Vingtor-Stentofon 70 YEARS OF INNOVATION

One time magazine in celebration of the 70 th anniversary of Vingtor-Stentofon.

1946-2016 OUR HISTORY

2

MEET CEO KENNETH DÅSTØL

3

10 YEARS OF IP

5

INNOVATION

6

OUR FUTURE

10

70 YEARS

OF INNOVATION This magazine is part of the year-long celebration of Vingtor-Stentofon’s 70th anniversary. Even though the brand only became one entity as recently as 2014, the history of both Vingtor and Stentofon dates back to 1946. Let’s take a short trip down memory lane.

Stentofon used to be called Stentor Radiofabrikk and was founded in Trondheim by Otto S. Knudsen and Sverre Berg. In the beginning, the brand specialized in manufacturing radio communication systems for fishing boats, ships and other vessels. Later on, Stentor Radiofabrikk expanded their product range by including intercom systems. They then changed their brand name to Stentofon.

Vingtor started out as Vestfold Radio Elektro AS , and was established by the Norwegians Tor Kaltvedt and Gunnar Sommer Olsen. Just like Stentofon, Vingtor was also operating in the market of radio equipment.

As their products became more differentiated and export orientated, the company changed its name to Vingtor Electronics AS. In 1985 the Marine Intercom business was seperated into a limited company called Vingtor Marine AS. This was done to reflect the fact that about 50 percent of Vingtor’s revenue was generated in the marine market.

2

NEW MARKETS

STANDING AS ONE

Both brands slowly gained attention in the international market. In 1988, as a result of good cooperation, Stentofon aquired Vingtor Marine and the two brands are for the first time under the same ownership. Over the years, Stentofon merged with other companies, like RingCom AS, (Ring-Master, Noracom) and Ring Marine AB. They also acquired well-known companies and brands such as Steenhans and Philips Intercom and Nurse Call division with M100 and Bi-Way. Together, these companies became the Stento ASA Group.

Today, the two product brands, Vingtor and Stentofon are successfully merged into one, as a part of the Zenitel Group. It was under the leadership of our current CEO, Kenneth Dåstøl that they were unified. The idea behind the unity was primarily to strengthen the partnership between the two. In addition, elements such as simplification for customers and providing an easier understanding of the company’s key offerings played a big role in the merger as well. Vingtor-Stentofon is dedicated to eliminate unforseen variables in the security market, because ‘almost working’ products are never good enough in life threatening situations.

After a period where the brands were continuously developed for new markets, such as oil platforms, hospitals, public transportation and tunnels, the brands got more recognition. Providing intercom systems for these segments became the group’s main activity, and increasing the market for security communications even further was the main goal.

WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT WE DO, AND STAND BEHIND OUR RICH HISTORY TOGETHER. HERE’S TO THE NEXT 70 YEARS OF INNOVATION.

AN INTERVIEW WITH

KENNETH DÅSTØL In celebration of Vingtor-Stentofon’s 70th anniversary, CEO Kenneth Dåstøl shares his experiences with the brand, which go all the way back to his elementary school, where a young Dåstøl noticed Intercoms in the classrooms.

«I remember we had Intercom installed in each classroom. I also remember using in-house products a lot when I worked in the Kongsberg Group, and I was so disappointed when the management decided to replace Stentofon products with IP telephony. I am sure that it is not the first time that anybody has heard me tell that story? And of course, when I was interviewed for a job in Zenitel my first comment was: Are you still selling these old products? Yet, we still have huge success with both the old and modern products, even 15 years after I started.»

VINGTOR-STENTOFON HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT PROVIDER FOR MANY DECADES, AND IS WELL ESTABLISHED IN THE SECURITY MARKET AS A TRUSTWORTHY BRAND. «Our brand reliability is a cornerstone of our success.

Another important factor is that we have decided that our products should be backwards compatible. This is an extra security level for our clients, which means that they can upgrade old systems to top modern systems when and if they have available funds», he says. «These products differ from our competitors in three main areas. We are the company that has been in business for the longest period. Our Zenitel company is 115 years old in 2016, the brand is 70 years old. The other important differentiator is that we are strong both onshore and in Maritime/Oil & Gas. Also, I think we have better and more satisfied employees and a more loyal and happy customer base.»

WHEN ASKED WHAT HIS FAVORITE PRODUCT IS, DÅSTØL REPLIES LIKE A PARENT BEING ASKED ABOUT HIS FAVORITE CHILD. «Because, there are so many great products to choose amongst I do not have a favorite. But, what I do think is fantastic, is how the Vingtor-Stentofon product lines in maritime can still be sold in such a profitable way, 42 years after the market launch. I am very proud of being the head of the Zenitel Group. We have fantastic people doing their utmost best handling our in-house products.

Keep up the good work; I am sure we will continue to have great successes in the coming years. Do your job correct the first time, at the agreed cost with the right quality and always look for improvements. If we all stay focused on our core values and strategy, we will for sure reach our 2020 goals. Happy anniversary, let’s P.A.R.T.I.»

