Border World Exports, commonly known as Bowex, is the single oldest shipping conglomerate in all of Sirius. Originally founded in 66 A.S. as the Bretonia Exploration & Trading Company, Bowex has been the backbone of the Bretonian economy for centuries, and has been involved in nearly every major event in Bretonian history. In addition, throughout it's history, Bowex has become known as a pioneer in the exploration of the border worlds, as well as a proxy colonial administrator for the Bretonian Parliament.
A Comprehensive Description
Borderworld Exports began as a small commercial concern in 66 A.S. by the name of Bretonia Exploration & Trading. The company was originally founded as a surveying and chartering group, with the goal of exploring the New London system's mineral fields. A short while later, the fledgling corporation branched out into the realm of shipping, transporting resources from the system's peripheral fields to Planet New London. As Bretonia expanded outwards from New London, BE&T's expertise in the realm of surveying allowed it to gain a significant corporate advantage, leading the way with the historic Bee One Explorer.
In 271 A.S. BE&T came under the leadership of Andrew Fletcher, 4th Viscount Stafford who was appointed as the Director of Operations of the company after the previous DO was forced into retirement by the Board of Directors. A number of awkward corporate scandals had come to light and it was considered altogether more convenient to scapegoat the incumbent DO than enact actual reforms to business practice and conduct. Under Fletcher, Bretonia Exploration and Trading would become infamous for its highly predatory business tactics, as he used his title and connections in the Bretonian government to BE&T's advantage. After gaining a series of increasingly lucrative state contracts, BE&T had the raw equity and political clout to steamroll a number of smaller shipping firms with vicious hostile takeovers. BE&T's rise in the corporate sphere did not go unnoticed, and after a particularly dangerous financial gambit involving the acquisition of Cambridge Shipping and the Heirs Re Group Insurance in 310 A.S., Prince Harry XXI issued a Royal Charter, vastly increasing the Crown's hold on the company.
Though initially seen as a positive move, many within BE&T became increasingly resentful due to state micromanagement and interference. In an attempt to cement their personal control over the corporation, the Principality's habitually appointed what the Board considered to be "incompetent sycophants" to the post of Director. This was considered an infringement of the Board's prerogative to appoint its own head, a right that the businessmen had previously considered sacrosanct. In retrospect, it was hardly surprising that in 318 AS (midway through the Bretonian civil war), a faction within the upper echelon of the company board evicted the Prince's supporters and threw in their lot with the Bretonian People's Navy, rebranding the company as Borderworld Exports to distance itself from the Principality. Bowex's new directors were instrumental in the victory of the BPN and exerted great influence within the Protectorate during the Interregnum, with many board members occupying senior positions within the government.
After the death of Lord Protector Nelson and the restoration of the monarchy, Bowex was once again incorporated into the new government as the Crown and military's primary contractor. This was achieved through another Royal Charter, which was amended to reaffirm the company as a private firm, give the corporation far more freedoms and prevent the executive from interfering in the DO appointment process, save in extreme circumstances. The situation soured once more in 420 A.S, after the coronation of Queen Anne I. In a move of considerable commercial cunning, the young Queen refused to renew Bowex's Royal Charter, crippling it's business model that was heavily based on state contracts. In the ensuring chaos, stock value plummeted, allowing the monarchy to snatch the controlling share of Bowex's stocks. In light of the extreme controversy surrounding the corporation's forced nationalisation, the Queen was forced to cede the right to issue Royal Charters to Parliament. Disgruntled, but able to conduct its business once more, Borderworld Exports got back to work. Bowex has been a key asset of the Kingdom of Bretonia ever since.
Though Bowex's relationship with the Crown has proved lucrative, it has also limited the company to its detriment, by forcing it to uphold standards of behaviour in relation to competition that were not previously required. 791 A.S saw the foundation of a new shipping firm, Gateway Interstellar, that was focused on catering to smaller, independent firms that Bowex had either snubbed for political reasons or overlooked due to the lack of perceived profits. Gateway was initially dismissed until the company managed to obtain a near exclusive supply contract with the Independent Miners Guild, vastly increasing its profits and threatening to cut into those of Bowex (due to their close partnership with BMM, the IMG's major rival).
The situation was further worsened in 793 A.S when, brokering a deal directly with the Crown, Gateway purchased the rights to Kensington Shipping Platform in New London, bypassing Bowex altogether. Outraged, the Board of Directors condemned the Crown's unilateral action, decrying it as 'irresponsible lunacy'. The incident led to the incumbent DO (Dame Mary Grover) resigning in disgust, and the Minister of the Trade and Industry (Lord Harold Umbridge) acquiring the nick-name 'Queen Anne'. Since then, Bowex and Gateway have been in fierce competition, with Bowex thus far unable to use its government influence to stamp out the energetic upstart. In contrast to Gateway's more moderate approach, Bowex has fully endorsed Bretonia's war efforts in the Taus and to this date has been responsible for maintaining the supply lines between Bretonia and the fronts in Leeds, Dundee and Tau 31.
