Rockwell Will Add Design Center in Israel

Rockwell International Corp. said Thursday that it will add a design center in Herzliyya, Israel, for its expanding semiconductor systems division.

The design center, Rockwell’s first in Israel, expands the company’s semiconductor systems division, which produces modems for personal computers, fax machines and other electronic communications devices. The Israeli plant will develop communications protocols for computers and other machines.

Rockwell said it is committed to making investments to remain a leader in the computer modem business. That is a growth area for the conglomerate, which is considering selling the defense and aerospace operations that once were its core businesses.

Armando Geday, general manager of a Rockwell multimedia communications division, also praised the engineering talent available in Israel. He said more than 30 engineering positions will be filled there by the end of 1996.

Herzliyya, nine miles northeast of Tel Aviv, is home to a number of Israel’s high-tech companies.