Remington Consolidation Plan

[quickdtoo]

Uh oh!!

http://www.remington.com/library/press/2008/Corporate/2008-5.asp

Remington Announces Manufacturing Consolidation Plan
 
 
MADISON, N.C., April 7, 2008 – Remington Arms Company, Inc. ("Remington"), the United States’ largest firearms manufacturer, today announced a strategic manufacturing consolidation move that will result in the closure of its Gardner, Massachusetts plant (“Gardner”). This integration will be seamless and will not affect our customers or our product offerings.

“While it was a difficult decision to close Gardner, we believe that this consolidation will enhance our ability to more efficiently provide quality products at competitive prices in an increasingly demanding global marketplace.” said Tommy Millner, Remington’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are always looking for ways to strengthen and optimize our business in order to stay competitive, while also creating additional opportunities for our employees and better products for customers. Our number one goal is to provide our customers and end-users with the best, most innovative products at a competitive price. Consolidation of manufacturing capabilities and migration to common operating systems are expected to create efficiencies that will achieve this goal.”

Throughout the remainder of 2008, the integration of Gardner’s operations is expected to result in centralized sales and marketing, streamlined operations, standardized information technology infrastructure, and common financial functionality while vigorously maintaining and promoting individual brand identity and products.

Unfortunately, an estimated 200 Gardner employees will be impacted by the closure, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. A number of employees will transition from Gardner to other capacities within the Company. For those not transferred, the Company will be offering severance, outplacement, and referral services in order to assist in this difficult transition.



About Remington Arms Company, Inc.
Remington Arms Company, Inc., headquartered in Madison, North Carolina, designs, produces and sells sporting goods products for the hunting and shooting sports markets under a family of famous brands including Remington, Marlin, H&R 1871, LLC, New England Firearms, LC Smith and Parker as well as solutions to the military, government and law enforcement markets. Founded in 1816 in upstate New York, the Company is one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating manufacturers and is the only U.S. manufacturer of both firearms and ammunition products. With its products distributed throughout the U.S. and in over 55 foreign countries, Remington remains the largest domestic producer of shotguns and rifles. More information about the Company can be found at www.remington.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws and they are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give the Company's current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward looking statements include expectations regarding (i) the closure of the Gardner, Massachusetts facility, (ii) the anticipated benefits of the closure and (iii) the timing of the closure. The Company cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include the demand for the Company's products, the Company's growth opportunities, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Media Contacts
 
For Remington Arms Company:
Al Russo: (336) 548-8572
 
 

[MSP Ret]

OH NO!! say it isn't so!!!!

I just called Al Russo to see if I could get a little more info on this and to voice my concerns and displeasure on this. He was not at his desk but I left a polite message and asked he call me at his convenience, we will see. He moist likely has nothing to do with the decision but it's a start....<>,....

[Dixie Dude]

What were they making at the Gardner plant?  Did they move the tooling to other plants? 

[MSP Ret]

I just got a call from Al Russo from Remington, he advised me the company name and line will be kept intact. That under Remington they desire to improve on the line...I expressed my feelings on the great people in CS but he could not offer anything other than they at Remington know there are some good people at Gardner....Andy....<><....

[quickdtoo]

What were they making at the Gardner plant?  Did they move the tooling to other plants? 

All H&R/NEF products are made there with the exception of the pump and auto shotguns.

Tim

[EVOC ONE]

Holy Cow!!!!

I just got off the phone with CS to check on their inventory of barrels.   

Its good to hear the NEF's will still be made, but for how long?

I wish the employee's the best of luck.  They have been great to work with and always helpful. 

Joe

[JamesIII]

I think any new products for 2008 are probably now on hold. It would be difficult to bring new products on line and move production at the same time, not impossible just difficult. I think I'll bite the bullet and order a Tracker II and not wait for the Ultragon barrel, it may never be produced. You really have to feel bad for the workers who have poured their whole lives into the company. JamesIII

[Smoke Wagon]

Well that didn't take long I have only spoke with the people at Gardner a few times, but they are always extremely helpful and a pleasure to deal with. I hope that Remington is telling us the truth about keeping the product line. I'm new to the Handi, but immediately fell in love with it. Better order your new barrels and guns soon.

[PartsMan]

 

This doesn't look good.

[WILD_WEASEL]

How is all this going to affect the Barrel Upgrade Program?  I've handled the guns coming in from Russia and can not say I like them.

[quickdtoo]

That remains to be seen,  I'd bet H&R employees have no idea either, anything beyond what's in the press release is just speculation. Since they plan on having the move all done by the end of the year, and now thru August is the barrel program's slow time, they might move it right away, then again, it may be the last to move, who knows. When I learn more from Marlin/H&R, I'll post it, you can count on it.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/News/pressreleases.aspx#plan

[351 power]

the products will never be the same

[quickdtoo]

the products will never be the same

That's true, they may be better!!

