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People Come First
Peter and Olaf Harken have always said, "Keep the well being of your people first." And for 40 years, the brothers have done just that.
But Peter and Olaf have always expected certain things from their employees. They must be self starters, take pride in their work, figure things out on their own, and not be afraid to try new things. Of course, having fun is mandatory.
Back In the boat building days, we made the best dinghies in the world. However, comparing Harken/Vanguard to
a college campus on Saturday night isn't far off the mark. The beer machine opened at five and there were always reasons to party—boats shipping (sometimes at midnight), sailors arriving, holidays, birthdays, football, baseball, cold weather, hot weather. Building acoustics proved perfect for rehearsals of a local band. Most band members were also Vanguard employees until Olaf put his foot down and refused to hire any more drummers.
Many old-time employees have stayed to witness the company's phenomenal growth, have married, and raised families. Today, Harken is still a great place to work—and play, with innovation and the development of breakthrough products to keep life interesting. Fun still plays a big part in company life: dress-up Halloweens, the family picnic (starring P & O and the dunk tank), and Sail Day featuring epic water fights using inventive delivery systems.
Until recently, some could say the principles that have guided Harken were 'seat of the pants' rules that were never written down in a formal way. Others know it was simply the fabric of our people. For our 40th year, we've documented these principles so our future goals are clear.
• Keep the well being of your people first!
• Make the best products at a fair price.
• Service your customers beyond their expectations.
• Never lose your sense of right or wrong, the basic judgment taught by your parents.
Friends Along the Way
Blocks Get Kick Start
Peter and Olaf put home-built plastic ball bearing blocks, cam cleats into an old cigar box and show them to Gary Comer, founder of Land's End. "If I put them in my catalog, you'll have to make them and I need them fast."
Harken landlords, the Stippich Brothers provide free tooling. Blocks used by 1968 Olympic gold medalists Lowell North (Star) and Buddy Friedrichs (Dragon).
The Power of the Press
Bruce Kirby, Editor of One-Design and Offshore Yachtsman, writes tongue-in-cheek editorial arguing Harken ball bearing blocks are dangerous because they let the boom out so fast. Controversy brings great publicity.
Plastic Fantastics
Hire 'plastic fantastics' Bob Gramins and Don Michaelson. P & O say they can only afford one $3/hour man. Bob and Don each want $5.00 an hour and prove they're worth it by building a Flying Junior from scratch. Earn reputation from colleges for quality. Later build superb Olympic Class and International dinghies: Finns, 470s, 420s, Flying Juniors etc.
First Employee Going Strong
Rose Sorensen was Harken/Vanguard's first employee. Olaf's interview is short. Rose is cute, has never missed one day of school and knows how to spell. Today Rose is Harken's human resource manager and corporate secretary.
Bank Gets Involved
Olaf's financial report to get a loan from a local bank is a mixture of fantasy and bad arithmetic. Loan officer sighs, laughs and says," Let's just wing it."
Oil Prices Out of Control
Employees take turns being laid off when rising oil prices put a damper on the boat business. Olaf plans on building and selling plastic baby bathtubs.
Big Stink and The Smell
Employees organize a company band called Big Stink and the Smell. Put on a show of rock/polka music as tasteless as their costumes and signature fog spewing from a talking toilet. Sightings reported in '76, '78, '79, '85 and '86.
The Russians are Coming
Russians arrive on Halloween eve to learn how to build Finns/470s for Olympic Games. Employees greet them in costume. Russians play football during breaks, become Harken rock band groupies, and learn all about Jack Daniels.
Dogs Get Order
Company dogs Mac (president) and Sharkey (vice president) in charge of day and night security, lawn fertilizing and major decisions. Mac and Sharkey get $2,000 hardware order from U.K. customer who says, "I couldn't decide between Harken and L..... The fact you guys have a company with dogs made up my mind."
NASA Tests Track and Traveler Cars for Space Station
NASA evaluates Harken track and traveler cars in swimming pool to help astronauts construct space lab. Lab skeleton to be built in shuttle's cargo bay. Harken track bolts to fiberglass frame. Astronauts skate around track using traveler cars with miniature rudder bearings on top clamped to boots. Not sure if used. NASA says they'd have to kill us if they told us.
Winches on Team New Zealand
Peter Harken approaches Sir Peter Blake about equipping New Zealand's Black Magic with Harken winches for the 1995 America's Cup—a first. "Can you guarantee your product's success?" said Sir Peter." I can't give any guarantees other than the promise that Harken will work hard," said Peter. New Zealand liked his answer, installed the winches (and hardware, of course) and went on to win the Cup.
Waterbug Perfect for Birdwatchers
Build Garry Hoyt-designed Waterbug. Pedal boat has complex shape with compound curves—a production nightmare. Fantasy advertising: silent vehicle for hunters, fisherman and birdwatchers, clandestine navy assault boat.
Bug appears on cover of Hammacher Schlemmer catalog. Shown on Merv Griffin Show.
The Flagpole Caper
Harken builds and donates a 40 ft. flagpole to the city of Pewaukee. Takes 9 engineers to load, tie down the flagpole and trailer it to Pewaukee Lake. Takes only three city employees to untie it and put it up.
Harken, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative sailboat hardware and accessories. Headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Harken manufactures in the USA and Italy. Their network includes offices in Rhode Island, California, Florida, France, Italy, Japan, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Copyright© 2008 Harken, Inc. All rights reserved
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