Bowex has also seen a massive extension of its colonial powers, due to developments in the Omega 49 system. Originally discovered by Bretonian scouts in 816 A.S., Planet Gran Canaria (named Planet Sydney at the time) was claimed by Bowex with the Sirius Astronomical Union. After a significant amount of trouble with native Zoners, the claim was rescinded and Zoner sovereignty recognised, in exchange for the Zoners recognizing Bretonian sovereignty over the parcel of land the Port Jackson settlement was located on. This arrangement was happily settled upon, in the Treaty of Port Jackson. The colony, administrated by Bowex, grows daily as refugees flee the Leeds war zone to find a new life. The Colonial Authority and ExSec have also been given a mandate to develop the Chester system by Parliament, a sector that promises great potential as a colony and a through-way to the besieged Newcastle system.
Borderworld Exports, otherwise known as Bowex, operates using a highly efficient compartmentalised organisational structure. The system of departments was thoroughly overhauled by DO Sir William Burke upon his arrival in office in 779 A.S, in what was later to become known as "The Great Reform". Burke's vision was to eliminate the rampant bureaucracy and redundancy that was rife in the company, a vision that was for the most part successful. The departments were streamlined and separated, so job role and responsibilities were distinct and without overlap. Two of the four departments are currently active in space.
A Structural Analysis
The Trade Combine.
Bowex's Trade Combine is the single largest department inside the Bowex umbrella and is consequently the senior branch of the corporation. The Combine, as with the rest of the company, can trace its roots back to BE&T, prior to the construction of the gate networks. BE&T trade ships were responsible for hauling valuable minerals from mining sites, through deep space, back to the Bretonian heartland of New London. They were also the primary method by which settlers could be moved to the new colonies of Leeds and Cambridge. In particular, the Trade Combine played a pivotal roll in the 'forced resettlement to Leeds' policy of the early tyrannical princes. The Trade Combine underwent its first major upheaval immediately following the Great Merger of 310, when the entire Cambridge Shipping Omega fleet was integrated into the BE&T umbrella. The result of this was a more robust command structure and convoy system that could dominate trade between both Liberty and Rhienland.
In modern days, the Trade Combine operates in all three of Sirius' civilised houses, conducting lawful corporate operations and shuttling freight. Mundane operations include contractual deliveries to BAF, BMM and government installations. Ever since the nationalisation of 420, the Trade Combine has also increased its terrestrial presence on Bretonian planets, moving goods overland and through the maritime shipping lanes. Despite this, Bowex's expertise remains in spatial shipping, and is thus out-competed by localised planetside transportation firms. Employees in the Trade Combine can neatly be divided into two camps: Contract workers and independent contractors. Contract workers are fully employed by the corporation and work for wages under the direct command of the Bowex) umbrella hierarchy. Independent contractors are free to act as they see fit outside the corporate structure, often owning their own ships and crews. In effect, they are merely Bowex affiliated freelancers. This freedom comes at a price however, as these independents do not work for a wage - a personal misjudgement of the markets can lead to financial ruin, something that is not the case for contract workers due to their salaries; the company will foot their loss. These individuals retain their own trade profits consequently pass up on many of the advantages and job oppertunities full contract workers receive.
The Colonial Authority was also created by Burke's reforms, as an effort to combine and streamline a myriad of separate projects that had otherwise overlapped or fallen under a similar mandate to each other. The majority of these projects were pulled together from a collection the legacies that dated all the way back to the Heirs Re Group and BE&T. It also absorbed the much younger Bowex Station Management organisation, originally established to manage terrestrial holdings and Stokes Smelter before it was turned over to BMM. The separate sub-departments founded on behalf of the government as client offices for Planetform's various projects were also amalgamated. These missions included the Harris Project, starting in 450 A.S, Ayer in 747 A.S. and potentially Carlisle in future years. It would also begin tandem archaeological digs on Sprague with the Cambridge Research Institute in 683 A.S, and begin colonization of Port Jackson on Planet Gran Canaria in 817 A.S. The Authority's precursors have historically maintained little more than a hibernation presence, merely depositing payments to Planetform and maintaining Bowex stations. However, this previously passive role appears to be coming to an end, with the current era being one of considerable turmoil for the division. Between the loss of Glasgow, Ayer's terraforming nearing completion and both Gran Canaria and Sprague being opened up for Bretonian colonization, the division has never been busier.
