Company: Harken, On Deck BV
Business Type: Manufacturer
UK & International Business Sales and M&A News
The acquisition of Harken, a leading deck hardware specialist and manufacturer of winches and hydraulics, by its employees, is part of the company's efforts to grow its service levels while continuing its strong growth trajectory.
The news comes not long after the company announced that it had acquired its longtime Dutch distributor, On Deck BV, for an undisclosed sum. On Deck now operates as Harken’s eighth foreign subsidiary focused on distribution.
Peter Harken, chairman of the Harken board, commented:
“It’s time for those who have worked with us to own Harken.
“Robbert and Luuke Verboon have been great leaders of a special company that we’ve worked with since we started building hardware in the late 60s. Under their watch, we’ve seen Harken grow into a dominant position in the Dutch marine market–both in service and in hard-earned respect of our shared customers.”
Peter Harken – chairman of the Harken board
Peter Harken, who founded the deck hardware specialist company alongside his late brother Olaf in 1968, says he will remain with the company, serving as a communication and sales ambassador in the field.
Robbert Verboon from On Deck commented:
“I look back at the wonderful and exciting years working with the Harken team. We not only conquered the market together but made many new friends along the way.
“On Deck and Harken really belong together, so I am extremely proud that they are now bonded forever.
“I’ve got all the faith in the world in Bill Goggins, who is now CEO; Matt Malec, COO; and John Jensen, our CFO – along with the members of our Executive Committee made up of Andrea Merello, managing director at Harken Italy; Adriano Rubinaccio, director of operations at Harken Italy; and Stefano Castagna, director of global HR.
”These people we hired and developed have had their hands on the wheel for a while now, and I look forward to seeing them make their marks. I’ve always said the company is its people, and it’s all 400 worldwide that make this place great.”
Robbert Verboon - On Deck
Harken supplies high-performance products to America’s Cup syndicates, teams in The Ocean Race, Grand Prix champions, One Designs, and Olympic classes, through to designers and builders serving performance and bluewater cruising markets. The company’s network includes distribution in 48 countries, with group offices located in Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the UK, Holland, and the US.
Bill Goggins, Harken’s new CEO, said:
”We have been preparing for a day like this for our whole careers.
”We have so much gratitude for Peter, Olaf, and Art for the trust they have shown in all of us. Today we raise our glasses to Peter Harken, Olaf Harken’s family, Rose Sorensen, and Art Mitchel.
“This company will always owe so much to them as our founders. It will always be Peter and Olaf Harken’s company but, starting today, it is in our care and custody.”
Bill Goggins – Harken’s new CEO
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