Governor Hogan Announces Expansion of Elta North America, Defense Company Plans to Add 50 New Jobs, Triple Space

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 22, 2016) – As part of a weeklong economic development mission to Israel, Governor Larry Hogan today met with executives of defense giant ELTA Systems Ltd. and announced that the company’s U.S. affiliate, ELTA North America, is tripling its footprint in Maryland and adding up to 50 new jobs over the next two to three years. The company, which opened a 7,500-square-foot facility in Howard County’s Maple Lawn community in 2012, has signed a new lease for 21,500 square feet in Annapolis Junction and plans to move next month.

ELTA North America leverages state-of-the-art technology from ELTA Systems Ltd., the world’s 4th largest radar company and a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and produces the components for Israel’s famous “Iron Dome” anti-missile system, as well as border surveillance radars for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ELTA North America also is involved in helping warfighters and first responders combat the growing threat of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The company has developed a revolutionary system that detects, identifies, and defeats UAVs using man-portable or fixed-site systems. And, with ELTA Systems as a global leader in cyber security, the company provides cyber solutions through ELTA North America.

“We are proud to headquarter our company in Maryland,” said Eric Womble, CEO and president of ELTA North America. “The support of the county and state, especially from Governor Hogan’s office, has been outstanding and an important factor in our continued growth and expansion.”

“It’s great news that ELTA North America is tripling its space and adding 50 new jobs in Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “ELTA is a world-class defense company and we are proud that they have chosen to expand their operations and will continue to manufacture the components for their cutting-edge defense systems in Maryland.

“Howard County has been in support of ELTA North America since they decided to locate their headquarters here in 2012,” said Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman. “They could have selected anywhere in the country, but they chose to join the Howard County business community. Four years later, they faced another choice of where to grow their business and once again decided that Howard County was the right place to be.”

Following his meeting with ELTA, Governor Hogan also addressed cyber companies at CyberSpark, the new Israeli Cyber Innovation Arena that is a joint venture of the Israel National Cyber Bureau (INCB), Beer-Sheva municipality, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and leading companies in the cybersecurity industry such as EMC, Jerusalem Venture Partners and Lockheed Martin. CyberSpark is designed to centralize Israel’s cyber industry activities in order to leverage the region’s strengths and maximize its potential.

Maryland has long maintained ties with Israel, building on shared strengths in biotechnology, IT, aerospace and defense. Currently, about 24 Israeli companies maintain offices in Maryland, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Medispec and IMI Services (a subsidiary of Israel Military Industries). In 2015, Israel was Maryland’s 43rd largest trading partner with $145.1 million in product exports, mostly chemicals, transportation equipment, and computer and electronic products.

Governor Hogan has been in Israel since Tuesday as part of a weeklong economic development mission. He is leading a delegation of state officials, business leaders, and Jewish community leaders.

Karen Glenn Hood
Director
Media Relations and Public Affairs
Maryland Department of Commerce
401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
O 410-767-6318 | C 443-463-8129

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