In times of war, it’s not unnatural for militaries and corporations to become desperate and begin to fear their survival, however one Libertonian cooperation seems to be thriving in these dark times.
Universal Shipping Inc. has funded the construction of another “Shukensha” class Liner, it has been estimated that this vessel alone cost around 400 Million SC.
Danielle Matthews, Chief Logistics Officer, and Chief Security Officer will be the designated captain of the “Royal Oak”, as well as the captain of the USI Transport “Richfield”.
When asked about the Royal Oak Miss Matthews simply replied; “It’s another jewel to add to USI’s fleet, I’m proud to be able to take command of her, and further increase USI’s profits with the Royal Oak”
USI is already in the lead over other Liberty cooperations, says founder, Michael Trenton.
With USI seeminglessly making enough credits to build a Shukensha Liner, how well are USI rivals doing? I managed to get hold of Michael Trenton, the founder of USI, to answer some of my questions.
When asked about USI’s rivals, and their financial state, this is what Mr. Trenton had to say;
“I'm glad you asked that question. Many people have asked me in the past, "how can you see Ageira and DSE as rivals when there is a war going on?" And my question to them was "how could I not?" On several occasions, I have proposed a strategic alliance between us three, but every time they have turned it down. It is clear now that they have no intention on combining resources to help our Liberty. Even more stunning, they have been working on a jump gate that, from what my reporters state, remarkably resembles the project Ageira had in Texas that led to the tragic incident. However, this time I know the government isn't backing them.
So, to answer your question, they're not doing that well. They are grabbing straws with this Gate project and putting innocent lives in danger. DSE is even distracting their plans by helping us get the refugees from Planet Leeds to Liberty. Unfortunately, it's just politics to them.
Financially, I would say that if this gate doesn't pay for Ageira, they may go to bankruptcy court. However, DSE plans to compete with our 3M for base construction--so, they'll still be around most likely. As far as Interspace Commerce goes, well they have been increasingly sticking to their bases. You won't see many of them trading out there--it's just too dangerous for them.”
Ofcourse with the invading force from Gallia, everyone is on edge, when asked about Mr.Trenton concerns, this is what he had to say:
“I can't ignore it, the Gallic forces are strong. Just look at what they have done to Bretonia in the little time that they've had. It truly is a tragedy to all of those involved. Our transports are constantly sending in supply drops to the Bretonia Armed Forces and the people of Planet Leeds. We also established a refugee camp on Planet Manhattan so that we can help in the civilian evacuation in Leeds.
It comes down to the coordination of the Liberty Navy and the Bretonia Armed Forces, which means that USI is needed for those two parties to be constantly prepared. Of course there are more areas that will be dangerous, but that is what we specialize in. If anything, we'll receive more contracts during this time.”
USI beginning to enter the tourism industry
With the total amount of Liners USI has built up to 4, I had to ask if USI has to potential to give Oribtal Spa & Cruise a run for their money, if they decided to dedicate themselves to the industry.
“I think we could definitely rival them, since our security is more efficient than theirs, but as far as taking them over, I'd say probably not. Ever since USI has helped them and the ZAS with Slavery, Orbital Spa & Cruise has grown ever since. We'll definitely step foot into the tourism industry, but we'll always be at most second to Orbital Spa & Cruise.”
It’s clear now that USI is a force to be reckoned with, to finish up this article I decided to hunt down USI President Charles Bell.
I asked him how his cooperation manages to continue to grow, and avoid financial difficultly.
“Universal Shipping's marketing managers I dare say are one of my top teams when it comes to regional markets buying/selling prices. It then turns to logistics to turn over that market to improve our profit.”
This topic returns me to the interview I had with USI’s Chief Logistics Officer, Danielle Matthews, which she commented saying “The Department of Trade is a tedious task, your always been offered contract as well as supply demand sheet, normally you would select the more popular one, but it’s not that simple now’a’days, you have got to take politics into consideration.”
USI will always be the number one commercial logistics in and out of Liberty, states Charles Bell.
The increase of Freelancer showing their darker colours, have proven a daunting task for most if not all civilian vessels. However, it seems that USI security measures priorities militaries over pirates;
"Firstly I'd like to point out to you that it is not an invisable threat. Universal Shipping do have well known enemys such as; Liberty Rogues, Lane Hackers, Outcasts, Corsairs and finally, the drunken Mollys. This doesn't go even near house war when it comes to the rhienland assault or gallic invasions taking place around us as we speak.
However, Universal Shipping is forever changing security procedures and manifesto's to improve, secure and ensure our trade ships are able to deliver our highly profitable cargo.
We have a team of professional Security Officers that regularly do random checks for piracy and "shut it down" before it becomes an issue.”
Overall it seems USI’s executives have enough potential to continue to grow the company. Where it will take we can’t be sure just yet, however it has been rumored that they may be in talks with Omicron Supply Inc. about supplying OSI with goods, while OSI distributes it in small doses. But this cannot be confirmed.
With the new Division within USI “Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing” hiring miners to work under the USI banner, there are reports which have been leaked that within a month of operating, they have managed to gain a total of 91 Million CR in a single month.
If this is the amount of profit they are making in a new division, how much are USI making with their trading division? To answer this I went back to Danielle Matthews.
“Ofcourse I cannot give you an exact figure, the markets are always changing, and that information is confidential to the executives of USI, however I will say that our current base salary for this month for the employees are around 160 Million, that’s just for employees alone. You can expect our banks to a lot more than that.
If you are interested, you can find the full Interview of Michael Trenton, and Charles Bell below.
Quote:1. With the current war between Bretonia and Gallia how has this affected your business back in Liberty?
