NIOA Acquires Barrett Firearms Announcement

[Ronin_64]

Just say this in the news. Good or bad? Thoughts, gents?

​ Australian defense contractor NIOA has expanded its global reach with the 100 percent acquisition of the industry-leading rifle design and manufacturing company, Barrett Firearms. In announcing the deal, NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa said the two family-owned companies came together out of a shared commitment to quality, innovation, loyalty, and mission. “NIOA’s association with Barrett dates back to 2008. We have been inspired by the story of Barrett and admire what Ronnie, Chris and the family have built over more than four decades,” Mr. Nioa said. “It’s been a story of hard work, perseverance, and purpose culminating in the delivery of critical capability for the men and women of the US military and its allies around the world as well as exceptional products to law enforcement agencies and civilian markets. “Together we share the same mission - combining our expertise and family business values will ensure Barrett carries on building the finest products in the world.’’ Mr. Nioa confirmed the company would continue to operate under the Barrett brand as a separate division within the NIOA Group alongside NIOA Australia, NIOA New Zealand, the Australian Missile Corporation and the group’s investment in joint venture company Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions. All management and staff at the Murfreesboro manufacturing facility in Tennessee have been retained and production will continue as normal. Over time it is expected that manufacturing activities in Murfreesboro will be further expanded. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Mr. Nioa also announced two key leadership appointments – current Barrett President Sam Shallenberger has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer while long-serving Barrett Chief Operating Officer Bryan James becomes President. Ronnie Barrett and Chris Barrett will provide ongoing support as executive advisers to Barrett and the NIOA Group. Barrett founder Ronnie Barrett said “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Barrett story. Rob and the NIOA team have great respect for the legacy Barrett has created as the leader in long range precision rifles. It’s reassuring to know Barrett will be in good hands with a family-owned company that is focused on manufacturing and delivering world-class firearms and munitions to a global network.” The Barrett acquisition marks an exciting next chapter for NIOA as the company’s entry to the US market where it has long-standing trusted relationships with American companies such as Vista Outdoors, Leupold, General Dynamics, Northrup Grumman, and the Winchester-operated Lake City ammunition plant.

​ NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa has announced the company’s acquisition of US rifle maker Barrett Firearms.

​ About NIOA… NIOA is the largest Australian-owned supplier of firearms, weapons and ammunition to the Australian and New Zealand defense forces, law enforcement agencies and commercial markets. NIOA is a major tenant at the Australian government owned, contractor operated (GOCO) munitions facility at Benalla in Victoria where it is currently manufacturing 120mm munitions for the Abrams tank along with 30mm and 35mm cannon ammunition. The company is contracted to deliver major weapons programs for the Australian and New Zealand militaries and has recently established an artillery shell forging factory in Maryborough, Queensland in a joint venture with Rheinmetall of Germany. About Barrett... Barrett is a family-owned and operated company and the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military and more than 75 US Department of State approved countries around the world. The Barrett Quality Management System (QMS) has received the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design and manufacture of firearms, ammunition, and accessories, and to provide training for those systems. For more information visit: www.nioa.com.au and www.barrett.net Acquisition FAQs: https://barrett.net/support/acquisition-faqs/

 

[cro789]

Went from an American company to an Australian company.

 

[darth_ritis]

Sellouts valuing cash over American values. Sad.

 

[Old-Cat]

Hum

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

Not real sure I am particularly proud of this acquisition. Next, will move all production to Australia. Maybe if the hiden biden bunch really cared one shit about their countrymen, they might consider this sale to be contrary to US interests and block the purchase.

Never happen because the hiden biden bunch seemingly hates America and all Americans.

 

[_Windrider_]

Yeah this is extremely disappointing

 

[st1650]

Not good.

 

[Shoots 700's]

doesn't australia have some of the toughest gun laws known to man

 

[candyx]

The end of civilian sales ?

 

[Average guy]

Hate to see this. Wish it would have sold to an American firm. Might have been time for the Barrett’s to sell. Nothing but respect to Ronnie Barrett.

 

[TheGerman]

I can't see how this will be a good thing at all.

This goes 1 of 2 different ways.

- They are set on .gov type contracts and focus on that. Civi sales will run into some total bullshit to where either A. theres some weird shit now from the restructuring that they now run into a ton of red tape selling their weapons in the US (think HK-Europe) or B. 'civilians don't need a 50 cal!11!1'

or

- They are set on .gov type contracts and lack the insight, passion and knowledge that the Barrett's had and run this shit into the ground.

It's one of the two.

 

[TheOE800]

A foreign buyout is basically never good for the consumer.

 

[jbuck88]

For some reason I don't thinkbthe new company will have the same attitude that Ronnie had when he refused sales and service of 50bmg rifles to state and local governments that wouldn't allow civilian ownership.