In contrast to the corporation's other departments, Bowex Services has led a relatively straight-forward and simple existence. Originally created as a liaison branch between Bowex and BMM, Services came into its own with the completion of Scarborough Shipyard in 624 A.S., designed to compliment Southampton Shipyard and Stokes Smelter. Crewing Scarborough entirely, Services is now comprised of a small army of technicians, scientist, docks workers and construction specialists who design and construct Bowex's latest shipping innovations, such as the Shire and Shetland class super transports. Services is also responsible for ensuring a constant flow of refined Super Alloy is exported from the station. Bowex's ability to produce its own ships has been a massive boon to the corporation, especially against corporate rivals Gateway, who must face the gratifyingly awkward prospect of politely requesting to purchase Bowex patented transports - for a well above average premium, of course. Services has found itself especially strained in recent years, due to the sudden workload placed on Scarborough by the war effort. With Southampton Shipyard reserved for military ship-building, the vast majority of civilian construction must now be routed through Scarborough, and thus Services.
To a company with a history as long and coloured as Borderworld Exports, image is extremely important. A touch of grandeur is lent to the corporation through the use of a small number of the most desired and luxurious ships in the Sirius sector - the Royal Liner. Originally designed as a show of power and class, these monolithic ships were designed to ferry monarchs between Houses to diplomatic talks and meetings. Is has thus seemed fitting that Bowex should use such vessels as an iconic symbol of their own domination of the Bretonian market, and continued success on a galactic scale, despite an increasingly turbulent and hostile environment.
A Cruise Through the Past
BES - Henry VIII
The Henry VIII was originally crafted in Southampton Shipyard two-hundred and fifty one years ago in 568 AS. The VIII was originally the ruling Monarch's (Queen Elizabeth IV) personal liner. Three years after the Queen's death, fifty seven years later, the VIII was due to be decommissioned and torn apart to create a new generation of liner. Instead of being consigned to a grim death at the hands of a welding saw, Borderworld Exports recognised its potential as a future corporate flagship.
After placing a bid on the then derelict Liner, the hulk was sold on at its scrap price, much to the jubilation of the Bowex Board of Directors. It was in general agreement that the VIII was an investment well made. Bowex immediately set to renovating the ship at their brand new facilities at Scarborough Shipyard, investing millions of credits into the project and creating employment for hundreds of people throughout the development.
The VIII's refitting was eventually completed in 639 AS, fourteen long years after Bowex's initial purchase, placing the ship at a venerable age of 71. After this the VIII came into active service as Bowex's flagship, where it played host to a plethora of diplomatic meetings and social occasions. The Liner could frequently be spotted in New London's orbit, although its role as Bowex's flagship often took it abroad to all three Houses.
Over the following centuries, the VIII gained a reputation as a well maintained and stylish ship, and was a frequent destination for senior employees for rest and relaxation. However, the aura of peace and tranquillity that surrounded the ship was shattered after the blight of war fell over Bretonia, with the encroaching Kusari invading the Leeds system.
The Liner was sometimes used to evacuate refugees from Planet Leeds itself, and move them to Port Jackson on Gran Canaria (previously Planet Sydney) where they could begin a new life, or simply bide their time until it was safe to return home. These duties raised public opinion of Bowex as a national asset, as well as the public profile of the ship itself. During such operations, the VIII wouldn't be seen without a powerful escort, consisting of escort fighters and heavy transports.
The VIII was scheduled for refits at Baltimore Shipyard in Liberty on it's two-hundred and fiftieth birthday, due to the strain placed by the war on Bretonian shipyards closing them to public access. The ship underwent modernisation and upgrades, although the primary purpose of the refits was to overhaul the interior in preparation for it's upcoming role as a museum ship orbiting Planet New London.
Disaster struck in 818 A.S. - it was intended that the VIII would embrace a new role as a orbital museum from the 21st of February, 818 A.S., when it would have been officially opened by the Prime Minister. Shortly before this could happen, Scarborough Shipyard was attached by the nefarious terrorist organisation, the Slaver's Union. It quickly became apparent that the Henry VIII was the raid's primary target, as sadistic criminals boarded and hijacked the venerable vessel. After a flotilla of criminal forces smashed local ExSec fighters, the VIII absconded, escaping before BAF response patrols from the Arc Royal could arrive.
None of the skeleton crew operating the liner were ever heard of again. Bowex is currently offering a 20 million credit bounty on any information that leads to the liner's recovery, as well as a 5 million bounty on all and any pilots affiliated with the Union. The incident provoked widespread outrage and horror throughout Bretonia, and has seen a massive rise in calls to the government to harshly and permanently crack down on the slave trade all across Sirius.
