SADSBURY — Helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft said late Tueday that it plans to layoff some 720 workers and contractors due to decreased demand for its commercial helicopters at its production facility adjacent to the Chester County Airport, straddling Sadsbury and Valley townships.
The company said that as worldwide oil prices have dropped, demand for helicopters from oil companies for use in off short exploration has fallen off. The company, part of the United Technologies group, said it will cut a total of 1,400 jobs worldwide, saying it expects less demand for product in certain military applications as well, as the U.S. Military wraps ups active combat operations in Afghanistan.
According to company statement, the cuts in Chester County total 160 employees and 560 contractors and will phase in over the next 12 months.
Until recently, the facility, which has direct access to Chester County Airport, had been seeing sustained growth since 2010, almost doubling its workforce since then.
Sikorsky, founded in 1925 by a Ukranian immigrant, became part of Hartford, Conn.-based manufacturing conglomerate United Technologies Corp. four years later. It manufactures commercial products in Coatesville and military helicopters in Connecticut.
