In 1997 the company invested EUR 82.6 million on R&D, representing 4.3 per cent of net sales. This fell to EUR 73.7 million in 1998 (4.0 per cent of net sales) and to EUR 73.5 million in 1999 (3.9 per cent of net sales).
Globally, the company employs around 500 people in R&D. The company's focus for R&D is in Vaasa in Finland where it operates a large laboratory developing medium-speed engines alongside its factory. The laboratory employs 250 engineers and technicians. NSD's R&D effort was spearheaded by its 3,500 sq.m. research facility - the Diesel Technology Center - in Winterthur. Within Wartsila Power Divisions this now plays a subsidiary role in the development of low-speed Sulzer brand engines.
In addition to its facilities in Finland and in Switzerland, there is a small R&D centre in the Netherlands (where gas engine development work has been consolidated) and development centres alongside each of its factories.
