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After 35 years in Pon Power....

Paul Stebbings

After almost 35 years in Pon Power, our Chief Design Engineer, Paul Stebbings just retired. While he is on his way to go sailing among the Greek islands, we look back at his many contributions to the company. “There was never a boring day in Pon Power” Paul says. - I will miss my colleagues and the amazing opportunities and challenges that I have been given. He is one of the masterminds behind the famous Pon Power “GenFlex”. His design and development contributions have made GenFlex into the reliable and durable product that it is today.

Paul was born and educated in England. His interest for engines came in the early years, starting with small ones. He used to race motorcycles, and in 1980 he won a 250 cc championship on a Yamaha TZ 250 (which is still in his garage). With three cars and four motorbikes he did all the maintenance work himself. And with great interests, comes great abilities. He was hired by the Ford Motor Company at the Dunton Research and Engineering Centre in England, as a Development & Design engineer on diesel engines. In 1982 he met his first wife who was Norwegian, and he moved to Norway in December 1987. - “Nearly 32 years old I applied for, and was offered a position at Pon Power (at that time 'Pay & Brinck Motor') as a 'Prosjektleder'. This was in January 1988.

Since then Paul has contributed to the delivery of about 180 of the largest Caterpillar 3600/C280 engine projects, mostly ship propulsion engines but also ship and offshore platforms with Pon Power designed and built generator sets.

“I was very proud to be given the responsibility of looking after MaK new engine projects for several years” Paul says. I have held the unofficial position of “Chief Design Engineer” for Pon Power’s Project Department for many years, which has been personally very rewarding as well as challenging”. Paul has also contributed to the DNV Type Approved Pon Power “GenSafe” Engine alarm and safety system.

- And last but not least I contributed to the design and development of the famous Pon Power “GenFlex” into the reliable and durable product that it is today.

35 years is a long time. We asked Paul about the main reason for staying within the same company for so many years.

- Pon Power grew rapidly after I joined, doubling in turnover every year for several years, and we are now about 150 or so employees I think. So we must be doing something right! It has been a great ride with never a boring day! Pon Power is a very exciting company to work for with fantastic colleagues with fantastic expertise and skills. I have been attributed with great trust and responsibility in terms of running projects and designing technical solutions.

But Paul is not retiring entirely.. “I hope to be able to combine my pension with working as a consultant, both for Pon Power, and also for another new company (Hydrogenius) as an Engineering Consultant, which will be an interesting new challenge”. But first things first. "Tomorrow I am flying to Greece to go sailing with good friends for a few weeks. My wife Margarita and I have bought an apartment in Tenerife, where we will be spending the winter months. Apart from that I have the house, garden, motorcycles and cars to look after - So by the look of things I will have enough to do and won’t be getting bored any time soon!"

I guess we will see you then, Paul;)

All the best, and thank you for all the great contributions over the many years! We are lucky to have had you on the team.

Interview and text by Frida Folden