BES - Victoria I
The Victoria I was originally commissioned in early 817 A.S. as a memorial to the terrible loss of the Bretonian men and women killed during the war, specifically the fall of Glasgow Outpost and the lives of employees lost therein. Shortly after the fall of Glasgow and Stokes, national and corporate moral was at an all time low - it was decided that a new symbol of hope was required to rekindle national pride and ferocity.
The ship had to be authorised specifically by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Sir Edward Grey, in order to circumvent the ban on non essential public ship construction in Bretonian nationalised shipyards. Taking almost a year to construct, the external hull was fabricated at Scarborough Shipyard, while internal components were outsourced to independent contractors on Planets Leeds and New London.
Part of the reason for the approval was the amount of work it would generate for the populace as a whole, although rumours hint that the support of the majority of the Cambridge Deans (who had been promised access to the construction site for their students of solar engineering) may have played quite a role in influencing the decision.
Designed on the same principles as the VIII, the Victoria is extravagant to the extreme - a sign of Bretonia's progress into the future, unphased by war or strife. There are a number of business conference rooms, as well as sleeping quarters for crew and guests.
When the Victoria's commission was first announced, bookies all over New London and Leeds opened shop to take bets on which ship would take the crown of the next corporate flagship: the Victoria or the Majestic Skies? - those who placed their money on the Victoria are now a little richer.
The shuttle bay's rear wall is ostentatiously clad in black marble, in which are carved the names of every single man and woman who fell in the defence of, and during the capture of LD-14 and Glasgow Outpost. This sets a sombre, yet dignified setting for all who enter.
The Victoria was officially declared Bowex's new corporate flagship on the 21st of February, 818 A.S, in a sombre ceremony attended by the Queen and the Prime Minister. The occasion was hideously marred by the hijacking of the Henry VIII by the nefarious Slaver's Union, with the loss of all hands. The procedure was seen by many that Bretonia would not be cowed by aggressors, nor terrorists: Bretonia would persevere, with Bowex taking a prominent role in the bloody war for an even greater tomorrow.
BES - Majestic Skies
The Majestic Skies was to be the first of a new batch of Royal Liners commissioned by Bowex in 798 A.S. in response to the rise in tourism industry in and around the Sirius sector. With the positioning of the OSC Hawaii and OSC Shetland in 791AS, Orbital Spa & Cruise got the jump on the burgeoning industry, but Bowex was not to be outdone.
In 795 A.S., plans were first drawn for this new Royal Liner, originally named Phoenix, as it was to rise from the old designs of the venerable Liners of old such as the Henry VIII and the Britannia. The keel was first laid in 797 A.S. at Southampton Shipyards, with final construction happening at Scarborough Station. The name of the new ship was changed after a passage in a communique from Queen Carina herself, read at the christening ceremony, stated "May this new Royal Liner, and those that will follow her, soar the majestic skies of Bretonia for generations to come." (Queen Carina - Royal Communique 27A341, 798 AS)
The newly christened Majestic Skies could not have come at a worse time for Bowex, and it's new division Bowex Cruise Lines. In it's first year of service, the upper crust of Bretonia and Liberty both enjoyed the many luxuries of the ship. But the closed-door policy of Rheinland and the insular Kusari remained off-limits to the ship, and to Bowex Cruise Lines. In 799, the keel of the second ship, the Tranquil Skies, was put on hold as military buildups throughout the sector caused a push at Southampton and Scarborough for "more economical" ships.
The Nomad war, and subsequent strife between the Houses of Bretonia and Kusari, caused the sister ship's keel to be converted into what is now the battleship Ark Royal, completed in 809 AS. As such, Bowex Cruise Lines is still only operating the one ship. With tensions lessened with Rheinland, the Skies did open new routes, whisking passengers and elites to the vistas of Munich, the Sigmas, and the upper Omegas.
After the turmoil of the Nomad War, Bowex used it's substantial influence in Sirius corporate economics to barter trade deals with Orbital Spa & Cruise that allows the Majestic Skies to use their bases as a port of call for next to nothing. Also because of recent wars between Houses, the Majestic Skies can also from time to time be seen flying Refugees from the stricken planet of Leeds to Port Jackson, allowing the poor souls who have lost everything a modicum of luxury before they are repatriated on Gran Canaria (previously Planet Sydney).
Though it did lose the battle to become Bowex's new flagship to the Victoria I, the Majestic Skies continues to be one of the prides of Bretonia; a symbol of the Queen's power and grace as it makes its way throughout Sirius.
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