Martin Marietta
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Defense, Manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Glenn L. Martin Company, American-Marietta Corporation |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Fate | Merged with Lockheed Corporation to form Lockheed Martin in 1995 |
| Successor | Lockheed Martin |
| Headquarters | Baltimore, Maryland (Glenn L. Martin Company origin) , United States |
Key people | Thomas G. Pownall (CEO during Bendix takeover), Norman Augustine (CEO in 1993) |
| Products | Aircraft, Missiles and rockets, Spacecraft, Unmanned aerial vehicles, Space Shuttle external tank |
The Martin Marietta Corporation originated in 1961 as a result of the consolidation between the Glenn L. Martin Company and American-Marietta Corporation. This American enterprise later combined with Lockheed Corporation in 1995, creating what is now known as Lockheed Martin.
History
Formed in 1961, Martin Marietta emerged from the union of the Baltimore-based aerospace firm Glenn L. Martin Company, recognized for its involvement with the Titan missile series, and Chicago's American-Marietta Corporation, which specialized in manufacturing paints, dyes, metallurgical goods, and construction materials.
In 1982, the company encountered an aggressive takeover attempt by the Bendix Corporation, under the leadership of William Agee. Although Bendix succeeded in acquiring a controlling interest, Martin Marietta’s leadership swiftly divested unrelated assets and executed a retaliatory hostile takeover employing the Pac-Man defense. Led by CEO Thomas G. Pownall, Martin Marietta ultimately triumphed, resulting in Bendix being acquired by Allied Corporation.
During July 1993, CEO Norman Augustine took part in the renowned "Last Supper" meeting with defense officials who indicated impending consolidation in the defense industry after the conclusion of the Cold War. This gathering triggered a wave of mergers throughout the sector, culminating in Martin Marietta's 1995 unification with Lockheed to establish Lockheed Martin.
Timeline
- 1961: Formation of Martin Marietta through the merger of the Glenn L. Martin Company and American-Marietta Corporation
- 1963: Initiates construction of floating nuclear power plant MH-1A under the auspices of the Army Nuclear Power Program
- 1969: Awarded contract to build the Mark IV monorail for the Walt Disney World Monorail System (operational 1971–1989)
- 1971: Defeated in landmark Supreme Court sex discrimination case Phillips v. Martin Marietta Corp.
- 1975: Acquisition of UK-based IT services company Hoskyns Group
- 1982: Repels hostile takeover attempt by Bendix Corporation, which subsequently is sold to Allied Corporation
- 1986: Secures contract to convert Titan II intercontinental ballistic missiles into space launch vehicles; these missiles were initially developed by The Martin Company
- 1987: Establishes Electronics & Missiles Group headquartered in Orlando
- 1991: Reorganizes Electronics & Missiles Group into Electronics, Information & Missiles Group
- 1993: Purchases GE Aerospace for $3 billion, enhancing combined marketing efforts for missile and satellite systems
- 1993: Assumes management responsibilities for Sandia National Laboratories
- 1993: Acquires Space Systems Division from General Dynamics, producer of Atlas launch vehicles
- 1994: Completes initial public offering of 19% stake in Martin Marietta Materials, listed on NYSE as MLM
- 1995: Merges with Lockheed Corporation, forming Lockheed Martin
- 1996: Lockheed Martin spins off Martin Marietta Materials as a separate entity
Aircraft
Missiles and rockets
- AGM-12 Bullpup
- AGM-62 Walleye
- Titan (rocket family)
- M712 Copperhead
- MGM-31 Pershing
- Pershing II
- MGM-51 Shillelagh
- MGM-118 Peacekeeper
- MGM-134 Midgetman
- FGM-148 Javelin
- AGR-14 ZAP
- ASALM
- Sprint (missile)
- Atlas (rocket family)