Harris Corporation
Encyclopedia
Harris Corporation is a Florida-based international communications equipment company that produces wireless
equipment, electronic systems, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. It is also the largest private-sector employer in Brevard County, Florida
(~6400 of 15000+ company-wide). The company was the parent of Intersil
(Harris Semiconductor). Most of the numerous wireless
start-ups in South Brevard County were founded and are staffed by former Harris Corporation engineers and technicians. The company's Digital Telephone Systems (DTS) division was sold to Teltronics.
It is one of the top 100 federal contractors.
in 1895. They spent the next 60 years developing lithographic processes and printing press
es before acquiring Intertype Corporation
and Gates Radio, once a major producer of broadcast electronics, in 1957, expanding their reach into broadcasting and typesetting. In 1959, they acquired PRD Electronics of Brooklyn, New York, gaining microwave
technology. In 1967, they merged with Radiation, Inc. of Melbourne, Florida
, a developer of antenna, integrated circuit, and modem technology used in the space race
: the semiconductor
business that later became Intersil
in 1999 was born of this development, and the company headquarters was moved from Cleveland to Melbourne in 1978. In 1969, Harris Corporation acquired RF Communications and Farinon, furthering its microwave assets. The printing operations were sold off in 1983 and are now known as GSS Printing Equipment. GSS Printing Equipment later acquired Lanier Worldwide, which itself was spun off from Harris Corporation in the late 1990s.
In the late 1980s, Harris bought the semiconductor division of RCA
after GE
's acquisition of RCA, later selling the same to Texas Instruments
in the later 1990s or very early 2000s. TI still (as of Sept. 2006) makes the CD4000
family of CMOS
logic chips originally offered by RCA and acquired by TI through Harris.
In 2005, the corporation spent $870 million on research and development.
In January 2011 Harris opened its Calgary, Alberta avionics operation, Harris Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Harris Corporation. The new facility's operations include among others the support of the work to be completed under the company's six-year, $273 million (CAD) services contract with the Government of Canada for the CF-18 Avionics Optimized Weapon System Support (OWSS) program.
Government Communications Systems serves as the advanced technology engine for the company’s diverse business portfolio and is composed of three customer focused businesses—Defense Programs, National Intelligence Programs, Civil Programs .
s to TV stations and networks; cable, satellite, telecommunications and other media content providers; government customers; and sports and entertainment organizations.
Wireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
equipment, electronic systems, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. It is also the largest private-sector employer in Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
(~6400 of 15000+ company-wide). The company was the parent of Intersil
Intersil
Intersil Corporation is an American company that specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of high-performance analog semiconductors for four high-growth markets — Communications, Computing, High End Consumer and Industrial.-Company history:...
(Harris Semiconductor). Most of the numerous wireless
Wireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
start-ups in South Brevard County were founded and are staffed by former Harris Corporation engineers and technicians. The company's Digital Telephone Systems (DTS) division was sold to Teltronics.
It is one of the top 100 federal contractors.
History
The "Harris Automatic Press Company" was founded in Niles, OhioNiles, Ohio
Niles is a city in Trumbull County, Ohio, United States. The city's population was 20,932 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area....
in 1895. They spent the next 60 years developing lithographic processes and printing press
Printing press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
es before acquiring Intertype Corporation
Intertype Corporation
The Intertype Corporation produced the Intertype, a typecasting machine closely resembling the Linotype, and using the same matrices as the Linotype...
and Gates Radio, once a major producer of broadcast electronics, in 1957, expanding their reach into broadcasting and typesetting. In 1959, they acquired PRD Electronics of Brooklyn, New York, gaining microwave
Microwave
Microwaves, a subset of radio waves, have wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as short as one millimeter, or equivalently, with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. This broad definition includes both UHF and EHF , and various sources use different boundaries...
technology. In 1967, they merged with Radiation, Inc. of Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
, a developer of antenna, integrated circuit, and modem technology used in the space race
Space Race
The Space Race was a mid-to-late 20th century competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for supremacy in space exploration. Between 1957 and 1975, Cold War rivalry between the two nations focused on attaining firsts in space exploration, which were seen as necessary for national...
: the semiconductor
Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity due to electron flow intermediate in magnitude between that of a conductor and an insulator. This means a conductivity roughly in the range of 103 to 10−8 siemens per centimeter...
business that later became Intersil
Intersil
Intersil Corporation is an American company that specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of high-performance analog semiconductors for four high-growth markets — Communications, Computing, High End Consumer and Industrial.-Company history:...
in 1999 was born of this development, and the company headquarters was moved from Cleveland to Melbourne in 1978. In 1969, Harris Corporation acquired RF Communications and Farinon, furthering its microwave assets. The printing operations were sold off in 1983 and are now known as GSS Printing Equipment. GSS Printing Equipment later acquired Lanier Worldwide, which itself was spun off from Harris Corporation in the late 1990s.
