MORE THAN JUST NUTS & BOLTS
Karl Bunzel’s Epic Journey - 45 Years and Counting
THE SPARK PLUS ERA (POST-WWII GERMANY)
- Born Ready: Karl arrived in the world in the British Occupied Zone of Germany, right in the Chinese Year of the Ox. Known for being hardworking and dependable? Yep, sounds like Karl was destined for greatness (and getting his hands dirty!).
- Kid Mechanic: By age 4, while most kids were stacking blocks, Karl was already tackling his first electrical motor kit. Sure, it needed a little nudge to get going, but that spark of technical genius was undeniable!
- Treasure Hunter: Fast forward to age 7, Karl was the village garbage contractor's unofficial sidekick, already expert at spotting hidden gems (anything with wheels!) at the local tip. Resourceful from the start!
- Physics & Fast Cars: School was... well, school. While teachers talked history or world events (like that whole Cuba Missile Crisis thing), Karl's mind was often drifting to the physics of... Motorsport! Priorities, right?
The legend was born long time ago in the Chinese Year of the Ox, and like the ox, Karl never stops working.. 
SHIFTING GEARS: EARLY CAREER & GOING GLOBAL
- Need for Speed: His career officially kicked off with an apprenticeship linked to Motorsport. Perfect fit!
- Mini Mania: He honed his skills further working on legendary Mini Coopers at a BMC & Lotus dealership way up north.
- Southern Sun & Kohler: Feeling adventurous, Karl journeyed a massive 10,000km south to Johannesburg, South Africa. Working in engine reconditioning, he had his first encounter with Kohler engines – a sign of things to come!
- Botswana & Big Life Moments: Next stop, Botswana! Working in a mine workshop, he not only tackled diverse mechanical challenges but also married his wife (they've now celebrated over 50 years!) and welcomed their son.
- Berlin Calling (Engine ICU): Back in Germany (West Berlin), Karl dived deep into the world of Deutz/Iveco, rebuilding and dyno testing engines like a pro in their factory service-exchange division. Talk about invaluable experience!
THE AUSSIE ADVENTURE & WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
- G'day, Mate! November 29, 1979: Karl, his wife, and son landed Down Under. First order of business? Buying a classic 1967 Ford Falcon XR the very same day. Now that's how you embrace a new country!
- Brief Pit Stop: A quick job at a truck dealer in January 1980.
- Meant To Be: Serendipity strikes! Karl meets a manager from a company called PIMEC. Turns out, his hard-earned Deutz expertise from Berlin was exactly what they needed, as PIMEC was the Deutz Distributor for Australia. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
Karl and his wife photographed with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife 
Karl likes to joke that he must be the oldest person alive - after all, he’s survived three separate‘once-in-a hundred-years’ floods according to climate scientists. By his count, that makes him over 300 years old!
45 YEARS AND COUNTING: THE PIMEC / AETCO / EPG SAGA!
- Day One (March 31, 1980): Karl starts at PIMEC (Pacific Industrial and Marine Engine Company), rebuilding Deutz diesel engines from the get-go.
- Kohler Connection (Sept 1980): PIMEC becomes the Australian base for Kohler Engines, with Karl at the inaugural training.
- Company Restructure (1981-1983): PIMEC forms AETCO (Australian Engine and Transmission Company) for Kohler and other engine lines amidst wider group changes.
- Strategic Shift (Aug 1985): Karl moves to AETCO, handling Kohler, Acme, Lehman Marine, Tecumseh, transmissions, and "Power King Generators."
- PIMEC Closes (Late 1985): PIMEC shuts down after losing Deutz; Karl's earlier move to AETCO proves timely.
- Power King Era (Late 80s - Early 2000s): Karl is central to designing and producing over 10,000 "Power King" generators while managing other AETCO engines.
- New Name (1996): AETCO becomes part of Engineered Products Group (EPG) under new ownership.
- New HQ (1999): EPG relocates to a new facility in Seven Hills, NSW.
- Kohler Conferences (2003 onwards): Tim McCarthy joins EPG, launching the ongoing Kohler Expert Dealer Conferences, with Karl as a key technical presence.
- Another Move (2024): EPG Engines shifts to Minchinbury, NSW.
- 45-Year Milestone (March 31, 2025): Karl Bunzel celebrates an incredible 45 years of continuous service through company evolutions.
WHAT'S NEXT?
- From that curious kid in post- war Germany to EPG's technical guru, Karl's journey is proof of what passion, skill, and sheer sticking power can achieve.
- As we give him a massive round of applause for 45 incredible years, we're already looking forward to the BIG 5-0 in just five years!
