The Vaisala Group will centralize its US manufacturing operations to
one location, Boulder, Colorado. Currently Vaisala has production
activities at five locations in the USA. During the last few years the
North American share of the Vaisala Group's sales has been increasing
and the increase is to continue. By centralizing the operations
Vaisala aims at enhancing productivity and efficiency. Several
important meteorological research institutes and laboratories that
Vaisala works in close cooperation with are also located in Boulder.
Vaisala offices in Boston, Columbus and Sunnyvale will continue to
function as sales, customer service and product development locations.
"The US market has become increasingly important for us and its share
of the Group's net sales has been increasing. By centralizing the
operations we want to show our commitment to the North American market
and to our customers", says Pekka Ketonen, President and CEO of the
Vaisala Group.
Vaisala will relocate the dropsonde production from Boston, the
aviation weather system production and after sales services from
Columbus, and the weather station and systems production from
Sunnyvale to Boulder by the end of 2002. The wind sensor production
will be relocated from Sunnyvale to Vaisala office in Helsinki,
Finland. At the same time, outsourcing will be increased. Vaisala
offices in Boston, Columbus and Sunnyvale will continue as sales,
customer service and product development locations.
Vaisala will build a new production plant in the Colorado Tech Center
area. Construction will start in March 2002 and the first phase, which
will be completed by the end of the year, will include 40 000 sq feet
of office and manufacturing space. The investment is valued at USD 4.7
million.
The Vaisala Group is a successful international technology company
that develops and manufactures electronic measurement systems and
equipment for meteorology, environmental sciences, traffic safety and
industry. Vaisala employs over 1,100 skilled professionals and
achieved net sales of EUR 183.5 million in 2001. Vaisala serves
customers throughout the world. In 2001, exports accounted for 96% of
net sales. Vaisala's A-series shares are quoted on the Helsinki
Exchanges (HEX).