Quicksilver Industries: Difference between revisions
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| predecessors = {{ubl|Venio Company Limited (1934-1960)|Quicksilver Incorporated (1960-1966)}} | | predecessors = {{ubl|Venio Company Limited (1934-1960)|Quicksilver Incorporated (1960-1966)}} | ||
| founded = 04 April 1934 | | founded = 04 April 1934 | ||
| founder = | | founder = Alexanpassio Laelias Venio | ||
| hq_location = Silver Park | | hq_location = Silver Park | ||
| hq_location_city = [[Venceia]] | | hq_location_city = [[Venceia]] | ||
| hq_location_country = [[Caphiria]] | | hq_location_country = [[Caphiria]] | ||
| area_served = Worldwide | | area_served = Worldwide | ||
| key_people = {{ubl|Alexandus Venio II (Chief Executive | | key_people = {{ubl|[[Alexandus Venio II]] (Chairman & Chief Executive)| Alera Panianstina (Principal Executive of Operations)}} | ||
| revenue = {{increase}} $3. | | revenue = {{increase}} $3.3 trillion | ||
| revenue_year = | | revenue_year = 2031 | ||
| operating_income = $ | | operating_income = {{increase}} $1.35 trillion | ||
| assets = $ | | assets = {{increase}} $8.3 trillion | ||
| num_employees = | | num_employees = 3,000,000 | ||
| divisions = {{ubl|Manufacturing|Defense Solutions|Operations Security| | | divisions = {{ubl|Manufacturing|Defense Solutions|Operations Security|Sandbox R&D|QS Innovations}} | ||
| subsid = | | subsid = {{ubl|[[Shockwave Industrial]]|[[Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering]]|The [[O'Shea Corporation]]|[[Silver Lineworks]]}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Quicksilver Industries''' is a Caphirian global aerospace, defense, security and advanced technologies conglomerate with worldwide interests. It provides | '''Quicksilver Industries, Inc.,''' commonly known as '''QSI''', is a [[Caphirian]] global {{wpl|aerospace}}, {{wpl|defense}}, security and advanced technologies conglomerate with worldwide interests. It also provides logistics and other operations support and training. Founded in 1934 by Alexanpassio Venio to meet the manufacturing demand as a result of the [[Second Great War]], Quicksilver Industries rapidly expanded and extended its reach worldwide. By the end of the war, Quicksilver Industries had become one of the largest defense contractors in the world. With the shifting markets, defense consolidation, and globalization at the start of the 21st century, Quicksilver Industries began to diversify its operations to non-military fields such as {{wpl|real estate}}, {{wpl|financial services}}, {{wpl|software development}}, {{wpl|vehicle manufacturing}}, and more. | ||
Quicksilver Industries operates | Quicksilver Industries operates three main business units: Manufacturing, Defense Solutions, and Operations Security. It also operates a research and technological development division known as the Sandbox, and QS Innovations - which represents the company's diverse holdings and interests outside of its core business. Each business division contains multiple subsidiaries and companies, each with its own unique subculture and organization that functions in semi-autonomy. In addition to its domestic defense operations, QSI is able to execute international operations on a large scale, varying from simple manufacturing plants to extensive extra-governmental contracts. Though not officially acknowledged or publicly promoted, the organization also serves as a {{wpl|private military contractor}} providing integrated security, mission support, and risk management services to corporate, government, and for-profit clients. | ||
Over time, QSI has received significant criticism regarding the legality of the practices of its contractors, its environmental and business practices, including anti-competitive behavior, privacy concerns, tax avoidance, antitrust, censorship, and corruption. Critics often argue that QSI's influence and reach are so extensive that it behaves as a quasi-sovereign state, a perspective that gained traction especially after its notable 'acquisition' of [[Shenendehowa Bay]]. Despite this, QSI remains at the center of Caphiria's extraordinarily prodigious military-industrial complex and plays a vital role in the national economy and military, providing jobs, products, and services that span the globe. | |||
The [[Venio Estate]] has been in control of the company since its formation - Alexanpassio Venio founded the company and his son, Alexandus (known as Alexandus the Elder or Alexandus Sr.) is credited with helping grow QSI nationally. His son, [[Alexandus Venio II|Alexandus II]] - who has been the current Chief Executive since 1988, took the company to massive financial success by acquiring numerous companies to broaden the company's portfolio and shifted focus toward other markets and industries. Alexandus II is the largest individual shareholder of QSI, as well as the Chairman of the board. | |||
Quicksilver Industries has grown to become one of the largest companies in the world; it is the largest publicly traded company by market capitalization, annual revenue, and workforce both nationally and globally. It is also the largest defense contractor in the world; | Quicksilver Industries is headquartered at [[Quicksilver Industries#Headquarters|Silver Park]] in [[Venceia]]. QSI has grown to become one of the largest companies in the world; it is the largest publicly-traded company by market capitalization, annual revenue, and workforce both nationally and globally. It is also the largest defense contractor in the world; approximately half of its revenue comes from military sales; it topped the list of Caphirian government contractors and received nearly 35% of the funds paid out by the [[Ministry of Defense (Caphiria)|Ministry of Defense]]. The company employs approximately 3 million employees worldwide and has offices in every major country on earth. | ||
==History== | |||
===1929: Founding and incorporation=== | |||
Quicksilver Industries was formed as Venio Company Limited in 1929 by Alexanpassio Laelias Venio as a result of a nationwide effort to meet the increasing demand for the defense industry in Caphiria during the [[First Great War]]. The Imperium was giving out $100 million in low-interest loans to spur research and development across all sectors of the defense industry and Venio Company Limited received $15 million to focus on aircraft production. Between 1930 and 1934, VCL developed brake systems for automobiles and aircraft, licensing out the technology to its competitors and to the government, using the profits to go on an acquisition spree. | |||
The most notable acquisition was Savin Corporation, which at the time was one of the most innovative wartime defense companies. Savin was responsible for the development and creation of the Vega X3 series of aircraft, and had produced over 80 aircraft and employed more than 300 workers. After the acquisition, production increased threefold and by 1938 VCL was producing 5 different types of vehicles and employed more than a thousand workers. | |||
The | Production continued to ramp up to meet the wartime demand, and VCL continued to release new and improved models of aircraft throughout the years. The Imperium commissioned a radical new design, a fighter aircraft with a twin-engined, twin-boom design, and VCL won all but one contract from the government during the entirety of the war. In early 1940, VCL formally incorporated as a corporation, raising $50 million. Less than three months after incorporating, the company bought a massive plot of land to start construction on its manufacturing facilities. During the war, the entire area was camouflaged to fool enemy aerial reconnaissance. The factory was hidden beneath a huge burlap tarpaulin painted to depict a peaceful semi-rural neighborhood, replete with rubber automobiles. Hundreds of fake trees, shrubs, buildings, and even fire hydrants were positioned to give a three-dimensional appearance. The trees and shrubs were created from chicken wire treated with an adhesive and covered with feathers to provide a leafy texture. | ||
===1940-55: Role in the Second Great War=== | |||
During the [[Second Great War]], the Imperium was heavily invested in the defense industry, and provided funding to companies like VCL in order to support the development of new technologies and innovations. VCL was commissioned by the Imperium to develop a new type of fighter aircraft. The aircraft was to have a twin-engined, twin-boom design, and was to be faster, more agile, and more heavily armed than any other aircraft in the Caphirian military's arsenal. Codenamed Quicksilver, development of the project started in June 1939 | |||
VCL put their best engineers and designers to work on the project, and after months of research and development, they produced a prototype that exceeded all of the Imperium's expectations. The aircraft was named the "Quicksilver X1," and it was faster, more maneuverable, and more heavily armed than any other fighter in the world at the time. | |||
The Quicksilver X1 was powered by two powerful engines that allowed it to reach speeds of over 600 miles per hour, and its twin-boom design gave it exceptional stability and agility in the air. It was armed with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, cannons, and missiles, making it a formidable opponent in air-to-air combat. | |||
Quicksilver Industries won all but one contract from the government for the production of the Quicksilver X1, and they worked tirelessly to produce as many planes as possible to support the war effort. In total, it is estimated that Quicksilver Industries produced over 26,000 Quicksilver X1 aircraft during the Great War, making it one of the most successful and widely used fighter planes of the war. Its impressive performance and versatility helped to ensure the success of Caphiria's military and ultimately contributed to the victory of the Allied Powers. | |||
===1955-66: Postwar growth=== | |||
=== 1955-66: Postwar growth === | ===1966-88: Diversification and international success=== | ||
===1988-present: Corporate hegemony and consolidation=== | |||
=== 1966-88: Diversification and international success === | |||
=== 1988-present: Corporate hegemony and consolidation === | |||
. . . | . . . | ||
In the late 2020s, Quicksilver played an integral role in the foundation of rapprochement between Caphiria and Urcea, leading to the end of the [Occidental Cold War]]. Ironically, QSI benefited immensely from this peaceful coexistence between the two superpowers because it allowed for it to expand its business operations into newly-formed free trade zones. This expansion continued in parallel as Urceo-Caphiric relations continued to become more positive, and in 2035 another agreement was reached which would allow Caphirian investment into Urcea's Cronan territories and protectorates. | In the late 2020s, Quicksilver played an integral role in the foundation of rapprochement between Caphiria and Urcea, leading to the end of the [[Occidental Cold War|Cold War]]. Ironically, QSI benefited immensely from this peaceful coexistence between the two superpowers because it allowed for it to expand its business operations into newly-formed free trade zones. This expansion continued in parallel as [[Urcea-Caphiria relations|Urceo-Caphiric relations]] continued to become more positive, and in 2035 another agreement was reached which would allow Caphirian investment into Urcea's Cronan territories and protectorates. | ||
This agreement coincided with a large Urcean push into its ongoing conflicts in Crona, which QSI was readily available to assist with. Quicksilver would provide arms, supplies, and resources to Urceans and pro-Urcean forces and in exchange would be allowed direct access to Crona for investment and development, a previously untapped market for QSI. | This agreement coincided with a large Urcean push into its ongoing conflicts in Crona, which QSI was readily available to assist with. Quicksilver would provide arms, supplies, and resources to Urceans and pro-Urcean forces and in exchange would be allowed direct access to Crona for investment and development, a previously untapped market for QSI. | ||
