Highlights for 2002

Market leader’s position in lightning detection

The Group acquired 100% of the stock of the US-based company Global Atmospherics Corporation from Sankosha Group. The final purchase price was USD 14.0 million. The acquisition elevated Vaisala to global market leadership in the field of lightning detection products.

Centralizing USA operations in Boulder, Colorado

Vaisala Group centralized its USA operations into one location, Boulder, Colorado, which is known for high-class meteorological research. New premises were built which were completed in January 2003. The investment amounts to EUR 5.5 million. Most of the Group’s radiosonde production in the USA was transferred to Finland and production in Boston was closed down.

Vaisala awarded ISO 14001 and ISO 9001:2000 certificate

Vaisala’s environmental management system complies with the requirements SFS-EN ISO 14001 standard, and it received environmental management system certification at the end of 2002. Moreover, the Vaisala Group received an international ISO 9001:2000 certificate in 2002. Vaisala’s quality system is applied consistently in all offices.

Wind profilers to Germany

The Vaisala Group received a significant order in July from the German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst). Vaisala will deliver a network of wind profiler worth more than EUR 5 million in 2003 - 2005.

Upper air observation systems to Australia

In July, the Vaisala Group received an order for upper air observation systems from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The deliveries under the contract, valued at approximately EUR 3.7 million, will take place in the years 2003 - 2005.

Sounding systems to Turkey

In June, the Vaisala Group signed a contract with the Turkish State Meteorological Service to supply meteorological equipment. The contract, valued at EUR 2.1 million, covers sounding systems and equipment as well as a centralized data collection and management systesm. Deliveries took place in 2002.

The largest order for aviation weather system in Vaisala’s history

In April Vaisala signed a contract with a long-standing customer for supplying, commissioning, and maintaining an automated aviation weather observation solution. Valued at approximately EUR 7 million, the contract is the largest order in the company’s history. Deliveries under the contract will start in 2003.

Contract on supplying upper air observation systems

In March Vaisala signed a contract with a long-standing customer for the supply of sounding systems, accessories and radiosondes. The contract is valued approximately EUR 10 million and deliveries take place in 2002 - 2003.