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.

This article is about the sailing hardware company. For the company formerly named Harken Energy Corporation, see HKN, Inc.
Harken, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustrySailing
Commercial marine
Work at height
Utilities
Access and rescue
Wind power
Architectural
Stage and theater
Contract Manufacturing
Canvas
Founded1967
FoundersPeter Harken, Olaf Harken
HeadquartersPewaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Peter Harken, (Chairman)
Olaf Harken, (Chairman)
Websitewww.harken.com

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
  1. Albert, Daniel (November 1991). Popular Science. Bonnier Corporation. p. 83 ff. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  2. Badham, M.; Robinson, R. (1999). Sailors' Secrets. McGraw-Hill Education. p. 276. ISBN 978-0-07-134869-0. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  3. Yacht Racing & Cruising (in Dutch). North American Publishing Company. 1985. p. 30 ff. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  4. Nautical Quarterly. Nautical Quarterly. 1986. p. 73. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  5. 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. p. 314. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  6. Yachting (in Dutch). October 1992. p. 16. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  7. Commerce, United States. Department of (1990). Business America. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 21. Retrieved February 12, 2018.

43.0506478°N 88.2439048°W / 43.0506478; -88.2439048

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