Sikorsky will cut approximately 1,400 production-related jobs, the company announced this week. “Sustained decreases in oil prices continue to drive significant declines in capital investments by oil companies in offshore oil exploration projects,” a spokesman explained. The consequence is reduced production of medium and heavy helicopters. Demand also remains soft for “certain international military products.” The 1,400 layoffs include a mix of employees and contractors.
The job cuts affect Sikorsky’s facilities in Poland, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The measure is effective immediately and will take place over the next 12 months. As a result, the company will vacate smaller satellite facilities and consolidate the remaining production volume into larger campuses in Poland, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Workers at the current factory in Bridgeport, Conn., will be relocated to Stratford, Conn. “We will work closely with the employees to ease the transition, and with all our employees, customers and suppliers to ensure continued delivery on all our business commitments,” the spokesman said.
In April, Sikorsky lost out to Airbus Helicopters in a major tender in Poland. At the time, the company said it was “extremely disappointed.” It was bidding with PZL Mielec, offering the S-70i Black Hawk and possibly also S-70B Sea Hawks.