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Red Arrow Weapons Promotes Reed to Marketing Director

Thursday, November 17th, 2022

Fork Union, VA – Red Arrow Weapons is excited to announce the company has promoted Danny Reed to Marketing Director & Brand Manager.

In his new role, Reed will manage marketing and social media campaigns, coordinate marketing and public relations strategies with agency partners, assist the manufacturing team with new product releases, and manage partnerships with social media influencers.

“Danny has played an integral role in Red Arrow’s success, and we’re thrilled to promote him to this new position,” said Kip Campbell, Founder of Red Arrow Weapons. “We look forward to seeing him lead our marketing initiatives into the future.”

To learn more about Red Arrow Weapons and browse the full lineup of products, visit redarrowweapons.com.

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Darn Tough Vermont Receives Award from the US Department of Labor

Thursday, November 17th, 2022

2022 Hire Vets Medallion Award Granted

Northfield, VT (November 10, 2022) – Just ahead of Veterans Day, U.S. Secretary of Labor, Martin J. Walsh, recognized Darn Tough Vermont as one of the recipients of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Darn Tough earned the Gold award – and is the only Vermont company to receive this recognition. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans.

“We are committed to our veterans, our families, our communities and our state,” said Ric Cabot, President and CEO of Darn Tough Vermont. “Everyone at Darn Tough is dedicated to giving back to the community in every way we can. Establishing comprehensive and thoughtful programs and opportunities for veterans is another way to show our support and appreciation.”

Darn Tough joins 834 other companies from 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans, but also ensuring that they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service.

Recipients of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; pay compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans. More than 1,400 employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Award since 2018.

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DroneShield Receives HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

Warrenton, VA – U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh recognized DroneShield LLC as a recipient of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by U.S. Department of Labor. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans. DroneShield earned the HIRE Vets Gold award (as a small employer) for its efforts and commitment to supporting veteran employment on its team.

“We’re honored to receive this HIRE Vets recognition by the Department of Labor and Secretary Walsh,” stated Matt McCrann, US CEO of DroneShield. “We’re proud of each of our veterans here at DroneShield and the work they do continuing to support some of the same Federal communities that they previously served among. Our company’s mission directly aligns with that of many veterans and we’ll always look to incorporate the skills and unique experience of our vets across the company, as well as continue to expand the career opportunities for our current and future veteran teammates.”

DroneShield joins other companies from 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans, but also ensuring that they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service.

Recipients of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including (but not limited to) a high level of veteran hiring and retention percentages, availability of veteran-specific resources, and leadership programming for veterans. More than 1,400 employers have joined DroneShield in earning a HIRE Vets Medallion Award since 2018.

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Rheinmetall Takes Over Spain’s Expal Systems S.A. – Move Brings the Group New Ammunition Production Capacity

Tuesday, November 15th, 2022

Rheinmetall AG today concluded a purchase contract with MaxamCorp. Holding S.L. of Madrid to acquire the entire share capital of Expal Systems S.A of Madrid, a globally renowned ammunition maker. Completion of the transaction, for which a closing date in summer 2023 is sought, is subject to approval by the competition authorities and other regulatory checks. The purchase price agreed between Rheinmetall and MaxamCorp., which is due after closing, is based on an enterprise value of €1.2 billion.

In making this acquisition, the Düsseldorf-based technology enterprise is seeking to bolster its core weapon, ammunition and propellant business in a sustained way, with increased spare production capacity and an expanded product portfolio the prime focal points.

In a dynamic market situation propelled by massive demand for military equipment in multiple countries, the acquisition provides Rheinmetall with swift access to significantly greater capacity. Given the expected large increase in demand from numerous nations, Rheinmetall wants to position itself as strongly as possible to address the anticipated inflow of new requests for tender for ammunition purchases. Of special strategic importance to Rheinmetall in this context is the resulting access to extra production capacity for propulsions and charges, which are subject to bottlenecks in Europe in the meantime.

Because the product spectrums of the two companies complement each other so well, the acquisition substantially augments Rheinmetall’s existing range of products, especially in the fast-growing market for artillery and mortar ammunition as well as mortar systems. The buyout also adds to Rheinmetall’s portfolio in the field of fuses and rocket propulsion systems, for example, as well as in medium-calibre ammunition and aircraft armament, while simultaneously reducing the Group’s dependence on suppliers for some industrial intermediates and ammunition components.

In important areas like purchasing and sales, synergies will have a positive impact on costs, which will also benefit customers.

Thanks to this acquisition, Rheinmetall is gaining a valuable strategic foothold in Spain, and thus direct access to this important market. Rheinmetall sees maintaining the company’s existing technology and staff as essential; all operational locations (Trubia, Burgos, Navalmoral, El Gordo, Albacete and Murcia in Spain as well as Texarkana, Texas in the USA) are therefore to remain open.

Expal Systems S.A. expects sales in FY 2022/23 to be around €400 million.

The company’s total capacity offers scope for potential annual sales of €700 to €800 million.