In the late 1980s, Harris bought the semiconductor division of RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
after GE
Gê
Gê are the people who spoke Ge languages of the northern South American Caribbean coast and Brazil. In Brazil the Gê were found in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Piaui, Mato Grosso, Goias, Tocantins, Maranhão, and as far south as Paraguay....
's acquisition of RCA, later selling the same to Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
in the later 1990s or very early 2000s. TI still (as of Sept. 2006) makes the CD4000
4000 series
The 4000 series is a family of industry standard integrated circuits which implement a variety of logic functions using Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor technology, and are still in use today. They were introduced by RCA as CD4000 COS/MOS series in 1968, as a lower power and more versatile...
family of CMOS
CMOS
Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits...
logic chips originally offered by RCA and acquired by TI through Harris.
In 2005, the corporation spent $870 million on research and development.
In January 2011 Harris opened its Calgary, Alberta avionics operation, Harris Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Harris Corporation. The new facility's operations include among others the support of the work to be completed under the company's six-year, $273 million (CAD) services contract with the Government of Canada for the CF-18 Avionics Optimized Weapon System Support (OWSS) program.
Today
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets worldwide. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $6 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,900 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.Board of directors
- Howard L. LanceHoward LanceHoward Lance is the current chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of the Harris Corporation. He was selected by Harris' Board of Directors in January 2003 to replace Phillip W. Farmer upon his retirement. Howard is currently in transition and working with Bill Brown...
– Chairman of the Board - Thomas A. Dattilo
- Terry D. Growcock
- Lewis Hay III
- Karen Katen
- Stephen P. Kaufman
- Leslie F. Kenne
- David B. Rickard
- Dr. James C. Stoffel
- Gregory T. Swienton
- Hansel E. Tookes II
RF Communications
RF Communications is the leading global supplier of secure tactical radio communications for military, defense and other government organizations. The Falcon family of software-defined radio systems encompasses manpack, vehicular, handheld and personal-role radio applications. Falcon III is touted as the next-generation of multiband, multimission tactical radios that enable networked battlefield communications through their wideband networking capability. Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications designs and builds communications networks and products for customers in the public safety, civilian, federal agencies, utility, transportation and transit markets. Products range from VIDA networks, to P25IP and OpenSky wireless communications systems for first responders to VIDA Broadband solutions for Intelligent Transportation Systems. With the combination of IP (Internet Protocol) -based VIDA networks and the Unity XG-100 multiband portable radio, Harris PS&PC claims to be the industry leader in end-to-end interoperability.Government Communications Systems
Government Communications Systems develops, produces, integrates, and supports systems for defense, national intelligence, federal and civil customers. It serves a diverse customer base including the U.S. Department of Defense and national intelligence agencies, as well as Federal civilian agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, Census Bureau, Department of Justice, Department of State, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Government Communications Systems serves as the advanced technology engine for the company’s diverse business portfolio and is composed of three customer focused businesses—Defense Programs, National Intelligence Programs, Civil Programs .
Integrated Network Solutions
Integrated Network Solutions, which includes Broadcast Communications, supplies technology solutionSolution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s to TV stations and networks; cable, satellite, telecommunications and other media content providers; government customers; and sports and entertainment organizations.
List of Harris acquisitions
Below is a list of all Harris acquisitions, starting in 1995.- Carefx (2011)
- CapRock Communications (2010)
- SignaCert (2010)*
- SolaCom ATC Solutions (2009)
- Tyco Electronics (MA-COM) Wireless Systems (2009)
- Crucial Security, Inc. (2009)
- Zandar Technologies Ltd. (2007)
- Multimax (2007)
- Aastra Digital Video (2006)
- Optimal Solutions, Inc. (2006)
- Leitch TechnologyLeitch TechnologyLeitch Technology Corporation was a Canadian corporation based in Toronto, Ontario specializing in the design and manufacture of equipment for the broadcast television and video post-production industries....
(2005) - Orkand Corporation (2004 – Now Harris Enterprise Services)
- Encoda Systems (2004)
- ImageLinks, Inc. (2004)
- Hirschmann Multimedia Communications Network (2001)
- Exigent International, Inc. (2001)
- Wavtrace, Inc. (2000)
- Lucent Technologies' Point-to-Point Microwave Business (2000)
- Louth Automation (2000)
- Audio Broadcast Group, Inc. (1999)
- Pacific Research & Engineering Corporation (1999)
- CHOICE Microsystems (1999)
- Intraplex, Inc. (1999)
- Agfa Copying Systems, Inc. (1998)
- Trans-Comp, Inc. (1998 – Spun-off with Lanier Worldwide)
- Northeast Broadcast Lab (1997)
- NovAtel Communications (1995)
- Triplett Corporation's Cellular and Telecommunications Business (1995)