Corporate Fact Sheet

• EMS Defense & Space Systems – developing advanced technology hardware for military and space applications, including providing commercial and military customers with critical subsystems and components for terrestrial, airborne and space-based communication, RADAR and electronic warfare systems. EMS hardware supports the industry's most advanced surveillance, electronic counter-measure and secure communications capabilities.
• EMS SATCOM - specializing in the design and development of satellite-based terminals and antennas for the aeronautical, ground-mobile, maritime and emergency management markets. EMS SATCOM is a leader in developing and supplying high-speed data communications equipment that enables vital communications capabilities such as voice, e-mail and Internet, to a broad variety of aircraft. With a long history in Search and Rescue solutions, it also provides leading-edge software and hardware that has helped save tens of thousands of lives around the globe. Based in Ottawa, Canada, it has development and sales offices in the U.K., United States, Mexico and Europe.
• LXE – offering wireless products and solutions to improve the productivity, control, and accuracy of supply-chain execution and logistics. Products include rugged mobile computers, advanced auto-id technologies and wireless network infrastructure. LXE’s full range of turnkey services cover radio integration, project and installation management, network design, technical support and repair services.

History

EMS Technologies, Inc. was founded in Atlanta in 1968 as Electromagnetic Sciences, Inc. From its earliest days, EMS focused on developing technologies for advanced wireless communications systems.

In the early 1970s, EMS pioneered the use of ferrite technology in space applications. As its technology base grew, EMS became an important supplier to the U.S. Defense Department, especially in space communications.

Beginning in the early 1980s, EMS applied its wireless expertise to the world of standard commercial products by establishing a subsidiary, LXE Inc., focused on providing wireless data communications for materials handling and other logistics applications. In 1993, EMS acquired Ottawa-based CAL Corporation, now the core of its SATCOM Division, increasing EMS’ base of space technologies and adding to the Company’s standard-products capabilities. The SATCOM division’s aeronautical antennas for satellite-based data communications continue to set the industry standard in the corporate aircraft market. Also in 1993, EMS launched its EMS Wireless division, focused on manufacturing wireless infrastructure antenna products for the PCS/cellular market. In 2000, the division became the leading manufacturer of base station antennas in North America. EMS Wireless’ advanced antenna designs, innovative line of PCS/cellular antennas and industry leadership in volume manufacturing have made it EMS’ fastest-growing business area.

In 1999, EMS acquired the Space Systems and Products division of Spar Aerospace Ltd. EMS has become recognized as a major North American manufacturer of space hardware. In 2005, EMS sold this business, EMS Space and Technology/Montreal, to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Ltd.