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The rapid success of Shenendehowa Bay has lead many to speculate that Quicksilver Industries has plans to form its own sovereign state in the future, although this has been shut down numerous times by QSI publicly. | The rapid success of Shenendehowa Bay has lead many to speculate that Quicksilver Industries has plans to form its own sovereign state in the future, although this has been shut down numerous times by QSI publicly. | ||
==Organization== | |||
[[File:QSI-org-chart.svg|left|thumb|The organization chart for Quicksilver Industries]] | |||
Quicksilver Industries employs approximately 3 million people globally across dozens of subsidiaries that cover a wide range of industries from the direct military industry (military or civilian aircraft, ships, vehicles, weaponry, and electronic systems) to the indirect military (logistics, technical support and training, communications support, and engineering support), to direct support of military operations, and consumer and professional electronics, entertainment and financial services. | |||
The company is organized into 5 business divisions: Manufacturing, Defense Solutions, Operations Security, Sandbox R&D, and Innovations: | |||
QSI Manufacturing is responsible for the design, production, and maintenance of a wide range of products, including aircraft, naval ships, armored vehicles, firearms, and more, often serving as the backbone of defense for many countries; QSI Defense Solutions focuses on the development and integration of complex communications systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced technologies for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, providing comprehensive support solutions for both public and private sectors; QSI Operations Security specializes in the provision of comprehensive security solutions, offering services such as risk management, logistics and supply chain management, and specialized training. Its capabilities also extend to advanced cybersecurity and environmental solutions. | |||
Sandbox R&D is QSI's innovative research and development division. It works on a multitude of advanced technological projects spanning virtually every sector and is responsible for numerous breakthroughs and industry-shaping technologies. It maintains a high degree of autonomy, with a special focus on advanced or secret projects tied to various government or military entities. QS Innovations serves as the diversified portfolio within the organization, focusing on fostering innovation, pursuing cutting-edge technological advancements, and managing non-core business entities such as finance, real estate, and architectural engineering firms. | |||
=== Business divisions === | === Business divisions === | ||
==== Manufacturing ==== | ==== Manufacturing ==== | ||
*[[Shockwave Industrial#Integrated Defense Technologies|Shockwave Integrated Defense Technologies]]: SID Tech is the division of [[Shockwave Industrial]] responsible for defense and security-related systems, products and services. It produces and manufactures fighter aircraft, airlifters, aerial refuelling tankers, helicopters, and airborne warfare systems, firearms and a variety of items related to firearms including its own custom variants of the AR-15 rifle, advanced rail systems, custom upper receivers, and advanced barrels among others. It also designs and manufactures naval ships and submarines, and armoured fighting vehicles such as tanks, armoured cars, reconnaissance vehicles, internal security vehicles, APCs, infantry fighting vehicles, and anti-aircraft vehicles. | |||
* Shockwave Integrated Defense Technologies | *[[Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering]] (LMW): LMW is a [[Burgundie|Burgoignesc]]-based global weapons manufacturing company specializing in handguns used by armed forces and law enforcement organizations worldwide. They also produce popular firearms among civilians for recreational and competition shooting, home- and self-defense. LMW also produces field knives, entrenching tools, and apparel. | ||
* Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering (LMW) | *[[O'Shea Corporation#O'Shea Shipping|O'Shea Shipping]]: O'Shea Shipping is responsible for the construction and operation of cargo ships, including container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers. It has numerous subsidiaries ranging from ship design firms to shipping management companies. O'Shea Shipping has deep vertical integration in terms of the production and management of ships, as it manages everything from designing to building and maintenance of vessels. | ||
*[[O'Shea Corporation#O'Shea Industrial|O'Shea Industrial]]: O'Shea Industrial focuses on the design and construction of port infrastructure, including container terminals, dry docks, and shipyards. It includes O'Shea Infrastructure and Design, which is responsible for the design and construction of ports, container yards, and other infrastructure facilities required for efficient shipping. It also contains O'Shea Chemical Research Facility, responsible for developing new chemical technologies for the maritime industry. O'Shea Industrial has numerous subsidiaries, including engineering firms, construction companies, and chemical research facilities, which are vertically integrated and have their own management structure. | |||
==== Defense Solutions ==== | ==== Defense Solutions ==== | ||
* Shockwave Global Solutions (SGS) | *[[Shockwave Industrial#Systems .26 Global Solutions|Shockwave Global Solutions]] (SGS): SGS is responsible for development, building, hardening, securing, testing and integrating complex communications systems, networks and products and provide the highest level of support solutions for the public and private sector. They are capable of networking and platform integration; cyber security, defense products, and operational support; satellite communications; protected radio communications products; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors, systems and space electronics; mission planning and management systems, weapon control systems and platform computing systems and open architecture information systems. | ||
* Vepr Defense | *[[Vepr Defense]]: Creates military radar, sensors and related products including C4I radar systems for air defense, Airspace Management radar systems such as AMASS, and battlefield surveillance systems like the Airborne Reconnaissance Low (ARL). | ||
* | *[[Lachrio Aerotech]]: Manages QSI's current and future portfolio of fixed-wing military and surveillance aircraft, including fighters and commercial derivative platforms, and support of key platforms such as the executive transport fleet, which is used to transport the Imperator of Caphiria. | ||
* Chromeria Military Solutions | *[[Chromeria|Chromeria Military Solutions]]: Provides integrated security, mission support and risk management services to corporate, government and nonprofit clients. It operates the Chromeria Training Center (CTC) where it offers tactics and weapons training to military, government, and law enforcement agencies, as well as tactical training for maritime force protection units. | ||
* Omega Systems | *Omega Systems: Formerly a competitor of Quicksilver, was purchased through a hostile takeover in July 2026. Omega developed the Raven UAV and is currently developing new UAV platforms and control systems. Omega Systems is headquartered in East Tākara. | ||
==== Operations Security ==== | ==== Operations Security ==== | ||
* BDS Solutions | *[[BDS Solutions]]: Designs, develops, produces, supports, maintains, modernises and upgrades armoured combat vehicles, wheeled vehicles, naval guns, surface ship combatants, commercial vessels, missile launchers, artillery systems, military ordnance, and protective wear and armour. | ||
* Ladestro Dynamics | *[[Ladestro Dynamics]]: Specializes in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; advanced cybersecurity solutions; weather and environmental solutions, and information-based solutions for homeland security. The company also provides training, logistics, engineering, product support, and operational support services and solutions for the mission support, homeland security, space, civil aviation, counter-proliferation and counter-terrorism markets | ||
* O'Shea | *[[O'Shea Corporation#O'Shea Services|O'Shea Services]]: O'Shea Services offers logistics and supply chain management services to customers worldwide. It provides various services required by the maritime industry, including crew management, training, and technical support. O'Shea Services also include the O'Shea Maritime Academy, which provides specialized training to seafarers and ship engineers. The division also includes O'Shea International Services, which provides a wide range of services related to ship management, such as insurance and technical support. | ||
* Quicksilver Space Systems | * Quicksilver Space Systems: Specializes in airborne radars and processors, electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, electronic warfare (EW) and precision guidance systems, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, space and missile defense technology, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. It has significant engineering and manufacturing facilities in Burgundie and Kiravia. | ||
==== Sandbox R&D ==== | |||
==== | *SIX Developmental: The main research and development firm which operates in virtually every sector. There are 10 major R&D facilities spread across the world that work on an array of advanced technological projects | ||
* SIX Developmental | * Argentum Nanotechnologies: A firm dedicated to researching and developing nanotechnologies for use in areas like materials science, medicine, and electronics | ||
*Deia Technologies: A research firm dedicated to the exploration and development of quantum computing technologies. Their focus lies in creating quantum processors, algorithms, and applications that can revolutionize areas like cryptography, materials science, and complex system modeling | |||
*Redsun: The official name for the 'Advanced Development Program' and has high degree of autonomy, with the task of working on advanced or secret projects that are tied to the government or military of Caphiria. | |||
==== QS Innovations ==== | ==== QS Innovations ==== | ||
* QV Properties | * QV Properties: The holding company for all of QSI's corporate real estate holdings. It is also used to lease real estate to other corporations. | ||
* Venio Enterprise Services | * Venio Enterprise Services: Provides shared capabilities and support services, principally to internal customers. | ||
* Venio Finance Solutions | *Venio Finance Solutions: The financial services holding company of QSI. It operates a private equity fund, a multinational insurance company, and customer-oriented, financial products and services to individual customers and businesses. | ||
* | *Malarci Architects & Engineers: A wholly owned subsidiary which is one of the largest architectural firms in the world, having worked on some of the most iconic buildings in Caphiria and internationally. | ||
* Silver Lineworks | *[[Silver Lineworks]]: An engineering and robotics design holding company. It produces machines of varying degrees of autonomy under contract from military drones to advanced artificial intelligence for tech companies and 3D simulations. The company is a pioneer in the field of robotics and it is one of the most advanced in its domain. | ||
=== Operating subsidiaries === | |||
=== | Despite being a diverse conglomerate, Quicksilver Industries conducts the majority of its business activities and dealings through four primary operating organizations. They cover a wide range of industries from the direct military industry (military or civilian aircraft, ships, vehicles, weaponry, and electronic systems) to the indirect military (logistics, technical support and training, communications support, and engineering support), to direct support of military operations, and consumer and professional electronics, entertainment and financial services. | ||
Quicksilver Industries conducts | |||
==== Shockwave Industrial ==== | ==== Shockwave Industrial ==== | ||
[[File:ShockwaveLogo.svg|left|thumb|The logo for [[Shockwave Industrial]]|200x200px]] | |||
