Stratford helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. says it will lay off 200 employees, and the majority will come out of its Connecticut workforce.
The company said Thursday it is facing many challenges, resulting in the need to reduce its employment rolls, said Sikorsky spokesman Paul Jackson. U.S. and international government budgets are shrinking, the costs to compete are increasing, and many customers are delaying purchase decision amid the economic uncertainty.
“Given all this, we must do all we can to protect our competitiveness while continuing to invest in our future,” Jackson said. “As is our practice, we will support those who were affected by providing outplacement and other services and benefits.”
The layoff notices starting going out Thursday.
Sikorsky’s international workforce exceeds 16,000 with the majority, 8,600, employed in Connecticut. The layoffs impact about 1 percent of the total workforce.
Sikorsky is a subsidiary of Hartford conglomerate United Technologies Corp.
