Daniel Defense

[lumwilliam]

A lot of companies had furlough programs last year.

I know that DD is one of the better run companies selling AR pattern rifles. Their product line, customer service, and sales staff are top notch

OP, could you please change the title of the thread - there was nothing in that article that even remotely suggested that Daniel Defense was going out of business and I would hate for that assumption to be showing up in Google searches and adding to any rumors that may be floating out there.

Hi Shark - I understand how you feel and I gave it long thought. So I went back and read the article again to see if I had overstated and as you said "nothing..even remotely suggested DD was going out of business".

This quote in the first paragraph stood out to me: "DD, only two months past its grand opening, laid off some 30 employees last week and furloughed most of its remaining 100 employees this week"

In light of that, and if there is no more updated info besides one want ad to show me any different, I think the title is fair. My DDXV is sitting with my FFL in 10 day hell (sorry, I would have bought from Riflegear, but didn't know about you guys at the time). I'm someone who will shoot maybe once ever 2-3 months. Therefore it would take me a year and a half to get 500 rounds thru. One of the reasons I went with DD was the lifetime warranty. I figured that if I had that, I could take my time, knowing that if any factory defects came up (which seems to happen, even with the very best equipment), I could always go back to Daniel Defense. I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED to read the article in a major Georgia paper that DD laid off or furloughed MOST of their employees, just 6 months before I purchased. I definitely would have rethought my buying decision if I had known this.

Most of the knowledge I had in making my AR choice came from right here on Calguns. I know many others are searching these pages for the same type of info, and will in turn report back to the group on their experiences to help others make even better decisions. I'm excited to be a DD customer and admire the company. I don't think my title was slanderous or dishonest, and I want to share with other Calgunners my opinion of what this article says to me about the health of DD.

If someone posts up an article "DD Rehires Laid Off Employees, Calls Back Most That Were Furloughed" or something like it, I'd erase the title in a second. I'll be a DD owner and have a vested interest in them staying in business. So yes, a lot of companies furloughed employees in 2009 - it was a bad year - and a lot of companies went out of business too. As a retailer, you've got superior knowledge. Can you educated me on other gun manufacturers that furloughed employees, but came roaring back to health later in the year? If this is the normal business cycle for small arms manufacturers, I would sure sleep better knowing. I AM BEGGING for someone to prove the health of DD.

[Swift Justice]

As I recall they had a nice booth at the SHOT show in January. Generally, when companies are going under the first thing they cut is trade show participation.

[grunz]

You're being dense. The media only reports bad things and controversy - so you wont see anything in the papers about about good news.

DD now has tons of business, including expanding their range of complete factory rifles, OEM'ing their barrels and accessories and of course the Rail business.

If you have any doubts about this perhaps you should notify Heckler and Koch about the risk since HK is having DD build the US Civilan MR556/HK416 barrels fir them in the USA as a way to get the guns here finally. This is just one example of a large OEM type deal...

But you fringe candidate guys just like the juicy conspiracy and intrigue, so I doubt anything will sway you. Still, please cahge the damn thread title, this one is as silly as the couple recent Obama AWB threads quiating year old articles.

Hi Shark - I understand how you feel and I gave it long thought. So I went back and read the article again to see if I had overstated and as you said "nothing..even remotely suggested DD was going out of business".

This quote in the first paragraph stood out to me: "DD, only two months past its grand opening, laid off some 30 employees last week and furloughed most of its remaining 100 employees this week"

In light of that, and if there is no more updated info besides one want ad to show me any different, I think the title is fair. My DDXV is sitting with my FFL in 10 day hell (sorry, I would have bought from Riflegear, but didn't know about you guys at the time). I'm someone who will shoot maybe once ever 2-3 months. Therefore it would take me a year and a half to get 500 rounds thru. One of the reasons I went with DD was the lifetime warranty. I figured that if I had that, I could take my time, knowing that if any factory defects came up (which seems to happen, even with the very best equipment), I could always go back to Daniel Defense. I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED to read the article in a major Georgia paper that DD laid off or furloughed MOST of their employees, just 6 months before I purchased. I definitely would have rethought my buying decision if I had known this.

