ICYMI: Jan. 3–7, 2022
Federal, Easton Celebrate Centennial Anniversaries In 2022
Tracing their beginnings back to 1922, Federal Ammunition and Easton are celebrating 100 years in business in 2022.
Federal’s official date of incorporation was April 27, 1922, but the festivities have already started. It placed a 100th anniversary sign on top of one of its silos in Anoka and will offer throwback packaging and special merchandise throughout the year.
“The entire staff of 1,500 hard-working Americans in Anoka, Minnesota is extremely proud to celebrate a full century of continuous and successful operation. We appreciate those who came before us to make this possible and look forward to taking Federal into its next century,” said Jason Vanderbrink, Federal president.
Founded by Doug Easton in 1922, Easton celebrates its 100th anniversary as family-owned company today. What started with numerous advancements in wood-arrow technology and later aluminum, the company developed aluminum carbon AC hybrids and is now leading the small-diameter carbon revolution that’s redefining target and bowhunting success across the globe.
“The powerful draw of the sport, and the relentless push to innovate couldn’t make history without the millions who put their trust in Easton and share our singular aim of excellence. Of all the honors and achievements, archers are what keep Easton looking down-range, since 1922 to the next 100 years and beyond,” the company said in a press release.
For more info: federalpremium.com, eastonarchery.com.
Ruger Donates $25,000 To WTTA
Walk The Talk America (WTTA), a non-profit organization designed to bridge the gap between the firearms industry and owners and the mental health industry, announces the donation of $25,000 from Sturm, Ruger & Co.
“This donation will go a long way to supporting the WTTA’s efforts to educate mental health experts and firearms industry professionals on the critical need for information and communication between and within our industries to help curb the tide of suicides and gun violence,” said Mike Sodini, WTTA founder.
“We’re happy to support the great work Mike Sodini and Walk the Talk America has done to bring mental health awareness and suicide prevention to the forefront,” added Chris Killoy, Ruger president and CEO.
For over four years, WTTA has spearheaded a movement within the firearms industry to bridge the gap between mental health and responsible firearm ownership with the goal of reducing suicide by firearm and gun violence. Through educational material, podcasts, and training programs, WTTA is paving the way of educating mental health professionals about the gun culture and breaking down the negative stigmas around mental health for gun owners.
For more info: ruger.com, walkthetalkamerica.org.
U.S. Army Awards Winchester $20 Million NGSW Contracts
Winchester has announced the U.S. Army has awarded the company a total of $20 million in cost-plus and firm-fixed-price contracts related to ammunition development, manufacturing facility requirements analysis and production capacity planning for the 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program.
Work will be performed at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo., the U.S.’ only government-owned, contractor-operated small caliber ammunition production facility. These projects were awarded under Winchester’s $8 billion contract to operate LCAAP.
“Winchester is honored to have been selected by the U.S. Army to execute NGSW program activities at Lake City,” said Brett Flaugher, president of Winchester Ammunition. “The NGSW program represents our military’s significant investment in the future U.S. Warfighter, and the work being performed under these contracts is the genesis for generations of NGSW programs to come.”
For more info: winchester.com, winchestermilitary.com.
Federal, Speer Ammunition Awarded FBI Contracts
The FBI has awarded Federal and Speer Ammunition in all four categories of its handgun ammunition bid. This award keeps 35,000 employees trained and ready for duty. Three of the rounds will be manufactured in the Anoka, Minn., facility and the other will be built in Lewiston, Idaho.
Federal and Speer were the only brands to be collectively awarded in all four ammunition categories: Service (Full Size), Service (Micro), Reduced-Lead Training, and Frangible. Federal and Speer were the primary for the Training and Frangible rounds with secondary designations for the full size and micro service rounds.
“It is an honor our brands continue to be selected for use by the most trusted law enforcement agency and value the products we make,” said Jason Vanderbrink, Federal president. “The ongoing validation of the technology and performance found in every round of ammunition made by our highly skilled American workforce brings great pride to our company.”
This Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quality contract is a one-year base contract with four possible option years.
“We’re excited to build the FBI the best bullets on the market for both duty and training,” added David Leis, Federal and Speer’s VP of law enforcement, government and international sales. “This is a win for our engineering team as the FBI will be utilizing new as well as refined bullet technology in their firearms for both service and training.”
For more info: federalpremium.com, speer.com.
