Using the new jump gate technology from Liberty DHC commissioned the Sigma 13 jump gate.Within two years the Sigma 13 Jump gate was completed with the trade lane rings forming behind. The Rheinland Military immediately established a cordon into the Sigma 13 system as Daumann Heavy Construction received the only contracts in return for rushing the final Kreuzer designs. In anticipation of the design releases Daumann withdraw from the system, focusing heavily on their shipyards.

80 Year War Years:

Releasing their key contract of no competition, Daumann Heavy Construction shifted all of their weight towards ship construction as Kruger Minerals were sent into the Crow Nebula to establish H-Fuel farms. By now the Emperor's fleets had nearly exceeded the H-Fuel development rate and the heavy war machine and looked toward the Crow Nebula to forever answer their thirst for more H-Fuel.

The Kruger Mineralien Station was attacked by unknown forces, no records within the Daumann Servers ever suggested DHC involvement but rumors persist that the Construction company played a hand in Kruger's downfall. The station was mauled badly, and destroyed in the ensuing combat. GMG reportedly dispatched only a small investigation wing to the H-Fuel processing plant. They were not able to reach the station in time to discover what exactly who the original perpetrators were. Unfortunately for them, the GMG were cataloged as present near the Rheinland Military Response force as they arrived. The only message the Kruger facility transmitted before the hulls were breached and the crew killed was a short and simple "Attacked." Kruger immediately blamed the GMG for destroying their station and took their claim to the Emperor. The Emperor reacted with the rage of a nation and sent the full might of the Rheinland war machine into the Crow Nebula and Sigma 13. In an effort to establish more resources for the Empire of Rheinland expedition leader Franz Schulman made original contact with the a group later known as the Corsair's. Franz Schulman is hailed as one of the greatest Daumann Explorer's ever, but also accredited with one of Daumann's latest thorns.The 80 Year war began with the crowds in an uproar and a vigor hungering for the rest of the Sirius Sector to know that Rheinland would control the H-Fuel for an entire Sector or more.

Daumann Heavy Construction maintained its tight control of the ship building contracts, knowing that they would be in the lime light after the enemy was crushed. Daumann released the greatest warship to ever be seen in the Sirius sector, a might warship armed and platted beyond the teeth, even the windows were over five feet thick. Twice as thick then the windows on a Kreuzer! The release of this new warship packed the recruitment centers of Rheinland, all eager to serve on such mighty vessels of the Emperor. Daumann Heavy Construction continued to refine the battleship, stream lining building processes while expanding upon its ability to fight. The ships became larger and their weapons heavier as Daumann yards struggled to maintained the ever compiling orders for the new battleship and the sturdy kreuzers.

As the war began to turn to a new decade no one doubted the Military and lest of all Daumann, they had supplied the war machines needed after all. During the halfway mark of the war, Daumann continued to apply pressure for more vessels to be commited to the confrontation, increasing their purchase orders. Daumann Heavy Construction continued at their fast pace of day and night construction for warships, terminating the small contracts for inter-house ships; Daumann Heavy Construction put all of their resources into the military machine, ignoring the nearly depleted fields of the New Berlin system. By the end of the seventh decade Rheinland citizens began to doubt the Emperor and his power to bring the Miners to their heels; Daumann Heavy Construction faced the new problem and looked toward expanding once again. Sending out expedition teams, Daumann survey men discovered the Dresden system and its abundant resources within. Quickly Daumann jumped on the system, claiming the Cobalt and Copper fields for their own. With the announcement of renewed resource revenue the public of Rheinland rallied, finishing Leipzig Station in record time. Using the new resources brought in Daumann Heavy Construction completed several more war contracts as they sought an out in secret to consolidate their gains from the war. As the war came to the close Daumann Heavy Construction expanded their exploration and mineral exploitation departments within the company.

Popular Revolution:

With the war in conclusion and Daumann Heavy Construction fully consolidated into mining and civilian vessel production the revolt of the workers on Von Rohe's Day, 672 A.S, on the Station Leipzeig was quickly covered up and the station sealed from within. Vessels shipping to and from were updated immedietly and redirected toward other interests as Daumann Leaders brought the Station into darkness. Using their influence to seal it off from the rest of Sirius and its neighbor Bautzen Station.

Roughly around this time the Munich System was established, with the announcement of a warm planet discovered put any thoughts of the Leipzeig station at the back of the minds of Daumann and its workforce, keeping the station in darkness for weeks till finally messages escaped from the prison in space of the nearly derelict station and worsening conditions from within. The outcry from the people was immense and the revolution against the old Empire began as other Daumann facilities began to shut down in revolt. Daumann Heavy Construction smooths over the issues, raising the conditions of living on all their stations, but not before the Empire of Rheinland comes to an end and a Republic to form in its stead.

