Black Hawk up

Hot on the heels of Dell's deal in Łódź, another American company has announced its intention to invest in Poland. The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the government-owned aircraft company PZL Mielec.

Under this agreement, PZL Mielec, Poland's largest aircraft manufacturer, wholly owned by the Industrial Development Agency, could soon become the place where Black Hawk helicopters are assembled for Sikorsky's international market. Additional plans for the future would include building a production line for key helicopter components, as well as a service center.

The final agreement should be signed by the end of 2006. This will allow international deliveries of Black Hawks to begin in 2010.

"We chose Poland for two reasons," said Jeffrey Pino, president of Sikorsky Aircraft Co. "First of all, because PZL Mielec's people are dedicated to their work, and also because the Polish government is eager and fully supports our investment."

Pino said production will be based on demand, which according to company predictions, could reach up to a few hundred helicopters per year. Pino also expressed the company's intention to ultimately buy up the Mielec factory. He added that there need be no concern about job cuts. On the contrary, he said the company wanted to increase employment at the factory.

The company explained that there were no plans to stop production of the Skytruck aircraft, which is currently manufactured in Mielec.