Originally founded by by Aldrecht Visser in 1889, the KITE corporation's initial focus was to harness wool and silk, to distribute kites and sell as toys. This business was relatively profitable, With Visser already owned various farms around the Voorlem region.
However, multiple sources state the following; During another day of observing and testing products, Aldrecht Visser's boat hit a sandbar while near the Rossum Coast. When the boat struck it, records say black liquid spurted from the ground and out unto the sea. Trying to cover it up, he realized that his hands were covered in oil. When the spurt stopped, he realized that the sand was black, and extended far off into the horizon.
Successful Beginnings (1910s - 1930s)
Starting off small, Visser bought various drilling equipment and set up a oil well and rig out by the coast. Selling off all of his farms in order to afford this new business endeavour, with the hope that this would make him a successful man.
And It did.
With Visser virtually going from a relatively poor man, to a millionaire overnight. Seeking to improve his standing, he extended his hand to help his local community. By developing much of the "Streamlined" region's modern infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and water. Opening various gas-works too, he provided electricity to the city of Dokmuiden and Voorlem, and upgraded infrastructure like the sewage system, and the fire department. Practically oozing money, he helped restore the St. Catherine's church in the center of Voorlem, and planted the Dokmuiden Botanical Garden.
Throughout the 1920s Aldrecht Visser had amassed a large fortune, and constantly donated much of it away. He built the famous gas-works in Helmelo, and the storing plants in Dokmuiden. His company grew ever bigger, but time would not slow down, for he was growing old. Aldrecht Visser had a son, Brandon Visser. Unlike Aldrecht, Brandon showed no interest in the business, and ignored everything that Aldrecht had taught him. This would eventually lead to catastrophy.
Troubles: 1930s - 1940s
Young Brandon Visser did not share the same interest or enthusiasm as Aldrecht. Brandon, spoiled by his mother to a life of wealth and luxury, wishing to live off the back of his parents. When Aldrecht passed away in 1934, his last words were, "I may have lived a good life, and I hope that my legacy will live on. I will pray from above, that Brandon will continue it.".
Brandon, suddenly became the owner of the KITE corporation immediately, as stated in the will. When he entered the company, it is said that the corporation was going through some tough times, and that the economic crisis had worsened their grip on the oil industry. Along with this, a constant burden to them was the tram system they had to keep running in Voorlem. The first order of business that young Brandon did, was to cut off all non-essential spending. He began a widespread corporation change, that involved selling off the infrastructure assets to be municipally owned, ceasing donation to charities, and selling off the Voorlem Railway, Light & Power Company, which handled all electrical assets in the city of Voorlem.
This came as a shock to many, as the corporation had been operating a financial deficit for years, with Aldrecht's constant spending and donating to charity. Brandon Visser would centralise assets, constructing new plants in other countries and raise the prices of energy bills to keep the company afloat. While the economic crisis was gradually decreasing and the economy recovering, the KITE corporation was still losing money. However, the most controversial discovery would be that of a plant in Dokmuiden being condemned, due to a multitude of safety violations against regulation.
Brandon Visser however, paid this no mind, and instead used unorthodox methods in order to bribe the board. This would come back to ruin his reputation, as these bribes would be leaked and released to the public. Worse was still yet to come though.
Disaster (1940s)
When the Third Reich invaded the Netherlands in the 10th of May, 1940, all Brandon Visser said was, "huh, looks like we're under new management.". It only took five days for the German Army to take the country, but in those five days, some of the KITE Corporation's industries were blown to smitherines. Adding salt to the wound, the recent blockade meant that the KITE Corporation couldn't trade with the rest of the world, and import as well as export their materials.
Under the Reich's rule, the corporation was practically taken over by the government. Brandon Visser evaded the mandatory conscription by purposely bribing officials, who took the money but still came after him. The Corporation was now split into two entities, a body inside of the putrid Empire, and a unsteady body outside. During war-time, the one that Visser controlled was rapidly losing money, combined with the constant bombing of plants. With the explosion of many of the plants (see the Great Dokmuiden Explosion of 1943). This would be the nail in the coffin, as the Corporation was shut down, and the only notable thing that Brandon Visser had ever done in his career.
Angered at the Management, Visser evacuated his office, and set fire to it. Burning hundreds of records, he fled the Netherlands for Britain. Abandoning his post and leaving the other staff of the Corporation to manage without him, he made it to Liverpool where he set up a new headquarters. The headquarters was bombed by the Germany planes. Along with this, the British government took control of what was left of the KITE Corporation, to help aid in the war effort.
For three years not much is known, besides the fact that Brandon Visser attempted to restart his corporation, and apply for himself to gain the control again. Over 78% of the KITE Corporation's factories, were either blown up by Military, or by Resistance. Visser, however still remained a millionaire, living off the backs of his employees.
Insecurity (Late 1940s)
When World War 2 ended, and the gas rationing ended, the KITE Corporation was left in a kerfuffle. Brandon Visser, returning to the Netherlands found the European side of his Corporation in a mess. Wages were not being paid, and there were mass strikes and lay-out. Visser, still showing no interest had to reluctantly attempt to re-unite the corporation. Despite this, he is credited with being the mastermind behind the Reunification of the Corporation. The first, was the establishment of a new central headquarters, being at Dokmuiden.
