Sikorsky Aircraft Named U.S. Investor of Year In Poland

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Poland has named Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation its Investor of the Year for 2008, for its efforts in the acquisition of the PZL Mielec factory and integrating it into a modernized, efficient facility.>> The American Chamber's Investor of the Year Award is given to a chamber member that has achieved impressive growth, visibility, and a significant breakthrough in the Polish market, demonstrating its long-term commitment and its contribution to the labor market while adhering to the highest standards of business ethics. The award was announced at the Chamber's Annual General Meeting held at the Warsaw Sheraton Hotel.>> Sikorsky's investment in PZL Mielec serves as yet another example of the dedication of our firm and our parent company, to the people of Poland, said Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino. With a combined nearly 8,000 employees, United Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney, and Sikorsky Aircraft are Poland's largest aviation industry employers. These combined strategic investments of money, know-how and state-of-the-art technologies will significantly add to Poland's proud aviation tradition among European and global companies.>> Since the acquisition of PZL Mielec on March 16, 2007, Sikorsky has delivered on each of the broad commitments. Sikorsky has invested millions of dollars in fixed assets, environmental remediation, and human resources training and transfer of technical expertise. In addition, Sikorsky has initiated a broad social package for PZL Mielec employees.>> During this time, employment at PZL Mielec has increased by 11 percent, from an initial level of 1,471 employees to 1,640 full-time personnel. Additional employees are expected to be hired in the next 12 months, and groundbreaking is scheduled soon for a new European Union funded vocational training facility to educate more than 200 students per year for PZL Mielec.