The Israel-America Chamber of Commerce's selection of nine companies that have made a genuine bilateral impact on US-Israeli business ties.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFEyal Waldman (left) and Yossi Hajaj(photo credit: Courtesy)
This year, the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce has chosen to acknowledge nine companies that have made a genuine bilateral impact on US-Israeli business ties.The Jerusalem Post caught up with two of the nine winning companies – textile giant Delta Galil and hi-tech pioneer Mellanox – prior to the gala. Below are notable highlights from those conversations:EYAL WALDMAN, president and CEO of Mellanox Technologies, on the natural affinity between Silicon Valley and Israel:‘The US is the leading country in terms of technology. If you look at HP, Google, Facebook… we believe the United States will continue as a global leader in technology. On the Israeli side, we have a hub for innovation – we’re seeing thousands of companies and start-ups created every year, so the vibe in Israel and innovation is flourishing. This synergy of US leaders and Israeli innovation is a great connection.’YOSSI HAJAJ, Deputy CEO of Delta Galil on the significance of this award: ‘We thank the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce for its recognition.‘This award mostly requires us to work even harder, bring more innovative products to the market, continue to grow as leaders in the intimate apparel, socks, seam-free and active-wear fields, and bring a higher value to our shareholders, and we are all committed to do so.’ 2015 list of winners in full• International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)Prize awarded for: 65 years of investments in Israel with an innovative vision to the future and investment in Israel, which began in 1949 when it opened its first branch here. Last year, IBM opened, in cooperation with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, a new Cyber Center of Excellence in Beersheba, that will play a pivotal role in helping transform the south of Israel into a worldwide cyber center.
• Delta GalilPrize awarded for: Promoting economic relations between Israel and the US in the intimate apparel industry. Over 50% of the company’s goods are designated to the American market, to leading retailers such as Victoria’s Secret, Walmart, Target, J.C. Penney and more.• MicrosoftPrizeawarded for: A creative commitment to the ecosystem and for helping start-ups pave their road to success during their 25 years operating in Israel. Since 2012, 70 start-ups have graduated from the Microsoft Ventures accelerator program in Herzliya.• Rafael Advanced Defense SystemsPrize awarded for: Being a cornerstone in the defense of Israel for 65 years, with special recognition for leading the Iron Dome project.Since its inception, Rafael USA has supplied defense solutions to all five branches of the US Military, valued at over $4 billion.• FlextronicsPrize awarded for: Investment and innovation in Israel in design supply chain solutions and electronic manufacturing. A Global Fortune 500 company, and the largest electronics manufacturer in Israel. The company supports a highly diversified portfolio of local hi-tech customers and provides a complete range of design, manufacturing and logistics services.• Mellanox TechnologiesPrize awarded for: Being the leader in the interconnect technology for InfiniBand and Ethernet data center solutions and created over 1,500 jobs in Israel and the US.• Shikun & BinuiPrize awarded for: Leading infrastructure and real estate development for the past 90 years and becoming a player in the US infrastructure market.In 2015, Shikun & Binui won its first big project in the United States and was given the task of constructing a toll highway in Harris County, Texas.This billion dollar project marks the group’s first expansion into the US market.• Jordache Israel Group-Nakash Brothers IsraelPrizeawarded for: Investment in Israel in a diversity of sectors such as tourism, real estate, aviation, agricultural maritime and industry.The Jordache Israel Group, owned by the famous Nakash brothers, manages a variety of Israeli-based business in an array of fields, such as tourism and aviation, manufacturing, agriculture and naval ports.• Keter PlasticPrize awarded for: 60 years of creativity and investment in the plastic products sector and the development of Israel-America trade relationships.Under the leadership of the Sagol family, Keter Plastic evolved from a small workshop established in Jaffa in 1948 to a global company and one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of plastic-based household and garden consumer products.Information provided by the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce.