Each month we profile the many different Faces of Ford, getting to know our colleagues in and out of the office. This month we’re in conversation with Stefan Gerber, IT Operations Site Lead at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms”. - 1 Peter 4:10
Who is Stefan? Where were you born and what did you study?
I was born in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and grew up on an Angora farm outside of Uitenhage, where I also attended school. Growing up, I always had a fascination with IT and Finance but ultimately pursued Information Technology at Port Elizabeth Technikon. This was pre-Y2K, a time when there was significant global excitement surrounding IT.
I also studied part-time courses in Networks, Microsoft Servers, Project Management, etc. since I’ve started working.
How did your work journey bring you to working at Ford?
I began my career at Ford in early 2002, after finishing my studies, as part of a PC rollout project. I initially worked as an agency employee, employed by BCX. After the project concluded, I stayed on for another four years, supporting PAG (Land Rover, Volvo, and Jaguar) while also providing server support at Ford.
In 2005, I was given an opportunity to move to the engine plant in Port Elizabeth, where I initially performed network support before becoming the Team Lead for the SEP IT team.
At the end of 2008, I decided to leave South Africa and relocate to London. I continued working for BCX, outsourced to Sasol, where I led IT operations across five Sasol sites in the UK: London, Reading, Birmingham, St Andrews, and the Isle of Man.
I missed my Ford days, and in 2011, Ford offered me a permanent position. I returned to Pretoria to support manufacturing applications for four years.
In 2015, I spent some time in Dubai to help establish a new Ford regional office, and when an opportunity arose to move to Dubai permanently, I embraced it. I then spent the next eight years supporting sites across the Middle East and West Africa, before returning to Pretoria in March 2023.
With such a wide range of responsibilities, from IT financials to user support, which part of your current role do you find the most challenging?
Without a doubt, IT Finances. Justifying IT investments and securing funding for IT projects and expenses requires significant justification. Striking a balance between providing our customers with the latest and greatest technology to ensure they have the necessary IT tools while avoiding over-investment is very challenging. Reducing costs will always be a priority, but this must be achieved without risking customer productivity.
What do you enjoy most about working in IT at Ford today?
We are living through the most exciting time in the automotive industry with the introduction of autonomous vehicles (AV) and electric vehicles (EV). This brings both opportunities such as innovation, collaboration, and positive change as well as challenges, including data security, cybersecurity, and employee IT training. The Business now relies on IT to drive change, implementing new technologies and challenging traditional methods. This creates significant opportunities to contribute to the company’s success by equipping users with the tools they need to thrive at Ford.
You’ve worked in South Africa, London, Dubai, and even Morocco. Which place surprised you the most, and why?
St. Andrews in Scotland, the home of golf. I'm not a golfer, but the sheer beauty of the town blew me away. It is a town rich in history, and walking down the old cobblestone roads truly felt like I was transported back in time. Having said that, South Africa also has some beautiful areas, and I’m currently focussing on exploring the parts of our own country which I haven’t seen yet.
What’s one city from your career journey you think everyone should visit at least once?
Most definitely Dubai. With so many tourist attractions, there's always something to do. From the biggest malls in the world to the best waterparks, the tallest building, desert getaways, and virtual reality experiences, the unique experiences are literally too numerous to mention.
When you arrive in a new city, what’s the first thing you look forward to exploring - the food, the people, or the tech shops?
I typically do my homework before visiting a new city and focus on the tourist attractions. However, it's also a combination of the food and the people. Experiencing a different culture naturally includes exploring the local cuisine.
Technology has changed so much since you started out — what’s one piece of old-school tech you secretly miss?
New technologies usually offer benefits, improve our lives, and make certain tasks easier, whether it's reducing time, accessing data/music/your favourite show, or even controlling home appliances from your mobile device. Yet, the one appliance I miss seeing is the jukebox. While we still find them in some places, they are scarce. For that reason, I own an antique jukebox which was modernised with Bluetooth, a touchscreen, and other features.
When you’re not solving IT problems, what’s your favourite way to switch off?
I enjoy cooking and experimenting with new recipes. I come from a catering background (family-owned business), and cooking has always been a passion.
I also enjoy reading, mostly theological books; I’m currently reading ‘Birthright’ by Timothy Alberino. Lastly, I’m proud of my Lego collection, which consists of 64 Lego cars in various shapes and sizes.
What would you tell your younger self?
Listen more and learn from the people around you. You cannot truly learn, improve, or grow if you are always the one talking.
Secondly, practice patience. Stressing and planning for potential outcomes, which may not even materialize, wastes considerable time and energy.
Lastly, find encouragement in serving others. Giving is better than receiving. Serving others creates a sense of purpose while also uplifting everyone around you