Samsung’s Harman Opens New, Expanded Headquarters In Israel

Harman, a subsidiary of electronics giant Samsung Electronics, focusing on tech for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets, announced Monday  it will “strengthen its presence” in Israel by officially opening a new 46,000 square-foot facility to serve as a headquarters for the connected tech company in Hod Hasharon, Israel.

The three-story building will feature an advanced Smart Car Lab, where teams can research and test the company’s cybersecurity, over-the-air software updates, and automotive cloud solutions.

The company’s current R&D centers, currently based in Kfar Saba, Hod Hasharon, and Ramat Gan, will officially be consolidated into the new center.

Harman President and CEO, Dinesh C. Paliwal, who was invited to be the keynote speaker at the annual Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, inaugurated the center on Monday and spoke about the importance of expanding Harman’s growth in Israel.

“We are now preparing for the next phase of growth – connected vehicles and automated driving, and the entrepreneurial spirit and innovations taking place in Israel play an instrumental part in this strategy,” Paliwal said.

Harman first announced the expansion in May 2018. NoCamels reported that it was set up to provide more work space for new employees that will be hired as the company continues to mark its existence in Israel.

“As an innovation leader, we have built strong teams across the globe. From India to US, and from Israel to China, our teams in both developed and emerging markets, are creating the future of connectivity,” Paliwal said.

Harman, acquired by Samsung Electronics at the end of 2016 for $8 billion, has also acquired three Israeli startups: iOnRoad, a red alert company situated in Ramat Gan, Red Bend, a Hod HaSharon-based company enabling today’s cars to be connected to the cloud a and the automobile cyber protection company TowerSec, with offices in Kfar Saba.