Nielsen-Kellerman CEO to be honored at White House

November 1st, 2011
Philly News-The Philadelphia Inquirer
October 31, 2011

Alix James, chief executive of Boothwyn manufacturer Nielsen-Kellerman, will be honored at the White House Thursday as a “Champion of Change.” The initiative recognizes business leaders “doing extraordinary things in their communities working to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.”

Nielsen-Kellerman designs, manufactures and distributes rugged, waterproof environmental, weather and sports performance instruments for active lifestyles and technical applications under the Nielsen-Kellerman and Kestrel Weather brands.

In a private meeting with White House officials, James will be asked to identify ways the federal government could help her company of more than 30 years continue to grow and create new jobs.    - Diane Mastrull

 

To see the original: http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-31/news/30342411_1_new-jobs-white-house-business-leaders

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Hunt Ghosts on Halloween with a Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter

October 31st, 2011

For years, ghost hunters have been tracking the spirits and souls that have not yet passed over to the other side. October 31, tends to be a day in which many people who otherwise don’t pay attention, start to become interested in the living dead. But how do you really know if a spirit is present?

Many paranormal professionals believe that movement from the dead can affect barometric pressure.  Ghost hunters look for the pressure to drop below normal to detect unusual activity. The Kestrel 2500 NV can measure the barometric pressure trend over a 3 hour period so you can review the results later and help you determine if a lingering soul was around. With its night vision “NV” backlight, users can easily see the readings on the meters, even in the creepiest of places.

In addition to tracking pressure, the Kestrel 2500 NV will also track wind speed, temperature  and altitude. Some ghost hunting professionals also find it useful to keep an eye on humidity to pick up any changes in the air. Another tool to aid in the tracking of ghosts, is the Kestrel 3500 NV which measures the same environmental conditions as the 2500 model plus relative humidity. Try taking a Kestrel unit out on this “All Hallow’s Eve” and see what trends and changes you notice in your area and let us know what you discover.

So when there’s something strange in your neighborhood, what ya gonna use? Kestrel Meters!

Posted in Kestrel Weather Meters | 1 Comment »

Private Label Order Creates Job Opportunity at NK

October 10th, 2011

September was quite a busy month at NK. In fact, we received a large order from one of our Japan-based customers, Weathernews, for 10,000 weather meters. This new order created nine temporary manufacturing positions on our production floor. Weathernews is a Japan-based company founded in 1986. The company’s mission is to serve developing nations where many lives are lost each year in natural weather disasters. Reaching over 6.7 billion people across the world, their slogan is “Always with you.”

Weathernews took advantage of NK’s extensive customization and private labeling options for its order of Kestrel 3500 Weather Meters. Before starting production, some members of the NK team met with Weathernews’ management to ensure that the unit being manufactured for them would truly represent their brand.  The company’s owners were able to select the color of the case and window and the design of the packaging label. The multi-function meters were then branded with the Weathernews logo and packaged with Japanese language instructions. The units will soon be distributed to Weathernews subscribers and field weather reporters at no cost, keeping their mission alive.

In addition to growing US exports and supporting the US economy through sourcing of raw materials, this order has helped directly employ several Philadelphia and Delaware County residents, many of whom would have otherwise been jobless. “We are teaching the new hires electronic assembly, soldering and lean manufacturing skills which will benefit them in the future” said NK’s Human Resources Manager, Paula Whittaker. “If this project translates into recurring sales, the employees may be eligible for full-time positions and company paid benefits.”

This was a win-win situation for Nielsen-Kellerman, not only are we having fun creating a unique Kestrel Weather Meter for a customer, we also added nine new people to our team to help with the project. If you have any questions about our private labeling option, let us know!

 

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Posted in Kestrel Weather Meters, Private Label | 1 Comment »

Hello from the new girl!

September 26th, 2011

Hi everyone! I just started at NK this month and will be the new official NK blogger. While I’m learning about all of the neat and exciting products that NK offers, I wanted to introduce myself to the friends and followers of NK.

In talking with several members of the NK team, it sounds like we have the unique opportunity to meet so many interesting people involved in a variety of industries who use our products. I must say, I am really looking forward to it! It is truly amazing learning how many people have a need for a Kestrel meter, whether it is for professional or recreational use. We also venture out into the different markets and hear firsthand what experiences people have had using their Kestrel unit.

During my first week at NK, I participated in a quarterly FBI Demo shoot in Fort Dix, NJ where a large group of local law enforcement go to check out new products and practice on the range. Many of the participants were seasoned Kestrel users with interest in learning more about our newest unit that has built-in ballistics software, the Kestrel with Horus. The experience was very exciting and I can’t wait to go back (hopefully my aim will be a little better next time)!

The next few weeks will definitely be busy for us at NK as we head into trade show season. We’ll be in Fort Benning, GA at the end of the week for this year’s International Sniper Competition and then in Annapolis, Maryland for the Boat Show next week. They certainly know how to keep things interesting here at NK!

In the few short weeks that I’ve been here, I have already talked to some of our wonderful Kestrel users.  I had the chance to catch up with Tom from Maryland who used his Kestrel 4500NV with Bluetooth this month to aid him in winning 1st place at the ASC Fall match. By coupling the Kestrel weather meter’s environmental measurements with the calculations from Android’s ballistics calculator, “Shooter”, Tom took home the winning trophy.  Later in the week, I spoke with Mick from Nevada who was looking forward to using his Kestrel 3500NV when he heads to China in November to base jump from one of the world’s largest bridges.

