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'''Quicksilver Industries, Inc.,''' commonly known as '''QSI''', is a [[Caphirian]] global {{wpl|aerospace}}, {{wpl|defense}}, security and advanced technologies conglomerate with worldwide interests. It provides other logistics and operations support, as well as operates in numerous non-military fields such as real estate, financial services, software development, vehicle manufacturing and more. 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 Second Great War, Quicksilver had become one of the largest defense contractors in the world. Due to shifting markets, defense consolidation, and globalism, Quicksilver Industries began to operate in more diverse sectors and industries. | '''Quicksilver Industries, Inc.,''' commonly known as '''QSI''', is a [[Caphirian]] global {{wpl|aerospace}}, {{wpl|defense}}, security and advanced technologies conglomerate with worldwide interests. It provides other logistics and operations support, as well as operates in numerous non-military fields such as real estate, financial services, software development, vehicle manufacturing and more. 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 Second Great War, Quicksilver had become one of the largest defense contractors in the world. Due to shifting markets, defense consolidation, and globalism, Quicksilver Industries began to operate in more diverse sectors and industries. | ||
Quicksilver Industries operates | Quicksilver Industries operates across three main business sectors: Manufacturing, Defense Solutions, and Operations Security. QSI also operates a research and technological development division known as the Sandbox, and QS Innovations - which represents the company's diverse holdings and interests in a wide range of companies that are outside of the core business. Each business sector may contain multiple subsidiaries and companies, each with its own unique subculture and organization that functions in semi-autonomy. | ||
In addition to its own domestic defense operations, QSI is able to execute international operations on a large scale, varying from simple manufacturing plants to extensive extra-governmental contracts. While not officially acknowledged or publicly promoted, the organization has the capability to function as a private military company that provides 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. | In addition to its own domestic defense operations, QSI is able to execute international operations on a large scale, varying from simple manufacturing plants to extensive extra-governmental contracts. While not officially acknowledged or publicly promoted, the organization has the capability to function as a private military company that provides 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. | ||
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*[[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. | *[[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=== | ===Operating subsidiaries=== | ||
Quicksilver Industries conducts | Quicksilver Industries conducts 75% of its business activities and dealings through five 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==== | ||
[[File:ShockwaveLogo.svg|left|thumb|The logo for [[Shockwave Industrial]]|200x200px]] | [[File:ShockwaveLogo.svg|left|thumb|The logo for [[Shockwave Industrial]]|200x200px]] | ||
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The O'Shea Corporation employs close to 100,000 people across all of its companies and operates over 1,500 ships and has a capacity of 6.1 million TEU. | The O'Shea Corporation employs close to 100,000 people across all of its companies and operates over 1,500 ships and has a capacity of 6.1 million TEU. | ||
====Silver Lineworks==== | ====Silver Lineworks==== | ||
[[File:Silver-lineworks-logo-new.svg|300x300px|thumb|left|The logo for [[Silver Lineworks]]]] | [[File:Silver-lineworks-logo-new.svg|300x300px|thumb|left|The logo for [[Silver Lineworks]]]] | ||
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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=== | ===Governance=== | ||
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====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, ( | *Alexandus Venio II, (Chairman and Chief Executive) | ||
*Vinntan Valuassius, ( | *Vinntan Valuassius, (Executive Director) | ||
*Felicitas Galarius (non-executive director) | *Felicitas Galarius (non-executive director) | ||
*Cario Iustus (non-executive director) | *Cario Iustus (non-executive director) | ||
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*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) | ||
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*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) | ||
===Financial=== | ===Financial=== | ||
Quicksilver Industries is the world's largest company by market capitalization, annual revenue, total assets, and workforce. For the fiscal year of 2030, Quicksilver had revenues of $3.1 trillion, $14 trillion in assets, 5 million global employees, and $475 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 2030, Quicksilver had revenues of $3.1 trillion, $14 trillion in assets, 5 million global employees, and $475 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 $60 billion in revenue and 80% coming from military contracts | 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 $60 billion in revenue and 80% coming from military contracts; the O'Shea Corporation is the largest shipbuilding and logistics company in the world, with $83 billion in revenue and operating over 1,500 ships. | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
!Year | !Year | ||
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| $14 trillion | | $14 trillion | ||
|} | |} | ||
===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". | ||
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 | 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=== | ===Headquarters=== | ||
The main corporate headquarters, informally known as | 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/ | ||
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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 [[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 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". | ||
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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==== | ==== 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. | 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. | |||
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 == | ==See also == | ||
[[Category:Caphiria]] | [[Category:Caphiria]] | ||