T/C SOLD to Smith & Wesson

[rks1949]

Man this came out of no where!    http://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5479

[SURVEYOR]

Smith & Wesson Acquires Thompson/Center Arms, Inc.

New Hampshire based company purchased for $102 million cash

By Press Release


Springfield, Massachusetts, December 18, 2006 -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 154-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Thompson/Center Arms, Inc., a 40-year old, privately held, New Hampshire-based designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium hunting firearms, for $102 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the beginning of January 2007.



Thompson/Center Arms, headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire, manufactures and distributes innovative firearms recognized by hunting enthusiasts for their precision, performance, craftsmanship, and reliability. Thompson/Center Arms occupies a leadership position within each of its core product categories of black powder firearms (or "muzzleloaders"), black powder accessories, and interchangeable firearm systems, as well as a presence in precision rimfire rifles. The transaction will combine two leading firearms companies with complementary products, to yield a single provider of high- quality pistol, revolver, shotgun and rifle products.



Michael F. Golden, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, said, "The acquisition of Thompson/Center Arms is an important step in our diversification strategy. Thompson/Center Arms has consistently delivered both profits and strong gross margins while building its position in the hunting rifle market. This move will expand our presence in the $1.1 billion long gun market by providing immediate entry into the hunting rifle and black powder segments, which represents approximately $600 million in domestic sales. In addition to carving out a leadership role in black powder and single shot hunting rifles, Thompson/Center Arms has developed tremendous expertise in manufacturing long-gun barrels, a competency that will be important to Smith & Wesson as we expand our capabilities even further into the long gun market."

The purchase price for Thompson/Center Arms includes the company's Rochester, New Hampshire facility, which produces all of the company's products and is situated geographically between Smith & Wesson's manufacturing operations in Springfield, Massachusetts and Houlton, Maine. The transaction will be financed with the proceeds from the sale of convertible senior notes and an acquisition line of credit.



In conjunction with the acquisition, Gregg Ritz, President and CEO of Thompson/Center Arms, will be named President of Smith & Wesson - Hunting. He will continue to lead the Thompson/Center Arms operation and will head Smith & Wesson's efforts to develop its hunting business. Ritz said, "In addition to bringing together two well-established and highly respected brands in the firearms industry, this acquisition increases opportunities for both Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms. Smith & Wesson's ability to provide capital for growth and expertise in lean manufacturing processes will provide critical support for our new product pipeline and our need for increased capacity based on strong customer demand. In turn, Thompson/Center Arms' array of barrel manufacturing expertise, hunting rifle products, and accessories fits nicely into the Smith & Wesson portfolio of pistols, revolvers, shotguns and future hunting rifles. There is absolutely no overlap in our product lines, while there is tremendous similarity in our dealer and distribution channels and our marketing vehicles."

http://www.shootingtimes.com/swtc_121806/

[DEPUTY]

 not really deal has been in the works for while now!

[rks1949]

It's funny,they didn't talk about it much,but were busy promoting the new Triump ML. Maybe S&W will get T/C into the current mode,like Ruger! Advertise allot,build a few guns,then quit making them,and on to the next disaster!

[Oldsnow]

Maybe T/C will go smokeless.

[Redhawk1]

Maybe T/C will go smokeless.

I sure hope not. 

[elkstalkr]

Maybe T/C will go smokeless.

I sure hope not. 

Speak for yourself.  I certainly hope they do!!! 

[HD Road King]

If Knight has a rabbit up their sleeve, this might be a great time to pull it out!

[Redhawk1]

If Knight has a rabbit up their sleeve, this might be a great time to pull it out!

I don't think they do. Knight has been going down hill for the past several years.

[Redhawk1]

Maybe T/C will go smokeless.

I sure hope not. 

Speak for yourself.  I certainly hope they do!!! 

What would be the advantage of smokeless over what's currently out there?  Savage is not breaking any records with there smokeless M/L's

[elkstalkr]

Maybe T/C will go smokeless.

I sure hope not. 

Speak for yourself.  I certainly hope they do!!! 

What would be the advantage of smokeless over what's currently out there?  Savage is not breaking any records with there smokeless M/L's

If you are refferring to sells records that is only because Savage does not promote or advertise that gun at all.  I mean whens the last time you saw an add about their smokeless gun?  Its a great gun, but for whatever reason they don't push it very hard.

If you refer to the advantages in shooting it the painfully obvious one is I don't have to clean the freakin thing everytime I shoot it.    That alone makes it worth every penny I paid for it. 

[Redhawk1]

If you are happy with it that is fine by me.

I don't like the gun itself, and as far as there sales and advertising. Why advertise if it is not going to be a big seller.  A lot of States won't let you use smokeless, so why bother for the few that do.

Smokeless or not, I clean all my guns after I shoot them.