Shockwave Industrial is a global defense, security, weapons manufacturer, and advanced technology company. It is the largest subsidiary of Quicksilver Industries and is one of the world's largest defense contractors, with 82% of its annual revenue coming from direct military sales. Before it was acquired | [[Shockwave Industrial]] is a global defense, security, weapons manufacturer, and advanced technology company. It is the largest subsidiary of Quicksilver Industries and is one of the world's largest defense contractors, with 82% of its annual revenue coming from direct military sales. Before it was acquired in 1991, Shockwave Industrial was a pioneer during the Second Great War, becoming the first company to successfully test and use nuclear weaponry. | ||
Today, Shockwave Industrial is responsible for the development, building, hardening, securing, testing and integrating complex communications systems, networks and products through its Shockwave Global Solutions (SGS) division and is responsible for advanced defense and security-related systems, products and services through its Shockwave Integrated Defense Technologies (SID Tech) division. | Today, Shockwave Industrial is responsible for the development, building, hardening, securing, testing and integrating complex communications systems, networks and products through its Shockwave Global Solutions (SGS) division and is responsible for advanced defense and security-related systems, products and services through its Shockwave Integrated Defense Technologies (SID Tech) division. | ||
Shockwave Industrial employs over 150,000 people and has an additional 100,000 individual contractors. In addition to its massive headquarters in Arzercavalli, it also has over 150 research and development facilities across the world that allows for extremely efficient development and production cycles. | Shockwave Industrial employs over 150,000 people and has an additional 100,000 individual contractors. In addition to its massive headquarters in Arzercavalli, it also has over 150 research and development facilities across the world that allows for extremely efficient development and production cycles. | ||
==== Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering ==== | ==== Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering ==== | ||
[[File:Lmw.png|left|200px|thumb|The logo for [[Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering]]]] | |||
Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering is a | [[Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering]] is a [[Burgundie|Burgoignesc]]-based global weapons manufacturing company.The company employs 44,000 and is headquartered in [[Port Diteaux]], [[Burgundie]], with an additional operational headquarters in Caphiria. | ||
It currently produces ten different firearms with seven of them being handguns | It currently produces ten different firearms with seven of them being handguns.Today, it is primarily a niche weapons manufacturer that focuses on low volume and high quality and custom solutions for its clients; approximately 80% of Lansing-Mitchell's business is from the Burgoignesc Armed Forces and Police Services. Its most recent handgun, the 2021 LM-Snauzer uses a 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge that was designed to replace a lot of the outdated handguns being used in law enforcement. It was the first product from Lansing-Mitchell to be mass-produced and it is currently one of the world's most popular handguns being used in law enforcement. | ||
Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering was acquired by Quicksilver Industries in 2002 for $35.7 billion in an attempt for Lansing-Mitchell to have access to new markets outside of Burgundie. | Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering was acquired by Quicksilver Industries in 2002 for $35.7 billion in an attempt for Lansing-Mitchell to have access to new markets outside of Burgundie. In 2031, Lansing-Mitchell has reported $24 billion in revenue and is estimated to have $4.1 billion in assets. | ||
==== The O'Shea Corporation ==== | |||
[[File:O-shea-logo.svg|thumb|The logo for the O'Shea Corporation]] | |||
The [[O'Shea Corporation]] is a [[Burgundie|Burgoignesc]]-based shipbuilding and logistics holding company with global interests. Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century where a Gaelic Fiannrian immigrated to Burgundie and founded O'Shea Hull Design in 1873. By the beginning of the 20th century, O'Shea Hull Design had become the O'Shea Shipping Company and it was the largest naval architecture firm in Burgundie. The company continued to diversify its assets across the maritime realm, establishing other sister companies such as O’Shea Container Shipping, O'Shea Infrastructure and Design, O'Shea Operation Management Services, O'Shea International Services, the O'Shea Maritime Academy, and the O'Shea Chemical Research Facility. | |||
In 2007, Quicksilver Industries acquired the O'Shea Shipping Company - along with all of its sister companies, for $108 billion. Under QSI, O’Shea became a brand name and many other shipbuilding and shipping-related companies were established under the O'Shea brand, including one of the largest Caphirian ship owning, managing, and leasing (chartering) companies - Combulatus, which manages and provides ships to shipping companies under long term charter-party agreements. In 2025, QSI went through a massive reorganization; a parent company called the O'Shea Corporation would be formed in order to effectively and efficiently manage the O'Shea portfolio of companies. Currently, the company is organized into four divisions which act as quasi-independent companies: O'Shea Shipping, O'Shea Industrial, O'Shea Services, and O'Shea Management. | |||
Today, the O'Shea Corporation is the largest shipbuilding and logistics company in the world - both in terms of tonnage and sales revenue - operating over 1,500 ships and possessing a total cargo-carrying capacity of 6.1 million TEU. It is also the 2nd-largest container shipping company globally, using 180 shipping routes between 350 ports. Cíntia Paschoal has been President of the O'Shea Corporation since 2033, and Heidelgard O'Shaunassey - a member of the O'Shea Family and descendant of founder Padraig O'Seaghdha - has been CEO since 2016. | |||
==== Silver Lineworks ==== | ==== Silver Lineworks ==== | ||
[[File:Silver-lineworks-logo-new.svg|300x300px|thumb|left|The logo for [[Silver Lineworks]]]] | |||
[[Silver Lineworks]] is a holding company representing QSI's holdings and assets in robotics, engineering, and automation. In addition to manufacturing hardware, Silver Lineworks also develops software and vision guidance tools for military and civilian use. Composed of several highly autonomous companies and teams, Silver Lineworks builds robots for defense, energy, and hazardous activity support as well as mobile robotic fulfillment systems for use across other QSI divisions. It also produces machines of varying degrees of autonomy under contract from military drones to advanced artificial intelligence for tech companies and 3D simulations. | |||
Silver Lineworks currently consists of 8 primary engineering firms and 5 research & development teams; each firm has its own project manager who reports directly to Castagnola, who in turn reports to the head of QS Innovations. Under Castagnola, the company has made efforts to enter the consumer market and has revealed several programmable robotics slated for release within the next decade. | |||
One of the most secretive and ambitious projects being developed by Silver Lineworks is the Templar Project, a multi-faceted engineering project that aims to create the world's first synthetic organism with true full artificial intelligence. | |||
===Investments and minority holdings=== | |||
In addition to its core businesses, Quicksilver Industries maintains a concentrated portfolio of equities and investments and engages in an aggressive mergers and acquisitions approach to business. Since the second major corporate restructure in 2011, this has been done through Venio Finance Solutions. VFS acts as the financial services holding company of QSI. It operates a private equity fund, and customer-oriented, financial products and services to individual customers and businesses. VFS currently has $1.5 trillion AUM and $400 billion in assets. | |||
VFS operates two wings: the first serves as the legal parent company for Quicksilver's operating subsidiaries and acquired businesses, and the second wing serves as the private equity, alternative asset management, and financial services firm. | |||
As of March 2030, QSI's (through Venio Finance Services) largest investments were: | |||
As of March | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
!Company | !Company | ||
!Sector / Industry | !Sector / Industry | ||
!Ownership % | ! Ownership % | ||
!Value | !Value | ||
!Notes | !Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Premiere Airways | |Premiere Airways | ||
|Transportation | |Transportation | ||
| | | | ||
Line 236: | Line 155: | ||
|Consumer Electronics | |Consumer Electronics | ||
| | | | ||
|$11.4 billion | | $11.4 billion | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 246: | Line 165: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Alterion Group | |Alterion Group | ||
|Financial | |Financial | ||
| | | | ||
|$8 billion | |$8 billion | ||
Line 266: | Line 185: | ||
|Automobile Manufacturing | |Automobile Manufacturing | ||
| | | | ||
|$2.1 billion | | $2.1 billion | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 272: | Line 191: | ||
|Automobile Manufacturing | |Automobile Manufacturing | ||
| | | | ||
|$2 billion | | $2 billion | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Pan-Punth Free Press | | Pan-Punth Free Press | ||
|News Media | |News Media | ||
| | | | ||
Line 288: | Line 207: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Diamante Oil Group | |Diamante Oil Group | ||
|Mineral Extraction | | Mineral Extraction | ||
| | | | ||
|$1.4 billion | |$1.4 billion | ||
Line 294: | Line 213: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Compor Mining | |Compor Mining | ||
|Mineral Extraction | | Mineral Extraction | ||
| | | | ||
|$1.2 billion | |$1.2 billion | ||
Line 305: | Line 224: | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Assaraeus Vineyard | ||
|Service | |Service | ||
| | | | ||
Line 318: | Line 237: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|InterKronz | |InterKronz | ||
|Logistics | |Logistics | ||
| | | | ||
|$400 million | |$400 million | ||
Line 324: | Line 243: | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Contracts and Operations == | ==Contracts and Operations== | ||
Quicksilver Industries maintains numerous contracts spanning the aerospace, defense, security, and technologies industry. The company makes the bulk of its revenue in what is called '''contracts and operations'''. | Quicksilver Industries maintains numerous contracts spanning the aerospace, defense, security, and technologies industry. The company makes the bulk of its revenue in what is called '''contracts and operations'''. | ||
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33% of total global revenue ($105 billion) accounts for long-term contracts with domestic and international governments, agencies, and militaries. Of that, 15% ($15.7 billion) accounts for local contracts with the Imperial Armed Forces of Caphiria, making it the largest defense contractor of the Imperium. General contracts with the Imperium make up 10% ($10.5 billion), with 6% ($6.3 billion) going towards foreign government contracts and 2% ($2.1 billion) accounting for commercial and other contracts. | 33% of total global revenue ($105 billion) accounts for long-term contracts with domestic and international governments, agencies, and militaries. Of that, 15% ($15.7 billion) accounts for local contracts with the Imperial Armed Forces of Caphiria, making it the largest defense contractor of the Imperium. General contracts with the Imperium make up 10% ($10.5 billion), with 6% ($6.3 billion) going towards foreign government contracts and 2% ($2.1 billion) accounting for commercial and other contracts. | ||