PRIDE We are proud of who we are and what we do

ACCOUNTABILITY

We follow through on our commitments

RESULTS We want to create value for our Customers, Suppliers, Employees and Shareholders

TEAM WORK

We work as one team

INNOVATION

Our company culture fosters creativity, continuous improvement and innovation

3

10 YEARS OF IP The anniversary of Vingtor-Stentofon as a brand is not the only anniversary we are celebrating in 2016. Zenitel’s Internet Protocol (IP) Systems are officially turning ten years old. Since 2006, IP has been an efficient means of communication for both single and interconnected networks. It all started with a neccesary upgrade of AlphaCom. AlphaCom is a system, in which IP is the most commonly used way of sharing and communicating across networks. The old system, where one had to lease fixed cables to connect AlphaCom equipment, was not viable anymore. It was extremely costly and not fast enough for a global connection. It was time for a new solution.

APOLLO MISSION A project called The Apollo Mission, lead by Thomas Hægh was started in June 2004. This was done to create internal collaboration between various departments such as Sales and R&D. The first AlphaCom release was two years later.

At the time of release, Zenitel participated in Europe’s largest security exhibition, IFSEC International.

Thousands of global security professionals were gathered together to explore the latest innovations from the leaders in the industry. Zenitel

presented the brand new AlphaCom Evolution. Initially there was some scepticism. In particular, the marine market claimed to never actually need IP technology on board. Interestingly enough, Marine is currently Zenitel’s most sold to segment.

A BRIGHT FUTURE Originally the project was taken on to develop better communication systems. Thomas Hægh gives us an example on how the communication has improved and how large the scale of the systems can be today.

«One of the biggest American software companies have servers in their hometown, managing lifts in for instance Bangalore. This was not even close to possible with the former hardware solutions. The intercom devices we have today are as powerful as the AlphaCom Evolution at launch. Processing power in the individual products is massive.»

Looking into future developments,

it becomes clear that the focus is shifting from purely developing technology to generating more user friendliness and customer care. We live in a time where technology is evolving faster than the people developing it. That is why it’s important to always listen to people’s needs, and to simplify the use of our advanced systems even further.

WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS EVOLVING FASTER THAN THE PEOPLE DEVELOPING IT. THAT IS WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS LISTEN TO PEOPLE’S NEEDS

«IT WAS A LONG JOURNEY to get to the IP systems as we know them today.

1946

1957

1970

2006

Analog Systems

Transistor-based Systems

Microprosessor based servers

IP based systems

5

1957

TRANSISTOR BASED SYSTEMS Products with transistors came to Norway in 1956. Here is “Kalle” a speakerphone with plastic housing from 1957.

BEST COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM RTS7 Ships Radio provides a new level of security at sea.

1946

STENTOFON FOUNDED under the name Stentor. The Central CA was the first office phone produced. Naming system: One letter for system, and one letter as “sequence number”.

1960

KV STATION With a switch technology (mechanical crossbar switch) that allows conversations between all stations. Koordinat velger (KV), Duplex.

1958

1949

INCREASED SAFETY The SM500 Receiver for ships was quite unique when launched. It didn’t depend on high voltage like other receivers at the time. It could run on either 12V or 24V.

CAR RADIOS For a short period car radios were produced.

1952

INTERCOM Ring-Master Intercom on the market.

Developed based on inspiration after working with Edisons and his «Televoice».

1953

THE CENTRAL CD Intercom with tougher mechanics for industry.

1946

VINGTOR Founded under the name Vestfold Radio Elektro AS, based in Horten. Norway. Specialist in maritime communication systems.

1959

FACTORY Stentor factory in Alvdal, Norway.

1952

«A DREAM AMPLIFIER FOR GUITARS, ACCORDIONS AND BACKING VOCALISTS» In our early days we produced amplifiers. Our amplifiers were known for their great sound quality and durability.

1956

VHF RADIOTELEPHONE For cars, boats and airplanes.

6

This amplifier came with a 10” loudspeaker and delivered a staggering 12W output power.

It had connections for up to 3 microphones. The amplifiers had bass and treble control. What more could you wish for when buying an amplifier in 1952.

1964

Wooden Desktop station.

1969

DESIGN AWARD Best industrial design award (Merket for God Design) .

Duplex Masterstation ECS (Electronic Crossbar). Design by Jacob Jensen.

1972

PEGFA Steenhans PA System.

1981

STENTOFON PAMEX MPC (Pulse Amplitude Modulated Exchange – MicroProcessor Controlled).

1979

007 USES STENTOFON Roger Moore uses STENTOFON intercom in his spaceship «Moonraker».

1985

1982

1975

MOONLANDING TECHNOLOGY MFC (Master Function Control) from Philips, was the first industrially produced product based on microprocessor in Europe. The processor used was a Rockwell PPS-8.