[Chuck White]

I agree with  Redhawk1 on this one!

Another issue is SAFETY!
Smokeless powder doesn't leave much of a margin for error!
That is, with Black Powder or Substiture, you can be off as much as 50 grains and still be ok, but with smokeless, if you're off as little as 5 grains, you can end up in the hospital or worse, people looking down at you!

[elkstalkr]

Smokeless or not, I clean all my guns after I shoot them.

You completely break  your guns apart and clean all parts everytime  you shoot them, as you would a muzzleloader??

If thats the case you are the exception to the rule.  Granted I wipe my guns down after shooting them once or twice while out hunting, but I certainly don't break it completely apart like I do my omega after only shooting one round to kill a deer.

You do have a point about some states outlawing them, BUT many states still allow them, I would guess to venture half allow them.  So there is still plenty of money to be made.  I mean many states have outlawed 209 primers, but that did not slow the sell of those guns!

[elkstalkr]

Another issue is SAFETY!
Smokeless powder doesn't leave much of a margin for error!
That is, with Black Powder or Substiture, you can be off as much as 50 grains and still be ok, but with smokeless, if you're off as little as 5 grains, you can end up in the hospital or worse, people looking down at you!

You need to educate  yourself about smokeless muzzleloading.  IT IS NOT like reloading smokeless cartridges the "margin of error" is much larger, precision isn't as neccessary as reloading.

Of course if your not paying attention you can hurt yourself, but that can be said with any muzzleloading gun.  In short, THEY ARE NO MORE DANGEROUS THAN A NORMAL ML.  I used to have the same attitude you did, UNTIL I was educated by other owners. 

[Redhawk1]

Another issue is SAFETY!
Smokeless powder doesn't leave much of a margin for error!
That is, with Black Powder or Substiture, you can be off as much as 50 grains and still be ok, but with smokeless, if you're off as little as 5 grains, you can end up in the hospital or worse, people looking down at you!

You need to educate  yourself about smokeless muzzleloading.  IT IS NOT like reloading smokeless cartridges the "margin of error" is much larger, precision isn't as neccessary as reloading.

Of course if your not paying attention you can hurt yourself, but that can be said with any muzzleloading gun.  In short, THEY ARE NO MORE DANGEROUS THAN A NORMAL ML.  I used to have the same attitude you did, UNTIL I was educated by other owners. 

I sure do break down all my guns to clean them.  I believe that a gun is a tool, and should always be kept in top shape. All my buddies can believe that all my guns remain so clean. I have a total of 37 rifles and handguns combined and everyone of them are clean.

I thought everyone did that. 

[wgr]

redhawk1  i too break down my firearms  and clean them after shooting  my dad did i do now my son thats in the army  does  not matter if its black are smokless  if you dont have time to clean them you dont have time to shoot them

[Wolfhound]

redhawk1  i too break down my firearms  and clean them after shooting  my dad did i do now my son thats in the army  does  not matter if its black are smokless  if you dont have time to clean them you dont have time to shoot them

Too bad for the guy who's out late looking for a deer on the last day of the season and has to work the next day right? He has to give up some his sleep to clean his gun before going to bed. Our gun season are 3-4 days and there are 4 of them. This is a common occurance. With a muzzleloader all that needs to be done is run a couple solvent patches and oil it quickly. The next day you can fully clean it after you get home. All a smokeless muzzleloader does is eliminate the need for the solvent patches and oil before bed. It still needs to be cleaned but the period from shooting to cleaning can be longer if neccisary. I also clean all my guns after shooting but there are times it's impractical (mainly during hunting season) and you need to improvise until you are able to clean your gun.

During the off season while practicing I agree 100%. The problem is that hunting season is unpredictable and flexibility is often required. That's where smokeless guns have the advantage. They are more forgiving in regard to cleaning.

[elkstalkr]

Well call me a slob then.

Cuz If I shoot my .270 once or twice to kill a deer, I sure as heck aint gonna take it apart to clean it.  Like I said, I'll wipe it down, but totally cleaning a gun after a couple of rounds is TOTALLY uneccessary, unless you just really enjoy cleaning your guns.

I would guess that 90% of all hunters never clean thier centerfire rifles thoroughly until after hunting season is over.

[Redhawk1]

Well call me a freakin slob then.

Cuz If I shoot my .270 once or twice to kill a deer, I sure as heck aint gonna take it apart to clean it.  Like I said, I'll wipe it down, but totally cleaning a gun after a couple of rounds is TOTALLY uneccessary, unless you just really enjoy cleaning your guns.

I would guess that 90% of all hunters never clean thier centerfire rifles thoroughly until after hunting season is over.

And some guys wonder why when they go to sell them they don't get much for them.  Do what you want with your guns, I will keep mine clean.