Main events in 2009

New strategy - new way of working

At the beginning of 2009, Vaisala started executing its new market driven strategy and operational model.  This meant a big change of course to the whole company. The new strategy focuses on the current and new markets with the biggest growth potential in the environmental measurement business. Concurrently with the strategy change, the new matrix organization and market segment reporting were taken into use from the beginning of the year.

An acquisition to strengthen Vaisala's service offering

In line with its strategy, Vaisala seeks to grow as a service provider. To support this goal, Vaisala acquired a U.S. based airport service company, Aviation Systems Maintenance, Inc (ASMI) at the beginning of the year. The value of the deal was 3.2 million USD. ASMI has a wide customer base and over 25 years' expertise in installation and maintenance of weather instrumentation at airports. The acquisition significantly strengthens Vaisala's position in the US airport weather market.

Reference radiosonde for climate research

Early 2009, Vaisala announced the development of a reference radiosonde intended to support the precision measurement needs of the climate research and weather service communities.  Several leading climate research institutes, including the US National Center for Atmospheric Research NCAR and Finnish Meteorological Institute, partner with Vaisala in the project.

Vaisala introduced a unique global lightning dataset

Consisting of lightning sensors distributed throughout the globe, the coverage and performance of Vaisala's Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360) is global, and real-time. GLD360 outperforms satellite lightning detection by providing the timeliest information on rapidly evolving severe weather situations. The network detects over two thirds of all lightning strikes coming to the surface of the earth. Additionally, the service provides information over oceanic regions where there is a shortage of real time weather observations. The dataset serves the world's meteorological and hydrological institutions and other weather-dependent organizations.

'Science On a Sphere' - global phenomena on a giant sphere

Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre, opened a Science On a Sphere (SOS) - exhibition in September. SOS is is a global display system designed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The system projects animated images of the Earth's surface, oceans, atmosphere and astronomy onto the white surface of a large sphere.

The main sponsors of the SOS project in Finland are Vaisala and the Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion.  Read more

Vaisala Corporate Responsibility Report 2008 recognized by UN Global Compact

Vaisala's first Corporate Responsibility Report received an honorary mention from the UN Global Compact Office. This is the first time Finnish companies receive this tribute and Vaisala is one of two Global Compact signatories in Finland that were acknowledged. Read more

Vaisala acquired road weather and information technology company

Vaisala grows its presence in the global road weather and information technology business through a strategic acquisition. In December, Vaisala acquired Quixote Transportation Technologies, Inc. (QTT), a U.S. based company. The value of the deal was 20 million USD. Read more

New environmentally friendly office building in Finland

The construction of Vaisala's new office building in Finland started as scheduled in the spring 2009.  The excavation work and the construction of the new building were finalized by the end of the year. The new energy efficient office building is scheduled to be in place by the end 2010.

Changes in the company management

Timo Raikaslehto was appointed appointed Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, and a member of the strategic management group starting March 1, 2009. Mr. Raikaslehto resigned in January 2010.

Ari Meskanen, Chief Technology Officer of Vaisala was appointed Senior Vice President, Group Marketing and Sales starting January 1st 2010. He also continues in his current CTO role until a successor has been appointed.

John Jiang, PhD, was appointed President of Vaisala China and a member of Vaisala's strategic management group starting January 1, 2010.