DENVER, June 15 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. is reducing its workforce around the country in an effort to improve its competitive posture.
Space Systems, which employs about 16,000 people in 12 states, will implement a broad-based workforce reduction of roughly 1,200 employees by the end of the year.
It is anticipated that middle management will be reduced by 25 percent, with smaller percentage impacts in other levels and disciplines, the company said.
Operations across the country will be affected. The largest impact of reductions is expected to occur at the company's sites in Sunnyvale, Calif.; the Delaware Valley region of Pennsylvania; and Denver, where several of the company's major programs are transitioning out of development.
"In today's economic environment, we have two choices: Make painful decisions now or pay a greater price down the road," said Joanne Maguire, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems. "This is a difficult but necessary action to improve efficiencies and make our business more competitive going forward.
"We will remain relentlessly focused on achieving operational excellence and mission success for our customers as we position to deliver more affordably in the future."
Space Systems will offer eligible salaried employees an opportunity for a voluntary layoff to minimize the number of involuntary layoffs.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security.
