Highlights
in 2006
Vaisala celebrated its
70th anniversary in 2006
Vaisala's story began in 1936, when Professor Vilho Väisälä established the
company and delivered the first radiosondes to the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, MIT, in the United States. Through seven decades and many
events, Vaisala has grown to global leadership in the field of weather
observations and environmental measurement. Read the press release.
Record
sales for Vaisala
Vaisala won a major
contract from the US National Weather Service
Vaisala has been awarded a major contract from the United States National
Weather
Service (NWS). The order includes a maximum of 1200 cloud height measurement
instruments. The estimated value of the contract is EUR 12.4 million. The
delivery will be carried out in phases, mainly taking place in 2008 - 2010.
Vaisala ceilometers will be integrated into National Weather Service's
Automated Surface Observing System network. Read the stock exchange release.
Vaisala to supply
ceilometers and visibility instruments to U.S. airports
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded Vaisala a EUR 4.4
million contract to supply ceilometers and visibility instruments for the
Federal Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) program. Read the stock exchange release.
Vaisala received
a large aviation weather solutions order
Vaisala signed a significant contract with a long-standing customer to provide
two airports with automated weather observation solutions. The total value
of the contract is EUR 7.5 million. Read the stock exchange release.
New Vaisala product for
oxygen measurements
In May, Vaisala
introduced a new product for oxygen concentration measurements in industrial
processes. The measurement device is based on a new type of optical sensor
technology. Read the stock exchange release.
Vaisala's carbon dioxide
product deliveries hampered by fire at the VTT Technical Research Centre
Due to fire in the clean room of the VTT microelectronics center in February,
VTT was unable to manufacture components required for Vaisala's carbon
dioxide sensors for approximately six months. Read the stock exchange release.
Vaisala
grew, developed and was renewed
Vaisala's acquisition of
Sigmet Inc. completed
In December 2005, Vaisala signed a contract for the acquisition of 100% of the
US based Sigmet Inc.'s stock. The acquisition was completed and Sigmet was
integrated as part of Vaisala on January 4, 2006. The purchase price was
approximately EUR 16.5 million. Vaisala Sigmet product line is the leading
weather radar signal processor and application software producer in the world.
Read more about Sigmet.
Vaisala outsourced some
of its radiosonde production functions
Vaisala outsourced some
of Vaisala Measurement Systems division's production functions. Part of the
division's radiosonde final assembly functions were outsourced to Vaisala's
long-term subcontractors in Malaysia. The tools workshop organization's
functions were decentralized to various contractors in the field. As a result,
Vaisala gave notice to 37 people. The financial impact is estimated to be some
1.5 MEUR annual improvement in the division's result,
starting from fiscal year 2007. Read the stock exchange release.
Sales organization
renewed
In the beginning of 2006, the business unit
sales teams were re-organized into a new sales
organization based of customer segments. Customers were divided
into seven segments, each of which is served by a dedicated sales team.
New Vaisala CEO
Licentiate of Technology Kjell Forsén (47 years) started as the new Vaisala CEO
on October 1, 2006. Pekka Ketonen, who has acted as Vaisala's CEO since
1992, retired on January 1, 2007. Read the stock exchange release.
Vaisala strengthened its
office network
Vaisala enhanced its presence in China by opening a new office in Shenzhen. The
company also decided to establish a representative office in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates in the beginning of 2007. Read the stock exchange release.
Share-based incentive
program for Vaisala's key personnel
Vaisala launched a share-based incentive program for approximately 50
Vaisala key personnel. The incentive program duration is two years. At maximum,
the expenses of the share-based incentive program correspond to the value of
130.000 shares. Read the stock exchange release.
Improved risk management
In 2006, Vaisala management assessed the risks
relating to the Group's operations. Based on this
assessment, a comprehensive risk management policy was composed. The goal
of the policy is to ensure the safety of Vaisala personnel, operations and
products and continuity of operations. The policy also covers the company's
intellectual property, image and brand, complying with laws and regulations,
and includes appropriate and accurate risk profile in decision-making. The
action-plan for risk management becomes effective in 2007.
Implementation project
for new enterprise resource planning system started
At the end of the year the decision was made
to start the implementation project
of a new enterprise resource planning system, which will include Vaisala's
global organization and replace many systems currently in use. The new system
is planned to be launched simultaneously in all Vaisala offices and in its full
scale at the end of 2008.