Gerard Engineering and Mechanics (GEM) is a multi-trillion dollar technological and service conglomerate based in Melaias, the capital of the Candrian Empire. GEM started as a contract manufacturer for American-based heavy industry corporations, including GE, General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Caterpillar Inc, Bobcat Company, CCC, and Detroit Diesel, among others. GEM was formed by Alejandro Gerard in 1969 with government backing, as one of several companies to establish relations with foreign firms. Today, the firm employs 2.5 million people in 9 major branches.