FYI Smith and Wesson is moving significant operations and its HQ to TN in 2023. Press Release at the link.

S&W Press Release

The Hell you say!

I'm not certain why I'm surprised, but I am surprised.

I'm happy Tennessee is getting yet another major manufacturer of firearms, but S&W has always been and should have been able to always remain in Massachusetts.

As the left gets more aggressive/hostile towards the firearms industry, I expect to see the few companies left in communist states to move to free states.

AWESOME

The fine firearms history in the Connecticut River valley and rest of the northeast has been in a death spiral for a while. Will the last legacy gun company turn out the lights as the escape to a free state.

Long time coming, at least not overseas. Maryville is a beautiful area. Alcoa used to be in the area as well.

Great news! Wish they'd done it years ago.

quote:

I'm not certain why I'm surprised, but I am surprised.

I am as well.

The South shall rise again I suppose.

I am glad to hear this and I look forward to adding a TN produced revolver to my collection.

That's a lot of jobs !!

Now we just have to find a way to extricate Mossberg from CT.

Mark Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, said "This has been an extremely difficult and emotional decision for us, but after an exhaustive and thorough analysis, for the continued health and strength of our iconic company, we feel that we have been left with no other alternative." He specifically cited legislation recently proposed in Massachusetts that, if enacted, would prohibit the company from manufacturing certain firearms in the state. "These bills would prevent Smith & Wesson from manufacturing firearms that are legal in almost every state in America and that are safely used by tens of millions of law-abiding citizens every day exercising their Constitutional 2nd Amendment rights, protecting themselves and their families, and enjoying the shooting sports. While we are hopeful that this arbitrary and damaging legislation will be defeated in this session, these products made up over 60% of our revenue last year, and the unfortunate likelihood that such restrictions would be raised again led to a review of the best path forward for Smith & Wesson."

They're not closing the MA plant. My guess is that they'll keep some of the manufacturing for the classic products their, since it already set up for that, and they likely don't run afoul of what I'm pretty sure on restrictions MA is putting in place for AR type firearms.

quote:

Originally posted by DrewR:
I am glad to hear this and I look forward to adding a TN produced revolver to my collection.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
They're not closing the MA plant.

Yet

Actually S&W isn't completely moving to TN, they are moving HQ, closing their Missouri plant, and moving manufacturing of specific firearms to TN most likely all semi auto production and AR/semi auto rifle production.

They will stay in MA, keep 1000 jobs there and produce firearms in MA.

Key Facts:

The facility in Springfield, Massachusetts will be reconfigured but will remain operational.

Smith & Wesson will keep some of its manufacturing operations in Springfield, Massachusetts, including all forging, machining, metal finishing, and assembly of revolvers, and will continue to have over 1,000 employees in the state.

The new facility will be built in Maryville, Tennessee and will comprise of the company's headquarters, plastic injection molding, pistol and long gun assembly, and distribution.

Total investment in the project is estimated at $120 million, will be funded from cash on hand, and is expected to be accretive to EPS by $0.10 to $0.12 per year once fully operational.

Construction in Maryville, Tennessee is expected to begin in the calendar fourth quarter of 2021 and be substantially complete by the summer of 2023.

Upwards of 750 jobs will move from Springfield, Massachusetts; Deep River, Connecticut; and Columbia, Missouri to Maryville, Tennessee.

The company's plastic injection molding facility in Deep River, Connecticut, which services both Smith & Wesson as well as a significant number of external customers, will be sold.

The Smith & Wesson portion of the operations will be moved to the new facility in Maryville, Tennessee, however, the external customer business will remain in Connecticut and will be divested.

The company's distribution operations in Columbia, Missouri will be moved to the new facility in Maryville, Tennessee, and the Columbia, Missouri facility will be marketed for sublease.

The relocation will have no impact on the company's operations in Houlton, Maine.

It's in the press release.

Just wait

Good news!

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
The fine firearms history in the Connecticut River valley and rest of the northeast has been in a death spiral for a while. Will the last legacy gun company turn out the lights as the escape to a free state.

Honestly surprised they lasted this long there.
Aggressive, leftist know-nothings for the last 50-years, have hollowed-out what was historically a major region in America's rise as an industrial super-power. The days of the New England mills and factories are long, long gone.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
It's in the press release.

Just wait

Agree that the odds it will happen are good, but it's not what the thread title implicates that all of S&W is moving.

The bill in MA is addressing semi auto firearms, so that's what's being moved for now, with HQ and some consolidation.

Wouldn't doubt for a minute that MA would come after revolvers in the form of a tax on manufacturing or some restrictions..

Imagine they have to move in pieces anyway.

They probably can’t fully close up shop due to union contracts. As soon as the contracts run out the choice will be here’s a generous package to come relocate to a non union shop in TN or good luck with your life.

Maybe, just maybe, some of that good TN air will fill their lungs, and by 2030, maybe they will remove the internal locks from the revolvers.

Maybe.

But probably not.