Northrop Grumman Celebrates Grand Opening of 'Innovation Institute'

Dec. 15, 2009

Officials of Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Electronic Systems sector on Dec. 11 celebrated the grand opening of the new Northrop Grumman Innovation Institute in Linthicum, Md., which will serve as the focal point for the sectors advanced technology developmen

Josh Cable

The five-story, 156,000-square-foot leased office building is located in the same technology park where Northrop Grumman already maintains the headquarters for its Electronic Systems sector.

The new facility is home to more than 450 current engineers, scientists and support personnel who previously had been housed in several nearby leased and company-owned buildings, according to the company.

"From the ground up, this new facilitywith its modular office concepts and innovative program strategy and planning areaswas designed to help foster a collaborative employee work environment conducive to the timely development of innovative global defense electronics technologies," said James Pitts, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "We're confident the end result of the corporation's investment in this new facility will be the generation of a myriad of exciting new technologies and solutions for our defense and commercial customers."

According to the company, features of the new office facility include: several uniquely configured collaboration areas where small to medium-size teams of employees can work together on various advanced technology development projects; a 175-seat conference center; an employee fitness center; and an Internet cafe, where employees can gather together in an informal setting to discuss particular projects and activities.

The building has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.