Former Helicopter Plant in Coatesville Sells to Delco-based Company  

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Image via Binswanger.
The Sikorsky Plant in Coatesville.

A tale of two aircraft companies dates to the 1930s and 1940s, when two prominent innovators revolutionized the helicopter. Igor Sikorsky developed the first successful helicopter in the U.S. in 1939. A few years later, University of Pennsylvania alum Frank Piasecki designed the second successful one in 1943, writes Ryan Mulligan for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Back to modern day, a deal has been brokered between their two namesake companies. Essington-based Piasecki Aircraft Corp. Purchased a helicopter plant in Coatesville previously belonging to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin for $10.5 million.

The newly owned property will be used for research and aircraft production.

The CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council, Gary Smith, helped coordinate the deal.  

“We didn’t want land speculators and developers to buy it,” said Smith. “It’s a beautiful building and is state-of-the-art for this particular use. [Lockheed Martin] didn’t take the highest offer on the building, but long-term, they got the best match.”  

Around 240 employees at the plant lost their jobs when it shut down. However, Piasecki COO Steve Zohrabian said that the site could attract potential partnerships.  

Read more about the future of the Coatesville helicopter plant in the Philadelphia Business Journal.  


CBS Sunday Morning on Igor Sikorsky.

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