Daumann & Republic of Rheinland:

With the New Republic of Rheinland formed, Daumann Heavy Construction has seen fit to open up new contracts with the Rheinland Military, maintaining the aging fleet and constructing new vessels below Battleship class to replace those lost and the remaining aging vessels within the Bundestag's fleet. Using a small donation from Liberty Firms to stabilize the company due to unreliable payments from the Bundestag for contract work Daumann Heavy Construction moves into the Omicrons through the now quiet Sigmas' and bustling Omega systems. Daumann Heavy Construction has continued to develop through the centuries since the Populist Movement and the Company has prospered. With the construction and completion of Mannheim Station, it was later exchanged to Kruger Minerals for Planet Holstein where Daumann Heavy Construction has resumed terraforming.

In 818 A.S. Daumann Heavy Construction buys out the Kaufmann Instellar Freight Company based out of Munich. The Kaufmann Firm was originally purchased by ALG Waste Disposal but was later sold to Daumann Heavy Construction due to the lack of need for another Sirius wide shipping Division within the established bowels of ALG itself. Daumann Heavy Construction bought the Kaufmann Firm at near original price of what ALG purchased it for, the current CEO of Kaufmann was interviewed within the month of March and received minimal training before the current sitting President Hermann Daumann gave Aldric the position of Director for the Development Bureau in April 818 A.S. Aldric Kaufmann immediately set about adjusting the stagnating firm till division cuts and relocation had developed into two separate bodies; the Development Bureau and the Commerce Bureau, respectively. Towards the end of the year, An internal restructure led to renaming of Bureaus into the Trade Division and Mining Division.

Present Day:

Currently DHC maintains the slumping Dresden mining operations while rapidly expanding into the Omega regions. The Company the safer and more inner operations of the Munich system to pay for the base line costs of developing further into the Omega systems. Omega 7 is currently home to Daumann Heavy Construction's newest asset Briesen mining and processing facility at the edge of Rheinland territory. Using this base as a jumping off point Daumann employees will be aimed toward expanding known fields and moving into uncharted territory as they continue to develop Rheinland resources for the good of the people, no matter the cost. After the imperial revolution in 827 A.S. Daumann decided to help the newly formed government and contribute to bring back glory to the Rheinland Empire, which got lost during the rule of the federal republic's existance.

Subsidiaries:

Kaufmann Instellar Freight Company: Initially bought by ALG and later sold to DHC. The board of directors immediately removed any Kaufmann banners and replaced them with Daumann colors. The firm is now part of a specialized trade division in charge of the riskier hauling of goods. With the increased trade and expansion of the corporation, the firm is slowly being forgotten, as new vessels added to the trade fleet are registered directly as DHC. Some analysts have considered the purchase of Kaufmann more like a strategic move.
Daumann Arms Division: The corporation was created during the last years of the 80 year war by a member of the secondary branch of the Daumann family. Initially called Berlin combat systems, it was later merged with the Daumann corporation after its founder, Henrik Daumann took over the corporation, and renamed it to Daumann Arms Division. The arms division produces military and civilian personal weapons and combat equipment, though it lacks a strong presence in the core systems, Daumann arms are popular in non house space.
Adler Private Security: Created during the last "Omega turf wars". Initial plans from the Daumann family was to create a special security group, split from the corporation but secretly funded by the board, to deal with the increasing IMG combat presence in the system and remove their influence once and for all. The group would act as a mercenary group in charge of sabotaging IMG operations behind the lines. Initial mobilization was successful and the first attacks put the balance in favor of DHC, but the corporation's bureaucratic system led to a private memo being filtered accidentally, and quickly the information reached the news. The board had no more option than to counter quickly and bribed several government agents and news agencies. A week later a peace treaty was being discussed between the IMG and the government and most of Rheinland forgot of Adler, after news agencies were silenced. The firm continued to act as an undercover group for some time, until the board decided to freeze it. Nowadays the corporation is trying to reactivate APS.
Western Rheinland Fleet (Dissolved): Another secret corporate project from the board during a time were the omegas had nearly non existent regulations. The plan was to create a provincial fleet tasked with the defense of "Western" Rheinland. The project consisted on injecting funds to the local government of Stuttgart, a government with strong ties to the corporation, to create and manage the fleet. The WRF was a success. The commander of the fleet was picked by the board, and the corporation retained and enormous influence on the fleet. The WRF engaged in most heavy combat operations for the security of western Rheinland, and it was soon tasked with protecting corporate interests, the WRF was highly effective at their task, but eventually the board noticed the maintenance costs were increasing. The board cut all funding to the fleet and the local Stuttgart government was unable to maintain the heavier ships, the two gunboats and the command cruiser were mothballed and most of the squadrons dissolved. There are rumors of WRF vessels still flying, funded by the local government only. OfficiallytThe corporation never admitted considering the WRF as a subsidiary, due to the legal repercussions, and the official position was that of a solidarity project with the people of Stuttgart.
Daumann Industrial Research Facilities: The firm was initially a joint venture between Daumann and a private contractor to supply electricity to planet Holstein. At some point, the corporation research division discovered a possible way to create huge amounts of power while working in a new ship reactor design; but the space required to create energy made it impossible to fit on existing ships. The board filed the discovery, until the head of research department suggested working with their private contractor on Holstein, called Holstein Energy Corporation. The board instead decided to buy the firm, at an overly inflated price the owners couldn't reject, a common practice for DHC; and renamed it to Daumann Industrial Research Facilities. The division was then put in charge of the Fulcrum Generator, the corporation's prototype power source. DIRF was also tasked with supervising the undergoing terraforming project in Holstein.

