Geotherm Inc., started out 28 years ago in Canada offering test instruments and services for the measurement and analysis of thermal parameters using stateoftheart technology. These find applications in numerous fields where the knowledge of heat and mass transfer through natural as well as manmade materials is essential. The soil is of particular importance in view of the modern trend in utilizing the subsurface for many purposes. Underground and submarine power cables, storage and containment of radioactive spent fuel, and the utilization of earth energy for space heating and cooling via groundcoupled heat pumps are prime examples where this knowledge of soil thermal properties is a must.