Author: Techtime

Three Israeli Companies Named Among Intel’s Top Global Suppliers for 2026

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Intel has announced the recipients of its 2026 EPIC Supplier Award, the company’s highest recognition for business partners. Selected from thousands of suppliers worldwide, only a small group of companies demonstrating exceptional performance across key metrics — Excellence, Partnership, Inclusion and Continuous Improvement — make the final list. This year, three Israeli firms — Camtek, Nova and U.P.Pro — secured their place among the global elite.

The EPIC award is considered a key indicator of which companies play a critical role behind Intel’s advanced manufacturing operations. Winners span a broad range of capabilities, from semiconductor equipment and inspection systems to materials, cleaning solutions and operational services. Alongside the Israeli companies, the list includes global players across the semiconductor value chain, reflecting the complexity and scale of Intel’s supply ecosystem.

Within this ecosystem, the three Israeli companies represent distinct yet complementary layers. Camtek provides inspection and metrology systems used directly on semiconductor production lines, scanning wafers to detect defects and improve yield. Nova, a global leader in metrology, delivers advanced measurement solutions that enable precise control over manufacturing processes — from material composition to structural layers. Intel has maintained a long-standing relationship with Nova, including early-stage collaboration and investment.

U.P.Pro operates in a different domain: supply chain optimization. The company provides tools and systems for managing suppliers, inventory flows and complex operational processes, helping Intel maintain continuity across highly sensitive manufacturing environments.

Together, the three companies illustrate the depth of Israel’s integration into the core of Intel’s operations — not merely as component suppliers, but as strategic partners embedded in the most critical stages of semiconductor manufacturing in the AI era.

Intel’s New vPro Can Automatically Detect and Repair PC Issues

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Intel has unveiled the latest generation of its enterprise PC platform, vPro, introducing new capabilities in cybersecurity, remote management, and AI-driven system diagnostics—including the ability to detect and resolve issues before users are affected.

The new platform is built on Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors manufactured using the company’s 18A (2-nanometer-class) process, alongside Xeon 600 processors and the new Arc Pro B-series graphics cards. It is designed to deliver enterprise-grade security, manageability, and resilience—features not typically found in consumer PCs.

For Intel’s Israeli operations, the launch carries symbolic weight. Exactly 20 years ago, the first generation of vPro was defined and developed by Intel engineers in Israel. Today, Intel Israel continues to lead much of the platform’s architecture, development, and support, with nearly 200 engineers involved across its lifecycle.

Unlike conventional security solutions that operate within the operating system, vPro is built on a combination of hardware and software components that function independently of the OS. This architecture allows systems to be monitored, secured, and even repaired remotely—even if the operating system has been compromised or is completely non-functional.

The platform includes a dedicated microcontroller and a separate operating environment that can verify system integrity during boot, before the OS loads. In some cases, systems can even be managed while powered off, thanks to components that operate via the motherboard’s internal power supply.

Beyond its technical architecture, vPro also serves as a strategic business framework for Intel. It functions as a certification standard for enterprise PCs, requiring manufacturers to integrate Intel hardware—such as CPUs, chipsets, graphics processors, and connectivity components—and meet specific performance, security, and manageability criteria in order to receive vPro certification.

The newly released version introduces several upgrades, including total storage encryption and AI-based telemetry capabilities. These allow the system to identify potential failures in advance and automatically resolve them, as well as detect malicious activity through behavioral “fingerprinting.”

Intel has also expanded its remote management offering, vPro Fleet Services, with a shift toward a SaaS-based model that enables IT teams to connect and manage devices directly via the cloud.

According to Intel engineers involved in the project, the platform’s development is distributed across multiple sites, with hardware primarily developed in Haifa and firmware in Jerusalem, while some AI components are developed globally.

The renewed focus on remote management follows high-profile system failures in recent years, including the widespread disruption caused by a faulty cybersecurity update from CrowdStrike in July 2024. The incident led to global outages affecting airlines, hospitals, and financial systems. According to Intel, systems equipped with vPro were able to recover significantly faster, as IT teams could remotely access affected machines and remove faulty components.

Intel says the latest iteration of vPro is designed to streamline recovery processes further, enabling fixes to be deployed remotely—either via OEM supply chains or through Intel’s cloud services—while adhering to strict identity verification and security standards.

[Image: Intel engineers in Jerusalem working on the vPro platform. Credit: Intel]

NoTraffic Raises $90 Million to Expand North American Operations

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Israeli traffic management startup NoTraffic has raised $90 million in a Series C funding round led by PSG Equity, with participation from M&G Investments, Grove Ventures, LifeX, Next Gear Ventures, and Meitav Investment House. The latest round brings the company’s total funding since its founding in 2017 to $165 million.

