EMS Technologies

EMS Technologies, Inc. was an Atlanta-based communications technology company that developed specialized wireless, defense, aerospace, satellite, aviation, tracking, and rugged mobile-computing systems. Founded in 1968 by Dr. John E. Pippin as Electromagnetic Sciences Inc., the business grew from an electromagnetic and communications engineering company into a diversified supplier serving military, aerospace, transportation, logistics, maritime, energy, and commercial aviation customers. The company’s work emphasized communications in difficult or mobile environments. Its Defense & Space activities included K-band antenna systems, custom beam-management technologies, and electronic counter-countermeasures for communications satellites. These capabilities supported military network-centric operations, battlefield radar visibility, satellite communications, and commercial aerospace connectivity. EMS also supplied airborne communications systems, including equipment used in high-profile government and military aviation applications. EMS operated through four major divisions: EMS Defense & Space, LXE, EMS Aviation, and EMS Global Tracking. EMS Aviation focused on satellite-based communications for aircraft, including systems intended to provide in-flight voice, video, and high-speed internet services. The division also offered rugged data-storage equipment and hardware and software for recording and replaying airborne data, serving aerospace, defense, and transportation customers. EMS Global Tracking supplied vehicle and personal tracking systems for fleet, cargo, maritime, security, transportation, and oil-and-gas uses. LXE produced rugged vehicle-mounted, handheld, and wearable mobile computers designed for warehouses and other environments in which mobile workers needed access to corporate networks and scanning systems. The company expanded through acquisitions and international operations. In 2007, described as its strongest financial year in its first four decades, EMS acquired DSpace of Australia and Akerstroms of Sweden. It was also recognized by Forbes among the 200 best small companies. Before the Honeywell transaction, EMS reportedly generated approximately $290 million in annual sales revenue and had about 1,100 employees at its principal location and approximately 1,900 employees internationally. Honeywell International purchased EMS Technologies in August 2011. The acquisition ended EMS Technologies as an independent publicly traded company and brought its specialized communications and aerospace-related activities into Honeywell’s broader technology portfolio. As a result, EMS Technologies is best understood historically as an acquired corporate technology brand rather than an active standalone company.

EMS Technologies was established in 1968 by Dr. John E. Pippin under the name Electromagnetic Sciences Inc. The company was based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, including operations associated with Peachtree Corners Technology Park. Its initial identity was rooted in electromagnetic engineering and communications technology, but over time it developed a broader portfolio covering wireless systems, military communications, aerospace equipment, satellite connectivity, tracking technologies, and rugged mobile computing. A central part of EMS’s historical business was the development of communications equipment for demanding environments. Its Defense & Space division produced K-band antenna systems and custom beam-management systems for military and commercial applications. These systems were associated with mobile network-centric operations, battlefield radar visibility, and commercial aerospace connectivity. The company also supplied electronic counter-countermeasure technologies for communications satellites, reflecting its role in specialized defense and space communications. EMS’s airborne communications systems were used in military aviation applications, including systems associated with Air Force One. EMS organized its activities into four principal divisions. EMS Defense & Space addressed military, satellite, antenna, and specialized communications requirements. EMS Aviation developed satellite-based systems designed to deliver voice, video, and high-speed internet services to aircraft, as well as rugged data-storage equipment and systems for recording and replaying airborne data. EMS Global Tracking produced vehicle and personal tracking solutions for transportation, security, maritime, fleet, cargo, and oil-and-gas applications. LXE focused on rugged vehicle-mounted, handheld, and wearable computers used by warehouse personnel and other mobile workers. Together, these divisions gave the company exposure to both government and commercial markets. The company expanded internationally and through acquisitions. In 2007, EMS acquired DSpace of Australia and Akerstroms of Sweden. That year was characterized as the strongest financial year in the company’s approximately four-decade history, and EMS was included on Forbes’ list of the 200 best small companies. Before its acquisition, the company reportedly had annual sales of approximately $290 million, around 1,100 employees at its Atlanta-area location, and approximately 1,900 employees internationally. Its activities were heavily associated with military applications, while its commercial businesses served aviation, logistics, transportation, security, maritime, and energy customers. Honeywell International purchased EMS Technologies in August 2011. The transaction brought EMS’s communications, aerospace, tracking, and rugged-computing capabilities into Honeywell and ended the independent existence of EMS Technologies. The brand therefore represents a historical technology company whose businesses were absorbed into a larger industrial and aerospace group rather than a currently operating standalone enterprise.

1. 2011Acquired by Honeywell International

   Honeywell International purchased EMS Technologies in August, ending EMS’s status as an independent company.

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2. 2007International acquisitions and strong financial performance

   EMS acquired DSpace of Australia and Akerstroms of Sweden. The year was described as the strongest in the company’s first 40 years, and EMS appeared on Forbes’ list of the 200 best small companies.

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3. 1968Company founded as Electromagnetic Sciences Inc.

   Dr. John E. Pippin founded the company that later became known as EMS Technologies.

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A specialized communications and information-systems supplier for defense, aerospace, aviation, transportation, logistics, and other mobile or harsh operating environments.

• EMS Defense & SpaceDefense and satellite communications

  The Defense & Space division developed K-band antenna systems, custom beam-management systems, and other specialized communications technologies. Its applications included military mobile network operations, battlefield radar visibility, satellite communications, and commercial aerospace connectivity. The division also offered electronic counter-countermeasure systems intended to protect or improve communications in contested electromagnetic environments.

• EMS AviationAircraft communications and aerospace data systems

  EMS Aviation produced satellite-based communications systems for aircraft. These systems were designed to support in-flight voice, video, and high-speed internet connectivity. The division also supplied rugged data-storage products and hardware and software for airborne data recording and replay, serving aerospace, defense, transportation, and commercial aviation customers.

• EMS Global TrackingTracking and asset-management systems

  EMS Global Tracking manufactured vehicle and personal tracking systems for organizations managing mobile assets. Its applications included transportation fleets, cargo, maritime operations, security services, and oil-and-gas activities. The systems were intended to help customers locate, monitor, communicate with, and protect vehicles, personnel, and other mobile assets.

• LXE rugged mobile computersRugged enterprise mobility hardware

  LXE produced rugged vehicle-mounted, handheld, and wearable mobile computers. Its products were aimed particularly at warehouses and other operational settings where workers required durable computing devices, barcode scanning, and mobile access to corporate networks. LXE formed the enterprise-mobility portion of EMS Technologies’ diversified product portfolio.

• 2011Sale to Honeywell InternationalM&A

  EMS Technologies operated as a diversified supplier of specialized communications and information systems for defense, space, aviation, transportation, and industrial customers.

  What changed. Honeywell International purchased EMS Technologies in August 2011.

  Aftermath. EMS ceased to operate as an independent company, and its businesses became part of Honeywell’s broader portfolio.

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• 2007Expansion through DSpace and Akerstroms acquisitionsM&A

  EMS sought to expand its international capabilities and market reach during a period it described as its strongest financial year in four decades.

  What changed. The company acquired DSpace of Australia and Akerstroms of Sweden.

  Aftermath. The acquisitions strengthened EMS’s international presence before the company was acquired by Honeywell four years later.

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• 2011Honeywell purchases EMS Technologies

  Honeywell International acquired EMS Technologies in August 2011, ending EMS’s operation as an independent company and incorporating its communications and aerospace-related activities into Honeywell.

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• 2007EMS Technologies reports a strong 2007 and expands through acquisitions

  EMS described 2007 as its best financial year in its first 40 years and acquired DSpace of Australia and Akerstroms of Sweden. The company was also included by Forbes among its 200 best small companies.

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1. EMS Technologies