Brussels, 20 May 2020 – Members of the European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI) came together for a virtual meeting to question two of the industry’s leading sensor manufacturers about their recent acquisitions of large aerial survey companies and the potential impact on the wider industry.
In an online webinar pre-submitted questions about imagery specifications, capture plans, and data licensing opportunities and the prospect of competing with their own customers were placed to Alexander Wiechert, Managing Partner and CEO of Vexcel Imaging GmbH and John Welter, Division President at Hexagon Geosystems.
The EAASI-hosted event also included answers to questions about future sensor development plans and support packages as well as an exploration of both companies’ commercial aspirations. Chaired by EAASI Treasurer Rachel Tidmarsh, the broadcast ended with an active Q&A session with members placing questions live.
“This was a unique opportunity for EAASI members to explore with Hexagon and Vexcel their observations on and plans for the global aerial imaging market,” commented Rachel Tidmarsh. “We are grateful to both organisations for their co-operation and openness with our membership and we look forward to working with them to develop and sustain the future of aerial survey in Europe.”
The full webinar is exclusively available for EAASI members to access online at www.eaasi.eu/webinar-video
“As the global aerial imaging market has experienced a period of significant change it was important to our members that we facilitated this dialogue with Vexcel and Hexagon,” added Simon Musäus, President of EAASI. “We hope that through this and other EAASI activities we can help to further create, promote, influence and define opportunities for aerial surveying in Europe.”
In January of this year, Vexcel Imaging, a provider of aerial cameras and photogrammetry software, announced that it had acquired the aerial operations and mapping business group from Verisk’s Geomni business. In a parallel move Hexagon AB, a provider of a broad range of sensors, software and autonomous technologies, announced it had strengthened its content program with the acquisition of COWI’s mapping business.
EAASI was incorporated in 2019, inspired by and with strong ties to the US-based MAPPS, which equally represents the firms of the geospatial industry in the U.S.A. With the global aerial imaging market predicted to reach more than 2.8 billion dollars by 2022, EAASI aims to promote the benefits of aerial surveying, improve awareness of aerial survey data and maintain and promote best practice within the industry.
The European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries is an incorporated association without profitable goal registered in Brussels, Belgium. The objectives of the organisations are:
a. Make users and potential users of Geo-Information aware of the benefits of aerial surveying;
b. Achieve a high awareness of the strategic role that aerial survey data play in the framework of digitalisation, information systems and virtual reality;
c. Define, maintain and promote quality, safety, ethical and business requirements for the aerial surveying industry;
d. Promote the use of international professional standards in the field of gathering geospatial data;
e. Facilitate the networking and provide a platform for regular contacts, information exchange and cooperation between the members;
f. Provide members with information about the developments of technological knowledge;
g. Ensure that the common interests of members are represented in national and international committees which exert influence on the members;
h. Advise and assist funding and executing agencies and organisations in matters concerning aerial surveying;
i. Promote the generation of a sustainable market for Geo-Information using aerial surveying;
j. Take all other actions as may be conducive to the attainment of the above objectives, such as concluding agreements, engaging personnel, hiring, leasing, buying and selling property.
The Association is comprised of members and observers. Qualifying members must be:
1. Be based and create employment in any the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom;
2. Be a privately owned commercial company. ‘Privately owned’ means that the majority of the shares (>50%) are in private hands.
3. Operate survey aircraft and equipment for aerial photography, mapping and/or LiDAR purposes in one or more of the countries mentioned under point (1)
4. The member or member organisation shall fully support the goal and the objects of the Association.
Any organisation that does not qualify to become a member of the Association may apply as an observer.
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