According to the company, its platform is expected to be deployed across approximately 10% of cities and transportation departments in the United States and Canada by mid-2026.

NoTraffic develops an AI-based platform designed to manage signalized intersections in real time. By combining IoT sensors, cloud computing, and machine learning, the system replaces traditional traffic light models—typically based on fixed timing schedules—with a dynamic, responsive approach.

Installed directly at intersections, the platform identifies and classifies different types of road users—from private vehicles to pedestrians and micromobility—and continuously optimizes signal timing based on real-time traffic conditions, municipal policies, and changing demand.

The system is already deployed in hundreds of cities across North America, including major metropolitan areas such as Phoenix, Houston, and Oklahoma City. Among its capabilities, it enables prioritization for emergency vehicles and public transportation.

Based on data from multiple deployments, the company reports double-digit improvements in traffic flow, reduced travel times, shorter pedestrian wait times, and gains in safety metrics, alongside lower emissions.

A central component of NoTraffic’s model is its “Mobility Store”—an app-store-like layer that allows cities to add new capabilities on top of the existing infrastructure, such as advanced traffic analytics, public transport prioritization, or safety event detection, without requiring hardware upgrades.

This approach aligns with the broader shift toward software-defined infrastructure, in which physical systems—such as traffic lights and intersections—are increasingly managed through continuously updated software layers. For cities, this enables more flexible, real-time traffic policy management without the need for costly and complex infrastructure overhauls.

[Image: NoTraffic smart intersection system deployed in an urban setting. Credit: NoTraffic] 

AIR Reports $1 Billion Order Backlog for Electric Aircraft

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Israeli eVTOL developer AIR says it has surpassed $1 billion in its order backlog, driven primarily by early demand for its personal electric aircraft, the AIR ONE.

According to the company, the backlog includes approximately 3,290 pre-orders for the two-seat AIR ONE, alongside more than 25 orders for unmanned cargo aircraft.

At the same time, AIR reported revenues of over $35 million, largely generated from the sale and delivery of heavy-lift unmanned aerial systems (UAS), ground control stations, spare parts, and service packages—segments where the company is already making customer deliveries.

The AIR ONE is a two-seat electric aircraft designed for personal use. It is expected to offer a range of around 160 kilometers, a top speed of up to 250 km/h, and a payload capacity of approximately 250 kilograms. AIR positions the platform as an intercity personal mobility solution, emphasizing simplified operation, multiple safety systems, and a digital control layer aimed at enabling use by non-professional pilots.

Orders for the aircraft are based on a pre-order model, under which customers place a $1,000 refundable deposit to secure a future delivery slot. Actual deliveries will depend on regulatory progress and the company’s transition to serial production.

Beyond the consumer market, AIR is also active in cargo aviation and defense-related applications. The company has already delivered cargo platforms to customers, including defense and logistics organizations, and is continuing to develop additional capabilities in this segment.

In recent months, AIR completed the establishment of its first production line in Israel, enabling the parallel assembly of multiple aircraft as part of its ramp-up strategy.

The company is also advancing regulatory processes in the United States, including engagement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while working to expand its footprint in the U.S. market.

“The rapid expansion of the smart aircraft market, combined with AIR’s capabilities, is expected to reshape the future of efficient and accessible transportation,” said founder and CEO Rani Plaut. “Our mission is to make aviation routine and accessible, bridging private, commercial, and defense use cases.”

[Image: AIR ONE two-seat electric aircraft prototype. Credit: AIR]

HP Indigo Signs Largest Deal in Its History Worth Hundreds of Millions of Shekels

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Israeli digital printing company HP Indigo has announced the largest deal in its history, signing an agreement worth hundreds of millions of shekels with U.S.-based Shutterfly. Under the deal, Shutterfly will upgrade its entire B2-format industrial print fleet to the HP Indigo 120K, the company’s fifth-generation press.

The agreement covers not only the printing systems themselves, but also the supply of consumables and services over a three-year period.

The deal was finalized during a sensitive period, after Shutterfly’s management canceled a planned visit to Israel due to the security situation. Despite this, both sides proceeded as scheduled—an outcome seen by industry observers as a vote of confidence in HP Indigo’s ability to deliver under uncertain conditions.

The upgrade is expected to significantly enhance Shutterfly’s production capabilities, particularly in terms of throughput, capacity, and print quality, while enabling it to better handle seasonal demand spikes. The 120K model is designed for high-volume, continuous industrial printing and has become a key growth driver for HP Indigo in recent years.