Most of the knowledge I had in making my AR choice came from right here on Calguns. I know many others are searching these pages for the same type of info, and will in turn report back to the group on their experiences to help others make even better decisions. I'm excited to be a DD customer and admire the company. I don't think my title was slanderous or dishonest, and I want to share with other Calgunners my opinion of what this article says to me about the health of DD.

If someone posts up an article "DD Rehires Laid Off Employees, Calls Back Most That Were Furloughed" or something like it, I'd erase the title in a second. I'll be a DD owner and have a vested interest in them staying in business. So yes, a lot of companies furloughed employees in 2009 - it was a bad year - and a lot of companies went out of business too. As a retailer, you've got superior knowledge. Can you educated me on other gun manufacturers that furloughed employees, but came roaring back to health later in the year? If this is the normal business cycle for small arms manufacturers, I would sure sleep better knowing. I AM BEGGING for someone to prove the health of DD.

[gunsnrovers]

Posted by Pat Rogers last summer:

(Black Creek, GA) August 5th, 2009 – Following a difficult period of downsizing and furloughs, Daniel Defense, Inc. resumed normal operations at their state of the art manufacturing facility today. (emphasis mine) Recent drops in small arms sales had forced the Savannah area small arms manufacturer to balance out production and sales levels, resulting in nominal layoffs, and a week-long furlough for the majority of both manufacturing and administrative personnel.
The week-long furlough sparked a torrent of online discussions within the firearms community as many AR enthusiasts contemplated the ominous impact of a firearms manufacturer expressing difficulty in this economy. Everyone at Daniel Defense was elated by the amount of supportive, encouraging, and optimistic comments made by everyday shooters and enthusiasts. Jay Duncan, Vice President of Sales & Marketing spoke on this subject by saying, “We are very confident about our position in the market place, and feel our strong relationships with our dealers, distributors and most importantly our customers, will pull us through the other side of this difficult market shift. We are encouraged by the support of our customers and the firearms community, and will work diligently to continue providing the products and service that have earned their trust.”
Optimistic about Daniel Defense’s recovery from this unfortunate series of events, Marty Daniel, CEO and Founder of Daniel Defense clearly expressed his combined empathy for those who lost their jobs, and confidence in the professional skills of the fine personnel that fill Daniel Defense’s payroll. “Layoffs are very personal, so we did our best to avoid layoffs as long as we could. Unlike simply turning off a machine, our employees’ families, income and way of life were dramatically complicated. Our employees are our most important asset, and there isn’t a single employee laid off that we aren’t working to get back. We hired the most hard working, and skilled designers, programmers, operators and assemblers in the industry. As we restructure ourselves to address demand and market status in the most fiscally responsible manner possible, our primary goal is to bring as many of these fine people back to work.”
Daniel Defense is poised for continued successful operations as they continue steady production of the Daniel Defense DDXV Carbine, a lightly accessorized version of the acclaimed DDM4 Carbine.
In addition, to meet market demands for a shorter version of the new Omega X 12.0 rail system, Daniel Defense has released Version 2 of the DDM4 Carbine – The DDM4v2. This top-tier rifle includes all the same features and benefits of the DDM4, but is equipped with a 7 inch version of the Omega X rail system.
In response to these recent events, Daniel Defense continues their commitment to providing shooters with the most dynamic and valuable small arms solutions available by properly balancing the utmost in quality and tactical engineering with considerate pricing structures.

----------

Shortly after this in the Fall, Daniel Defense also picked up a large UK order for rail system for the SA80 in addition to rifle orders and law enforcement orders of smaller quantities.


What makes you think the paper is going to go back and post an article saying they are back in action? If it bleeds, it leads. Good news doesn't sell.

[lumwilliam]

You're being dense. The media only reports bad things and controversy - so you wont see anything in the papers about about good news.

DD now has tons of business, including expanding their range of complete factory rifles, OEM'ing their barrels and accessories and of course the Rail business.

