For Immediate Release

Northrop Grumman Offers Overseas Partnership Opportunities to Area Firms

Baltimore, September 19, 2002—On Thursday, September 12 a sold out audience of 100 firms from all over the region was provided a rare peek into one of the world’s leading defense firms. Lloyd Carpenter, Vice President of International Operations & Marketing for Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Electronic Systems sector, described how Northrop Grumman has transformed itself through mergers and acquisitions into a top-tier global defense powerhouse.

“One-third of our Electronic Systems sector’s business comes from the international marketplace. It’s critical to our long-range strategy. As a result, we look forward to building partnerships with area firms in the pursuit of international opportunities, “ said Carpenter. Foreign governments will often require Northrop Grumman to provide offset or industrial participation, in the form of economic or technology benefit back to the customer country as part of the contract. “We have specific obligations in Europe, Asia and South America and welcome the opportunity to work with any local firm that may have an interest in overseas transactions, including licensing,” he said.

Area firms were treated to this insightful dialogue as part of the Inside Series program, a partnership between Maryland’s Regional Manufacturing Institute (RMI) and the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI). “Northrop Grumman’s willingness to host this program demonstrates their vision and it helps smaller firm to benefit from their experience,” said Mike Galiazzo, Director RMI. The Inside Series allows RMI and WTCI to share corporate success stories from Maryland firms like Northrop Grumman with their collective membership enabling them to incorporate new ideas and make new connections to help their business.

“Today’s program helped to remind me about how critical it is to diversify your portfolio and that international business should be a part of that effort,” said Rob Pokewaldt, Manager of Manufacturing at DAP, Inc in Canton, Maryland. A small local firm, Model Machine Company in Baltimore, found something that would help their business in spite of the fact that Northrop Grumman is a multinational and Model Machine Company is a $6 million firm with 30 employees. “We recognize that firms with a vision can do anything,” said Norman Wahlhaupter, President of Model Machine Company.

Tony Delgado, Baltimore Operations Manager for Alliance Engineering was also impressed. “It’s an amazing story as to how Northrop Grumman has grown through the use of mergers and acquisitions to become a multinational company,” he said. “The fact that they acquired huge firms like Westinghouse, Litton and Newport News and have made them an integral part of Northrop Grumman’s success demonstrates a remarkable and successful integration strategy,” said Delgado.

“Both large and small firms seem to find great value in the program,” said Deborah Kielty, President of WTCI. “Northrop Grumman is such a huge success story and the fact that they are willing to share some of those lessons learned is invaluable,” said Kielty. Area firms can look forward to more insights from successful global companies. Phillips Seafood will be the next Inside Series host on November 14. Companies can sign up on www.wtci.org or call Matt Huxley at 410-576-0022.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) is the premier international business hub for the Mid-Atlantic region with over 3,000 clients benefiting from its global connections and educational services. WTCI has an extensive global reach through its 300 world trade centers around the world. As a non-profit, non-political organization, WTCI’s overall goal is to enhance international trade, promote local economic development, and ultimately foster economic stability through trade.