HARKEN ACQUIRED BY ITS EMPLOYEES
HOMENEWSINDUSTRY NEWSHARKEN ACQUIRED BY ITS EMPLOYEES
21 Sep 2020
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Peter Harken Photo: Harken
INDUSTRY DATABASE
HARKEN UK LTD
Sailing equipment manufacturer Harken has been sold to its employees.
Peter Harken, who founded Harken in 1967 with his late brother, Olaf, said that over the years they had been approached by lots of good people keen to acquire the business.
”We turned down every offer that didn’t present a brighter future for our people than we could create on our own,” he said.
A place where people take chances
“My brother Olaf, Art Mitchel and I tried to build a place where people could take chances and not be afraid to fail. More and more it’s our people who have made this place the leader it is. It’s time for those who have worked with us to own Harken.”
And he expressed his confidence in the new leadership team – Bill Goggins as chief executive, Matt Malec as chief operating officer and chief finance officer, John Jensen. He also praised the executive committee, saying he looked forward to seeing them make their mark.
Bill Goggins said that the employees had been preparing for a day like this their whole careers. “We have so much gratitude for Peter, Olaf, and Art for the trust they have shown in all of us,” he said. “It will always be Peter and Olaf Harken’s company, but starting today, it is in our care and custody.”