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The F-35 fighter jets maker had announced plans
to close the plant, which does "completion work" for Sikorsky's
S-92 and S-76D helicopters, citing a multi-year slump in the
rotorcraft industry, possibly due to the protracted downturn in
oil prices. The plant employs about 465 employees.
Trump wrote on Twitter that he had spoken with Lockheed Chief
Executive Officer Marillyn Hewson "about continuing operations
for the Sikorsky plant in Coatesville," while adding that "she
will be taking it under advisement and will be making a decision
soon."
"While Pennsylvania is BOOMING, I don't want there to be even a
little glitch in Coatesville - every job counts. I want Lockhead
to BOOM along with it!" Trump wrote, misspelling the name of the
company.
Pennsylvania often is a pivotal state in U.S. presidential
elections. Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2020, won the
state in the 2016 election. Coatesville is roughly 40 miles (65
km) west of Philadelphia.
Lockheed confirmed that its CEO had a conversation with Trump
about possible future alternatives for the plant.
"We had an open and constructive conversation and I agreed to
explore additional options for keeping the facility open,"
Lockheed wrote on Twitter, quoting Hewson.
Lockheed had previously planned to close the plant by the end of
this year.
(Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Will Dunham)
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