 

[TheGerman]

For some reason I don't thinkbthe new company will have the same attitude that Ronnie had when he refused sales and service of 50bmg rifles to state and local governments that wouldn't allow civilian ownership.

It wouldn't surprise me if they went a full 180 and sold to any .gov agency and not civilians.

 

[samson7x]

Major bummer.

 

[JeffLebowski]

It wouldn't surprise me if they went a full 180 and sold to any .gov agency and not civilians.

Came here to say this.

 

[Pete B]

I would honestly be surprised if an Australian company really cares what the USA wishes to purchase, they want to make money..... In saying that, what pressure your politicians will make under the table is another matter.
Being outside of the US, you could only imagine if they wanted things difficult for you guys, this certainly be the best way to do it.
But why the fuck would a BUSINESS want to lose market sales, unless promised something in return?
Either way, it was a company forsale, and clearly no one was offering more $$$'s than NOIA.....
Hopefully things workout

 

[ma smith]

But why the fuck would a BUSINESS want to lose market sales, unless promised something in return?

see

Environmental, Social And Governance: What Is ESG Investing?

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is a strategy you can use to put your money to work with companies that strive to make the world a better place. ESG investing relies on independent ratings that help you assess a company’s behavior and policies when it comes to environmental perf

www.forbes.com

and

 

[TheGerman]

I would honestly be surprised if an Australian company really cares what the USA wishes to purchase, they want to make money..... In saying that, what pressure your politicians will make under the table is another matter.
Being outside of the US, you could only imagine if they wanted things difficult for you guys, this certainly be the best way to do it.
But why the fuck would a BUSINESS want to lose market sales, unless promised something in return?
Either way, it was a company forsale, and clearly no one was offering more $$$'s than NOIA.....
Hopefully things workout

The way I see this is that they basically bought a DoD contractor that makes firearms as opposed to buying a firearms manufacturer that has defense contracts.

Obviously there is something that on paper showed them that there is a financial path to a ROI (this usually points to NOT made in the USA). I'm going to guess that this has nothing to do with expanding civilian sales, but rather, defense sales in other countries. Countries who may bitch and moan about them selling to civilians.

 

[TheGerman]

So how many Felipes is my MRAD worth now?

 

[carbonbased]

So how many Felipes is my MRAD worth now?

01/16/22 MRAD Currency conversion:
-.05FLP, wind hold L40 (hurricane)

 

[Maggot]

I never met Ronnie Barrett but from all the "Great American Patriot" praise I've seen heaped on him, and he probably is, I'm a bit surprised to see him sell his business outside the country. I wonder what, if any, pressures were being put on him? Maybe he saw the writing on the wall, or just took the $$$ and laughed all the way to the bank?

 

[Pete B]

The way I see this is that they basically bought a DoD contractor that makes firearms as opposed to buying a firearms manufacturer that has defense contracts.

Obviously there is something that on paper showed them that there is a financial path to a ROI (this usually points to NOT made in the USA). I'm going to guess that this has nothing to do with expanding civilian sales, but rather, defense sales in other countries. Countries who may bitch and moan about them selling to civilians.

I would say are very likely to be correct.....

 

[ma smith]

Barrett is not being bought out as a retail market company. I don't know all the strings that will still apply as a defense contractor. IIRC defense contractors are still pretty highly regulated, and the threshold fore regulation is minor.

 

[Potsy]

After I outgrew wanting a Barrett .50, nothing they built really held much appeal to me (aside from possibly the Fieldcraft, which they built for 10 whole minutes). But, being from TN, I hate to see it happen.
Hopefully, they won’t try to repeat the Brit owned Smith & Wesson fiasco of the 90’s (for those of you old enough to remember).

 

[Boon20]

It makes me wonder if Barrett firearms sales were not as good as they need. The mark 22 contract you think would say different so im lost as to why.

 

[diverdon]

So how many Felipes is my MRAD worth now?

No matter how many negative numbers you add together they never equal a positive number.

 

[cro789]

So did all of the military snipers get the new MARD systems or was only part of the order shipped? WOW all of the snipers were getting the same rifle so I guess the new company isn’t going to support them. That just put our snipers back a few years.

 

[Just Macca]

After I outgrew wanting a Barrett .50, nothing they built really held much appeal to me (aside from possibly the Fieldcraft, which they built for 10 whole minutes). But, being from TN, I hate to see it happen.
Hopefully, they won’t try to repeat the Brit owned Smith & Wesson fiasco of the 90’s (for those of you old enough to remember).

Interesting you bring up the Fieldcraft... I’m in Aus and maybe know a guy who knows a guy. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Fieldcraft will be back in production again…….. *wink*

I don’t know if that in the USA or not though.

 

[300_BLK]

There seems to be a particularly xenophobic reaction to this news.

If you do your research on the company I think you will find Barrett will be stronger than ever.

