Main events

50 years of calibration services
Regular calibration of instruments and systems is vital for accurate and reliable environmental measurements. Traceable and accurate calibration is also a vital part of Vaisala’s success. The year 2008 was a significant milestone for the Vaisala calibration services in many ways: the company has provided traceable calibration services for customers for 50 years, and systematic and documented calibration of Production Working Standards for 35 years. Vaisala's own Measurement Standards Laboratory was founded 30 years ago, and has had a laboratory accreditation for 25 years. Today the company has Service Centers in Finland, the USA, Japan, and China to provide and develop services for Vaisala customers. Read more in Vaisala News.

Vaisala refines its strategy and focuses on key market segments
In November, Vaisala announced that it aims to focus on selected market segments and has decided to conduct its business through three business areas. Services will be a group-wide function serving all the market segments in the new matrix organization. The new organization became operational on January 1, 2009.  

Vaisala acquires US service company Aviation Systems Maintenance
In December 2008, Vaisala announced its intention to acquire US-based service company Aviation Systems Maintenance. The acqusition is in line with the new strategic goal to grow as a service provider. Aviation Systems Maintenance, Inc had net sales of over USD 2.6 millionin 2008. The acquisition took effect on January 1, 2009, and the value of the deal is USD 3.2 million. 

Service culture and capability development in Vaisala Services
Vaisala Services initiated an extensive project to evaluate and support the creation of a more service-oriented culture and related working practices within the new group level organization. The project, conducted in cooperation with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, provided a research-based evaluation for the ongoing development and strategic planning at Vaisala Services. The aim of the project is to create concrete tools and methods to support the development of leadership, organization, working practices, collaboration processes, and customer relations. In the long term, the systematic development and continuous improvement of service capability will support the transition towards a more customer-oriented service culture.