Kristian has a master's in engineering (sivilingeniør) from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), with hydrodynamics as his field of expertise. He has worked as a researcher in Marintek, which is now part of SINTEF, and as an engineer in Det Norske Veritas where he was also involved in research work. He is now looking forward to boosting Havyard's R&D activities by coordinating the Group's development work.

The Havyard Group has expertise in all areas of ship technology, from ship design to ship equipment and systems for building ships.
'We are already engaged in development work in our day-to-day work, but we will now be bringing our developers together in a joint group to encourage more interdisciplinary and long-term thinking. The group will help us to benefit from each other's knowledge and ideas,' says Steinsvik.

Kristian will be responsible for the direction and structure of the development work and will contribute his expertise in various projects.

Benefits in several areas

Steinsvik believes this new initiative will have several benefits.

'The fact that several business areas and disciplines are coming together to exchange knowledge and ideas will have an effect in itself. We will continue with the projects that we are ready to start on already now. And we will also take steps to ensure a more long-term perspective in this work.'

To the new head of the R&D initiative, R&D is not just about products.

'We also need to look at our services and tools - for example creating a calculation tool that will enable us to work much faster, or developing services internally that we have previously had to hire from external suppliers.'

Gathering together development work in one group means that the Group can use specialists to a much greater extent and perhaps even develop new jobs in some areas.

New opportunities

Steinsvik is looking forward to the development work and to getting better acquainted with the work done so far in this area in all of the Group's four business areas.

'Several long-term projects are already under way. To mention just a few examples, Havyard Design & Solutions has developed design concepts in new segments, a new bow and stern concept, and a complete simulator for the ships we develop. Now we will gather the knowledge in the Group, draw on each other's expertise and help to ensure further growth and development.'

CEO Geir Johan Bakke is pleased that Kristian Steinsvik is motivated to take on this important job. Bakke is convinced that Steinsvik, with his expertise and a personality that both unites and motivates people, is the right man for the job.

Bakke says that steps are being taken to ensure that Havyard's services and products will be even more durable and useful for customers and for Havyard.

'There are certain threats in the current market situation, but there are also opportunities. We are now gathering our development work in one group, which will free up resources for innovation and fresh ideas.'