If you have any doubts about this perhaps you should notify Heckler and Koch about the risk since HK is having DD build the US Civilan MR556/HK416 barrels fir them in the USA as a way to get the guns here finally. This is just one example of a large OEM type deal...

But you fringe candidate guys just like the juicy conspiracy and intrigue, so I doubt anything will sway you. Still, please cahge the damn thread title, this one is as silly as the couple recent Obama AWB threads quiating year old articles.

Wow Grunz - you have the most sincere apologies from this "dense" "fringe candidate guy". I saw the article posted by Gunsandrovers - a lot more productive than your attack. I was glad to hear that it sounds like the furloughs were only for 1 week - something the news didn't post and the very info I wanted to know. I went back to post #1 and clicked edit to "change the damn title" as you demanded, but I couldn't figure out how to do it.

I find that it's tough not to get attacked on these boards - but I'm honestly not trying to make any enemies here or bring down any companies. Grunz, if you can give me a quick tutorial on how to change thread titles and please feel free to name the title you would prefer, I promise to make the immediate change

[Smokinjoe101]

(-:
sj

[gunsnrovers]

The problem is that it is very easy to malign a company or organization the internet with rumors, accusations, etc., regardless of intent. Rarely does the company have the ability to counter.

You're posting for proof that DD is still viable 9 months after a negative article was posted. They are going to trade shows, accepting and fulfilling contract orders, shipping rifles, shipped accessories, and introducing new products.

What exactly do you want to satisfy your curiosity?

[CodeNamedSpartan]

DD is going strong now and struggling to keep up with demand. X-NY'er had it right. They made a lot of AR parts, but never full rifles, so they got a short-term kick in the ***** due to new tooling up costs.

DD is now the one doing the *****-kicking

Hey, do you work at RifleGear? I think I bought an AFG and BAD from you yesterday

I was worried too before about DD and news I had read, but after playing with the rifles you had on display? I'm sold! I will still get a Noveske Rifle down the road (From you guys of course - Great Customer Service!), but I think my first off shelf Rifle after much thought, will be a DD

Thanks for putting my mind at ease

[HK Dave]

You're being dense. The media only reports bad things and controversy - so you wont see anything in the papers about about good news.

DD now has tons of business, including expanding their range of complete factory rifles, OEM'ing their barrels and accessories and of course the Rail business.

If you have any doubts about this perhaps you should notify Heckler and Koch about the risk since HK is having DD build the US Civilan MR556/HK416 barrels fir them in the USA as a way to get the guns here finally. This is just one example of a large OEM type deal...

But you fringe candidate guys just like the juicy conspiracy and intrigue, so I doubt anything will sway you. Still, please cahge the damn thread title, this one is as silly as the couple recent Obama AWB threads quiating year old articles.

What he said.... the media doesn't talk about the good things that happen... Garbage in garbage out.

[CHS]

FYI, the "grand opening" they are talking about was the grand opening of their NEW facility. They had been in business for quite a few years previously

So, it's not like they furloughed everyone after being in business for only 2 months. They had just been in their new facility for only 2 months.

[1 SIG fan]

As I recall they had a nice booth at the SHOT show in January. Generally, when companies are going under the first thing they cut is trade show participation.

Not usually true. Those shows are paid for so far in adavance that theirs no cost savings or refunds to not go. They're also crucial to help sell off existing inventory. And, the company HAS to save face and go or people would assume their going out of business and not be able to sell off what assets they've got. I've seen companies close days after shows. The employees never see it coming till they get their one day and the doors are locked. Not saying this is the case, but that is standard pratice.

(I have 10+yrs of tradeshow experience with leading companies in specific industries.)

[shark92651]

if you can give me a quick tutorial on how to change thread titles

It's pretty simple. Just go back to your original post, click "Edit", then click "Go Advanced" and you can change the title and save.

[Cokebottle]

As a soon to be DD owner, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Do you have any evidence to back it up? And to amend the July 09' articles hinting at DD's imminent demise?

He works for a black rifle dealer who carries DD... he knows what the sales numbers are.
They probably sell as many or more DD's than all other brands combined.