Business in Liberty is fast flowing, our resources to the front line to keep the ever changing Gallic forces away from us. In fact, we haven't. Within the last 6 months been hit by Gallic forces to intervine with our business as a whole.
: 2. With the ever changing markets, how has USI been able to keep on track?Universal Shipping's marketing managers I dare say are one of my top teams when it comes to regional markets buying/selling prices. It then turns to logistics to turn over that market to improve our profit.
3. With the number amount of Universal Ships, your coorperation have proven that you have the man power, will you be looking to seek profits further out of Liberty or look to gain more profits in house?
With power comes responsibility Maa'm and at that, profits in and out of house shall proceed to flow with ease.
4. With the recent production of The Royal Oak, do you feel you can finally challenge sirian-wide Interspace Commerce to take on the role of Libertys main supplier?
I do not believe for a moment Interspace Commerce where at the top. In fact Interspace has been an in-house commercial enterprise for sometime now.
Universal has and always will supply High-Risk cargo, this may not include the cargo Interspace carries due to the lack of protection it needs to get to A to B.
But we have been, and always will be number one for Commercial Logistics in and out of Liberty.
5. Recently there has been a number of Unlawful Freelancer reported, this is an invisible threat which only can be seen when a situation arises. How has USI reacted to this?Firstly I'd like to point out to you that it is not an invisible threat. Universal Shipping do have well known enemys such as; Liberty Rogues, Lane Hackers, Outcasts, Corsairs and finally, the drunken Mollys. This doesn't go even near house war when it comes to the rhienland assault or gallic invasions taking place around us as we speak.
However, Universal Shipping is forever changing security procedures and manifesto's to improve, secure and ensure our trade ships are able to deliver our highly profitable cargo.
We have a team of professional Security Officers that regularly do random checks for piracy and "shut it down" before it becomes an issue.
As the founder of USI you have been able to see it grow into what it is now. How much bigger can USI go?
There's an old expression that the founder of Universal Shipping use to say, "the galaxy is the limit," and I agree. Our brand awareness has reached the depths of Sirius, and we have become the preferred trading company for all things valuable within Liberty and some parts of Bretonia, but we won't stop there.
With our recent acquisition of Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing, we are diversifying our services to the galactic market. Not only will we continue to be the preferred transportation company, but we'll also corner the market in mining within Liberty and help build most of the new bases in between Liberty and Bretonia. Our Department of Security will continue their aid to Liberty's finest, and even develop security contracts to protect our stakeholders wherever they may be.
If you want all this as a percentage of revenue, I can say that we project our future revenue for 821 A.S. to grow by 50%.
With the invading Gallic force, how afraid are you that they could destroy the markets, and begin to make shipping a lot more dangerous and difficult.
I can't ignore it, the Gallic forces are strong. Just look at what they have done to Bretonia in the little time that they've had. It truly is a tragedy to all of those involved. Our transports are constantly sending in supply drops to the Bretonia Armed Forces and the people of Planet Leeds. We also established a refugee camp on Planet Manhattan so that we can help in the civilian evacuation in Leeds.
It comes down to the coordination of the Liberty Navy and the Bretonia Armed Forces, which means that USI is needed for those two parties to be constantly prepared. Of course there are more areas that will be dangerous, but that is what we specialize in. If anything, we'll receive more contracts during this time.
What can you tell us about your rivals in Liberty, and how they are coping finacially? ( IC, Ageria, DSE ).
I'm glad you asked that question. Many people have asked me in the past, "how can you see Ageira and DSE as rivals when there is a war going on?" And my question to them was "how could I not?" On several occasions, I have proposed a strategic alliance between us three, but every time they have turned it down. It is clear now that they have no intention on combining resources to help our Liberty. Even more stunning, they have been working on a jump gate that, from what my reporters state, remarkably resembles the project Ageira had in Texas that led to the tragic incident. However, this time I know the government isn't backing them.
So, to answer your question, they're not doing that well. They are grabbing straws with this Gate project and putting innocent lives in danger. DSE is even distracting their plans by helping us get the refugees from Planet Leeds to Liberty. Unfortunately, it's just politics to them.
Financially, I would say that if this gate doesn't pay for Ageira, they may go to bankruptcy court. However, DSE plans to compete with our 3M for base construction--so, they'll still be around most likely. As far as Interspace Commerce goes, well they have been increasingly sticking to their bases. You won't see many of them trading out there--it's just too dangerous for them.
Surely if USI grows any bigger, you will have to start taking on the Sirian Market, as well as controling Libertys.
*Pauses and then nods* I'm sorry, was that a question? *laughs* Well, controlling an entire economy is impossible, and controlling a market is illegal; they are both guided by something I call "the invisible hand." However, that doesn't mean that we won't have a substantial influence on the markets throughout Sirius. After all, shipping is a large expense that goes into the final prices of commodities.
As I said before, one of USI's goals are to become the preferred trading company in all of Sirius. Yes, it's a huge market, but there's no one else who can do it as well as we can. There's no doubt in my mind that we'll achieve that goal.
The launch of the Royal Oak cranks your "Shukensha" Liner count up to three, what do you have to say on this ?
*Laughs* The Shukensha liner is a beautiful ship as well as flexible. There are unlimited uses to a ship such as that. *pauses* We really have three? Good to know. *laughs*
5.2. Uh-heh, okay. Would you say USI has the potential to rival Orbital Spa & cruise, in the tourism industry, if so would USI been interested in taking over Oribtal Spa & Cruise?
I think we could definitely rival them, since our security is more efficient than theirs, but as far as taking them over, I'd say probably not. Ever since USI has helped them and the ZAS with Slavery, Orbital Spa & Cruise has grown ever since. We'll definitely step foot into the tourism industry, but we'll always be at most second to Orbital Spa & Cruise.
