Defense contractor expands due to DOD biz - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

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The Norcross-based company will launch a 34,000-square-foot expansiojn later this year at its headquarters at 660 Engineering Drived inTechnology Park. The expansion supports growthh inthe company's Defense and Space Systems Division, whichj is adding at least 50 additional staffers in 2008 -- in additionj to 120 companywide it brought on boarde in 2007. Just like its wireless communications counterpartsw on theground -- whicnh have been growing -- EMS is expanding communications in the EMS Technologies (Nasdaq: recently won a $13 millionm contract from (NYSE: NOC) to provide an extremelt high-frequency satellite communications system for the Air Force's B-2 stealth The technology enables the bomber to send and receives battlefield information up to 100 timexs faster than its current ultra-high-frequency satellit communications system.
"We're what we call communications onthe move, but not in a traditionalk sense," said Paul Domorski, president and CEO of EMS Technologies. "Thess are rugged systems placed onstealtn fighters, ready for use in harsn environments." But EMS isn't just a militarhy contractor. (Nasdaq: JBLU), uses EMS antenna systems so customers on its passenger jets can get satellitre TV servicethrough DIRECTV. "And our technology can also help you use your BlackBerryu and cell phone in the Domorski said. EMS also makes productds for on-the-ground communications.
"We're the reasom you can have that shark-fin-like antenna on your car instead ofthe older, taller antenna that used to be EMS' growing defense business is a key drive r behind the need for additional space. The division has a record $74 million backlog in orders, and almost doubled its operating profitin 2007. The two largee areas of this spaceand communications-on-the-move, are experiencing double-digift percentage growth year-over-year. In 2008, the Defense and Space Systems Division will hire48 people, mostlu engineers, to support the growth of that In recent months, the company has boostede its workforce.
It's also dipping into the locak collegiate poolfor up-and-coming including graduates from , and . EMS brought on board more engineerx and businessdevelopment staff, along with more test and procesds technicians, and assemblers, to keep pace with its increasingt manufacturing requirements, said David Smith, vice president and generao manager of the division. For now, EMS is addingg temporary office space near its headquarters untilp the expansionis complete. The company will be selecting a generao contractor forthe 34,000-square-foot expansiomn in the next 60 days.
is scouting for at leasft 50,000 square feet in metro Atlanta, accordint to brokers and others familiae withthe company's search. which houses its U.S. administrative headquarters and major research and developmenyt wing at One Technology South in is said to be considering the CentralPerimete submarket. But an ADVA spokeswoman said the Munich-basee company has not focused on that submarket and is only reviewintgits options. It could renew its lease or relocate. ADVA'se 58,000-square-foot lease at One Technology South expiresxin March, the company said. ADVA sells its fiber-opticc products primarily to telephonre carriers and other communications service accordingto Hoover's.