Sydney Morning Herald , 1 April 2008:
"China North Industries Group (Norinco) are rumoured to be making a bid to buy US arms manufacturer Marlin.
This follows the demise of Winchester in 2006 and according to sources close to Marlin, the company is likely to go under due to falling sales in the US and worldwide. This is partially are attributed to major quality control problems at Marlin and its inability to compete in a world market, sources claim.
Another problem may be that Lever action firearms depend largely on a dwindling nostalgia market. These guns that supposedly won the west are no longer winning new recruits amongst serious hunters claimed one spokesperson. Cowboy action enthusiasts are not interested in Marlin firearms as they cannot compete with the low cost guns from Brazil or the high quality and super slick Italian reproductions.
Norinco are alleged to have obtained early samples of Australian Defence Industries lever action shotgun which were copied and marketed before ADI had completed what they claim were essential improvements. ADI have ceased development of the shotgun as they cannot compete with the substantially cheaper Chinese product.
It is believed Norinco intend to transfer Marlin's equipment to China. That will give them a big competitive cost edge, our source claimed."