'''Operations''' revolve around Quicksilver Industries acting as a private military corporation, providing integrated security, mission support and risk management services to corporate, government and non-profit clients. QSI owns and operates the ''Chromeria Training | '''Operations''' revolve around Quicksilver Industries acting as a private military corporation, providing integrated security, mission support and risk management services to corporate, government and non-profit clients. QSI owns and operates the ''Chromeria Training Center'' (CTC), a training facility located on 7,000 acres, comprised of several ranges, indoor, outdoor, urban reproductions, a man-made lake, and two driving tracks. QSTC offers tactics and weapons training to military, government, and law enforcement agencies. The CTC also offers several open-enrollment courses periodically throughout the year, from hand to hand combat (executive course) to precision rifle marksmanship. They also offer courses in tactical and off-road driving. Unlike Quicksilver Contracts, any public or private institution that meets the prerequisites may request to hire QSI. | ||
==Corporate affairs== | |||
== Corporate affairs == | ===Governance=== | ||
[[File:QSI-leadership.svg|right|thumb|400px|An organization chart of the corporate leadership]] | |||
=== Governance === | ==== Board of directors==== | ||
==== Board of directors ==== | |||
The board of directors consists of 11 members: | The board of directors consists of 11 members: | ||
*[[Alexandus Venio II]], (Chairman and Chief Executive) | |||
* Alexandus Venio II, ( | *Vinntan Valuassius, (Executive Director) | ||
* Vinntan Valuassius, ( | *Felicitas Galarius (non-executive director) | ||
* Felicitas Galarius (non-executive director) | *Cario Iustus (non-executive director) | ||
* Cario Iustus (non-executive director) | *Lonnar Gelrani, (non-executive director) | ||
* Lonnar Gelrani, (non-executive director) | *Darvin Susarmi, (non-executive director) | ||
* Darvin Susarmi, (non-executive director) | *Hostraius Decmussa, (CEO of [[Lanxor]]) | ||
* Hostraius Decmussa, (CEO of Lanxor) | *Natalie Charbonneau, (chairwoman and CEO of [[Premiere Airways]]) | ||
* Natalie Charbonneau, (chairwoman and CEO of Premiere Airways) | *Liviratur Konsoleridon, (CEO of Trans-Oceanic Investment Banking Group) | ||
* Liviratur Konsoleridon, (CEO of Trans-Oceanic Investment Banking Group) | *Steven Mitchell, (CEO of [[Imperial Cola|Imperial Beverages]]) | ||
* Steven Mitchell, (CEO of Imperial Beverages) | * Oiksi Iivostner, (chairman of [[Pantheon Industries]]) | ||
* Oiksi Iivostner, (chairman of Pantheon Industries) | * Giovari Parofantone (Principal Executive of [[Petalstone Group]]) | ||
====Executive management==== | |||
==== Executive management ==== | |||
The current executive structure is as follows: | The current executive structure is as follows: | ||
* Alexandus Venio II, (Chief Executive) | * Alexandus Venio II, (Chief Executive) | ||
* Alera Panianstina (Principal Executive of Operations) | *Alera Panianstina (Principal Executive of Operations) | ||
* Civius Macerius (Principal Executive of Finance) | * Civius Macerius (Principal Executive of Finance) | ||
* Acastus Logos (Principal Executive of Legal Counsel) | *Acastus Logos (Principal Executive of Legal Counsel) | ||
* Salmoneus | *Salmoneus Lević (Principal Executive of Security) | ||
* Christian Barbas (Principal Executive of Risk Management) | *Christian Barbas (Principal Executive of Risk Management) | ||
* Christiano Petrous (Principal Executive of Marketing) | *Christiano Petrous (Principal Executive of Marketing) | ||
* Tivadar Matthias (Principal Executive of Research) | *Tivadar Matthias (Principal Executive of Research) | ||
* Evangelina Petracca (Principal Executive of Investment) | *Evangelina Petracca (Principal Executive of Investment) | ||
* Cyrek Loris (Principal Executive of Human Resources) | *Cyrek Loris (Principal Executive of Human Resources) | ||
* Bastiaan Patras (Principal Executive of Data) | * Bastiaan Patras (Principal Executive of Data) | ||
* Jeroenr Xenos (Principal Executive of Compliance) | *Jeroenr Xenos (Principal Executive of Compliance) | ||
* Nicolas Demos (Principal Executive of Communications) | *Nicolas Demos (Principal Executive of Communications) | ||
* Tareo Levotus (Vice Executive of Manufacturing) | *Tareo Levotus (Vice Executive of Manufacturing) | ||
* Dano Calavaculus (Vice Executive of Defense Solutions) | *Dano Calavaculus (Vice Executive of Defense Solutions) | ||
* Camulatia Contranti (Vice Executive of Operations Security) | *Camulatia Contranti (Vice Executive of Operations Security) | ||
* Revir Samognatius (Vice Executive of | *Revir Samognatius (Vice Executive of Sandbox) | ||
* Cacurio Manatus (Vice Executive of QS Innovations) | *Cacurio Manatus (Vice Executive of QS Innovations) | ||
===Finances=== | |||
Quicksilver Industries is the world's largest company by market capitalization, annual revenue, total assets, and workforce. For the fiscal year of 2031, Quicksilver had revenues of $3.3 trillion, $8.3 trillion in assets, 3 million global employees, and $400 billion in cash reserves. | |||
=== | |||
Quicksilver Industries is the world's largest company by market capitalization, annual revenue, total assets, and workforce. For the fiscal year of | |||
Almost all of QSI's subsidiaries rank among the top five-largest companies by revenue and other financial metrics in their respective industries: Shockwave Industrial is the world's largest defense contractor with over $ | Almost all of QSI's subsidiaries rank among the top five-largest companies by revenue and other financial metrics in their respective industries: Shockwave Industrial is the world's largest defense contractor with over $135 billion in revenue and 80% coming from military contracts; the O'Shea Corporation is the largest shipbuilding and logistics company in the world, with $183 billion in revenue and operating over 2,500 ships. | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable floatleft" | ||
|- | |- | ||
!Year!!Revenue ($tn) !!Net Income ($tn)!!Total Assets ($tn) | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2031||3.3||1.35||8.3 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2030||3.1||1.27||8.0 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2029||2.9||1.19||7.6 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2028||2.7||1.11||7.2 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2027||2.5 | ||
| | |1.03||6.8 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
|2026 | |2026||2.3 ||0.95||6.4 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2025 | ||
| | |2.1 ||0.87||6.0 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2024||1.9 ||0.79|| 5.6 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2023||1.7||0.71 | ||
| | |5.2 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2022||1.5|| 0.63||4.8 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|} | |} | ||
===Corporate culture=== | |||
=== Corporate culture === | |||
The culture of Quicksilver Industries is interesting in that despite having many subsidiaries across different industries, it allows a freedom of individuality and excellence that reliably attracts talented workers to its companies. That being said, because QSI has been in the ownership of the Venio family since its formation, the Venio family exercises an uniquely overwhelming amount of power in shaping the corporate culture, which generally speaking is more akin to a startup rather than a multinational corporation. | The culture of Quicksilver Industries is interesting in that despite having many subsidiaries across different industries, it allows a freedom of individuality and excellence that reliably attracts talented workers to its companies. That being said, because QSI has been in the ownership of the Venio family since its formation, the Venio family exercises an uniquely overwhelming amount of power in shaping the corporate culture, which generally speaking is more akin to a startup rather than a multinational corporation. | ||
Quicksilver Industries has a strong culture of corporate secrecy, and has an anti-leak Global Security team that recruits from top firms across the world. Employees are intended to be specialists who are not exposed to functions outside their area of expertise. Alexandus | Quicksilver Industries has a strong culture of corporate secrecy, and has an anti-leak Global Security team that recruits from top firms across the world. Employees are intended to be specialists who are not exposed to functions outside their area of expertise. Alexandus the Elder saw this as a means of having "best-in-class" employees in every role. The company is known for strictly enforcing accountability. Each project has a "directly responsible individual" or "DRI". | ||
=== Headquarters === | Unlike other major companies, QSI provides a relatively simple compensation policy for executives that does not include perks enjoyed by others like country club fees or private use of company aircraft. (Use of company aircraft is reserved for executive management). The company does offer generous stock options for all employees regardless of role. | ||
The main corporate headquarters, informally known as | ===Headquarters=== | ||
The main corporate headquarters, informally known as Silver Park, is located in the business district of Venceia. The entirety of Silver Park occupies 500 acres, making it by far the world's largest headquarters or building complex. Silver Park contains two complete campuses, nicknamed Mission Control and Ground Control. | |||
The main campus, known as Mission Control, features a circular design and paired with the sheer scale has earned it the nickname the "Spaceship", which houses 10,000 "mission critical" employees in one central four-story circular building of approximately 2,800,000 square feet (260,000 square meters). The inner rim and outer rim on each floor are left open as walkways. There are eight buildings, separated by nine mini-atria. The campus is one mile (1.6 km) in circumference, with a diameter of 1,512 feet (461 m). The one circular building houses most employees. It is four stories above the ground and three stories underground. The design hides the roads and parking spaces underground. The campus uses only glass for its walls and views of the inner courtyard as well as of the landscape facing the exterior of the building. Around 83,000 square feet (7,700 m2) of space is for meetings and breakout spaces in the building. The inner part of the circular building contains a 30-acre (12 ha) park featuring a pond, with fruit trees and winding pathways. The total cost for the Spaceship was estimated to be $4 billion/ | The main campus, known as Mission Control, features a circular design and paired with the sheer scale has earned it the nickname the "Spaceship", which houses 10,000 "mission critical" employees in one central four-story circular building of approximately 2,800,000 square feet (260,000 square meters). The inner rim and outer rim on each floor are left open as walkways. There are eight buildings, separated by nine mini-atria. The campus is one mile (1.6 km) in circumference, with a diameter of 1,512 feet (461 m). The one circular building houses most employees. It is four stories above the ground and three stories underground. The design hides the roads and parking spaces underground. The campus uses only glass for its walls and views of the inner courtyard as well as of the landscape facing the exterior of the building. Around 83,000 square feet (7,700 m2) of space is for meetings and breakout spaces in the building. The inner part of the circular building contains a 30-acre (12 ha) park featuring a pond, with fruit trees and winding pathways. The total cost for the Spaceship was estimated to be $4 billion/ | ||