 

[ma smith]

There seems to be a particularly xenophobic reaction to this news.

If you do your research on the company I think you will find Barrett will be stronger than ever.

The points being made are more subtle.

The question is, after being assimilated by the aus-borg, will they still have free will and a soul.

 

[SharpsNitro]

About 15 years ago, we had a good machine shop in the greater Seattle area that was started from refugees from local aerospace companies. An Australian company bought them because they wanted to be able to partake of government contracts and needed a US footprint. It lasted less than a year before they went tits up (The 2008 financial shitstorm contributed by likely making debt service impossible).

 

[DocRDS]

Right now, i know nothing of this AUS company. I'll adopt a wait and see.

But yeah...a little concerned.

 

[Mr. Z]

Interesting you bring up the Fieldcraft... I’m in Aus and maybe know a guy who knows a guy. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Fieldcraft will be back in production again…….. *wink*

I don’t know if that in the USA or not though.

They’ll be $3k USD+ if we can get them.
(Totally uneducated guess)

Count me as one of those wishing I’d spent the $1500 when they were available.

 

[Brym427]

Im just happy i decided to buy AIs and didnt go with the mrad

 

[diverdon]

It doesn't change anything for me. I've got what I want from them. The company belonged to Ronnie, it was his right to monetize the asset. Best of luck to him. The future? We'll see. Lots of good people in Australia.

 

[J McGriddle]

A lot of people seem to be forgetting that there are 130 AMERICAN families who still depend on Barrett for their livelihood.

Keep talking shit about how glad you are that you bought a rifle that was made in a different country.

 

[johnnyvw]

Wasn;t there something about Lake City no longer supplying to the consumer market? Things that make you go hmmm....

 

[Evolution 9]

Sellouts valuing cash over American values. Sad.

Building a successful business and selling it for a profit IS an American value. Good for them.

 

[_Windrider_]

Wasn;t there something about Lake City no longer supplying to the consumer market? Things that make you go hmmm....

Yeah but lake city is owned by the us gov and operated by Winchester I think? So given who is running things no surprise there.

 

[brianf]

barrett has said several times that if it were not for civilian sales the company couldnt stay in business on MIL/LE alone

with gun laws becoming stricter in the US year over year..if he got a big enough check good for him

why keep a business that is possibly on a down turn

hes not 40 years old anymore, if he can set up his family with generational wealth thats great

hell still consult and prob be the US importer or exporter so its not like hell vanish from barrett

 

[diverdon]

A lot of people seem to be forgetting that there are 130 AMERICAN families who still depend on Barrett for their livelihood.

Keep talking shit about how glad you are that you bought a rifle that was made in a different country.

To whom do you speak? I regret to inform you that your statement sounds quite socialist to my ear. Seeming to imply that the primary purpose of capital is to serve the worker.

Adam Smith taught us to trust men to serve their own interests. It was Marx who taught us that our privilege to exist depended on service to others.

 

[J McGriddle]

My post was directed at all the people saying they wont buy a Barrett rifle now that ownership is foreign. The new owner is well off, a boycott wont hurt him. It will hurt the workers that get laid off as a result of a boycott. I'm not sure how caring about American workers is socialist....

 

[BurtG]

Never fear

You can still buy American made.

Only lighter , more accurate and less recoil

 

[beetroot]

If you are going to get butt hurt about Barrett being owned by an Australian company, you might want to reassess your relationship with Nightforce....

 

[Brym427]

If you are going to get butt hurt about Barrett being owned by an Australian company, you might want to reassess your relationship with Nightforce....

I dont really care what happens because i dont have anything from barrett. But i think if i did. My biggest concern would be parts availability for the rifles i had. Time will tell, maybe its the best thing to ever happen for the barrett rifle owners and maybe its the worst

 

[wvfarrier]

Here is the problem,at least for me. Just like Miroku building Winchesters. I refuse to provide monetary support for a company based in a country that has OBSCENELY strict firearm ownership laws. Barrett can do whatever they want with their business just as I can refuse to spend any further income on said business' products. It is another F!@$ America sale

 

[SingleShot85]

...... it was once said the only reason to start a business is to sell a business

 

[brianf]

...... it was once said the only reason to start a business is to sell a business

100% if your not running your business to sell it one day..your leaving money on the table

 

[_Windrider_]

Here is the problem,at least for me. Just like Miroku building Winchesters. I refuse to provide monetary support for a company based in a country that has OBSCENELY strict firearm ownership laws. Barrett can do whatever they want with their business just as I can refuse to spend any further income on said business' products. It is another F!@$ America sale

How many HKs or Sigs or AI's or CZ's do you have? the vast majority of firearms manufacturers out there are owned by companies based in some of the most nonpermissive countries in the world.

I dont like this at all, it would be nice to keep at least a few things 100% American, but unfortunatley thats not how it goes.