‘Good news’ for the community
SADSBURY >> There is good news after all.
Chester County’s Sikorsky helicopter plant in Sadsbury Township will remain open through
2020. Lockheed Martin’s CEO, Marillyn Hewson, announced Wednesday night the decision about the facility, following a closure announcement in June. This would save the jobs of an estimated
465 employees.
“At the request of President (Donald) Trump, I took another look at our decision to close the Coatesville, PA facility and have decided to keep it open while we pursue additional work,” Hewson said in a statement. “It’s a good operation with an excellent workforce. We look forward to working with the government and PA Congressional delegation to find more work for this facility.”
Previously, the defense contractor Lockheed Martin, announced on June 5 that the plant would be closed by the end of the year and work shifted to other locations. Officials had announced that the closure could mean possible layoffs or transfers for employees in the next few months.
The employees were unable to speak with reporters on location of the Coatesville area facility on Thursday.
A spokeswoman noted that the major programs at the facility will continue, including the commercial S-92 & S-76 production and completions, and modifications and upgrades for the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program aircraft. The S-92 and S-76D production and completions will continue in Coatesville, as well as the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program.
“We will continue to work with DOD (Department of Defense), the Coast Guard, Congress, com
mercial customers and others to pursue additional work for Coatesville,” she said in a statement.
The news of remaining open was well received in the community, and by the members of the local fire company. Sadsburyville Fire Company performs fire and rescue operations in the township.
Sadsburyville Deputy Chief Erik Brecht explained that they have a good relationship with Sikorsky, especially from an emergency services stance. He noted that the firefighters have trained with Sikorsky employees at the facility, and they have held training scenarios with Sikorsky at the nearby firehouse. Sikorsky additionally donates foam to the fire company which is used to extinguish flammable liquid fires.
“We’re glad that they are going to stick around for a little while longer,” Brecht said. “They take good care of us. They are great people.”
He said the greatest effect by the closure would be the loss of so many jobs, including a fellow volunteer firefighter who is employed at the facility. He praised Sikorsky for hiring highly skilled people and military veterans.
Frank Petropoulos, co-owner of Harry’s Hot Dogs, noted that some of the Sikorsky employees are patrons of the nearby restaurant. He hopes for the sake of the employees, that the facility remains open beyond 2020. He said that he, along with other employees and customers at Harry’s Hot Dogs, were upset when they heard last month that the facility would be closing. The news that the facility is remaining open is spreading quickly through the community.
“That’s very good news for the community because it (affects) a lot of jobs there,” Petropoulos said, adding that people can stay in the area now. “We would like for them to stay open.”
He said that some of his customers on Thursday talked about the news and were happy to hear that the facility is remaining open.