In the early 1920s two brothers, Jan and Rien Damen, one an apprentice engineer and the other a shipyard apprentice, started a small engineering and ironmongery business in Hardinxveld. Although prepared to undertake almost any manufacturing or repair task, from domestic pots and pans to bicycles, by 1927 the pair had constructed their first boat.

A very small, flat-bottomed, steel boat of just 4.8m long, it became Damen yard number one and the start of a long line of craft to originate from Hardinxveld and succeeding yards.

In spite of recession and tough trading conditions in the first few years the company went on to build a whole variety of vessels, keeping costs low and prices competitive. Many of the craft built were small launch-tugs, provisions launches, and other vessels for use on the Dutch inland waterways. Business boomed in the 1930s and by 1939 yard number 100 was reached. The company succeeded in surviving the years of German occupation during World War two in spite of many personnel being taken away to work elsewhere.

Progress quickly resumed and by 1952 the 200th vessel had been completed. The business continued to expand, with the acquisition of several smaller yards and the construction of new premises. Both Damen brothers, Jan and Rien, had sons, both named Kommer and both were to hold important positions within the company. But in 1968, after a difference of opinion as to the company's future the decision was made by the Damen brothers to go their separate ways. Kommer, son of Jan Damen, had dynamic plans to expand the business even further, with a vision of supplying vessels with very short delivery times and with exceptional 'after sales service'. This required series production of standardised vessels, building hulls and components for stock and was seen as a risky proposal requiring considerable investment. Rien Damen and his son left and set up their own business in Boven-Hardinxveld, while Jan and Kommer Damen continued in the original establishment at Neder-Hardinxveld.

The present company 'Damen Shipyards' was formed a year later by Kommer Damen in 1969 when he took over the yard from his father with a 300,000 gilder loan from the local branch of the Rabobank. Only eight of the original employees supported the project and remained in the yard.

The yard continued with much of its traditional work, including the construction of lifeboats for the Royal North and South Holland Rescue Company, a long association that was destined to continue. A real 'breakthrough' came with the design of a sturdy multi-purpose workboat . .

. . intended for use by contractors. This became the famous Pushy Cat, the most popular model being the Pushy Cat 42, 42ft (12.8m) in length with a beam of 3.4m and draft of 1.5m. A unique deal was struck with Caterpillar and the first vessels were fitted with a 250bhp diesel engine that had a proven track record in the heavy plant industry.

In subsequent years the Stan Tug series was introduced, starting with the familiar Stan 1, along with increasingly larger tugs for use overseas, and pontoon type work vessels such as the Multi Cat.

By 1974 Damen Shipyards were building 100 vessels per year and plans were made to take over a large site on the new Avelingen-west industrial estate at Gorinchem. Further expansion also took place elsewhere to improve the construction facilities available and in particular to increase the company's ability to offer 'after sales' and repair services to clients at home and abroad. A number of shipyards around Holland were acquired, each with it's own speciality in shipbuilding and repair.

In the period from 1977 to 2002 the product range expanded dramatically, encompassing whole new ranges of work vessels, tugs of all sizes, patrol vessels, coasters, ferries and many other types. Series production has also been taken several stages further.

The production of hulls and major steelwork was for many years subcontracted out to shipyards abroad where labour costs showed a substantial saving, but with most of the fitting out being carried out in Holland. Many of those yards, in Poland, Russia, Romania and the Far East have now been acquired and are now part of the Damen Shipyards Group. Using the highly developed quality control and production . .

. . methods first established in Holland several of those yards have been used to partially fit or finish complete vessels.

Such is Damen's confidence in the products they offer that dozens of standard vessels, especially tugs are held in stock.

Originally only hulls were stored in this way but currently entire completed tugs are now on offer from the various ranges.

These vessels require only final painting and commissioning prior to delivery.

During the week of Damen's 75th anniversary celebrations the Azimuthing Stern Drive (ASD) tug 3110 San Ciriaco was being prepared for trials. There is nothing remarkable about this powerful shiphandling tug destined for SERS Srl of Ravenna in Italy. Damen have supplied over a hundred ASD tugs in recent years and dozens of this type but San Ciriaco was delivered in three weeks from the order being placed, entirely from stock. Similar deliveries are taking place around the Group, with vessels being delivered at very short notice from the Damen Shipyard Galatz in Romania, Damen Shipyard Okean in the Ukraine, Damen Changde in China and elsewhere.

The special relationship built up with Caterpillar in the early days is stronger than ever and engines from the Caterpillar range are an automatic choice for fully fitted stock vessels, giving the client exceptional value in terms of price, warranty and after sales service worldwide. But the development of new vessels continues as market research reveals gaps in the product range.

Currently under construction is the new compact ASD Tug 2411, a shiphandling tug designed to meet the very latest demands for powerful, agile, tugs capable of being operated by very small crews.