Harken ProCare Center and Equipyacht to open in Palma

Harken ProCare Center and Equipyacht to Open in Palma © Harken

Harken will launch a new concept in service when it opens its ProCare Center October 1 in Palma. It will be a collaborative venture with Harken's exclusive Spanish distributor, Equipyacht.

Mark Gardner of Harken UK will manage the ProCare enterprise.

"In Peter Harken's words, our goal is to support our customers beyond their expectations," Gardner said. "Harken ProCare - Palma is just one more step towards accomplishing this goal. Palma de Mallorca is a hub for Superyacht and Grand Prix sailing and is home to some of the best marine engineers and agents who help to support this network. Because of this, the demand is high for Harken technical support and factory knowledge."

"To help fill this demand, we are collaborating with Equipyacht Spain to have a physical presence within Palma de Mallorca," Gardner said. "We will be able to work more closely with our existing network of agents and suppliers to provide them with real-time face-to-face technical backup. This, in turn, allows them to respond to their clients' needs more quickly and efficiently."

Simon Botes, Harken ProCare Senior Technician on the ground in Palma, said, "Our new ProCare facility is located in a key area of the Mediterranean that provides an easily accessible hub of technical knowledge and experience to those who use and service Harken hardware."

Carlos Martino, Equipyacht's sales director, said the venture will streamline the logistics of moving parts from Harken's factories in the USA and Italy to customers.

"Sailing is our passion," he said. "We are a service-oriented company that specializes in meeting the needs of today's competitive boaters. Our mission is to help a boat work better."

This facility will allow Harken to work with and train future ProCare authorized service agents worldwide as well as yacht crews and engineers. It will give them a chance to work with factory engineers and gain hands-on experience, which in turn will help them to proactively maintain their equipment at the highest level.

"We are really excited about this facility and we welcome you to visit, meet the team and look over the latest Harken products," Gardner said. "Or just join us for a coffee and a chat, we hope to see you soon!"

Gardner has a degree in naval architecture. He staffed Harken's Volvo Ocean Race service program for the last four editions of the race, managing the service team for the last two. He has been a member of world championship teams in the J-Class and in the Melges 24.

Botes, a 13-year veteran of Harken's technical service team in South Africa, has traveled around the world twice as part of the Harken service team during the last two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race. In addition, he has competed aboard Volvo Ocean Race boats, TP52s, and superyachts.

? "It allowed me to meet people and experience different cultures from many different countries," Botes said. Being able to work on some of the most advanced sailboats in the world alongside some of world's leading sailors, designers, and technicians has enhanced his knowledge of the demands on Harken blocks, winches, and other gear.

Harken ProCare - Palma
Calle Tetuan No. 26
07011 - Palma de Mallorca
Illes Balears - Spain

+34 (971) 570 734