Strengthening the south: A new headquarters for ICL in the heart of Be’er Sheva
ICL, considered the largest private employer in the Negev, is inaugurating a new building in Be’er Sheva for hundreds of the company’s headquarters employees.
ICL inaugurates new headquarters in Be’er Sheva, attended by the President of the State, Isaac Herzog, the Mayor of Be’er Sheva, Rubik Danilovich, the Mayor of Dimona, Benny Biton, leaders of the Negev region, company management, and other officials from the Negev. (photo credit: B. Rabinovitch Productions Ltd.)
The minerals and specialty solutions company ICL, considered the largest employer in the Negev, has inaugurated the company’s new headquarters in Be’er Sheva, at a ceremony attended by President of the State, Isaac Herzog; the Mayor of Be’er Sheva, Rubik Danilovich; the Mayor of Dimona, Benny Biton; leaders of the Negev region, company management and other senior officials from the southern region.
The building, which was designed according to green building standards, covers an area of approximately 5 dunams and approximately 15,000 square meters of built space, and includes 12 office floors, commercial areas, a dining complex, and an advanced services application. Approximately 1,000 company employees who were previously dispersed across various buildings throughout the city will now be housed in the new structure.
According to President Isaac Herzog, “ICL is a very important employer. Many hundreds of families in the city find their livelihood in ICL. And thousands upon thousands of Negev residents have chosen to build their homes and lives here, thanks to the presence of such a significant company. ICL’s achievements do not end with a blessed impact on the Negev.
ICL’s strategic asset does not lie only in natural resources, but in the excellent human capital that grows here. In an era of global instability, the State of Israel must understand that national independence and economic security are built here in the south.
– Rubik Danilovich, Mayor of Be’er Sheva
Alongside being a growth engine for the entire Israeli economy, ICL is also a source of Israeli pride, as the innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence found within it receive a place of honor and leadership throughout the world. The establishment of the company’s new offices here in Be’er Sheva is an important declaration of intent for the Negev and its residents, further sharpening the commitment to the economic future of the entire Negev: For it is here that thepeople of Israel will truly be tested.”
ICL employs approximately 4,500 direct employees, most of them residents of the Negev, from the cities of Be’er Sheva, Dimona, Arad, and Yeruham; while the impact reaches approximately 19,000 families in the southern region. According to a special report by the consulting firm BDO, ICL’s contribution to Israel’s economy is estimated atapproximately NIS 17.6 billion per year, constituting approximately 10% of the GDP in the south.
The company’s impact is particularly prominent in the field of industry, and it is responsible for approximately 27% of the industrial GDP in the Be’er Sheva subdistrict and more than 50% of the region’s industrial exports. The total state revenues from ICL’s activity in 2024 amounted to NIS 1.3 billion.
ICL’s contribution extends beyond the country’s borders, and through its products, helps safeguard the food security of approximately 400 people every day, approximately 5% of the world’s population. ICL CEO, Elad Aharonson, “The establishment of the new headquarters in Be’er Sheva is much more than a business decision; it is a declaration of our deep commitment to the Negev and our full confidence in the people who are the driving force of the company. A stable and strong industry is the infrastructure that enables tens of thousands of families in the south employment, economic security, and a thriving community. From here, in the capital of the Negev, we will continue to operate out of mission and responsibility, to ensure that industrial activity continues to lead the region’s growth and the national resilience of the State of Israel.”
Mayor of Be’er Sheva, Rubik Danilovich, “The inauguration of the ICL House in the heart of Be’er Sheva is the realization of a Zionist and economic vision in the capital of the Negev. The company’s true strategic asset does not lie only in natural resources, but in the excellent human capital that grows here. In an era of global instability, the State of Israel must understand that national independence and economic security are built here, in the south. We must ensure that ICL continues to grow and doubles the employment in the region. If we do not nurture our industry ‘at full capacity’, we will miss the opportunity to establish the future of the Negev. Be’er Sheva is proud to be the home of the company, and from here we will continue to lead together the technological message and the national resilience of the State of Israel.”
Mayor of Dimona, Benny Biton, “ICL is a central employment anchor forthousands of families in Dimona and throughout the eastern Negev. The historical and deep connection between the company and the residents of Dimona continues in a new and significant chapter. Strengthening the headquarters in Be’er Sheva does not come at the expense of the periphery – on the contrary. It strengthens the entire Negev region and creates a strong regional continuum in which industry, human capital and local authorities operate together for a more prosperous future.”
The company began its path from the vision of a Jewish-Russian scientist, Moshe Novomeysky, who discovered the unique advantages of the Dead Sea approximately one hundred years ago, and the preservation of his legacy was carried out several years ago when a visitors center was established in his name, reviewing the historical story of the region and of his work. Since then, and to this day, the company has expanded globally, operating in more than 120 countries and generating approximately $7 billion in annual sales revenue.
The building inauguration event included a mezuzah affixing ceremony and the unveiling of an exhibition featuring historical photographs from one hundred years of the company’s activity. The company, which supports communities in the south in a variety of ways and includes a broad volunteer network that invests tens of thousands of hours each year, brought an emotional representation to the event. A youth band of Ethiopian immigrants from the Charuv Absorption Center in Be’er Sheva performed as part of the ceremony. The center and the company have maintained a longstanding relationship, and company employees volunteer with them throughout the year.
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