by Joseph P. Tartaro | Executive Editor
Brian D. Murphy
American Outdoor Brands Corporation, formerly known as Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. before the December stockholders’ approval of the corporate name change, announced on Jan. 4 the creation of its new Outdoor Recreation Division to expand the company’s portfolio of consumer brands and products further into the outdoor recreation market.
At the same time, Brian D. Murphy was hired to serve as president of the newly created division. Murphy joins American Outdoor Brands from Vista Outdoor Inc., a publicly traded designer, manufacturer and marketer of outdoor sports and recreation products.
James Debney, American Outdoor Brands Corporation president and CEO, said, “I am very excited to have someone as talented as Brian Murphy joins our already incredibly strong team. His goal is to establish and build our new Outdoor Recreation Division from the ground up by bringing a new dimension to our inorganic growth strategy. In leading the Outdoor Recreation Division, Brian will focus on markets related to rugged outdoor pursuits, such as camping, hiking and fishing – all of which already strongly resonate with many of our core firearms consumers and retailers. This focus is perfectly aligned with our vision at American Outdoor Brands to be the leading provider of quality products for the shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiast. Brian’s successful track record of identifying opportunities, creating, and leading highly productive teams, as well as building and running business operations, makes him the ideal leader to establish and grow our new rugged outdoor recreation business. We look forward to benefiting from his expertise and the establishment of a new family of brands and products that will further serve our core consumers.”
Murphy joined Vista Outdoor in 2015 when the company was formed as a result of a spin-off from Alliant Techsystems, a leader in aerospace, defense, and sporting goods. At Vista Outdoor, Murphy served as vice president of Corporate Development, a role in which he led approximately $900 million in acquisitions over an 18-month period. Prior to joining Vista Outdoor, Murphy served as director of Corporate Development and Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis for ATK. Prior to joining ATK, Murphy held management positions with McMaster-Carr Supply Company, a supplier of maintenance, repair, and operations materials to industrial and commercial facilities worldwide, and was previously an investment banker with Houlihan Lokey, a leading middle-market investment bank. Murphy earned his B.S. in Business from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Brands in the Outdoor Products & Accessories division include Smith & Wesson®, M&P®, Thompson/Center Arms™, Crimson Trace®, Caldwell® Shooting Supplies, Wheeler® Engineering, Tipton® Gun Cleaning Supplies, Frankford Arsenal® Reloading Tools, Lockdown® Vault Accessories, Hooyman® Premium Tree Saws, BOG POD®, Golden Rod® Moisture Control, Schrade®, Old Timer®, Uncle Henry®, UST®, and Imperial™.
Other Business News
In December, Beretta Holding of Gardone Val Trompia, Italy acquired a 40% stake in Zamberlan USA’s parent company Calzaturificio Zamberlan Srl of Torrebelvicino Italy. The two companies have concurrently entered into a new footwear development and production agreement.
Beretta Holding is a 15-generation, Italian family-owned company with nearly 500 years of history, a global network of subsidiaries, and an extensive range of outstanding brands. Besides major defense, law enforcement, and traditional sporting firearms production businesses, Beretta has a complete line of hunting apparel and accessories, clay target shooting, and outdoor sports products that are both technical and elegant, as well as a number of retail outlets in the US.
Zamberlan and Beretta share the same set of ethics, strongly believe in quality and product excellence, and are permanently dedicated to the Made-in-Italy asset that defines their respective brands. These values and the long-term experience of Zamberlan in high-end, quality boot manufacturing led to a partnership that sees Beretta Holding acquire a 40% share of Zamberlan as well as a production and footwear development agreement aimed at augmenting Beretta’s clothing and accessories business with a dedicated line of Beretta-branded hunting shoes.
“As a family, we are strongly convinced that this partnership with Beretta Holding represents a great chance, as we will gain access to their sales network and to new and interesting opportunities at various levels. The sharing of important values of excellence in the product and the global presence have been a great inducement to the closure of this deal,” stated Marco Zamberlan.
Zamberlan’s US subsidiary will continue operating as the exclusive source of Zamberlan-brand footwear products and accessories to the US outdoor and hunting markets.
A promising new force in the fight for gun control has arrived on the scene. A coalition that includes corporate litigators from seven of the nation’s leading law firms is taking aim at some of the most glaring flaws in gun safety. One is Congress’s restriction of the government’s ability to conduct basic public health research on gun deaths. The lawyers will also seek ways to challenge state lawmakers who have invited millions of citizens to pack guns in public buildings and businesses.
Adam Weatherby has been named president and CEO of the venerable firearms company his grandfather Roy-started in 1945 and his father Ed managed on his Roy’s passing.
CEO and President Ed Weatherby passed the day-to-day leadership baton to his son Adam at Weatherby Inc. Like his father, Adam grew up surrounded by the legacy of the Weatherby name and all that it represents in firearm excellence, cartridge innovation, hunting passion and conservation commitment.
“What my Grandfather Roy started more than 70 years ago is as special today as it’s ever been, and as President I’ll never stray from his vision and our promise to customers that ‘nothing shoots flatter, hits harder or is more accurate’ than a Weatherby,” Adam promised.
Since 1983, Adam’s Father Ed has been President and CEO of Weatherby Inc. in Paso Robles, CA, and will remain involved at Weatherby, serving as executive chairman for the family-owned and operated business.
The company said the executive change at Weatherby will be seamless, fluid and will not affect Weatherby’s process of delivering superior quality rifles, shotguns and premium ammunition to the gunmaker’s loyal dealer network and customers.
Caracal USA’s progress towards the production of the US-manufactured Enhanced F pistol, first introduced a couple of year ago, is underway at Wilcox Industries in New Hampshire. Commercial availability of the Enhanced F is targeted for the third quarter of 2017.
From its origins as a no-nonsense military vehicle, TOMCAR has evolved into the world’s most versatile off-road vehicle, fit for commercial and private use in the most demanding conditions.
The TOMCAR TM5 vehicle model was slated to be on display at MOD Armory’s SHOT Show Booth #8601. The company’s CEO, Ram Zarchi was to be on hand to answer all your questions.
TOMCAR offers the TM5 and other models in diesel, electric and hybrid models with zero thermal signature and very low noise.
The history of TOMCAR dates back to 1967, when an Israeli commanding officer pieced together two running vehicles from the wreckage of Jeeps dropped in enemy territory, allowing the commandos to successfully complete their mission. Years later, that same soldier built the first TOMCAR, a durable but versatile all-terrain vehicle designed to be parachuted out of a plane for use in military operations.
The TM5 is promoted as the perfect blend of fun and function with all the features of the TM2 along with a 66-inch x 52-inch cargo box that can take up to 1,650 lbs. of payload. Gas-powered models are priced starting at $24,350; diesels at $26,350 and electrics at $44,500.
