Henry, Barrett Announce Major Expansions
Just as March Madness was beginning to heat up, two prominent U.S. firearms manufacturers announced significant “bracket busting” moves to solidify their futures within days of each other.
Iconic lever-action rifle producer Henry Repeating Arms and large-caliber rifle leader Barrett Firearms Mfg. will each have expansive new headquarters to set the stage for future growth. The timing is worth noting, even as the market grapples with uncertainty in the short-term, these companies have elected to invest now to further their ambitions in the U.S. firearms landscape.
Henry’s Future Is In Wisconsin
March 18, Henry announced it would be “planting its flag firmly” in Wisconsin — committing 100% of its manufacturing operations in the Badger State — after nearly two decades of maintaining operations in New Jersey and Wisconsin.
The commitment includes transferring all of its Bayonne, N.J. manufacturing operations to its newly expanded state-of-the-art headquarters in Rice Lake, Wis., and two additional facilities in nearby Ladysmith, Wis. The company is also closing on a third Ladysmith facility in mid-summer 2025.
Founded in 1997 by Anthony Imperato, the company’s first Henry Repeating Arms model H001 Classic Lever Action .22 rifles shipped from a small factory in Brooklyn, N.Y. Business expanded to Wisconsin in 2006, when Imperato purchased certain assets of Wright Products (a key Henry supplier) in Rice Lake, which included a 140,000 sq. ft. building. In 2008, Henry relocated from Brooklyn to Bayonne, where it maintained operations until this announcement.
“We are putting all of our eggs in one basket, the Wisconsin basket, because it makes us more efficient, more productive and allows for more collaboration amongst our design and engineering teams, all while sustaining and enhancing Henry’s solid reputation for quality,” said Imperato, who serves as Henry CEO. “With about 400,000 sq. ft. of cutting-edge manufacturing operations in four facilities within minutes of each other, Henry Repeating Arms is well positioned for its next chapter.”
Henry President Andrew Wickstrom, who was the director of operations at Wright Products when it was acquired by Henry in 2006 and served as Henry general manager until being promoted to company president in 2021, stated the move will position the company for future growth.
“This transition allows us to double down on what we do best — making world-class rifles, shotguns and revolvers right here in the heart of America,” he said. “Our Wisconsin operations have been essential to our success for a long time, and now it is the cornerstone of our bright future.”
Duane Hammaker, co-owner of Guns Plus (a Top 100 Henry Dealer) in Duncannon, Pa., shared how this consolidation will benefit dealers and end users alike.
“The recent press release from Henry Repeating Arms to centralize production of Henry rifles, shotguns and revolvers in Wisconsin is exciting news,” he said. “We anticipate the already award-winning products and the service Henry is known for to be enhanced, with increased efficiency and communications.”
The company has made significant enhancements to its new headquarters, adding dedicated engineering rooms, corporate offices and more than 100 CNC machines to further elevate volume and efficiency. Moving forward, each Henry will be marked with “Rice Lake, Wis.” on the barrel.
Barrett To Develop Campus-Style Complex In Tennessee
March 20, just two days after Henry’s announcement, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Barrett Firearms publicized plans for a new-state-of-the-art facility opening less than a mile from Barrett’s current base of operations in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The $76.4 million campus-style industrial precinct — dubbed the Barrett Manufacturing & Technology Campus (BMTC) — will house capabilities for “designing, developing, manufacturing, testing, sustaining and distributing Barrett’s expanding range of world-class products,” according to a company press release.
Scheduled to open early 2027, the BMTC will be constructed on a 170-acre greenfield site and double the Barrett workforce over the next five years. The campus-style environment will integrate the company’s corporate headquarters, R&D capabilities, manufacturing, secure warehouse and a logistics hub.
“We thank the Department of Tennessee Economic and Community Development for their vision and for their shared enthusiasm in this growth opportunity in our State,” said Barrett CEO Bryan James. “This is a significant investment in growing Barrett’s capabilities for the future while underscoring our long-term commitment to the company’s Murfreesboro, Tennessee heartland.”
Rob Nioa, CEO of Barrett Firearms’ parent company NIOA Group, said: “The BMTC will serve as our primary firearms manufacturing site globally and demonstrates our commitment as a major American manufacturer catering to both the commercial and military markets.”
Stage 1 of the BMTC, with a total floor area of around 250,000 sq. ft., features an on-site cafeteria, multi-use auditorium, conference and training rooms, outdoor meeting areas and R&D facilities including state-of-the-art testing ranges and laboratory space.
Barrett Firearms was founded in Murfreesboro in 1982, and was family-owned until it was acquired in 2023 by NIOA, a global firearms, weapons and munitions company headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
