Toomey visits Sikorsky plant
Visit gives him ‘first-hand’ look at company’s operations
SADSBURY >> U. S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) was in Chester County on Tuesday, where he visited the Sikorsky helicopter plant in Sadsbury.
The visit, Toomey’s first visit to the facility, according to a spokesman for the senator was designed to give Toomey a “firsthand look” at the operations of the plant.
Sikorsky’s Chester County facility has been the focus of attention by county, state and federal governmental agencies — including President Donald Trump — as well as business organizations, since owner Lockheed Martin announced in June that the plant would be closing by the end of this year.
That decision was reversed in July — with a commitment from Lockheed Martin to keep the facility open through 2020.
Toomey’s visit started with a brief private meeting with plant representatives, including: Audrey Brady, vice president, Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services and Chris Czyzewski, general manager, Sikorsky Coatesville; as well as Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Terence Farrell.
“We had a discussion about what they do here, the steps, the value, and the markets they serve. Offshore drilling pads have traditionally been a big market for them, as well as the government, VIPs and heads of state,” Toomey said.
He added that the U.S. government, including the military and other areas, is a big buyer of helicopters — and that he would like to see the government purchase
more Sikorsky helicopters.
“This is an important business for the county, and the announcement that they would stay for now was great news. But I would like to see the government purchase more helicopters,” he said.
The group was then escorted through the 217,000-square-foot plant where the components for the company’s products are made and the helicopters assembled. Among the areas visited were: the Heliplex lobby; the interior shop; the production hangar; the completions hangar; the paint shop and the flight delivery center. At each stop, the visitors saw helicopters in various stages of completion — including two that were ready for some flight testing.
Major programs at the Sadsbury plant include: S-76 and S-92 production and completions.
The S-92 is then completed in Stratford, Conn. as the VH-92A Helicopter — a helicopter Sikorsky has contracted with the Department of Defense to supply as part of the Presidential Helicopter program. Other programs at the facility include modifications and upgrades for the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program aircraft.
“The tour was amazing. It is an important product that they make here — a world class product and facility. They are an important employer for Chester County,” Toomey added.
“We were proud to host Senator Pat Toomey today and give him insight into our operation and a first-hand look at our facility,” said Czyzewski. “Our workforce was proud to showcase their advanced capabilities that build and deliver aircraft that support our customers’ most critical missions.”
The tour was a first for Kichline, as well. She said she was “amazed and impressed” with what she saw and the high-tech skilled employees.
“This company is part of the manufacturing we hope to retain in the county,” she added.
Lockheed Martin’s June 5 announcement that it would shutter the plant by year’s end set in motion a coordinated and bipartisan response in Chester County, Harrisburg and Washington.
The plant closure would have
meant possible layoffs or transfers for more than 400 employees in the coming months as work at the Chester County plant was moved to other locations.
The Chester County Commissioners quickly put together a task force comprised of local business and economic development leaders, working with representatives from the State Department of Community and Economic Development, the Governor’s Action Team, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, (D-6th Dist.), and the offices of Sens. Toomey and Bob Casey (D-PA).
The focus of the task force, Kichline said, was to “support employees, explore plans for the site and to look at how we can support the local economy and businesses affected by the shutdown.”
In addition to the task force efforts, President Trump spoke with Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson on June 14, asking her to reconsider the decision to close the facility. The decision to keep the plant open was made on July 11.
“I was thrilled to see it (the response) come together. It was a close call,” Toomey added.
Following the announcement that the plant would continue operating through 2020, Chester County officials and task force members met with Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky officials on July 15 — to discuss keeping the plant open long-term.
That group is planning to meet quarterly. A second meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1.
“We had a discussion about what they do here, the steps, the value, and the markets they serve. Offshore drilling pads have traditionally been a big market for them, as well as the government, VIPs and heads of state.” — U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, (R-PA)