Silver Park's second campus, Ground Control, encompasses 4 million square feet of office space and houses an additional 25,000–30,000 employees. Ground Control features 125 buildings, 100 of which is used for office space. The remaining 25 buildings bring the amenities of retail space, as well as restaurants, a soccer field and pub. This is known as the "Docks" and is arranged like an urban neighborhood, centered around a 2-acre (0.81 ha) open space with sports fields (including a football pitch), and hiking trails. | Silver Park's second campus, Ground Control, encompasses 4 million square feet of office space and houses an additional 25,000–30,000 employees. Ground Control features 125 buildings, 100 of which is used for office space. The remaining 25 buildings bring the amenities of retail space, as well as restaurants, a soccer field and pub. This is known as the "Docks" and is arranged like an urban neighborhood, centered around a 2-acre (0.81 ha) open space with sports fields (including a football pitch), and hiking trails. | ||
===Criticism and controversies=== | |||
=== Criticism and controversies === | |||
Throughout its existence, Quicksilver Industries has received significant criticism regarding the legality of the practices of its contractors, its environmental and business practices, including anti-competitive behavior, privacy concerns, tax avoidance, antitrust, censorship, and corruption. | Throughout its existence, Quicksilver Industries has received significant criticism regarding the legality of the practices of its contractors, its environmental and business practices, including anti-competitive behavior, privacy concerns, tax avoidance, antitrust, censorship, and corruption. | ||
As the largest defense contractor in the world, QSI has come under intense scrutiny for violations of international law and war. On July 3rd, 1997, the Urcean Ministry of Commerce issued the ''Guidelines on Quicksilver International'', concluding that "the difficulty separating private from public troops means that legal proceedings against these non-state violent actors can be complicated. The corporate nature of PMSCs (Private Military and Security Contractors) is a barrier to their accountability for violations of international law. No international court has jurisdiction over these corporations and there is no preexisting mechanism in place bound by international law to account and manage for PMSCs use of force. If the world's use of PMSCs increases without any international accountability, this creates a situation that the world may not be able to return from." | As the largest defense contractor in the world, QSI has come under intense scrutiny for violations of international law and war. On July 3rd, 1997, the [[Urcean]] [[Ministry of Commerce (Urcea)|Ministry of Commerce]] issued the ''Guidelines on Quicksilver International'', concluding that "the difficulty separating private from public troops means that legal proceedings against these non-state violent actors can be complicated. The corporate nature of PMSCs (Private Military and Security Contractors) is a barrier to their accountability for violations of international law. No international court has jurisdiction over these corporations and there is no preexisting mechanism in place bound by international law to account and manage for PMSCs use of force. If the world's use of PMSCs increases without any international accountability, this creates a situation that the world may not be able to return from." | ||
====Labor practices==== | |||
==== Labor practices ==== | |||
Over the last three decades, numerous reports have been made alleging that sweatshop conditions exist or have existed in factories and facilities owned and operated by Quicksilver Industries. | Over the last three decades, numerous reports have been made alleging that sweatshop conditions exist or have existed in factories and facilities owned and operated by Quicksilver Industries. | ||
For example, one article published in 1997 stated that one particular factory in Kandara employed over | For example, one article published in 1997 stated that one particular factory in [[Kandara]] employed over 20,000 workers who lived and worked in the factory, and regularly performed more than 80 hours of labor per week. The article also reported that workers made around $100 per month and were required to live on the premises and pay for rent and food from the company. Living expenses — a requirement of keeping the job — typically required that employees spend a little over half of their earnings. The article also said that workers were given buckets to wash their clothes in. Immediately after the allegation, QSI launched an investigation and worked with their manufacturers to ensure that conditions were acceptable by its standards and started yearly audits of the labor conditions of all its suppliers, slowly raising standards and severing relationships with suppliers that did not comply—yearly progress reports have also been published since 2005. | ||
In 2007, workers in Algoquona planned to sue a Quicksilver-owned company over poisoning from a cleaner used to clean naval ships. The workers claimed that they were not informed of possible occupational illnesses. | In 2007, workers in [[Algoquona]] planned to sue a Quicksilver-owned company over poisoning from a cleaner used to clean naval ships. The workers claimed that they were not informed of possible occupational illnesses. | ||
In 2010, a spate of suicides linked to low pay at a newly opened Quicksilver-owned industrial park in | In 2010, a spate of suicides linked to low pay at a newly opened Quicksilver-owned industrial park in [[Oyashima]] occurred alongside several additional suicides at various other locations and facilities. This incident drew intense media attention and became known as the [[Oyashima]] suicides. A follow up report was done the following year on the anniversary of the event, which still found excessive hours and other problems that persisted, despite QSI's promise to reform factory practices. The [[Oyashima]] facility was once again the subject of review, as journalists gained access to the working conditions inside through recruitment as employees. While the journalists maintained that the experiences of its reporters showed that labor violations were continuing since 2010, Quicksilver publicly disagreed with the report and stated: "We are aware of no other company doing as much as Quicksilver Industries to ensure fair and safe working conditions". | ||
In the period following these exposures, QSI has continued to receive criticism for its labor rights record. | In the period following these exposures, QSI has continued to receive criticism for its labor rights record. | ||
====Tax practices==== | |||
Quicksilver Industries is known for employing a variety of accounting technique and methods to reduce its taxes by routing profits through subsidiaries over the world. Such strategies help QSI keep its international taxes to single digits over the last decade, according to the company's corporate filings. QSI holds hundreds of billions of dollars in profits in international subsidiaries to pay little or no taxes to any government by using an unusual global tax structure. As the relationship between Quicksilver Industries and the government of Caphiria has grown over the years, QSI has been able to take advantage of using its influence to affect tax and economic laws and policy to benefit the most. | |||
In 1981, [[Bogdanko|Imperator Bogdanko]]'s issued economic reform which got rid of the flat corporate tax of 20% in favor of a proportional system. However, Bogdanko also quietly issued a special edict that perpetually exempted Quicksilver Industries (and any of its subsidiaries) from the proportional system. Instead, the edict stated that Quicksilver Industries would pay a flat corporate income tax of 10% as long as the Venio Estate remained in control of the company. | |||
Quicksilver Industries | |||
Almost all of QSI's foreign operations are routed through five offshore companies with no employees. | Almost all of QSI's foreign operations are routed through five offshore companies with no employees, as income attributable to a foreign business enterprise and capital gains/dividends derived from qualifying subsidiaries are not taxed. | ||
==See also== | |||
[[Category:Caphiria]] | [[Category:Caphiria]] | ||
[[Category:Companies in Caphiria]] | [[Category:Companies in Caphiria]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Quicksilver Industries]] | ||
[[Category:Companies]] | [[Category:Companies]] |
Latest revision as of 21:40, 14 February 2024
Company type | Public |
---|---|
QSI | |
Industry | Conglomerate |
Predecessors |
|
Founded | 04 April 1934 |
Founder | Alexanpassio Laelias Venio |
Headquarters | Silver Park, , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
Revenue | $3.3 trillion (2031) |
$1.35 trillion | |
Total assets | $8.3 trillion |
Number of employees | 3,000,000 |
Divisions |
|
Subsidiaries |
Quicksilver Industries, Inc., commonly known as QSI, is a Caphirian global aerospace, defense, security and advanced technologies conglomerate with worldwide interests. It also provides logistics and other operations support and training. Founded in 1934 by Alexanpassio Venio to meet the manufacturing demand as a result of the Second Great War, Quicksilver Industries rapidly expanded and extended its reach worldwide. By the end of the war, Quicksilver Industries had become one of the largest defense contractors in the world. With the shifting markets, defense consolidation, and globalization at the start of the 21st century, Quicksilver Industries began to diversify its operations to non-military fields such as real estate, financial services, software development, vehicle manufacturing, and more.
Quicksilver Industries operates three main business units: Manufacturing, Defense Solutions, and Operations Security. It also operates a research and technological development division known as the Sandbox, and QS Innovations - which represents the company's diverse holdings and interests outside of its core business. Each business division contains multiple subsidiaries and companies, each with its own unique subculture and organization that functions in semi-autonomy. In addition to its domestic defense operations, QSI is able to execute international operations on a large scale, varying from simple manufacturing plants to extensive extra-governmental contracts. Though not officially acknowledged or publicly promoted, the organization also serves as a private military contractor providing integrated security, mission support, and risk management services to corporate, government, and for-profit clients.
Over time, QSI has received significant criticism regarding the legality of the practices of its contractors, its environmental and business practices, including anti-competitive behavior, privacy concerns, tax avoidance, antitrust, censorship, and corruption. Critics often argue that QSI's influence and reach are so extensive that it behaves as a quasi-sovereign state, a perspective that gained traction especially after its notable 'acquisition' of Shenendehowa Bay. Despite this, QSI remains at the center of Caphiria's extraordinarily prodigious military-industrial complex and plays a vital role in the national economy and military, providing jobs, products, and services that span the globe.
The Venio Estate has been in control of the company since its formation - Alexanpassio Venio founded the company and his son, Alexandus (known as Alexandus the Elder or Alexandus Sr.) is credited with helping grow QSI nationally. His son, Alexandus II - who has been the current Chief Executive since 1988, took the company to massive financial success by acquiring numerous companies to broaden the company's portfolio and shifted focus toward other markets and industries. Alexandus II is the largest individual shareholder of QSI, as well as the Chairman of the board.
Quicksilver Industries is headquartered at Silver Park in Venceia. QSI has grown to become one of the largest companies in the world; it is the largest publicly-traded company by market capitalization, annual revenue, and workforce both nationally and globally. It is also the largest defense contractor in the world; approximately half of its revenue comes from military sales; it topped the list of Caphirian government contractors and received nearly 35% of the funds paid out by the Ministry of Defense. The company employs approximately 3 million employees worldwide and has offices in every major country on earth.