Founded in 1999, Shutterfly is a leading U.S. provider of personalized products and digital printing services. Its business is built around a print-on-demand model, allowing users to upload personal content and turn it into physical products ranging from photo books and albums to gifts and home décor. The company also operates a B2B division offering marketing and print solutions to enterprises, as well as a school photography arm through Lifetouch. Since 2019, Shutterfly has been privately held by Apollo Global Management.

The latest agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between the companies spanning roughly 25 years, dating back to the installation of Indigo’s first press at Shutterfly in the early 2000s. Over time, the partnership has evolved into a strategic collaboration, with Shutterfly consistently adopting HP Indigo’s latest technologies.

The deal follows another major agreement announced earlier this year with packaging company ePac, valued at approximately ₪150 million. In that case, ePac purchased 12 Indigo 200K presses along with consumables and services for three years. Compared to that transaction, the Shutterfly deal—defined as larger and involving a full fleet upgrade—suggests a significantly broader deployment, although the exact number of systems has not been disclosed.

HP Indigo is widely regarded as a global leader in digital printing, with an estimated market share of around 70% and more than 7,500 systems installed across over 115 countries. Its operations in Israel, including R&D and manufacturing in Ness Ziona and Kiryat Gat, represent a meaningful contribution to the local economy, accounting for roughly 0.5% of GDP and about 2% of high-tech exports.

[Image: HP Indigo 120K digital press. Credit: HP Indigo]

TSG Goes on Acquisition Spree to Build End-to-End Drone Interception System

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TSG, an Israeli company specializing in command-and-control (C2) systems, is accelerating its entry into the fast-growing counter-drone defense market, following a series of deals that signal a strategic shift in its business model.

In a filing to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on Monday, the company announced it had signed a binding agreement to acquire Mabat 3D Technologies, while also signing memoranda of understanding to invest in drone company Robotican and to acquire defense manufacturer Production Floor. According to TSG, all three companies align with its strategy to expand its footprint in the defense sector, with a focus on solutions for detecting and countering UAV and drone threats.

In a presentation released alongside its annual results, TSG framed these moves as part of a broader plan to build a comprehensive drone interception system—an integrated solution combining AI-based command-and-control software, connections to radars and sensors, and interceptor and capture drones.

Sensing, effectors, and manufacturing

The acquisition of Mabat adds a sensing and mapping layer to TSG’s capabilities. Based in Herzliya, Mabat specializes in 3D mapping and documentation using LiDAR technologies and provides solutions to defense customers. TSG says these capabilities will support the creation of precise spatial situational awareness, enabling improved detection, analysis, and operational planning in counter-drone systems.

Mabat generated approximately NIS 17.8 million in revenue in 2025, with operating profit of about NIS 4 million. The upfront consideration stands at roughly NIS 14.4 million, with contingent payments that could bring the total deal value to around NIS 45 million.

The planned investment in Robotican adds the effector layer. Under the terms of the MOU, TSG intends to invest $9 million for a 26% stake. Robotican, based in Omer, develops autonomous aerial and ground systems for intelligence and interception missions, including drones designed to capture hostile UAVs.

The move highlights TSG’s adoption of a growing concept in modern warfare: drones intercepting drones. This approach is gaining traction as it offers a more precise and cost-effective response to low-cost threats, reducing reliance on expensive missile-based interception systems.

The third deal, a proposed $5 million acquisition of Production Floor, adds manufacturing and integration capabilities. The Tirat Carmel-based company provides end-to-end production services, including engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and integration of complex systems, primarily for defense customers. This layer is intended to give TSG greater control over delivering fully integrated operational systems—not just software.

The core: TSG’s C2 backbone

At the center of this strategy is TSG’s core expertise in command and control. The company develops systems used for managing national airspace pictures, naval C2, border protection, special operations, and intelligence applications. These systems integrate data from radars, satellites, RF sensors, and other sources, fusing them into a unified real-time operational picture. Among other uses, they support threat trajectory analysis in Israel’s Home Front Command alert system.

In a recent conversation with Techtime, TSG President Pini Yungman described the company’s transition from a provider of core subsystems—primarily C2—to a company aiming to deliver full operational solutions. He said the company is expanding its systems so they not only manage the air picture, but also activate effectors, including interceptor drones. “The company is evolving from managing the air picture to enabling systems that can detect, track, and execute interception as an integral part of the same architecture,” he said.

