From field compass developer to the leading manufacturer of precision sports instruments
See the birthday wishes from our ambassadors around the world
A prototype from just a Vaseline jar and a powder box
Suunto’s story began in the 1930s when Finnish surveyor and active orienteer Tuomas Vohlonen became exasperated with the inaccuracy of field compasses and started his search for something better. His first prototype compass was made out of a Vaseline jar, with the cover being the lid from his wife’s powder box. Vohlonen was granted a patent for his liquid-filled compass production method, and in 1936 Suunto Ltd was founded. The company’s first product was the Suunto M-311 field compass.
Stylish design and superior functionality made in Finland
Today Suunto is celebrating its 75th anniversary as a world’s leading designer and manufacturer of precision sports instruments. Suunto’s products and services are valued by countless enthusiasts of diving, mountaineering, hiking, running, orienteering, skiing, and sailing around the world. Stylish designs combined with uncompromising functionality also make Suunto watches desirable accessories for everyday use.
“Since it was founded in 1936, the characteristics of Suunto have been the same: creating sports precision instruments on which customers can depend. We have worked with experts in many different fields of sport and have always built products with the end-users in mind. Our global presence also helps us to understand our customers’ needs. Our factory, research and development, and design teams are all located in Vantaa, southern Finland. They are what give Suunto products their uniquely Finnish flavor and high level of quality”, says Mikko Moilanen, President of Suunto. “Our strong reputation in Outdoor and diving sports drives us to continue to develop new products and services for all sports enthusiasts.
Leading the way in diving and marine excellence
Suunto’s first diving compasses were based on the field compasses of the 1960s. Divers were instrumental in providing the initiative for the design of these instruments. An English recreational diver tried the Suunto field compass underwater and noticing that it worked perfectly well, provided Suunto with feedback and suggestions for modifications.
The 1970s saw the expansion of Suunto’s marine compass product offering and the launch of the first tactical compass for competitive sailing. During the 1980s Suunto became the world’s leading producer of diving instruments. The decade’s most important achievement was the creation of the SME diving computer – the first mass-produced diving computer for calculating safe duration and decompression times for a dive.
An outdoor icon is born
In 1998 Suunto unveiled the first wristop computer designed specifically for outdoor use, the Suunto Vector. This outdoor icon measures air pressure and altitude, forecasts weather changes, and gives bearings and the time.
Suunto entered the field of heart rate monitoring in 2004 and today is a successful global player in this area. Numerous Olympic winners rely on Suunto products, and Suunto solutions cater to the training needs of everyone from beginners to professional athletes and coaches.
In 2010 Suunto launched www.movescount.com, a free online sports community that gives anyone with an interest in sport and fitness an opportunity share their sports moves with like-minded enthusiasts.
About Suunto:
Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports precision instruments for training, diving, and outdoor sports. Prized for their design, accuracy, and dependability, Suunto wristop computers combine the aesthetics and functionality of a watch with reliable, sport-specific functionalities. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to over 100 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation with sister brands Wilson, Atomic, Precor, Salomon, Mavic, and Arc’teryx. www.suunto.com
Further information:
Suunto Finland: Tarja Kuusela, Communications Manager, tel. +358 9-875 870, e-mail: tarja.kuusela@suunto.com