COATESVILLE, PA—Approximately 465 workers at the Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky helicopter plant here got at least a temporary reprieve after President Donald Trump asked the firm to keep the plant open.

Marillyn Hewson, chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin, issued a statement via Twitter on Wednesday evening, stating, “At the request of President 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. 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.”

Lockheed Martin had announced last month its intention to shutter the Chester County plant by the end of this year and relocate operations to other Lockheed Martin production plants.

President Trump responded to the announcement on Twitter, stating, “I was just informed by Marillyn Hewson, CEO of Lockheed Martin, of her decision to keep the Sikorsky Helicopter Plant in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, open and humming! We are very proud of Pennsylvania and the people who work there. Thank you to Lockheed Martin, one of the USA's truly great companies!”

Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) issued a statement regarding the news that Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky Helicopter plant in Coatesville will remain operational as the company searches for additional work:

“Lockheed Martin's commitment to keep operational the Sikorsky helicopter plant in Coatesville provides short-term certainty for 465 workers, who were expected to either lose their jobs or be re-located later this year,” said Sen. Tooney. “Many thanks to President Trump, my congressional colleagues, and community leaders with whom I worked to prevent the plant's immediate closure. I remain dedicated to supporting the workers in Coatesville and will remain engaged on this issue.”

Lockheed Martin stated last month, according to a report in The Mercury, that the Coatesville plant was being shut down due to “the prolonged downturn in the global helicopter market.”

Instant Insights /

Lockheed Martin Reverses PA Plant Closure Decision Upon President Trump's Request

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