Aarbakke Innovation
Management

Monika Bakke Malmin
Managing Director
Biography
Monika has worked in well intervention and downhole tool technology since 1997, starting as a coiled tubing operator apprentice with BJ Services, and as a downhole tool mechanic at Bakke Oil Tools. Following Bakke Oil Tools' acquisition by Weatherford in 2002, she continued in product development and technical sales roles with Weatherford.
From 2006 to 2011, she was General Manager of Wave Energy AS, working on technology for power generation from waves.
In 2012, she founded Target Intervention AS, developing electric downhole tools for coiled tubing. The company was acquired by TAQA in 2021, and she remained as Managing Director until 2025.
She holds a Certificate of Apprenticeship in Coiled Tubing Operations and has completed technical training at Stavanger Maritime School.
Monika joined Aarbakke Innovation in August 2026 as Managing Director.

Hans Fjellanger
Advisor
Biography
Hans started his career as a “schoolboy” at Aarbakke in 1997. Over the next seven years, he became a skilled CNC operator and graduated from Stavanger Offshore Technical School as well as studying at BI – Norwegian Business School.
In 2004 Hans became a partner in Årdal Mekanisk Verksted, which provides machining and welding solutions to the Oil & Gas industry, working on sales and project management. In 2007 the company was acquired by the IKM Group and became IKM Maskinering, with Hans stepping up to take on broader responsibility for sales on the manufacturing side of the IKM Group. During this period, he also held the role of Managing Director and partner in Axiom Engineering, a small engineering company providing services to various startup companies in Stavanger.
After a brief period at Malm Orstad, selling their topside and subsea products, Hans returned to the IKM Group and IKM Subsea in 2012, where he was responsible for business development, sales, marketing, and tendering vis-à-vis new and existing markets and clients. During this period, IKM Subsea developed into a well-regarded subsea provider, with cutting-edge technology.
Hans joined Aarbakke Innovation in June 2021 as Commercial Manager, responsible for commercialization of Aarbakke Innovation’s own products, technologies, and services.

Elisabeth Karlsbakk
Administration Manager
Biography
After completing her apprenticeship at Stadion Trim & Bowling, Elisabeth Karlsbakk was hired on a full-time basis. She was made responsible for the company’s finances, later moving on to become managing director of SATS Bryne.
Elisabeth moved to Bergen in 2002, where she worked for one year in the administration of Aarbakke Sina, a company owned by Inge Brigt Aarbakke. She took leave from 2003 to 2005, working part time as accountant for Mandalskameratene FK in Mandal.
In November 2005 she moved back to Jæren and started working in the sports club gym as receptionist. In 2007 she was promoted to group training manager and quickly moved on to become second-in-command at the gym. From 1997 to 2014 she worked as a group instructor in various gyms.
Karlsbakk started her job as Administration Manager in Aarbakke Innovation in February 2014.

Eirik Undheim
Head of Technology
Biography
Eirik Undheim is the Head of Technology at Aarbakke Innovation, where he combines his expertise as an inventor, skilled mechanic, and mechanical engineer.
Eirik holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from NTNU, with a specialization in structural engineering. Growing up on a farm, he developed a strong hands-on approach that has influenced his career.
With over 7 years of experience in R&D, he is dedicated to product development, using an agile approach to integrate the latest multidisciplinary engineering advancements and bring innovative ideas to life.

Kathrine Mauland
Head of Operations
Biography
Kathrine Mauland holds the role as Head of Operations, and with more than 24 years of various experience within Oil ang Gas Industry and recent focus on renewable energy, she is a seasoned leader in engineering and project management.
Throughout her career, she has taken on key roles as Engineering Manager, Project Manager, and Department Head, driving both technical innovation and strategic growth in multifaceted projects, in Companies such as Semco Maritime, Moreld Apply and recently in Archer Wind.
Her expertise spans engineering management, resource planning, project execution models, IT systems integration, and ISO certification processes. She excels at building and leading high-performing teams, optimizing engineering operations, and improving project efficiency, making her a vital asset to Aarbakke Innovation.
She holds an MSc in Technical Safety – Offshore Technology from the University of Stavanger and a BSc in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Agder. Kathrine has strong skills in leadership, sales, communication, and administration, she thrives in fast-paced, high-stakes environments, consistently delivering results and driving innovation.
Aarbakke Innovation
Owners
We are privately owned, our main shareholders are also behind Aarbakke AS one of the world’s leading machining companies (aarbakke.no). The same group also control Ignos, "the learning factory" enabler (ignos.no).