SVM (STORED VOICE MESSAGE «A better invention than the vacuum cleaner» ref. central board employee at one of our customers. Ring Master follows this up with SVIM (Stored Voice and Information Messages) the year after.

VSS Sound Reception System.

2014: The first brand to offer a Sound Signal Reception system tested and compliant with the performance standard ISO14859:2012. the EU directive for Marine Equipment (MED), for VSS-V2.

1995

ALPHACOM Intercom Server.

VMP

1975

POP PAMEX PAMEX (Pulse Amplitude Modulated Exchange )released .The L-6001 deskstation was produced in 12000 units this year.

1985

STENTOFON 8500 Nursecall.

1980

President Gerald Ford installed a Stentor intercom system in his private residence in Palm Springs.

1975 1978

Battlestar Galagtica uses the Stentofon Intercom.

VSP Batteryless Communication System.

1990

PATIENT SIGNALLING, the system that gives patients in many hospitals more confidence and easier contact with the nursing staff.

1987 TOUCHLINE A new generation of Intercom with display.

Backwards compatible with PAMEX, replaced by the AlphaCom Technology in 1995.

The Touchline was awarded Best design award (Merket for God Design) in 1991.

Designed by J.Jensen.

1946-2016 VINGTOR-STENTOFON HAS BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT PROVIDER FOR DECADES.

2015 VS-IS

Intercom Suite.

2011

PULSE Onboard VoIP system.

2006

THE FIRST OF MANY IP PRODUCTS: The AlphaCom Evolution (AlphaCom E).

2015

TURBINE IP VIDEO STATION Awarded Most Valuble Product for Access Control

by SSI Magazine in 2016.

2012

FLOWIRE TECHNOLGY; Analog to IP Converter.

TURBINE SERIES New generation of Intercoms.

2015

1ST IP EX INTERCOM AND PA STATIONS For hazardous environments.

TURBINE MINI Compact and elegant Indoor Intercom station.

ALPHACOM XE IP-based VoIP System.

2010

IP SPEAKERS 1st to launch IP Horn Speaker.

2014

IP EX and Industrial Access Panels, and Industrial Intercom Stations.

2009

IP DESK STATION

2013

EXIGO Native IP Public Address and General Alarm System.

8

2014

The two brands VINGTOR and STENTOFON merged into the brand Vingtor-Stentofon.

2016 THE INNOVATION CONTINUES

2016

ONBOARD ROLLING STOCK AMPLIFIER We have now enetered the Rolling Stock market .

2016 THE VINGTOR-STENTOFON STORY CONTINUES.

ANOTHER 70 YEARS

THE FUTURE IS WAITING We are not able to predict what the next 70 years will bring, but we will make sure that we are prepared for all eventualities. Thereby, safeguarding that Vingtor-Stentofon remains the preferred choice in situations that involve the protection of human lives or the management of critical activities for the next 70 years.

We have all worked hard to build one global integrated organization and develop one common brand, facing many challenges along the way. Our vision remains the same, to be a world leading provider of critical communication solutions.

EVERYBODY IS PART OF THE P.A.R.T.I. We can only achieve this collectively, both as a company and as individuals, by providing the highest quality solutions available on the market. By sticking to our core values we will be able to continue to foster a culture of innovation, where we all stand accountable for our actions and work together as a team to achieve results, for our customers, partners, suppliers, employees and shareholders. Whilst all the time maintaining a sense of pride, both in our long and rich history and a pride in the future of the company that we are all helping

10

to evolve to meet the demands of the next 70 years.

COMPETITIVE IN A GLOBAL MARKET We operate in a global market place that is very price-sensitive and may even become more challenging in the coming years, it is important to have products that require low maintenance and operating costs.

Therefore, an important part of our future success is to continue to market unique high quality products and services to make it harder for the competition to maintain an edge in the market based on price alone.

We remain focused on meeting our targets and growing our business in a profitable way, expanding our geographical footprint and becoming closer to our customers where and when it is prudent to do so. We are a communications company and it is vital that we listen carefully to all

stakeholders. Building and maintaining strong realtionships is key to our future success.

TEAMWORK MAKES THE STRATEGY WORK Finally, we would like to take the opportunity to extend our thanks and gratitude to our employees for their efforts and dedication, to our management and our Board of Directors for their commitment, and to our shareholders, partners and customers for their faith and trust in Vingtor-Stentofon. We look forward to working together to achieve another 70 years that we can all be proud of.

OUR VISION REMAINS THE SAME, TO BE A WORLD LEADING PROVIDER OF CRITICAL COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS.

BY STICKING TO OUR CORE VALUES WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF INNOVATION.

THE DIRECTORS INTERCOM: An exclusive cherry wood version of the STENTOFON PAMEX Intercom.

The Exclusive series was numbered from 1-200 and number 1 was given to the prime minister of Norway at the time, Gro Harlem Brundtland.Â