Smith & Wesson - Relocating

[vinny_land]

Please delete if dupe...

https://www.guns.com/news/2021/09/30/so-long-gun-haters-smith-and-wesson-moving-to-tennessee

Citing "the changing business climate for firearms manufacturing in Massachusetts," Smith & Wesson said they are relocating their historic headquarters to a more pro-gun climate.

The move, announced Thursday, would see S&W's headquarters and "significant elements of its operations" including 750 jobs move from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Maryville, Tennessee, by 2023. While the famed American gun maker has been based in Springfield since 1852, company officials say it is time for a change.

[Rakso]

True.
Cheaper cost of living and less strict gun laws.

[TTT]

Should have done this a long time ago. Gun manufacturers need to be aggressive about moving out of Blue States.

[Dan_Eastvale]

Great move. Red states have become a scattered confederacy.

[BajaJames83]

I knew this was coming... Wouldnt be surprised if some others follow... Kimber, Ruger, Colt...

[ja308]

I hope the employee's who relocate with S+W are Republicans.
Democrat policies forced this move and Tennessee does not want totalitarians or dupes turning their state into another democrat woke S whole.

[Robotron2k84]

Why Tenn. and not just over the border in N.H.?

Sig and Ruger both manufacture in New Hampshire and the laws and climate reflect that. Yes, N.H. is in the middle of anti-territory, and maybe that’s what they’re trying to escape, but costs would certainly be lower to move across the border to tax-free N.H. than to relocate 1,000 miles away. Likely to keep more of their staff, too.

This smells more like a hedge fund driving the decision, and that probably isn’t a good thing, long-term.

[SkyHawk]

Why Tenn. and not just over the border in N.H.?

Sig and Ruger both manufacture in New Hampshire and the laws and climate reflect that. Yes, N.H. is in the middle of anti-territory, and maybe that’s what they’re trying to escape, but costs would certainly be lower to move across the border to tax-free N.H. than to relocate 1,000 miles away. Likely to keep more of their staff, too.

This smells more like a hedge fund driving the decision, and that probably isn’t a good thing, long-term.

Not cheaper if you had to do it again in 10 years because the disease has spread to N.H.

No way I would move a gun company to N.H. over Tenn.

[bergmen]

I was very surprised to see on my first Kimber "Yonkers New York". I can't imagine a worse place for a firearms company.

Dan

[keith1911]

Does this mean no more Shields or SD pistols? Since they're going to be changing the state on the markings it's no longer the same as the roster version. This is what happened when Beretta moved.

[Harry Ono]

Does this mean no more Shields or SD pistols? Since they're going to be changing the state on the markings it's no longer the same as the roster version. This is what happened when Beretta moved.

You might have noticed that HK was added to the Gun Roster new US made P2000/sk vs prior German made P2000/sk. But who knows.

[ohsmily]

Does this mean no more Shields or SD pistols? Since they're going to be changing the state on the markings it's no longer the same as the roster version. This is what happened when Beretta moved.

Really? Link the Beretta issue please. These are still made in the US and will still be the same models. I didn't think the city/state of manufacture would affect rostering, though country of origin might.

[wpage]

Like many tax payers and working folk that can afford. Moving from tax and spend lands is a smart move. For many reasons. Business too.

[sealocan]

I don't know if this thread is a dupe but it was the first one I found when I came to post the same news.
I also don't know how it's going to affect people in California dealing with the handgun roster.
But Here are two different web articles on it and it sounds like they'll be keeping revolvers and the old school gun manufacturing stuff in Massachusetts and the new polymer high-tech stuff will be in the new location in Tennessee...

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/09/30/smith-wesson-relocate-headquarters-tennessee/

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/breaking-smith-wesson-leaving-massachusetts-due-to-changing-business-climate-for-firearms-manufacturing/

And they're not alone according to the nssf National Shooting Sports Association a Lot of firearms and Firearms related companies are moving...

"Smith & Wesson’s announced expansion into Tennessee is the latest of states that respect the rights of law-abiding citizens attracting firearm and ammunition manufacturers to move or expand.

Alabama

Remington Outdoor Company moved much of its production from New York to Huntsville.
Kimber expanded production to Troy, over Yonkers, N.Y. It later relocated the corporate headquarters to Alabama.
Iowa

Les Baer moved from restrictive Illinois to LeClaire, Iowa, in 2007.
Lewis Machine & Tool Company (LMT) left Illinois after 40 years to relocate to Iowa in 2019.
Mississippi

Olin Corporation’s Winchester Ammunition moved from East Alton, Ill., to Oxford in 2011.
North Carolina

Sturm, Ruger and Co. expanded production in Mayodan in 2013.
Pennsylvania

Kahr Arms moved their headquarters to Greely, Penn., from New York after the state rushed through passage of the SAFE Act.
South Carolina

American Tactical Imports relocated 100 jobs and its manufacturing from Rochester, N.Y., to Summerville, S.C., in 2013.
PTR Industries left Connecticut for Aynor in 2013, where it set up shop.
Tennessee

Beretta moved firearm production and engineering and design to Gallatin, Tenn., from Maryland in 2015 over concerns of increasingly strict gun control legislation.
Texas

Mossberg expanded production in Eagle Pass, Texas, in 2013, instead of growing its New Haven, Conn., plant.
Colt Competition moved from Canby, Ore., to Breckenridge, Texas, in 2013.
Wyoming

Magpul Industries left Boulder, Colo., after the state passed magazine restrictions and moved production to Laramie, Wyo.
Weatherby Inc.’s Adam Weatherby announced at SHOT Show in 2018 he was moving the company from California to Sheridan, Wyo.
Accessories maker HiViz announced in 2013 they were leaving Fort Collins, Colo., over restrictive gun control legislation to Laramie.
Stag Armsannounced in 2019 they were opening their new facility in Cheyenne, Wyo., after leaving their former headquarters in New Britain, Conn."

And we're talking some big money for those welcoming States (these numbers are also according to the nssf)....


Smith & Wesson will add 750 jobs to the state and invest over $125 million to build a new state of the art facility. The firearm industry already employs nearly 7,800 people in Tennessee through direct or indirect jobs and contributes over $1.07 billion in economic impact. The firearm industry pays $130.5 million in federal and state taxes annually and contributed an additional $22.1 million in excise taxes that benefit wildlife conservation.

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/nssf-smith-wesson-move-continues-the-migration-of-gun-makers-to-states-that-support-gun-rights/

[vinny_land]

But Here are two different web articles on it and it sounds like they'll be keeping revolvers and the old school gun manufacturing stuff in Massachusetts and the new polymer high-tech stuff will be in the new location in Tennessee...

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/09/30/smith-wesson-relocate-headquarters-tennessee/

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/breaking-smith-wesson-leaving-massachusetts-due-to-changing-business-climate-for-firearms-manufacturing/

Thank you for finding the additional info - now that makes more sense as to why the exodus (evil black rifle is scary while revolvers are okay )