Portrait of Kommer Damen

Rank #1177

Kommer Damen

Net worth $3.7B

Shipbuilding · Netherlands

Born
Mar 30, 1944
Age
82
Source
Shipbuilding
Residence
Gorinchem
Citizenship
Netherlands
Marital status
Married
Children
4
Education

Net worth over time

Biography

  • Kommer Damen's father and uncle started building boats in a shed next to the family home in the Dutch town of Hardinxveld-Giessendam in 1922.
  • Five years later, they founded Damen Shipyards in 1927.
  • He bought the shipyard from his father in 1969 and brought the modular shipbuilding concept to the construction of small boats and launches.
  • Damen Group is now one of Europe's largest family-owned shipbuilders, with about $2 billion in annual sales; Kommer is chairman and son Arnout is CEO.
  • Known for naval security and patrol vessels that range from 23 feet to over 650 feet, Damen's fleet also includes ferries, yachts and cruise liners.
  • Damen Shipyards worked with four other companies to develop the world's first 3D printed ship propeller, the WAAMpeller; it was unveiled in late 2017.
  • The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) has been its customer for several generations of Damen combatants.