Yungman also emphasized that one of TSG’s key assets is the data accumulated through its C2 systems, which are embedded in operational environments, including air defense frameworks in Israel. This data includes large volumes of information related to detection, tracking, and interception of threats—particularly UAVs. “The company has a data repository that no other company possesses, built on operational activity and massive volumes of data collected in recent years,” he said, adding that “the systems fuse inputs from multiple sensors, filter noise, and generate accurate predictions—enabling AI to deliver real operational advantage.”

The company’s focus on AI is also reflected in its investor presentation, where it highlights accelerated development of AI capabilities built on its data fusion and C2 expertise, including a dedicated large language model for intelligence and operational systems. The combination of operational data, accumulated experience, and advanced algorithms is presented as a key competitive advantage.

Growth driven by defense momentum

TSG’s strategic push comes on the back of strong financial performance. In 2025, the company reported revenue of approximately NIS 430.3 million, up 33.6% year-over-year. Operating profit reached NIS 37.2 million, net profit totaled NIS 16.3 million, and adjusted EBITDA stood at NIS 63.8 million. The defense segment accounted for NIS 336.5 million, or roughly 78% of total revenue.

The company also highlighted additional business developments in its presentation, including initial deliveries of low-altitude air defense licenses for the U.S. Army, expanded activity in Europe through defense partnerships, entry into markets in Asia and Africa, and new AI-related orders. Together, these moves suggest that TSG sees counter-drone and low-altitude defense not just as a technological direction, but as a major global growth engine.

TAT Continues to Grow, but Supply Chain Disruptions Weigh on Momentum

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[Image: TAT CEO Igal Zamir alongside power modules supplied by the company for F-16 aircraft]

TAT Technologies reported record results for 2025, continuing its growth trajectory in revenue, profitability, and backlog — but also warned that ongoing and worsening supply chain disruptions could weigh on near-term performance.

According to the company’s annual report released last week, fourth-quarter revenue reached $46.5 million, up 13% year-over-year. For the full year, revenue grew 17% to $178 million, alongside a sharp improvement in profitability: net income rose by about 50% to $16.8 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached $25.5 million, representing 14.3% of revenue.

Demand trends remained strong. The company’s backlog and long-term agreements increased to approximately $550 million, up from $429 million at the end of 2024. Management noted that the growth in backlog was driven בעיקר by new contracts and long-term agreements, rather than deferred work.

At the same time, TAT continues to shift toward maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, which now account for more than 71% of revenue. This reflects broader industry dynamics, including extended aircraft lifecycles and delays in new aircraft deliveries, which are driving sustained demand for maintenance services.

The Bottleneck: Supply Chain Constraints

Beneath the strong financial performance, however, lies a significant operational challenge. During the earnings call, management emphasized that supply chain disruptions — which had shown signs of improvement earlier in 2025 — worsened again in the fourth quarter and continue into 2026.

According to CEO Igal Zamir, the impact is most pronounced in two key areas: auxiliary power units (APUs) and landing gear — both complex systems that depend on the availability of numerous components and sub-parts.

“In the last quarter, it completely reversed,” Zamir said. “All of a sudden, we are facing challenges again, especially in APUs and landing gear, with dramatically extended lead times and no advance warning.”

He added that the issue is not necessarily a broad shortage, but rather the unavailability of specific parts — which can delay entire systems:

“When it comes to an engine, there are hundreds of different parts that we need… all it takes is one bolt or one seal or one screw that we need to replace, and we cannot send the engine.”

The implications are both operational and financial. In some cases, the company is forced to procure parts on the open market at higher prices than under contractual terms, putting pressure on margins. Longer turnaround times can also delay revenue recognition.

In addition, management pointed to another structural constraint: a shortage of teardown aircraft, which typically supply used serviceable material (USM). These refurbished components are a key element in the economics of APU maintenance. As airlines continue to keep older aircraft in service, the supply of such parts remains limited.

Looking Ahead: Strong Demand, Supply-Dependent Execution

Despite these challenges, TAT remains optimistic about 2026. The company reported strong intake levels at the start of the year, with demand for MRO services continuing to grow.

The outlook is supported by several factors: a record backlog, newly signed long-term agreements, and a global aviation market that continues to expand while relying more heavily on existing fleets. In addition, TAT’s financial position — including over $50 million in cash and low debt — provides flexibility to invest in growth and pursue acquisitions.

However, management made clear that while demand is not a constraint, execution remains closely tied to supply chain conditions.

“We do not yet see a broad recovery in overall supply chain performance,” Zamir said, adding that the company nonetheless enters 2026 “from a position of strength.”