Catch the Wind, Inc. was founded in 2008 to manufacture laser wind sensors for the renewable wind energy industry. The challenges facing the rapidly growing wind power generation industry reveal a need for more timely and accurate wind flow information to optimise power output as well as reduce wear and damage caused by asymmetric loading and unexpected gusts on large wind turbine generators. To address those challenges, Catch the Wind will manufacture a 3D fibre-optic laser system called the Vindicatorä that will enable a wind turbine control system to detect and anticipate changing wind flows in advance of the turbine blades. For the first time, the wind industry will have a practical wind sensor that provides a precise look-ahead capability to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of wind power generation.

WINDnovation Engineering Solutions GmbH was established in Berlin, Germany, in November 2007. The founders of the company are a group of experienced engineers who have worked for a long time in the wind industry. WINDnovation aims to support its customers in the wind industry worldwide by providing efficient engineering solutions.

Skilltrade is a company founded in 2000 that specialises in providing hydrographic training and courses for (future) professionals in the area of hydrography. The training is particularly aimed at those personnel that are active in dredging, land protection and offshore construction. Professionals who have extensive experience in the field develop these training packages and it is these professionals who will teach during the training. It is essential for the company that these professionals keep improving their hydrographic knowledge and understanding and that they stay up to date with modern developments. Our training providers are therefore encouraged to combine their activities for Skilltrade with other activities in the hydrographic business.

By Johan Stam, Skilltrade, The Netherlands

Romax Technology was founded in 1989 by Dr S.Y. Poon, MBE, who has worked alongside the world's leading transmissions and engineering companies, developing bespoke software solutions and providing engineering consultancy services to meet their growing needs. Romax Technology's pioneering full-system flexibility and integrated software package, RomaxDesigner, encompasses 12 years of development and benchmarking in partnership with major OEMs and extensive research in conjunction with top academic establishments.