History
1929: Founding and incorporation
Quicksilver Industries was formed as Venio Company Limited in 1929 by Alexanpassio Laelias Venio as a result of a nationwide effort to meet the increasing demand for the defense industry in Caphiria during the First Great War. The Imperium was giving out $100 million in low-interest loans to spur research and development across all sectors of the defense industry and Venio Company Limited received $15 million to focus on aircraft production. Between 1930 and 1934, VCL developed brake systems for automobiles and aircraft, licensing out the technology to its competitors and to the government, using the profits to go on an acquisition spree.
The most notable acquisition was Savin Corporation, which at the time was one of the most innovative wartime defense companies. Savin was responsible for the development and creation of the Vega X3 series of aircraft, and had produced over 80 aircraft and employed more than 300 workers. After the acquisition, production increased threefold and by 1938 VCL was producing 5 different types of vehicles and employed more than a thousand workers.
Production continued to ramp up to meet the wartime demand, and VCL continued to release new and improved models of aircraft throughout the years. The Imperium commissioned a radical new design, a fighter aircraft with a twin-engined, twin-boom design, and VCL won all but one contract from the government during the entirety of the war. In early 1940, VCL formally incorporated as a corporation, raising $50 million. Less than three months after incorporating, the company bought a massive plot of land to start construction on its manufacturing facilities. During the war, the entire area was camouflaged to fool enemy aerial reconnaissance. The factory was hidden beneath a huge burlap tarpaulin painted to depict a peaceful semi-rural neighborhood, replete with rubber automobiles. Hundreds of fake trees, shrubs, buildings, and even fire hydrants were positioned to give a three-dimensional appearance. The trees and shrubs were created from chicken wire treated with an adhesive and covered with feathers to provide a leafy texture.
1940-55: Role in the Second Great War
During the Second Great War, the Imperium was heavily invested in the defense industry, and provided funding to companies like VCL in order to support the development of new technologies and innovations. VCL was commissioned by the Imperium to develop a new type of fighter aircraft. The aircraft was to have a twin-engined, twin-boom design, and was to be faster, more agile, and more heavily armed than any other aircraft in the Caphirian military's arsenal. Codenamed Quicksilver, development of the project started in June 1939
VCL put their best engineers and designers to work on the project, and after months of research and development, they produced a prototype that exceeded all of the Imperium's expectations. The aircraft was named the "Quicksilver X1," and it was faster, more maneuverable, and more heavily armed than any other fighter in the world at the time.
The Quicksilver X1 was powered by two powerful engines that allowed it to reach speeds of over 600 miles per hour, and its twin-boom design gave it exceptional stability and agility in the air. It was armed with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, cannons, and missiles, making it a formidable opponent in air-to-air combat.
Quicksilver Industries won all but one contract from the government for the production of the Quicksilver X1, and they worked tirelessly to produce as many planes as possible to support the war effort. In total, it is estimated that Quicksilver Industries produced over 26,000 Quicksilver X1 aircraft during the Great War, making it one of the most successful and widely used fighter planes of the war. Its impressive performance and versatility helped to ensure the success of Caphiria's military and ultimately contributed to the victory of the Allied Powers.
1955-66: Postwar growth
1966-88: Diversification and international success
1988-present: Corporate hegemony and consolidation
. . .
In the late 2020s, Quicksilver played an integral role in the foundation of rapprochement between Caphiria and Urcea, leading to the end of the Cold War. Ironically, QSI benefited immensely from this peaceful coexistence between the two superpowers because it allowed for it to expand its business operations into newly-formed free trade zones. This expansion continued in parallel as Urceo-Caphiric relations continued to become more positive, and in 2035 another agreement was reached which would allow Caphirian investment into Urcea's Cronan territories and protectorates.
This agreement coincided with a large Urcean push into its ongoing conflicts in Crona, which QSI was readily available to assist with. Quicksilver would provide arms, supplies, and resources to Urceans and pro-Urcean forces and in exchange would be allowed direct access to Crona for investment and development, a previously untapped market for QSI.
In 2037, a League of Nations Mandate was established in order to deal with the increasing instability in the region and as a result, several International charter cities were created. One of these cities, Shenendehowa Bay, in the Nysdra Sea, was given to Quicksilver Industries per charter agreement. Though Shenendehowa Bay remains under the military protection of Urcea, as most charter cities in Crona are, the city has seen explosive growth: it is the headquarters of multiple Crona-based corporations, the headquarters for the League of Nations' Commission for Mandatory Venua'tino, and is one of the wealthiest and most-developed cities in the post-Deluge northern Cronan region.
The rapid success of Shenendehowa Bay has lead many to speculate that Quicksilver Industries has plans to form its own sovereign state in the future, although this has been shut down numerous times by QSI publicly.
Organization
Quicksilver Industries employs approximately 3 million people globally across dozens of subsidiaries that cover a wide range of industries from the direct military industry (military or civilian aircraft, ships, vehicles, weaponry, and electronic systems) to the indirect military (logistics, technical support and training, communications support, and engineering support), to direct support of military operations, and consumer and professional electronics, entertainment and financial services.
The company is organized into 5 business divisions: Manufacturing, Defense Solutions, Operations Security, Sandbox R&D, and Innovations:
QSI Manufacturing is responsible for the design, production, and maintenance of a wide range of products, including aircraft, naval ships, armored vehicles, firearms, and more, often serving as the backbone of defense for many countries; QSI Defense Solutions focuses on the development and integration of complex communications systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced technologies for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, providing comprehensive support solutions for both public and private sectors; QSI Operations Security specializes in the provision of comprehensive security solutions, offering services such as risk management, logistics and supply chain management, and specialized training. Its capabilities also extend to advanced cybersecurity and environmental solutions.
Sandbox R&D is QSI's innovative research and development division. It works on a multitude of advanced technological projects spanning virtually every sector and is responsible for numerous breakthroughs and industry-shaping technologies. It maintains a high degree of autonomy, with a special focus on advanced or secret projects tied to various government or military entities. QS Innovations serves as the diversified portfolio within the organization, focusing on fostering innovation, pursuing cutting-edge technological advancements, and managing non-core business entities such as finance, real estate, and architectural engineering firms.
Business divisions
Manufacturing
- Shockwave Integrated Defense Technologies: SID Tech is the division of Shockwave Industrial responsible for defense and security-related systems, products and services. It produces and manufactures fighter aircraft, airlifters, aerial refuelling tankers, helicopters, and airborne warfare systems, firearms and a variety of items related to firearms including its own custom variants of the AR-15 rifle, advanced rail systems, custom upper receivers, and advanced barrels among others. It also designs and manufactures naval ships and submarines, and armoured fighting vehicles such as tanks, armoured cars, reconnaissance vehicles, internal security vehicles, APCs, infantry fighting vehicles, and anti-aircraft vehicles.
- Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering (LMW): LMW is a Burgoignesc-based global weapons manufacturing company specializing in handguns used by armed forces and law enforcement organizations worldwide. They also produce popular firearms among civilians for recreational and competition shooting, home- and self-defense. LMW also produces field knives, entrenching tools, and apparel.
- O'Shea Shipping: O'Shea Shipping is responsible for the construction and operation of cargo ships, including container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers. It has numerous subsidiaries ranging from ship design firms to shipping management companies. O'Shea Shipping has deep vertical integration in terms of the production and management of ships, as it manages everything from designing to building and maintenance of vessels.
- O'Shea Industrial: O'Shea Industrial focuses on the design and construction of port infrastructure, including container terminals, dry docks, and shipyards. It includes O'Shea Infrastructure and Design, which is responsible for the design and construction of ports, container yards, and other infrastructure facilities required for efficient shipping. It also contains O'Shea Chemical Research Facility, responsible for developing new chemical technologies for the maritime industry. O'Shea Industrial has numerous subsidiaries, including engineering firms, construction companies, and chemical research facilities, which are vertically integrated and have their own management structure.
Defense Solutions
- Shockwave Global Solutions (SGS): SGS is responsible for development, building, hardening, securing, testing and integrating complex communications systems, networks and products and provide the highest level of support solutions for the public and private sector. They are capable of networking and platform integration; cyber security, defense products, and operational support; satellite communications; protected radio communications products; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors, systems and space electronics; mission planning and management systems, weapon control systems and platform computing systems and open architecture information systems.
- Vepr Defense: Creates military radar, sensors and related products including C4I radar systems for air defense, Airspace Management radar systems such as AMASS, and battlefield surveillance systems like the Airborne Reconnaissance Low (ARL).
- Lachrio Aerotech: Manages QSI's current and future portfolio of fixed-wing military and surveillance aircraft, including fighters and commercial derivative platforms, and support of key platforms such as the executive transport fleet, which is used to transport the Imperator of Caphiria.
- Chromeria Military Solutions: Provides integrated security, mission support and risk management services to corporate, government and nonprofit clients. It operates the Chromeria Training Center (CTC) where it offers tactics and weapons training to military, government, and law enforcement agencies, as well as tactical training for maritime force protection units.
- Omega Systems: Formerly a competitor of Quicksilver, was purchased through a hostile takeover in July 2026. Omega developed the Raven UAV and is currently developing new UAV platforms and control systems. Omega Systems is headquartered in East Tākara.
Operations Security
- BDS Solutions: Designs, develops, produces, supports, maintains, modernises and upgrades armoured combat vehicles, wheeled vehicles, naval guns, surface ship combatants, commercial vessels, missile launchers, artillery systems, military ordnance, and protective wear and armour.
- Ladestro Dynamics: Specializes in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; advanced cybersecurity solutions; weather and environmental solutions, and information-based solutions for homeland security. The company also provides training, logistics, engineering, product support, and operational support services and solutions for the mission support, homeland security, space, civil aviation, counter-proliferation and counter-terrorism markets
- O'Shea Services: O'Shea Services offers logistics and supply chain management services to customers worldwide. It provides various services required by the maritime industry, including crew management, training, and technical support. O'Shea Services also include the O'Shea Maritime Academy, which provides specialized training to seafarers and ship engineers. The division also includes O'Shea International Services, which provides a wide range of services related to ship management, such as insurance and technical support.
