“I am thrilled to be presented with this opportunity. All my life I have been interested in robotics and automation. I very much look forward to developing Mechatronics Innovation Lab as a national test center and eventually a world-leading center for innovation and piloting within mechatronics and other disciplines”, says Øhrn.
As the 39-year-old starts his new job at MIL in January 2017, he leaves the company for which he has worked most of his professional career. Øhrn started as a programmer of robots for Hydralift (today National Oilwell Varco), went on to become a Technical Director and, for the last three years, has been the Product Line Director for drillfloor, pipehandling, power and control systems – a global position at NOV, reporting directly to a vice president in Houston.
“I see my new job at MIL as a continuation of what I have been doing at NOV, combined with an opportunity to revisit my passion for robots”, says Øhrn.
The construction of MIL is already underway at the University of Agder in Grimstad. The building is scheduled to open in June, and the lab should open in August 2017.
“MIL will strengthen the industry’s capability for innovation and reduce time-to-market for new products and solutions”, says Øhrn.
Chairman of the board of MIL, Kristin Wallevik, is pleased to see Øhrn as MIL’s first CEO.
“Bernt Inge has in-depth knowledge about the industry and the region, but also about the international development within the MIL’s related fields of expertise. We are very happy to have him join our organization”, says Wallevik.
BERNT INGE ØHRN
- 39 years old
- Married, two children
- Born in Skien
- Lived in Kristiansand since 2001
- Bachelor in Mechatronics, University of Agder (1999)
- Master in Engineering Cybernetics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (2002)
