by Joseph P. Tartaro | Executive Editor
The big industry news this month focuses on ammunition as two leading firearms manufacturers announce plans to market ammunition under their own brands and an ammunition manufacturer announces a move to Tennessee.
Browning reported that it is introducing a new, full-line of “superior performance ammunition for hunting, personal defense and target shooting” designed and manufactured by Olin Corporation’s Winchester Ammunition Division, while Sturm, Ruger announced that it is introducing a Ruger® ARX® branded line of centerfire ammo manufactured and marketed by PolyCase Ammunition®.
The new Ruger ammunition is designed and produced by PolyCase under license from Ruger and incorporates PolyCase’s revolutionary ARX bullet technology.
From the research and development laboratory of PolyCase Ammunition, through Ruger’s extensive testing, the flagship ARX projectile may have established itself as the next generation of highly effective self-defense ammunition. Achieved through advanced design and materials science, the unique bullet profile transfers maximum energy to the target from a fluid dynamic effect. By design, the non-expanding Ruger ARX exploits the bullet’s velocity to redirect energy laterally via flutes in the bullet ogive. This effect results in stopping power and terminal performance that rivals that of many expanding handgun bullets. The design of the Ruger ARX allows it to feed like a round nose yet still transfer energy to targets effectively over a wide range of bullet velocities. The ARX penetrates many barriers without deformation, and penetrates through clothing without clogging and degrading terminal performance.
The Ruger ARX ammunition utilizes injection-molded copper/polymer matrix projectiles. Unlike traditional bullets, this unique material can be molded into complex shapes like the ARX bullet configuration. These lightweight bullets are launched at high velocities and achieve very high energy levels, but at nominal or even reduced recoil levels and reduce the loaded weight of firearms and spare magazines. The copper/polymer bullets fragment upon striking solid backstops, making them ideal for use in indoor ranges.
“PolyCase Ammunition is honored to be selected by Ruger as a licensee and is pleased to introduce Ruger-branded ammunition to the commercial sporting market,” said Paul Lemke, CEO and founder of PolyCase Ammunition. “Ruger is a forward-thinking company that has been a model of corporate responsibility for over 60 years.”
“Browning Ammunition builds upon the legacy and heritage of our brand while introducing innovative products that will carry the iconic Buckmark symbol,” said Travis Hall, Browning president and CEO.
Browning and Winchester developed this full line of ammunition products under the Browning brand, which will debut in January 2016. The Browning Ammunition portfolio includes popular offerings in rifle, shotgun, handgun and rimfire, featuring advanced technologies for hunters and shooters.
Winchester is responsible for product development, manufacturing, marketing and sales. The alliance connects world leaders in firearms and ammunition manufacturing, as well as legendary brands.
“An alliance with Browning allows us to drive strategic ammunition products deep into the hunting and shooting sports categories,” said Brett Flaugher, vice president of sales, marketing and strategy for Winchester. “This is a significant milestone in the history books of both companies.”
AMI picks Tennessee
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Advanced Munitions International (AMI) recently announced that the company will build a global headquarters and state-of-the-art munitions manufacturing facility in Alcoa’s Partnership Park in Blount County.
AMI, of Payson, AZ, formerly known as Advanced Tactical Armament Concepts, LLC, manufactures Block Ops®, Emron® and HPR® mission-specific ammunition. The company will invest $553 million in a new campus for its manufacturing, distribution and R&D operations and create 605 new jobs.
“I want to thank AMI for their substantial investment in Tennessee and for the more than 600 jobs they will create in Blount County,” Haslam said. “This is an industry leader creating jobs that require a highly skilled workforce as we continue toward our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs.”
Their Alcoa plant is expected to hire primarily chemists and engineers with backgrounds in metallurgy, engineering, physics and energetics technology.
The company expects to break ground on the 235-acre site this spring and to open in the fourth quarter of 2018. Company executives cited the proximity and resources of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a deciding factor in choosing to locate in Tennessee.
“The East Tennessee region has terrific resources for companies that need access to institutions with R&D to commercialize and employees with high-tech skills,” Boyd said. “Tennessee has a long history of manufacturing excellence that fits perfectly with AMI’s needs. I want to thank AMI for choosing Tennessee and for the jobs they will create.”
“When we looked nationally for a site to build this facility, Tennessee stood out as a place with leaders that understand and support strong business growth,” said Jim Antich, AMI founder and executive chairman. “Having a resource like ORNL nearby also attracted us to Tennessee and Blount County. We are looking forward to a long relationship with Tennessee and to working with our new neighbors.”
Other News Items
Manfrotto Distribution, Inc. has been appointed distributor of Nilox action cameras in the United States, providing access to the broad selection of high quality products currently available to photographers and videographers alike.
Nilox was founded in 2005 by the Esprinet Group, a distributor of consumer and IT electronics, known mostly in Europe. Due to constant investments in research and product marketing, Nilox has become the first Italian brand of action cameras, offering a wide range of products from mass-market solutions (MINI and F60 lines) to top of the range devices (EVO line). Today, Nilox is the brand chosen by champions in sport, particularly the motocross world, where it represents MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez.
The global action camera market has grown dramatically through 2015. This positive trend brings Manfrotto and Nilox together with a strong offering of products. This partnership will create significant synergies for further development in the coming years.
BIGshot Archery, LLC, creator of the most innovative archery targets in the industry, is proud to announce the acquisition of production, product technology and marketing rights to Master Archery Targets, a Pennsylvania-based target company.
BIGshot Archery president, Al Perelli, expressed excitement about the recent acquisition. “Master Archery Targets provided a solid target at an economical price which fits BIGShot Targets’ culture of providing great value at an affordable price. The company also had certain production technologies we were interested in.”
While BIGshot Archery continues to experience exponential growth in a highly competitive area of the outdoor industry, the future of Master Archery Targets products has yet to be fully developed. “The acquisition will undoubtedly enhance BIGshot Targets’ current lineup of premium quality archery targets,” added Perelli. “It’s another move in a very positive direction for BIGshot.”
