Harris Corporation MTA
The Story of An American Company

About this book:

From humble beginnings in 1895 as the Harris Automatic Press Company, revolutionizing the printing industry with innovations in lithography and automatic sheet feeders, this book chronicles the remarkable transformation of an American enterprise into a global leader in assured communications and electronic systems. Charting a century-long journey, it details how Harris strategically diversified beyond its printing roots, making bold pivots into radio broadcasting (Gates Radio), advanced typesetting (Intertype), microwave technology (PRD Electronics, Farinon Electric), and, most critically, aerospace and defense (Radiation, Inc.). This evolution, culminating in the relocation of its headquarters to Melbourne, Florida, showcases a company driven by relentless innovation and a visionary commitment to high technology.

The narrative explores Harris Corporation’s crucial role as a top-tier defense contractor, providing cutting-edge solutions from secure tactical radios (the Falcon family) and electronic warfare systems to advanced avionics for platforms like the F-22 and F-35. It delves into the company’s significant contributions to space programs, weather monitoring, and air traffic management, alongside its disciplined approach to portfolio management through key 21st-century acquisitions like Exelis Inc., and strategic divestitures of non-core businesses. Beyond its technological prowess, the book also highlights Harris’s unique corporate culture, emphasizing research and development, employee well-being, diversity, and global citizenship, which underpinned its sustained success and adaptability across dynamic market landscapes.

The story concludes with the monumental "merger of equals" with L3 Technologies in 2019, forming L3Harris Technologies—a powerful new entity that instantly became a global aerospace and defense giant. This final transformation solidified Harris's legacy, amplifying its capabilities and securing its position at the forefront of national security endeavors. From pioneering printing presses to developing advanced space systems and tactical communications, the book offers a compelling account of how ingenuity, strategic foresight, and a commitment to technological excellence allowed Harris Corporation to continually reinvent itself, shaping both America’s industrial past and its technological future.

What You'll Find Inside:

• **Century of Transformation:** Discover how Harris Corporation evolved from a 19th-century printing press innovator to a 21st-century global leader in defense and electronic systems, showcasing remarkable corporate adaptability.
• **Strategic Pivots and Acquisitions:** Explore key mergers and acquisitions, such as Gates Radio, Intertype, Radiation Inc., and Exelis, which dramatically shifted Harris's focus from mechanical printing to broadcast electronics, space systems, and secure communications.
• **Innovation in Communication & Defense:** Learn about Harris's groundbreaking contributions, including pioneering offset lithography, developing the iconic Falcon family of tactical radios for global military use, and creating critical systems for U.S. Census and air traffic control.
• **Relocation and Focused Growth:** Understand the strategic decision to exit the printing business and relocate headquarters to Florida, solidifying Harris's commitment to high-tech electronics, defense, and space industries.
• **Culture of R&D and Global Reach:** Examine Harris's deep-rooted culture of research and development, its commitment to technology transfer from military to commercial applications, and its expansion into over 150 countries through international partnerships.

Who's It For:

This book is for anyone interested in American industrial history, corporate strategy, and the evolution of technology companies. It would particularly appeal to business students, historians of technology, professionals in the aerospace, defense, and communications industries, and individuals curious about how companies adapt and thrive amidst rapid technological change.