Along with this, he poured some money from his own personal funds into the reconstruction of the port facilities that contained his chemical facilities. With money to rebuild gas-works and the chemical plants, as well as the reconstruction of the ruined off-shore chemical plants. The new plants were significantly improved, and Visser made sure to keep within the safety standards. He also replaced much of his staff, with new members in order to replace the already aging Advisory Cabinet. He also struck up a new deal with the national railway, to transport much of the chemicals and construction materials by rail.
The rail network was one of the first repaired, and much of the roads were still in horrible shape. The railway also employed a lot of new workers for the KITE Corporation, a new source of income was found. It is at this time, that Brandon Visser began to leave the KITE Corporation to begin a time where he had a hands-off approach. During the after-war financial insecurity of the european economy, the KITE Corporation was again going through reorganization. The only thing that didn't change, was Brandon Visser as Owner.
The KITE Corporation survived through this, without laying-off many of employees. However, many employees and staff were getting disgruntled with how Brandon Visser was barely running the corporation. This would inevitably lead to the collapse of the Visser fossil fuel empire.
Collapse (Late 1940s - Early 1950s)
Soon, even the Advisory Cabinet grew tired of Brandon's lack of interest and commitment to the KITE Corporation. In 1949, it was discovered in a bombshell leak that Brandon Visser had failed to pay various taxes and fines. It was also discovered that he was previously bribed members. This would be added to the bigger protest against corruption. On March 12th, 1949, a huge general strike brought the Northern European economy to a halt. Almost all of the workers of the KITE Corporation, went on strike and refused to work.
The Advisory Cabinet to Brandon Visser mostly took a leave. Brandon's source of income was suddenly interrupted, and he ordered the workers back to work. Knowing that he could not fire them, he called in the local authorities. Known as "Bloody Thursday", on the 13th of March, police were sent in. What resulted was a large and violent brawl. Expecting his employees to get back to work, Brandon's plan backfired as it brought more public outcry. By March 14th, Brandon was frantically trying to appease his employees, by stating the inclusion of pay-raises.
However, his employees instead wanted Brandon Visser to be replaced with Emil E. Emilsson (a genuine name), a known political activist of the KITE Corporation. Brandon Visser, attempted to stop this by attempting to bribe authorities for Emil to be arrested. However, those who took the bribe released the information to the public. Knowing that his time was done, Brandon took a large amount of money from his Voorlerburg Estate, and attempted to flee by car. He was caught attempting to board at Rossum, and was subsequently jailed.
Tried for various counts of bribery, fraud, and other horrible things, Brandon Visser was sentenced to three years of jail-time, with probation. This probation was a hope that Brandon would attempt to start a new life. In return, Emil Emilsson would become the owner of the Corporation. All of Brandon's Money would go to a pay-raise to all the workers.
Redemption (1950s)
He was sent to prison near Helmelo. On probation, he attempted to make a life as a hired hand. Working as a contractor, he tried to find work and learn new trades. He had a fairly okay business, and the few amounts of money that he gained went to his future bank account. However, he often lost his temper at things and walked off the job.
However, his life was troubled. Eventually, rumour got around about how touchy he was, and he eventually lacked work. As an investigation continued, Visser had to endure this. Suffering from severe depression, he could not find the motivation to work. After months, Visser was found guilty. It was ruled that he could never return to work at the KITE Corporation. This was widely distributed, and soon the name of Brandon Visser became a laughing-stock. Constantly ridiculed and mocked, on the last day of his jail, he pleaded with the Warden to keep him. They would not. When released, he tried to find bedding and food, however barely any inn would keep him.
Roaming around, he tried to find work. Finding odd jobs by delivering newspapers, being a salesman at one point, and even a baker, these jobs would soon give him up later. He was caught train-hopping multiple times, and convicted. He served many days in prison, but was always let out. It is unknown when he found his home in the abandoned Wolterskanaal Station building, but he served out his days in the attic of the building. Relying on a small farm he made, and some work that would pop up, Brandon Visser was now dirt poor.
Brandon Visser relies solely on the pity donations that he accquires outside of the station. In an interview in 1952 he said, "I like this home. It's very nice. It's a shame I made poor decisions.". Surrounding himself with pumpkins as friends, let this be known: Let us never repeat the mistakes of the past.
The Future
The KITE Corporation operates now under new management, and is considered one of the richest corporations in the entirety of the Netherlands. With much money donated to Charity, Emil Emilsson is taking after Aldrecht Visser's previous approach.
Currently, it employs the most amount of people in the Streamlined Region, and is intending to expand beyond. It has plants in Dokmuiden and Helmelo, and has it's own shipping line. Meanwhile, Brandon Visser, once a successful businessman who lost everything due to poor decisions and several convictions, now lives in the attic of the Wolterskanaal Station building. He sits patiently, filled with contempt for life and everything around him.