- Quicksilver Space Systems: Specializes in airborne radars and processors, electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, electronic warfare (EW) and precision guidance systems, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, space and missile defense technology, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. It has significant engineering and manufacturing facilities in Burgundie and Kiravia.
Sandbox R&D
- SIX Developmental: The main research and development firm which operates in virtually every sector. There are 10 major R&D facilities spread across the world that work on an array of advanced technological projects
- Argentum Nanotechnologies: A firm dedicated to researching and developing nanotechnologies for use in areas like materials science, medicine, and electronics
- Deia Technologies: A research firm dedicated to the exploration and development of quantum computing technologies. Their focus lies in creating quantum processors, algorithms, and applications that can revolutionize areas like cryptography, materials science, and complex system modeling
- Redsun: The official name for the 'Advanced Development Program' and has high degree of autonomy, with the task of working on advanced or secret projects that are tied to the government or military of Caphiria.
QS Innovations
- QV Properties: The holding company for all of QSI's corporate real estate holdings. It is also used to lease real estate to other corporations.
- Venio Enterprise Services: Provides shared capabilities and support services, principally to internal customers.
- Venio Finance Solutions: The financial services holding company of QSI. It operates a private equity fund, a multinational insurance company, and customer-oriented, financial products and services to individual customers and businesses.
- Malarci Architects & Engineers: A wholly owned subsidiary which is one of the largest architectural firms in the world, having worked on some of the most iconic buildings in Caphiria and internationally.
- Silver Lineworks: An engineering and robotics design holding company. It produces machines of varying degrees of autonomy under contract from military drones to advanced artificial intelligence for tech companies and 3D simulations. The company is a pioneer in the field of robotics and it is one of the most advanced in its domain.
Operating subsidiaries
Despite being a diverse conglomerate, Quicksilver Industries conducts the majority of its business activities and dealings through four primary operating organizations. They cover a wide range of industries from the direct military industry (military or civilian aircraft, ships, vehicles, weaponry, and electronic systems) to the indirect military (logistics, technical support and training, communications support, and engineering support), to direct support of military operations, and consumer and professional electronics, entertainment and financial services.
Shockwave Industrial
Shockwave Industrial is a global defense, security, weapons manufacturer, and advanced technology company. It is the largest subsidiary of Quicksilver Industries and is one of the world's largest defense contractors, with 82% of its annual revenue coming from direct military sales. Before it was acquired in 1991, Shockwave Industrial was a pioneer during the Second Great War, becoming the first company to successfully test and use nuclear weaponry.
Today, Shockwave Industrial is responsible for the development, building, hardening, securing, testing and integrating complex communications systems, networks and products through its Shockwave Global Solutions (SGS) division and is responsible for advanced defense and security-related systems, products and services through its Shockwave Integrated Defense Technologies (SID Tech) division.
Shockwave Industrial employs over 150,000 people and has an additional 100,000 individual contractors. In addition to its massive headquarters in Arzercavalli, it also has over 150 research and development facilities across the world that allows for extremely efficient development and production cycles.
Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering
Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering is a Burgoignesc-based global weapons manufacturing company.The company employs 44,000 and is headquartered in Port Diteaux, Burgundie, with an additional operational headquarters in Caphiria.
It currently produces ten different firearms with seven of them being handguns.Today, it is primarily a niche weapons manufacturer that focuses on low volume and high quality and custom solutions for its clients; approximately 80% of Lansing-Mitchell's business is from the Burgoignesc Armed Forces and Police Services. Its most recent handgun, the 2021 LM-Snauzer uses a 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge that was designed to replace a lot of the outdated handguns being used in law enforcement. It was the first product from Lansing-Mitchell to be mass-produced and it is currently one of the world's most popular handguns being used in law enforcement.
Lansing-Mitchell Weaponeering was acquired by Quicksilver Industries in 2002 for $35.7 billion in an attempt for Lansing-Mitchell to have access to new markets outside of Burgundie. In 2031, Lansing-Mitchell has reported $24 billion in revenue and is estimated to have $4.1 billion in assets.
The O'Shea Corporation
The O'Shea Corporation is a Burgoignesc-based shipbuilding and logistics holding company with global interests. Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century where a Gaelic Fiannrian immigrated to Burgundie and founded O'Shea Hull Design in 1873. By the beginning of the 20th century, O'Shea Hull Design had become the O'Shea Shipping Company and it was the largest naval architecture firm in Burgundie. The company continued to diversify its assets across the maritime realm, establishing other sister companies such as O’Shea Container Shipping, O'Shea Infrastructure and Design, O'Shea Operation Management Services, O'Shea International Services, the O'Shea Maritime Academy, and the O'Shea Chemical Research Facility.
In 2007, Quicksilver Industries acquired the O'Shea Shipping Company - along with all of its sister companies, for $108 billion. Under QSI, O’Shea became a brand name and many other shipbuilding and shipping-related companies were established under the O'Shea brand, including one of the largest Caphirian ship owning, managing, and leasing (chartering) companies - Combulatus, which manages and provides ships to shipping companies under long term charter-party agreements. In 2025, QSI went through a massive reorganization; a parent company called the O'Shea Corporation would be formed in order to effectively and efficiently manage the O'Shea portfolio of companies. Currently, the company is organized into four divisions which act as quasi-independent companies: O'Shea Shipping, O'Shea Industrial, O'Shea Services, and O'Shea Management.
Today, the O'Shea Corporation is the largest shipbuilding and logistics company in the world - both in terms of tonnage and sales revenue - operating over 1,500 ships and possessing a total cargo-carrying capacity of 6.1 million TEU. It is also the 2nd-largest container shipping company globally, using 180 shipping routes between 350 ports. Cíntia Paschoal has been President of the O'Shea Corporation since 2033, and Heidelgard O'Shaunassey - a member of the O'Shea Family and descendant of founder Padraig O'Seaghdha - has been CEO since 2016.
Silver Lineworks
Silver Lineworks is a holding company representing QSI's holdings and assets in robotics, engineering, and automation. In addition to manufacturing hardware, Silver Lineworks also develops software and vision guidance tools for military and civilian use. Composed of several highly autonomous companies and teams, Silver Lineworks builds robots for defense, energy, and hazardous activity support as well as mobile robotic fulfillment systems for use across other QSI divisions. It also produces machines of varying degrees of autonomy under contract from military drones to advanced artificial intelligence for tech companies and 3D simulations.
Silver Lineworks currently consists of 8 primary engineering firms and 5 research & development teams; each firm has its own project manager who reports directly to Castagnola, who in turn reports to the head of QS Innovations. Under Castagnola, the company has made efforts to enter the consumer market and has revealed several programmable robotics slated for release within the next decade.
One of the most secretive and ambitious projects being developed by Silver Lineworks is the Templar Project, a multi-faceted engineering project that aims to create the world's first synthetic organism with true full artificial intelligence.
Investments and minority holdings
In addition to its core businesses, Quicksilver Industries maintains a concentrated portfolio of equities and investments and engages in an aggressive mergers and acquisitions approach to business. Since the second major corporate restructure in 2011, this has been done through Venio Finance Solutions. VFS acts as the financial services holding company of QSI. It operates a private equity fund, and customer-oriented, financial products and services to individual customers and businesses. VFS currently has $1.5 trillion AUM and $400 billion in assets.
VFS operates two wings: the first serves as the legal parent company for Quicksilver's operating subsidiaries and acquired businesses, and the second wing serves as the private equity, alternative asset management, and financial services firm. As of March 2030, QSI's (through Venio Finance Services) largest investments were:
Company | Sector / Industry | Ownership % | Value | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premiere Airways | Transportation | $19.3 billion | ||
Royal Aqualife | Agriculture | $16.6 billion | ||
Mercure Industries | Consumer Electronics | $11.4 billion | ||
Caelen Eilean Financial Services | Financial | $8.5 billion | ||
Alterion Group | Financial | $8 billion | ||
Bank of Valēka | Financial | $5 billion | ||
Grael Financial Group | Financial | $2.5 billion | ||
Soleil Automobili S/A | Automobile Manufacturing | $2.1 billion | ||
Nerivas Nitro | Automobile Manufacturing | $2 billion | ||
Pan-Punth Free Press | News Media | $1.6 billion | ||
Baiereal Petrochemical | Mineral Extraction | $1.4 billion | ||
Diamante Oil Group | Mineral Extraction | $1.4 billion | ||
Compor Mining | Mineral Extraction | $1.2 billion | ||
Imperial Beverage | Service | $1 billion | ||
Assaraeus Vineyard | Service | $1 billion | ||
Glaskow Refrigerated Storage | Service | $860 million | ||
InterKronz | Logistics | $400 million |
Contracts and Operations
Quicksilver Industries maintains numerous contracts spanning the aerospace, defense, security, and technologies industry. The company makes the bulk of its revenue in what is called contracts and operations.
Contracts typically revolve around the arms industry: manufacturing and selling weapons and military technology and equipment, as well as research and development, engineering, production, and the servicing of military material, equipment, and facilities. Contracts are almost always awarded by governments and military agencies though there has been a growing trend in the market for privatised military corporations. Quicksilver Industries has contracts with virtually every country on earth.
33% of total global revenue ($105 billion) accounts for long-term contracts with domestic and international governments, agencies, and militaries. Of that, 15% ($15.7 billion) accounts for local contracts with the Imperial Armed Forces of Caphiria, making it the largest defense contractor of the Imperium. General contracts with the Imperium make up 10% ($10.5 billion), with 6% ($6.3 billion) going towards foreign government contracts and 2% ($2.1 billion) accounting for commercial and other contracts.
