Sikorsky will close Horseheads facility, cut 570 jobs

Sikorsky will close Horseheads facility, cut 570 jobs

    HORSEHEADS—Officials announced, Monday, Sept. 24, that Sikorsky Military Completions Center will close the Horseheads location by Dec. 31, 2012, and  transition the work to the West Palm Beach, Fla., facility.
    Paul Jackson, Sikorsky communications director, explained shutting down the location will leave 570 people without jobs.  In an emailed statement, Jackson said, “Faced with these difficult economic conditions, we must eliminate excess production capacity and increase operational efficiencies to remain competitive.”
    Sikorsky is a leader in commercial and military helicopter production, including the widely known military BLACK HAWK helicopter.  Sikorsky helicopters are used by all five branches of the United States armed forces, along with military services.
    Sen. Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) said the closing is an irreplaceable loss for this region.  He added, “but first and foremost, we have to recognize the enormous hardship that this closing will inflict on our workers and their families.  We have to ensure that every available source of federal, local and state assistance is made available to them.  Toward that end, I will be joining Chemung County Executive Santulli and other local leaders to work with Governor Cuomo and his administration to ensure that Sikorsky’s employees will be able to get the answers, assistance and information they need and deserve.”