4/14/2008

Typically, I do my best to stay out of politics and do not voice my concerns on my web site often. But this one has me sitting back saying WTF?

I mentioned recently in a brief review of the Remington VTR that Remington had announced the purchase of Marlin Firearms.

Additionally, I commented that I was not certain that this was a good thing for us and that time would tell.

Well, Time is Telling

Remington announced on April the 7th, less than 4 months after the December announcement of the Marlin purchase, that they will be closing the H&R production plant in Gardner, MA by the end of the year.

I don't know about you folks but this can't be a good thing.

Remington is owned by Cerberus Capital who now owns Remington, Marlin, H&R 1871, New England Firearms, LC Smith, Parker, Bushmaster, Cobb and DPMS

From the Cerberus web site:

"Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. is one of the world's leading private investment firms. Cerberus specializes in providing both financial resources and operational expertise to help transform undervalued companies into industry leaders for long-term success and value creation. "

Or we just close em down :)

With the Gardner closing, 200 employees at a plant that has fueled our interests for decades will be out of work.

What's next?

How long before Cerberus decides that another plant needs to be "transformed into industry leaders"?

Here's a fricken idea: If it's not profitable enough to suit you, SELL IT, don't close it, SELL IT.

Want to see who is attempting to control the gun market? Intentionally or not ? More Reading