[1]: 356 Martin, based in Baltimore, was primarily an aerospace concern with a recent focus on missiles, namely its Titan program.

This program was established in 1955 when the company secured the U.S. Air Force contract to build the country's second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

[2] American-Marietta was headquartered in Chicago and produced paints, dyes, metallurgical products, construction materials, and other goods.

[3][4][5][6] In 1982, Martin Marietta was subject to a hostile takeover bid by the Bendix Corporation, headed by William Agee.

However, Martin Marietta's management used the short time separating ownership and control to sell non-core businesses and launch its own hostile takeover of Bendix (known as the Pac-Man defense).