“If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea,” was the advice of the French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Stefan understood this message long ago, and it has become a firm, salt-water-soaked part of his philosophy of life and work. Stefan is a passionate sailor, and has been in love with technology and the sea since his childhood.
The son of a Brazilian father and a German mother, he was born in Germany in 1967, and shortly afterwards had his first encounter with the ocean. "We left Genoa to go to Brazil by sea. During the two weeks it took to cross the Atlantic, I celebrated my first birthday and learned to walk on the deck," he says. "That has to leave its seafaring mark on you," he adds with a twinkle in his eye.
Stefan grew up in the Vale Europeu, the "European Valley" in the south of Brazil. Mostly immigrants, mainly from Germany and Italy, had been living here since the 19th century - a multicultural hotspot with nearby dream beaches and many sailboats that pointed the way for the child's dreams and his longing for the wide open sea and traveling around the world.
As a teenager, Stefan was interested in everything that added to his own freedom and independence. For him, this included navigating by the stars and using a compass for orientation when sailing. On land, as a Scout, he learned how to pack and carry his own backpack, pitch his tent in the wilderness, build a fire, and prepare something to eat using just a few ingredients. "That wasn't just adventure, it was learning for life," as he now knows.
After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, with its focus on power generation and distribution, the time had come for him to fulfill a long-held dream. He set out for Germany, the country of his birth, to find out more about his roots, but also to acquire advanced knowledge in the increasingly popular fields of industrial automation and robotics.
"My first encounter with EDAG was 24 years ago during a project in Brussels, where I was then employed as a programmer of industrial robots in an automotive body shop. The system had been planned and designed by EDAG engineers. The invitation to become a member of this wonderful team is something I accepted with enthusiasm and delight."
Stefan learned about modeling and working in the virtual 3D world in the former Manufacturing Engineering division, now EDAG Production Solutions. He was able to put his knowledge to immediate use in the real factory, to develop new production lines with improved speed, efficiency and quality. "This opened up completely new horizons for me. Extremely exciting and challenging."
All in all, his trip to Germany to get to know his family there lasted a total of 13 years. In 2004, Stefan was asked to supervise the setup and development of EDAG Shanghai for two years. This turned into eight years. "A fantastic experience. From there, I worked on several projects in Asia and trained many Chinese colleagues in simulation, robotics and manufacturing processes such as laser welding, roller hemming, and many other techniques."
And where in all this was his yearning for the sea? "During my time abroad, I visited many countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, and also some in Oceania. I wanted to get to know different cultures and the so very vulnerable beauty of our planet better," he says. On his travels, he spent many days on charter boats and, under the guidance of experienced skippers, was able to gain his first practical experience of ocean sailing. "I was 40 years old when my dream of steering a ship across the seas with wind power became a reality," he says.
"For me, sailing is more than just a hobby or having fun. It represents a way of life, an inner attitude. What it means for me is that I feel alive, autonomous and free, have a feeling of deep affinity with nature, with responsibility and respect. It raises your awareness of sustainability and of the vulnerability of our wonderful planet and your life on it." And last but not least, for Stefan, sailing stands for the virtues of "seamanship", which is characterized by leadership responsibility, tolerance and respectful teamwork. "At sea - just like in the company - being able to rely on each other is essential."
After more than 14 years as an EDAG globetrotter, Stefan finally returned to the country which is home to his parents, his three brothers and their families. For ten years now, he has been in charge of the Production Solutions team at EDAG do Brasil in São Bernardo do Campo in the state of São Paulo. "In the world of sailing, I have come across many technical and human aspects of life that I can make specific use of every day in the work environment," Stefan comments. Theoretical and practical technical knowledge are combined here with a great many different aspects including the necessary planning and organizational skills, risk analysis, safety and security settings, effective communication, conflict management, discipline, leadership, teamwork skills, endurance, and both physical and mental healthcare.
The fact that the winds will also be favorable for this forward-looking combination of EDAG competencies and Stefan's maritime aspirations in the future can be seen from a glance at the map: Brazil's South Atlantic coastline extends for more than 8.000 kilometers. Plenty of space for great sailing dreams.
