Freedom Group, rising star in the firearms industry
Freedom Group Inc. based in Madison, N.C is perhaps the biggest guns and ammunition manufacturer you never heard of. They are the folks that purchased Bushmaster Firearms in 2006 then they purchased Remington Arms Co. in 2007 and through a private equity firm, Cerebrus Capital they purchased Marlin Firearms, Cobb Manufacturing, Dakota Arms LLC and DPMS Panther Arms.
Firearms and ammunition sales have been brisk given recent events in South Asia, Mesopotamia and North America. Real estate and retail sales may be down but sales of guns and ammunition are expected to continue to grow. This year, Freedom Group is expected to begin their initial public offering.
“Cerberus’s thesis was to consolidate a fragmented industry it saw as undermanaged. Earlier this year it named Ted Torbeck, a 20-year veteran of General Electric Co., as Freedom’s chief executive. Befitting the low profile maintained by Cerberus and its founder, Stephen Feinberg, the company lacks a Web site. While each of its brands has a Web site, none mentions Freedom Group. Freedom is expected to enhance its corporate identity in the coming months, according to people familiar with the company.
Helping oversee the investment for Cerberus is George Kollitides, who like his boss Mr. Feinberg is an avid shooter and hunter. Mr. Kollitides, who has run unsuccessfully for a National Rifle Association board seat, is a member of the upscale hunting club Mashomack Preserve Club in Pine Plains, N.Y. Mr. Feinberg, an ardent deer hunter, favors a Remington Model 700 and owns the rifle in a variety of calibers.”
It seems Freedom Group has purchased every gun company that makes products I like…and now for some gun-lust:
Magpul/Bushmaster ACR:
Remington Arms Predator:
Marlin Rifles:
Cobb Manufacturing:
Dakota Arms:
DPMS Panther Arms:
Buy
