Industry legend Stuart Fahey calls it a day

By Peter Rendle


AFTER 38 years in the marine industry Stuart Fahey is hanging up his sea boots, well almost.

Fahey began his marine industry career in 1972 when he was employed by the late Peter Green as a sales representative. Since then, Fahey has worked for established marine companies such as Plastimo and Mark Baker before joining Harken in 1991. He worked at Harken until retiring at the end of 2009.

His role at Harken as retail sales manager entailed looking after all retail outlets and boatbuilders. During that time the Harken brand has gained a large share of the deck hardware market place and now all major marine retail outlets are Harken stockists.

Fahey has seen some major changes in the marine industry, not least of all, the expansion of chain marine chandleries and the demise of the Australian boat building industry with 90 per cent of yachts now being imported.

His fondest memories are working with two of the industry legends, Peter Green and Craig Whitworth, and the trip to the USA to the head office of Plastimo with 270 other staff members. He was also aboard the Farr 37 Silver Minx off Tasman Island when Mike Green scattered his father’s ashes.

Fahey says he will mostly miss the friendships built up in the industry over the past 40 years but is looking forward to going cruising with his partner around Tasmania aboard a Buizien 48 during 2010.

As a result of Stuart’s retirement Harken is looking for a suitable candidate to fill the role as a sales representative.

The position requires an energetic, self-motivated person who has the ability to build respect and good working relationships with both internal and external customers at all levels within our/their business.

The successful candidate must have a minimum five years sales/service experience in marine Wholesale, in particular yachting.

Some interstate travel is required.

Please email your CV to Greg Butchart greg@harken.com.au.

Peter Rendle is the national sales manager for Australian Sailing, Australian Yachting and Cruising Helmsman.