ICYMI: Industry News
From Oct. 7–11, 2024

SIG Opens Jacksonville Arkansas Ammunition Center

SIG SAUER has announced the Grand Opening of its Jacksonville Arkansas Ammunition Center (JAAC) on the SIG SAUER Ammunition campus. This state-of-the-art manufacturing facility brings an additional 210,000 square feet of high-tech manufacturing support for the U.S. Army Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program of 6.8 Hybrid Ammunition. JAAC will bring over 675 jobs to the community and will have a direct economic impact on the local Arkansas economy.

Maryville PD Transitions To S&W Firearms

Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. was recently awarded a firearm contract from the Maryville Police Department, the local agency serving Smith & Wesson’s new home in the heart of eastern Tennessee.

The Maryville PD will transition to the M&P9 M2.0 and Shield Plus series for their primary duty and backup pistols, ensuring their officers are equipped with reliable technology they can trust. They will also integrate the M&P15T SBR for their primary patrol rifles.

“As we welcome Smith & Wesson to our community, we are proud to transition our department to their state-of-the-art firearms. This partnership not only enhances the safety and preparedness of our officers, but also strengthens our connection to a company that shares our commitment to excellence and public safety. By equipping our force with the best tools available, we ensure we are prepared to meet the challenges of modern law enforcement while supporting local industry,” said Tony Jay Crisp, chief of police for Maryville PD.

“Smith & Wesson is honored to be the new duty sidearm and patrol rifle of choice for the Maryville Police Department. We eagerly anticipate years and decades of partnership with the agency that safeguards our community and new headquarters, just as we’ve cherished our longstanding relationship with the Springfield (Mass.) Police Department since the 19th century. Together, we aspire to nurture a safer environment for all community members and build a legacy of trust and excellence in law enforcement,” said Mark Smith, S&W president and CEO.

For more info: smith-wesson.com

NSSF Adds Resources For Veterans

NSSF has developed a webpage containing resources for military veterans, including a fact sheet discussing mistaken beliefs that cause some veterans to forego seeking health care from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) because of concerns about having their firearms taken away.

“Understanding the facts about this topic can help veterans make informed decisions about seeking the health care they are entitled to,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “This care can range from a routine checkup to a hip replacement to screening for PTSD to mental health care.”

The fact sheet is titled “Correcting Mistaken Beliefs about VA Confiscating Veterans’ Guns.”

The site includes information about several NSSF veterans-focused initiatives. They include programs to help prevent suicide among veteran and non-veteran populations and a careers center that lists job opportunities in the firearm industry, which employs thousands of veterans. Also noted is NSSF’s support for Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA), an industry-run organization that helps the healing and re-integration of disabled combat veterans back into normal life through participation in hunting and the shooting sports.

The fact sheet was developed by the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute. NSSF joins other groups in distributing “Correcting Mistaken Beliefs about the VA Confiscating Veterans’ Guns.”

Some firearm retailers are distributing the fact sheet in their stores, and NSSF encourages any individual, business or organization that cares about the well-being of veterans to share “Correcting Mistaken Beliefs about the VA Confiscating Veterans’ Guns.”

For more info: nssf.org

Celerant, ANT USA Collaborate To Expand OTB Functionality

Celerant Technology has announced the expansion of its partnership with ANT USA. The new functionality enables independent FFL retailers to plan sales and manage purchasing budgets. The OTB software is user-friendly and straightforward to navigate. The flexibility of the RetailOptia software reflects the partnership between Celerant and ANT USA, both aiming to provide retail technology solutions designed to facilitate the growth of FFL dealer businesses.

The newest offering from ANT USA, RetailOptia OTB, is designed as a DIY OTB solution for small-to-medium dealers to access professional-grade tools and KPIs. The software facilitates the planning of sales, margins, inventory, and historical performance analysis. With RetailOptia OTB, retailers can quickly develop buying guardrails and forecast category and store sales in their business, from brick-and-mortar locations to the eCommerce landscape.

“Our partnership with Celerant has always focused on the growth of big and small retail enterprises. Now that RetailOptia can rely on a factory-built data interface to Celerant’s Cumulus and Stratus solutions, more retailers will have access to tools built for maximizing revenue, improving inventory performance, and preventing overbuying,” said Dmitry Goykhman, ANT USA founder and president.

The new integration enhances OTB updates with historical actuals and product taxonomies across a single FFL store or multiple locations and channels. Tools for sales planning, stock targets, and accessing data on margins, cash flow, inventory risks, and buying discipline help streamline merchandise planning. RetailOptia operates on a subscription plan as a practical addition to Celerant’s retail software.

“This collaboration helps better position smaller-to-medium retailers to be more competitive against the big-box competitors. Because we already offer their Pro-Grade software, adding an affordable option that more retailers can use is a welcome addition to the toolbox we already offer our retailers, no matter their size,” added Ian Goldman, President and CEO of Celerant Technology.

For more info: celerant.com/ANTUSA