Harken Explained

Harken, Inc.
Type:	Private
Foundation:	1967
Location:	Pewaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Area Served:	Worldwide
Key People:	Peter Harken, (Chairman) Olaf Harken, (Chairman)
Industry:	Sailing Commercial marine Work at height Utilities Access and rescue Wind power Architectural Stage and theater Contract Manufacturing Canvas
Founders:	Peter Harken, Olaf Harken

Harken, Inc. is an international manufacturer specializing in performance sailing hardware, headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, United States.^[1] The company was founded in a 60-foot trailer in 1967 by brothers Peter Harken and Olaf Harken.^[2] Originally, the brothers manufactured sailboats under the name Vanguard and kept the hardware business separate so they could sell to competing boatbuilders.^[3] Gary Comer, founder of Lands' End clothing company, advised and helped them distribute their first blocks by placing them in the Lands' End catalogue.

In 1986, Vanguard Sailboats was spun off to Stephen Clark in Rhode Island so that the brothers could focus on hardware.^[4] 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.^[5]

Harken's primary manufacturing plants are the Pewaukee headquarters and the Italian office in Limido Comasco, Como. Harken has sales and service offices in USA (Rhode Island, California, Florida), France, Japan, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.^[6]

Harken equipment may be found on racing boats as small as the 7-foot Optimist (dinghy) to mega yachts and ocean racers.^[7]

References

• "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.
• Sailing World Hall of Fame, Sailing World Magazine. April 24, 2002. Sailing World Magazine.
• "Ernst & Young 2008 Entrepreneurs of the Year." Twin Cities Business; August 2008.
• "Anchored Our Way: Pewaukee sail accessory maker hopes to expand at home." The Milwaukee Journal; August 12, 2007.
• Rovito, Rich. "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.
• "Honor roll of U.S. exporters – President's "E" Award." Business America; April 5, 1993.
• "Saving Sailing." Sailing Anarchy; September 16, 2009.
• Bednarek, David. "Sailing Around the World: Harken wins National Award for its Success with Exports." The Milwaukee Journal; August 16, 1993.
• Maloney, Lawrence. "Sailing into the Future." Design News; June 17, 1991.
• Cole, Tim. "No Sitting Duck." Popular Mechanics; August 1990.
• "Concept Yacht." Popular Mechanics; August 1986.
• Quandt, Matt. Local Library Gets an Observatory. Astronomy.com Blog; May 22, 2009.

Notes and References

1. Book: Albert , Daniel . Popular Science . Bonnier Corporation . November 1991 . February 12, 2018 . 83 ff.
2. Book: Badham . M. . Robinson . R. . Sailors' Secrets . McGraw-Hill Education . 1999 . 978-0-07-134869-0 . February 12, 2018 . 276.
3. Book: Yacht Racing & Cruising . North American Publishing Company . v. 24 . 1985 . nl . February 12, 2018 . 30 ff.
4. Book: Nautical Quarterly . Nautical Quarterly. . v. 35 . 1986 . February 12, 2018 . 73.
5. Book: Economic Problems of Small Business in the Midwest: Hearings Before the Select Committee on Small Business, United States Senate, Ninety-fourth Congress, First Session ... Milwaukee, Wis., October 14, 1975, La Crosse, Wis., October 15, 1975 . U.S. Government Printing Office . 1975 . February 12, 2018 . 314.
6. Book: Yachting . October 1992 . nl . February 12, 2018 . 16.
7. Book: Commerce , United States. Department of . Business America . U.S. Government Printing Office . 1990 . February 12, 2018 . 21.