As we transition from a 'hunter-gatherer' economy to a manufacturing economy, it is important that everyone understand the numbers and scale of effort required to sustain profitable production.  Here are some details regarding the manufacture of battleships for sale to Alliance members, and to the market in Dodixie.

Making and selling EVE ships from the materials refined from raw ore will always be more profitable than selling the ore itself.  Conversely, the ore and materials we use to manufacture are not "free"; by using them, we give up the revenue we would otherwise have gained by selling them and keeping the isk.  It is the difference between the sale price of the raw materials and the sale price of the finished product (minus manufacturing costs) that constitutes our profit.