Vaisala - Annual Report 2005

Print E-mail

Highlights for 2005

South African Weather Service chooses Vaisala's lightning detection network
Vaisala has delivered a lightning detection network to the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The lightning data provided by the network will compliment SAWS' current weather forecasting, and improve their ability to issue warnings on severe weather and to forecast rainfall. The Vaisala lightning detection network will provide lightning coverage of South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Read the press release.

The U.S. National Weather Service trusts the Vaisala lightning detection network
The National Weather Service of the United States continued and extended its contract on lightning detection data with Vaisala. The new five-year contract covers data collection from an extended area. Read the press release.

Vaisala enters the weather radar business
A business unit responsible for the commercialization of the new product was established in the beginning of 2006. The weather radar compliments Vaisala's remote sensing product offering, which currently includes lightning detection systems and networks as well as wind profilers. The market for weather radars is estimated at 40-60 million euros annually. The commercial introduction of the Vaisala weather radar is estimated to take place in 2007. Read the stock exchange release.

Vaisala acquires weather radar signal processor and application software manufacturer Sigmet
In December, Vaisala signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the Sigmet Corporation stock of Westford, Massachusetts. The agreement was reached in cooperation with Sigmet's stockholders. Sigmet is the world's leading independent weather radar signal processor and application software manufacturer. The acquisition supports Vaisala's intention to enter the weather radar business. Read the stock exchange release.

Vaisala wind profilers establish foothold in China
The China Air Traffic Administration selected Vaisala lower atmosphere wind profilers to be used for wind shear detection at three airports in Shanghai, Songpan and Tibet provinces. The contracts included the deliveries and installations of six systems, totaling over 3 million U.S. dollars in value. All systems were delivered during 2004-2005. Read the press release.

US National Hurricane Center and Vaisala working together in hurricane research and forecasting
Hurricanes cause many deaths and severe property damage each year. In an effort to prevent this, scientists have been trying to find methods for better hurricane forecasting. Vaisala thunderstorm experts have been actively involved in this research. Vaisala's lightning data program has been developed to correlate with the National Hurricane Center's hurricane data. The combined hurricane and lightning data has been used in connection with hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Read the press release.