FORTY years after it was founded, Ark Corporation is the leading local supplier for towing and trailer parts to the marine industry. According to an article in Marine Business, the company handles around 1,400 different tock keeping units and holds about 70 registered patents and designs for a wide range of trailer parts and other accessories.
Based in Sydney, the company was founded by Richard Arakelian, who started out machining tow balls. Demand soon outgrew supply and the company branched into designing and manufacturing a growing number of towing-related products, from galvanised hard parts like hubs, springs, axles and couplings, to electrical plugs and sockets, lighting and towing accessories.
Over the years, many of the company’s innovations in the trailer and 4WD market have become standard pieces of equipment, such as the lockable jerry can holder, the tow ball shin protector and the quick assembly 7-pin flat plug.
Innovation, not imitation
Product manager, Gary Afarian, said the key to the company’s success is exemplified by its slogan ‘Innovation, not imitation’; rather than copy other products, the company is constantly on the look-out for new solutions to common outdoor and towing issues. The company is staffed by people who love the outdoor lifestyle of boating, fishing, camping and four wheel driving.
“With a team that is dedicated to this lifestyle, Ark can continue to grow its product range and develop products which will stand the test of time that the harsh Australian environment throws at them,” he said.
Recent products developed by Ark include the Extreme Offroad (XO) series jockey wheels designed for durability and ease-of-use in the toughest of offroad conditions, and the ArkPak range of portable power systems – a design idea suggested by a member of staff – which give users a range of options for charging and recharging outdoors and camping equipment.
Looking further ahead, this Australian-owned company is already preparing for the next phase of growth with an upcoming rebrand which will set it up for the next 40 years.
You can read the full article in Marine Business. Or, for more information on Ark, click HERE.
