FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21st, 2008
Released by: Umarex USA
Umarex USA, Inc. and Walther Industries, Inc. to Build at Chaffee
Crossing
Umarex USA has been leasing office and warehouse space in Fort Smith
since May of 2006 and today has announced plans to build a new 100,000+
square foot facility in Fort Smith. Umarex USA is part of Umarex
Corporate Group, a diversified German owned holding company headquartered
in Arnsberg, Germany. Umarex
manufactures and markets airguns, paintball products, airsoft guns, blank-firing
guns, self-defense weapons, firearms and laser-based measurement
and leveling instruments. Holdings include Walther GmBH, a firearms
legend since 1886, which upon Umarex USA’s acquisition of 27 acres
of land at Chaffee Crossing, has decided to include within Umarex USA’s
facility, a 35,000 square foot operation for its newly created U.S. entity,
Walther Industries, Inc.
Together, the new facilities will employ an estimated 60 to 120 people
over the next three years. This is in addition to more than 80 sales
representatives located throughout the USA, Canada, and Mexico. “Fort
Smith is a terrific location for us, offering our companies a central
location, a skilled work force and people with strong values,” Adam
Blalock, president and CEO of Umarex USA, said. “The City of Ft.
Smith, the Regional
Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment
Authority and the State of Arkansas have all been great to work with
and tremendously supportive as we developed this project. We are
most grateful. Our whole team is excited about our new Chaffee
Crossing address.” Wulf-Heinz Pflaumer, President & CEO
of Umarex Corporate Group and a primary shareholder added, “We
have visited Ft. Smith, Arkansas several times now. We are delighted
with our growing Umarex USA team and excited to establish our permanent
operation at Chaffee Crossing.”
Umarex has been an expert in airguns for more than 34 years, an expertise
that stems from the close association with Walther firearms. Umarex
USA will expand its current sales, marketing, gunsmithing, manufacturing
and distribution operations for airgun, paintball, and airsoft products
to accommodate increasing sales and market share. Umarex USA’s
products are marketed under the following brand names: RWS, Walther,
Hämmerli, Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Browning,
Heckler & Koch, Ruger, Desert Eagle, RAM and Colt. Umarex USA
recently entered the firearms sporting market with its introduction
of the Hämmerli Sport 22SA, a .22 caliber rimfire rifle. Umarex
USA’s products can be found in retail locations throughout the
United States, Canada and Mexico. Customers include national chains
and specialty stores such as Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Academy, Sports
Authority and others as well as independent dealers such as the Tackle
Box and Gellco, located right
here in Ft. Smith.
The newly formed Walther Industries will manufacture a variety of products
including airguns and firearms, primarily for Umarex USA, but will also
produce OEM products for other manufacturers and distributors.
Walther firearms products are marketed in the U.S.A. exclusively by Smith & Wesson,
the Springfield, Mass. gun maker under an exclusive strategic alliance
with Walther GmBH, Germany. Smith & Wesson will continue to
be responsible for the sales and marketing and production of certain
Walther firearm models in the U.S.A.
Umarex USA has chosen Glidewell Construction Company as their building
contractor for the project. Tom
Manskey, President & CEO of the Ft. Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
said, “The expanding employment and payroll at Umarex USA, the
many local suppliers connected to their business and the construction
project all result in a significant economic gain for the Ft. Smith area.
These two new companies and their world famous brands and products are
a tremendous addition to the growing industrial development at Chaffee
Crossing.”
For more information visit www.umarexusa.com.
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