Note: This article is provided through TERMA Inc.’s partnership with Global Atlanta. 

As global tensions intensify and the aerospace and defense sectors respond with innovation, one Danish company has found its competitive advantage in Cobb County, Georgia. 

TERMA Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Denmark-based aerospace and defense firm TERMA, has been quietly expanding its footprint in metro Atlanta. The company, which supplies advanced electronic warfare and radar systems to militaries around the world, relocated its U.S. headquarters from Arlington, Va., to Cobb County eight years ago.  

For Vice President and General Manager Mike Schiavone, the decision was both strategic and operational. 

“Georgia—and Cobb County specifically—offered us proximity to customers, access to top-tier engineering talent and a business-friendly environment,” Mr. Schiavone says. 

Founded more than 70 years ago in Denmark, TERMA is owned by a foundation and has long been a key provider of technology and applied research to the Danish defense sector. Its U.S. operations began over two decades ago to ensure faster service and stronger ties to its American customer base and supply chain. 

Today, the company is thriving in Georgia. TERMA’s office in Warner Robins, Ga., partners with Robins Air Force Base and is a hub for designing, manufacturing, integrating and supporting aircraft survivability and electronic warfare systems.  

The company also operates in close collaboration with Lockheed Martin in Marietta, one of its primary customers and the longtime producer of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.  

TERMA is a proud supplier on that platform, providing mission-critical electronic warfare systems that help protect aircraft and crew by detecting and countering missile threats. 

“Our proximity to Lockheed Martin in Cobb County is critical for ongoing collaboration in the development, design and testing of our equipment,” Mr. Schiavone explains. “We’re also able to support integration directly on the aircraft—something that’s made possible by being located close by.” 

Beyond Lockheed, TERMA benefits from its relationship with Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, both essential partners in developing talent and advancing research in radar and electromagnetic systems.  

The company also works closely with Kennesaw State University, Mercer University and the University of Georgia to recruit engineers and technicians for its growing operations. 

In fact, 2024 was a banner year for workforce growth. TERMA expanded its local headcount of engineers, technicians and support staff by 25 percent, and the company anticipates a similar trajectory in 2025. 

Still, as a smaller player in a highly competitive industry, TERMA faces the challenge of recruiting against better-known brands. To remain competitive, the company has invested in local outreach, job fairs, internships and STEM education initiatives that expose students of all ages to aerospace technologies and careers. 

“We invite students into our facilities to explore hands-on technology and learn how math and science can help shape their future,” says Mr. Schiavone. “It’s part of our long-term commitment to growing a sustainable talent pipeline in Georgia.” 

From a logistics standpoint, Georgia offers another clear advantage: a global transportation network that includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, major rail lines and the Port of Savannah. These assets enable TERMA to efficiently distribute its products across the country and around the globe. 

The company’s presence is part of a broader aerospace and defense ecosystem that has been growing in the Atlanta area. With Delta Air Lines, Lockheed Martin and satellite offices of defense giants like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, the region has become an attractive destination for both prime contractors and their suppliers. 

Cobb County has been a catalyst, Mr. Schiavone says. As home to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Cobb County International Airport and decades of aerospace activity, the county’s concentration of infrastructure and expertise is invaluable for companies like TERMA. 

As global demand for defense and security solutions grows, so too does the importance of having a reliable U.S. base of operations. For TERMA, Cobb County is a springboard for long-term innovation and growth, he adds. 

When asked what advice he would offer to international companies considering a U.S. location, Mr. Schiavone says he would strongly encourage other global firms—especially in aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing—to take a hard look at Georgia and Cobb County. 

“From affordable living and business incentives to global connectivity and a strong talent base, this region offers everything needed for international firms to succeed.” 

Visit terma.com to learn more. 

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