The Ring: The Ring is probably the most recognizable symbol of Rheinland and a source of great pride among its people. Originally a loose amalgamation of shipyards, habitats, manufacturing centers, and smelting plants built to support the first great push into space from the surface of New Berlin, the structures soon merged into the shape from which its name is derived. The Ring is now a single, massive complex that produces vital components for Rheinland industry. The number of space-based industries at the Ring is staggering, well exceeding any other industrial facility in Sirius. While this proximity has it's dangers - a calamity in one part of the ring can cascade to other sections - the benefits far outweigh the risks, as the Ring is able to handle nearly any industrial project, simply by being supplied with the raw materials and fuel.

Oder Shipyard: One of the first large-scale projects undertaken by Daumann Heavy Construction, the Oder Shipyards, is the largest in Sirius. In the past the majority of the Rheinland Navy was constructed in its massive bays, but after the destruction of the Navy during the 80-Years War and the economic crash that followed, Daumann has been forced to expand into the less lucrative fields of commercial and civilian ship construction. Nevertheless, the shipyard continues to produce small military ships, using many components produced locally at The Ring's many factories.

Briesen Mining Facility:The Briesen Mining Facility is controlled by Daumann Heavy Construction for the extraction of Copper and Cobalt deposits from the system. Frequent Hessian raids against the mining operations have attracted a number of Bounty Hunters to the station.

Raubling Station: Kruger's experiences in Munich showed that dispersed automated platforms are vulnerable, so Daumann chose a different strategy when they initiated a mining operation there. Daumann constructed a small station in orbit of Rosenheim, near a field rich in Aluminium, one of the most widely used metals in spaceship construction. While a fairly common metal, Daumann gambled that the ease of access to the deposits in the Chiemsee would help them in dominating the Aluminium market. Raubling has been in continuous operation since its construction. The Munich disaster has scattered the field its miners were exploiting, but two dense portions remain, from which Daumann is still mining aluminium.

Rugen Station: Rugen Station was built by Daumann Heavy Construction for the manufacturing of Polymers using the abundant raw materials found in the system. While pirates are always a problem, Daumann's long-running rivalry with the neighboring Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing (BMM) operation on Douglas Station has resulted in more than a few exchanges of weapons fire.

Planet Holstein: Initially charted in the original exploration of the Frankfurt system in 82 A.S., the planet Holstein was ignored for centuries by the government as its primary concern was the industrial development of Rheinland. Eventually, with the help of prominent politicians on New Berlin, Kruger Minerals succeeded in obtaining the financial loans from Interspace Commerce in order to terraform Holstein, which started in 519 A.S.
With the outbreak of the Eighty Years war between Rheinland and the GMG in 589 A.S., the terraforming operations were abandoned as GMG raids made supplying Holstein difficult. The Frankfurt system became a staging point for military supplies moving to the frontlines in Sigma 13 for many years, with little corporate activity, until the war came to an abrupt end in 668 A.S. After the war, Kruger suffered a stock crash and was forced to make considerable reparations to the Gas Miners Guild, and its operations in Frankfurt never really recovered. Kruger shifted the focus of it's operations to Dresden and Omega-7, focusing on the extraction of raw minerals. Republican Shipping seized upon the opportunity to acquire the Mainz Storage Facility in orbit of Stulingen, a moon of Holstein. Kruger Minerals offered to transfer ownership of the planet Holstein to Daumann in exchange for the gas mining operations on Heidelberg not long after the Nomad war. Daumann agreed, realising the stalled terraforming process would be easy to restart. Daumann had secretly been prospecting the planet, and found that its oceans are rich in mineral salts, a bounty Kruger had missed. Terraforming continues on Holstein, with the average temperature slowly rising, which makes conditions on the planet more pleasant by each year. The process is expected to take another two decades to finish. Nevertheless, Daumann has already started to develop several industries on the planet, most of which revolve around the harvesting and processing of the mineral salts into agricultural fertilizers, and the production of Industrial Materials for both Rheinland and export to other houses. Aside from these industries, the rising temperature has also drawn a few enterpreneuring farmers from Stuttgart, who are gambling the improving climate will steadily improve their crop yields. The population of the planet is estimated to be around 60 million, increasing steadily.