Operations revolve around Quicksilver Industries acting as a private military corporation, providing integrated security, mission support and risk management services to corporate, government and non-profit clients. QSI owns and operates the Chromeria Training Center (CTC), a training facility located on 7,000 acres, comprised of several ranges, indoor, outdoor, urban reproductions, a man-made lake, and two driving tracks. QSTC offers tactics and weapons training to military, government, and law enforcement agencies. The CTC also offers several open-enrollment courses periodically throughout the year, from hand to hand combat (executive course) to precision rifle marksmanship. They also offer courses in tactical and off-road driving. Unlike Quicksilver Contracts, any public or private institution that meets the prerequisites may request to hire QSI.
Corporate affairs
Governance
Board of directors
The board of directors consists of 11 members:
- Alexandus Venio II, (Chairman and Chief Executive)
- Vinntan Valuassius, (Executive Director)
- Felicitas Galarius (non-executive director)
- Cario Iustus (non-executive director)
- Lonnar Gelrani, (non-executive director)
- Darvin Susarmi, (non-executive director)
- Hostraius Decmussa, (CEO of Lanxor)
- Natalie Charbonneau, (chairwoman and CEO of Premiere Airways)
- Liviratur Konsoleridon, (CEO of Trans-Oceanic Investment Banking Group)
- Steven Mitchell, (CEO of Imperial Beverages)
- Oiksi Iivostner, (chairman of Pantheon Industries)
- Giovari Parofantone (Principal Executive of Petalstone Group)
Executive management
The current executive structure is as follows:
- Alexandus Venio II, (Chief Executive)
- Alera Panianstina (Principal Executive of Operations)
- Civius Macerius (Principal Executive of Finance)
- Acastus Logos (Principal Executive of Legal Counsel)
- Salmoneus Lević (Principal Executive of Security)
- Christian Barbas (Principal Executive of Risk Management)
- Christiano Petrous (Principal Executive of Marketing)
- Tivadar Matthias (Principal Executive of Research)
- Evangelina Petracca (Principal Executive of Investment)
- Cyrek Loris (Principal Executive of Human Resources)
- Bastiaan Patras (Principal Executive of Data)
- Jeroenr Xenos (Principal Executive of Compliance)
- Nicolas Demos (Principal Executive of Communications)
- Tareo Levotus (Vice Executive of Manufacturing)
- Dano Calavaculus (Vice Executive of Defense Solutions)
- Camulatia Contranti (Vice Executive of Operations Security)
- Revir Samognatius (Vice Executive of Sandbox)
- Cacurio Manatus (Vice Executive of QS Innovations)
Finances
Quicksilver Industries is the world's largest company by market capitalization, annual revenue, total assets, and workforce. For the fiscal year of 2031, Quicksilver had revenues of $3.3 trillion, $8.3 trillion in assets, 3 million global employees, and $400 billion in cash reserves.
Almost all of QSI's subsidiaries rank among the top five-largest companies by revenue and other financial metrics in their respective industries: Shockwave Industrial is the world's largest defense contractor with over $135 billion in revenue and 80% coming from military contracts; the O'Shea Corporation is the largest shipbuilding and logistics company in the world, with $183 billion in revenue and operating over 2,500 ships.
Year | Revenue ($tn) | Net Income ($tn) | Total Assets ($tn) |
---|---|---|---|
2031 | 3.3 | 1.35 | 8.3 |
2030 | 3.1 | 1.27 | 8.0 |
2029 | 2.9 | 1.19 | 7.6 |
2028 | 2.7 | 1.11 | 7.2 |
2027 | 2.5 | 1.03 | 6.8 |
2026 | 2.3 | 0.95 | 6.4 |
2025 | 2.1 | 0.87 | 6.0 |
2024 | 1.9 | 0.79 | 5.6 |
2023 | 1.7 | 0.71 | 5.2 |
2022 | 1.5 | 0.63 | 4.8 |
Corporate culture
The culture of Quicksilver Industries is interesting in that despite having many subsidiaries across different industries, it allows a freedom of individuality and excellence that reliably attracts talented workers to its companies. That being said, because QSI has been in the ownership of the Venio family since its formation, the Venio family exercises an uniquely overwhelming amount of power in shaping the corporate culture, which generally speaking is more akin to a startup rather than a multinational corporation.
Quicksilver Industries has a strong culture of corporate secrecy, and has an anti-leak Global Security team that recruits from top firms across the world. Employees are intended to be specialists who are not exposed to functions outside their area of expertise. Alexandus the Elder saw this as a means of having "best-in-class" employees in every role. The company is known for strictly enforcing accountability. Each project has a "directly responsible individual" or "DRI".
Unlike other major companies, QSI provides a relatively simple compensation policy for executives that does not include perks enjoyed by others like country club fees or private use of company aircraft. (Use of company aircraft is reserved for executive management). The company does offer generous stock options for all employees regardless of role.
Headquarters
The main corporate headquarters, informally known as Silver Park, is located in the business district of Venceia. The entirety of Silver Park occupies 500 acres, making it by far the world's largest headquarters or building complex. Silver Park contains two complete campuses, nicknamed Mission Control and Ground Control.
The main campus, known as Mission Control, features a circular design and paired with the sheer scale has earned it the nickname the "Spaceship", which houses 10,000 "mission critical" employees in one central four-story circular building of approximately 2,800,000 square feet (260,000 square meters). The inner rim and outer rim on each floor are left open as walkways. There are eight buildings, separated by nine mini-atria. The campus is one mile (1.6 km) in circumference, with a diameter of 1,512 feet (461 m). The one circular building houses most employees. It is four stories above the ground and three stories underground. The design hides the roads and parking spaces underground. The campus uses only glass for its walls and views of the inner courtyard as well as of the landscape facing the exterior of the building. Around 83,000 square feet (7,700 m2) of space is for meetings and breakout spaces in the building. The inner part of the circular building contains a 30-acre (12 ha) park featuring a pond, with fruit trees and winding pathways. The total cost for the Spaceship was estimated to be $4 billion/
Silver Park's second campus, Ground Control, encompasses 4 million square feet of office space and houses an additional 25,000–30,000 employees. Ground Control features 125 buildings, 100 of which is used for office space. The remaining 25 buildings bring the amenities of retail space, as well as restaurants, a soccer field and pub. This is known as the "Docks" and is arranged like an urban neighborhood, centered around a 2-acre (0.81 ha) open space with sports fields (including a football pitch), and hiking trails.
Criticism and controversies
Throughout its existence, Quicksilver Industries has received significant criticism regarding the legality of the practices of its contractors, its environmental and business practices, including anti-competitive behavior, privacy concerns, tax avoidance, antitrust, censorship, and corruption.
As the largest defense contractor in the world, QSI has come under intense scrutiny for violations of international law and war. On July 3rd, 1997, the Urcean Ministry of Commerce issued the Guidelines on Quicksilver International, concluding that "the difficulty separating private from public troops means that legal proceedings against these non-state violent actors can be complicated. The corporate nature of PMSCs (Private Military and Security Contractors) is a barrier to their accountability for violations of international law. No international court has jurisdiction over these corporations and there is no preexisting mechanism in place bound by international law to account and manage for PMSCs use of force. If the world's use of PMSCs increases without any international accountability, this creates a situation that the world may not be able to return from."
Labor practices
Over the last three decades, numerous reports have been made alleging that sweatshop conditions exist or have existed in factories and facilities owned and operated by Quicksilver Industries.
For example, one article published in 1997 stated that one particular factory in Kandara employed over 20,000 workers who lived and worked in the factory, and regularly performed more than 80 hours of labor per week. The article also reported that workers made around $100 per month and were required to live on the premises and pay for rent and food from the company. Living expenses — a requirement of keeping the job — typically required that employees spend a little over half of their earnings. The article also said that workers were given buckets to wash their clothes in. Immediately after the allegation, QSI launched an investigation and worked with their manufacturers to ensure that conditions were acceptable by its standards and started yearly audits of the labor conditions of all its suppliers, slowly raising standards and severing relationships with suppliers that did not comply—yearly progress reports have also been published since 2005.
In 2007, workers in Algoquona planned to sue a Quicksilver-owned company over poisoning from a cleaner used to clean naval ships. The workers claimed that they were not informed of possible occupational illnesses.
In 2010, a spate of suicides linked to low pay at a newly opened Quicksilver-owned industrial park in Oyashima occurred alongside several additional suicides at various other locations and facilities. This incident drew intense media attention and became known as the Oyashima suicides. A follow up report was done the following year on the anniversary of the event, which still found excessive hours and other problems that persisted, despite QSI's promise to reform factory practices. The Oyashima facility was once again the subject of review, as journalists gained access to the working conditions inside through recruitment as employees. While the journalists maintained that the experiences of its reporters showed that labor violations were continuing since 2010, Quicksilver publicly disagreed with the report and stated: "We are aware of no other company doing as much as Quicksilver Industries to ensure fair and safe working conditions".
In the period following these exposures, QSI has continued to receive criticism for its labor rights record.
Tax practices
Quicksilver Industries is known for employing a variety of accounting technique and methods to reduce its taxes by routing profits through subsidiaries over the world. Such strategies help QSI keep its international taxes to single digits over the last decade, according to the company's corporate filings. QSI holds hundreds of billions of dollars in profits in international subsidiaries to pay little or no taxes to any government by using an unusual global tax structure. As the relationship between Quicksilver Industries and the government of Caphiria has grown over the years, QSI has been able to take advantage of using its influence to affect tax and economic laws and policy to benefit the most.
In 1981, Imperator Bogdanko's issued economic reform which got rid of the flat corporate tax of 20% in favor of a proportional system. However, Bogdanko also quietly issued a special edict that perpetually exempted Quicksilver Industries (and any of its subsidiaries) from the proportional system. Instead, the edict stated that Quicksilver Industries would pay a flat corporate income tax of 10% as long as the Venio Estate remained in control of the company.
Almost all of QSI's foreign operations are routed through five offshore companies with no employees, as income attributable to a foreign business enterprise and capital gains/dividends derived from qualifying subsidiaries are not taxed.