I’m looking forward to meeting our NK fans and users and hearing stories about how our products have helped make their job or hobby easier! If you have a cool story you’d like to share, please post it here!

-Meg Keating, Brand & Marketing Manager at NK

Posted in Company News, Kestrel Weather Meters, NK Behind The Scenes, Upcoming Events | No Comments »

NK on the Big Screen!

September 20th, 2011

NK Products Featured in the Movie Backwards

Following in the footsteps of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Kissing Jessica Stein Writer/Actress/Producer Sarah Megan Thomas has gathered an incredible team for her feature film BACKWARDS, a sports romance following a fiercely competitive rower who fails to make the Olympic boat, takes a coaching job at a school where her boss is also her ex-boyfriend, and struggles to adjust to life off the race course. It will begin lensing in July 2011, with a projected release date of 2012 Summer, just in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London…

The film will be directed by Ben Hickernell. His first feature, Lebanon, PA premiered at South by Southwest Film Festival in 2010, went on to Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival where it won the founder’s prize for “Best Feature.” James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek) will be playing the lead male role of Geoff. Margaret Colin (Gossip Girl, Independence Day) will be playing the role of Mrs. Brooks.

Ms. Thomas, a former rower from the Philadelphia area, will play the lead role of Abigail Brooks. Sarah received her graduate degree in acting in London at Drama Studio. She has appeared in Off-Broadway plays (including a starring role in the critically acclaimed Summit Conference), numerous commercials (including “The New York Times”) and various films. She played the lead role in the independent film The Little Things where she was reviewed as: “When Thomas smiles, she lights up the screen. Her quiet magic gives the film a warm glow.”

It will begin filming in July 2011, with a projected release date of 2012 Summer, just in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Posted in NK Press, Rowing & Paddling | No Comments »

ARIZONA WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS & KESTREL METERS

June 23rd, 2011

Firefighters battling the Arizona wildfires are relying on Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters to get the critical environmental data required for fire safety and containment.   As wildfires continue to spread across the state, firefighters face extreme and dangerous conditions on the fire line. Kestrel meters instantly and accurately provide all the necessary weather information needed to help to save land, homes, and lives.

The erratic and rapidly expanding nature of wildfires can prove deadly and devastating, swallowing hundreds of thousands of acres in a short period of time.  Weather reports from distant weather stations are useless for determining the conditions at the point of fire. Kestrel meters allow firefighters to know the relative humidity right at the scene of the fire allowing them to make decisions for safety and firefighting strategy. Instant wind speed and direction readings also provide clues to the fire’s behavior and how quickly its path might change. Wildland firefighter and first responder Timothy Tonge explains, “Firefighters have come to depend on Kestrel meters for critical information on current weather conditions.  Correct and current knowledge of weather conditions plays a key role in keeping firefighters safe, and properly fighting and extinguishing fires.”

Previously, firefighters had to use several tools to get all of the information available in one handheld Kestrel meter.  The Kestrel 3000 model replaces an entire firefighting belt weather kit with a 4-ounce unit. With optional Bluetooth® data transfer capabilities, the Kestrel 4000 series allows for wireless weather data transfer to fire behavior models and other software.

Every Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter is backed by a five year warranty and is designed, developed, built, and supported here in the USA. Nielsen-Kellerman’s Kestrel Weather division has been researching, developing and manufacturing technically advanced portable weather instruments for more than fifteen years and owns multiple patents on their unique features. Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are employed by thousands of users in hundreds of different activities around the world.

For more information on Kestrel applications, please visit here.

*The Kestrel meters on a prescribed burn. Courtesy of Jim Thomasson.

Posted in Kestrel Weather Meters, Press Releases | No Comments »

Kestrel Meters Critical to Sniper Training

June 22nd, 2011

Kestrel meters play an important role in sniper training and operations, supplying all relevant environmental conditions needed for accuracy in long-distance shooting. With instant heat stress index and optional Bluetooth data transfer capabilities, the Kestrel 4000 series also allows instructors to monit0r the health and safety of personnel during training in extreme, potentially dangerous conditions.

Here, you can see the Kestrel 4000 attached to a tree trunk collecting weather data during a live fire exercise as part of a 1st Special Forces Group 6-week sniper course.  The sniper team duo pictured below managed to secure an ideal final firing position by patiently navigating and concealing themselves behind trees and bushes.  The Kestrel 4000 was used to gather instant weather data continuously for 30 minutes while the team observed the target area, and input all pertinent information into their ATrag ballistics software on a PDA.  As the only sniper team to achieve a first round hit of the day, they thank the Kestrel Pocket Weather Tracker for giving them the most accurate shot!

The Kestrel 4000 series with Bluetooth wireless data transfer is compatible with many popular ballistics programs. For help getting started or with troubleshooting your Bluetooth connection, read our Connection Guide. If you are a software developer and you’re interested in learning more about becoming a software partner, read about it and get additional information here.

If you haven’t already heard, the all new Kestrel with Horus ATrag Ballistics combines all of the above capabilities of instant environmental data PLUS integrated Hours ATrag Ballistics software. That means you get comprehensive, automatic aiming solutions customized for your target and location all in one unit- no PDA required. Depending on your needs, there’s a Kestrel as advanced or as basic as your job requires.

Check out more cool Kestrel customer snapshots or submit your own to our Facebook page!

Posted in Kestrel Horus Vision, Kestrel Weather Meters | No Comments »

June 2011 Special

June 21st, 2011

Get a Wireless Stroke Coach for $170

(Must mention JUNKES when ordering | offer valid June 2011 only | US Domestic customers only)

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