Harken, Inc.

Infobox_Company
company_name = Harken, Inc.
company_
company_type = Private company
foundation = Waukesha, WI, USA (1967)
location = Pewaukee, WI, USA
industry = Sailing
homepage = [http://www.harken.com/ www.harken.com]

Harken Yacht Equipment is an international performance sailing hardware manufacturer headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The company was founded in a 60-foot trailer in 1967 by brothers Peter and Olaf Harken. Originally, the brothers manufactured sailboats under the name Vanguard and kept the hardware business separate so that they could sell to competing boatbuilders. Gary Comer, founder of Land's End clothing company, advised and helped them distribute their first blocks by placing them in the Land's End catalogue.

In 1986, Vanguard Sailboats was spun off to Stephen Clark in Rhode Island so that the brothers could focus on hardware. Harken hardware has been a dominant force in the racing segment for many years, making its Olympic and America's Cup debuts in 1976 and 1977, respectively.

Harken's primary manufacturing plants are in the Pewaukee headquarters and in Italy in Lurago Marinone, Como. Harken has offices in Rhode Island, California, Florida, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Today Harken racing equipment is known as a high-quality brand among sailors worldwide. Harken equipment may be found on racing boats as small as the 7-foot Optimist (dinghy) to Mega yachts and ocean racers.

References

* [http://www.boats.com/boat-articles/General+News-121/Harken+named+Company+of+the+Decade/12112.html "Harken Named Company of the Decade."] boats.com; December 10, 2000.
*Decker, Eric. "Harken's Innovation Created International Market for Sailing Gear." Small Business Times; June 23, 2006.
* [http://www.harken.com Harken Yacht Equipment homepage]
*Sailing World Hall of Fame, Sailing World Magazine. April 24, 2002. [http://www.sailingworld.com Sailing World Magazine] .
*Rovito, Rich. [http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2006/07/03/focus3.html "Harken Yacht sails high seas of growth."] The Business Journal of Milwaukee; June 30, 2006.
*"Honor roll of U.S. exporters." Business America; March 12, 1990.
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1052/is_n7_v114/ai_13904764 "Honor roll of U.S. exporters - President's "E" Award."] Business America; April 5, 1993.