Lockheed Martin, a leading defence and high-technology firm, has significantly expanded its presence in Canada. In 2008, the company secured a series of contracts to install, integrate and service combat systems for Canada’s Halifax-class frigates and expects to hire up to 200 additional staff.

Headquartered in Ottawa, Lockheed Martin Canada maintains offices in six provinces and employs more than 500 people. Many of the new jobs are in skilled engineering, technical and manufacturing positions at existing facilities in Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, and Esquimalt, British Columbia. Originally an American aviation company that first came to Canada in 1939, Lockheed Martin has since diversified internationally into several additional sectors, including aerospace, electronics and integrated systems.

Lockheed Martin’s interest in Canada stems from the country’s reputation as a centre of excellence in the defence and security industries. These industries generate more than $10 billion in annual sales (approximately 50 percent to foreign markets) and 70,000 jobs—most employees work in the high-technology sector. The company markets products, technologies and services developed in Canada to countries around the world.

“Like all good contracts, this is a win-win situation”, says Tom Digan, President of Lockheed Martin Canada. “We benefit from the business opportunity and Canada benefits from strengthened defence capacity, enhanced technological expertise and increased export opportunities.”

Lockheed Martin [www.lockheedmartin.com] is yet another global leader that finds opportunity in Canada.

Additional Facts

• Global sales and employment figures for Lockheed Martin in 2008: $42 billion and 150,000, respectively
• Lockheed Martin is the leading supplier of information technology services to the government of the United States; systems integration and IT services account for more than 50 percent of the company’s global revenues.