Tim

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

I'm sure there are more than just a few among the group, besides myself, here, that have gone through similar circumstances as the folks at H&R/NEF are experiencing right now. The "consolidations, aquisitions, downsizing, manditory transfers" whatever they may choose to call them, are still a time for some hard choices to be made for many of them.
Those of you out there that have been in their shoes, know the kinds of choices I speak of.

Good luck and best wishes to all the good folks in Gardner.


Bill

[ben.]

         Since 2000 I have dealth with H&R probably half a dozen times. Always very satisfactory.
         A week ago today. Last monday AM. I ordered two plain monte carlo stocks. I called Wed. for UPS tracking #. They couldn't find my order and would call me back. They called back and said it was shipped that day Wed.  Call back in a few days for a tracking #. I called back first thing this morning
Monday and they couldn't find my order again. Said they would call back. Told them I would only be home for two hours. Didn't hear from them. I Called an hour ago Mon. PM. Told to hang on while they looked for the order, Came back and said it was shipped today. I'll say one thing the female employee was not very cheerful. I don't think things are very happy at H&R or efficent. With closing down the plant I can understand why. Very sad indeed.

[PartsMan]

Good luck and best wishes to all the good folks in Gardner.

I'll second that.

How long have they been making these guns in that plant?

[d_hiker]

I am sorry to see this happen.  I know things could be better in CS but I enjoyed talking with the ladies.  there were times that they were rushed and busy, and they may not know where my stuff was located.  But they always were polite and tried to help the best they could.  I will miss them. 

There were a couple of things back-ordered on my last order, I had better follow up with them as to the status.

[DalesCarpentry]

the products will never be the same

That's true, they may be better!!

Tim

Well Tim. That is certainly an optimistic way to look at it. I feel for the good people there and hope they can find work quickly. Dale

[quickdtoo]

How long have they been making these guns in that plant?

From Wiki's time line, it would appear that H&R has been there at least since the late '80s to early '90s, but it's interesting that Wiki claims the warranty cards were sent to "Industrial Rowe" in the '60s, and that's still their current address!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H_&_R_Firearms

In the 1960s it was owned by the Rowe family, and warranty cards were sent to 'Industrial Rowe'.[citation needed] The old H&R company went out of business in 1986, and the building, which was located at the corner of Park Avenue and Chandler Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, was demolished

http://www.hr1871.com/About/ContactUs.aspx

H&R 1871, LLC
60 Industrial Rowe
Gardner, MA 01440

http://www.hr1871.com/Support/repairs.aspx

H&R 1871, LLC
ATTN: Service Dept.
60 Industrial Rowe
Gardner, MA 01440


Tim

[PartsMan]

This may be just what we need to get a SB3 magnum chambered Encore eater.

I just hope they don't "streamline" us down to 4 cartrides and any stock that is black plastic.

[Graybeard]

I wonder if production is being moved to Russia or China? Since they are already hooked up with Russia I'm expecting those to replace the NEF guns likely under the NEF or H&R name but then I'd not rule out China just yet.

I am grossly dissappointed with Remington my favorite brand of long guns.

[torpedoman]

new ones will probably me remarked rossi's

[LONGTOM]

I hope all turns out well.

Boy am I thankful that when I called last MONDAY about getting some barrels the lady told me the 30-30s would not be back in stock until JUNE/JULY and two of the other ones were no longer produced or else I might have a frame heading to nowhere.

This is truly a shame.

LONGTOM

[quickdtoo]

I wouldn't be concerned about sending one in and not getting it back, it just may take a while depending on when they implement the move.

Tim

[Swampman]

"I am grossly disappointed with Remington my favorite brand of long guns."

Ditto!

[30-06man]

Well I thought something wasn't right when Remington Bought Marlin and it looks like this is coming true. I will have to reconsider buying any Remington now.

[MSP Ret]

Tomorrow or the day after a frame goes in for a .44 Mag barrel and a BUNCH of parts. I don't mind waiting but I hope they get the order correct. There may not be another chance to get any errors corrected before the "change"....<><....

[airedaleman]

I was H&R's ad manager for nearly two years in '78 and '79. The Gardner plant was built in the mid-60's specifically to produce H&R's line of sporting firearms, the Worcester plant being given over to the production of M-14's and later the M-16. When the M-16 contract ended, the Worcester plant stood empty for years. (I believe Springfield Armory got its start with surplus M-14 machinery and tooling from the Worcester plant.) The Rowes were involved with H&R from before the Second World War - except for a time in the '60's when the company was owned by Walter Kidde -right until the mid-80's bankruptcy. It seems a shame that the Gardner plant will close after all the effort that was expended in resuscitating it. Gardner is a town that can ill-afford losing 230 jobs...

[Slufoot]

I really hate to hear this about H&R. I've been through two plant closings and know how it is, it's a very sad and scary time for all the employees. I feel for them.

I wish the best for all of the folks at H&R 1871, INC.

Slufoot

[buffermop]

As torpedoman said they will end up being made from some foreign port of call.