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National Non-Profit, Founders First CDC, Announces Veteran Small Business Owners Recipients of 2022 Stephen L Tadlock “Vetpreneurs” Grant

Monday, November 14th, 2022

Founders First CDC Awarded $25,000 to Veteran-Owned Small Business Owners Across The Country

San Diego, CA – November 10, 2022 – Founders First CDC (Founders First), a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers expansion in diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses, is pleased to announce the Veteran small business recipients of its 2022 Stephen L. Tadlock Fund – a grant program to support U.S. Veteran small business owners. The recipients had to meet specific qualifications to receive their grants, including: the company’s founder must be a U.S. military Veteran, have an active U.S.-based business, and employ between 2 and 50 employees.

“As Veteran owned businesses are critical contributors to the small business community, I’m proud to extend this fund for the second year in a row to Veteran business owners who need the extra boost of funding; as these funds help drive economic growth in communities which need it most during this critical, and uncertain economic time.” says Kim Folsom, Founder and CEO of Founders First.

Inspired by Founders First CEO Kim Folsom’s brother, U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen L. Tadlock, the purpose of the grant is to provide micro-investments to Veterans who own and operate small businesses. The $25,000 grant has been awarded to 25 Veteran recipients who received $1,000 each, which will help aid in their employer-based small businesses.

“I’ve experienced what these Veterans have experienced when they leave the service – losing our support group, wearing a different uniform, and it can be daunting and challenging. But when a grant program like the Stephen L. Tadlock Fund becomes available, it’s an incredible pillar of support that these Veterans need to continue their success with their businesses,” says Arthur Bartell, U.S. Army General (Ret.) and lead judge for the Northern U.S. Stephen L Tadlock Fund.

Since launching, Founders First CDC has awarded more than $423,000 to minority and underserved business owners throughout the United States with a focus on Texas, Chicago, Southern California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“As a finalist for the 2021 Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran grant, we were able to gain the confidence and validation we needed to help us increase our runway, support our finances, and build a stronger mentality as business owners to know we are onto something,” says Broderick Neel-Feller, founder of Jammin’ Together.

The 25 recipients of the 2022 Stephen L. Tadlock fund includes:

1. Mickey Dennis

Mickey Dennis LLC

Locust Grove, GA

2. Vincent Harris

Vehtech

Conyers, GA

3. Mock Abdelaal

Velos Labs

Madison, AL

4. Haleema Shafeek

Green Office Furniture Solutions, LLC

Franklin County, OH

5. Tiffany Jones

Tjl Collection

Dallas County, TX

6. Eric Vasquez

Veterans Logistics Group

Hawthorne, CA

7. Luvina Sabree

Golden Ideas Unlimited

Killeen, TX

8. Nadean Carson

Oya Construction, LLC

Roanoke, VA

9. Willmour Daniel

Young Chefs Academy Of Coral Springs FL

Coral Springs, FL

10. Roland Baker

Rolovision, LLC

Baton Rouge, LA

11. Nestor Morales

Accessible Solar & Energy Storage

San Diego County, CA

12. Elston Joyner

Battery Express, Inc.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

13. Joseph Finnie

Sew A Seed, LLC

Anna, TX

14. Tucker Burns

The Charge Stately Apparel

Austin, TX

15. Warnita Foster

Dreams Of Beauty

Killeen, TX

16. Derren Burrell

Veteran Ventures Capital

Knoxville, TN

17. Broderick Neel-Feller

Jammin’ Together

Annapolis, MD

18. Quinton Mcnair

Struggle Beard Bakery

Matteson, IL

19. Beth Fynbo

Busy Baby, LLC

Olmsted County, MN

20. Edward Mcdonald

Aspire Health And Wellness Management PC

Peachtree Corners, GA

21. Joe Arenella

Tracker Systems, LLC

Austin, TX

22. Thomas Huebner

Dockstar, LLC

Kingston, WA

23. Joseph Gilbreath

Rise Up Industries

Santee, CA

24. Steve Eden Ii

Smoke Sumthin Barbecue

Menifee, CA

25. Cody Bess

Poprouser Inc.

Miami, FL

The judging committee for the Stephen L. Tadlock Grant includes a panel of distinguished Veterans, representing multiple branches of service.

“When learning of campaigns to support small businesses, you rarely learn of local, and sometimes national, businesses that are owned and operated by Veterans. Through grants and outreach programs like the Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Grant, not only are Veterans receiving monetary support to keep their businesses thriving, but also invaluable exposure for their businesses they may otherwise not have received,” says Dr. Chermaine M. Harrell, retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major, and Deputy Chief Transformation Officer at National University. Harrell is also a judge for the Northern U.S. Stephen L Tadlock Fund.

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau’s survey of small business owners, there are more than 2.5 million Veteran majority-owned businesses in the U.S. that employ more than 5 million individuals. As a result, these businesses generate a revenue of more than $1.14 trillion, and account for an annual payroll of $195 billion.

“Programs like the Stephen Tadlock Veteran Grant provide financial assistance, but possibly more importantly, recognition for the hard work and dedication Veterans are providing to their communities every day once their service is completed. I’m honored to work hand-in-hand with Founders First CDC on their generous grant programs and serve on the judging panel for the Stephen Tadlock Veteran grant, to continue to support our Veterans,” says Yolanda Clarke, United States Army Reserve Officer, CEO of Power River Industries and volunteer with Bunker Labs.

Founders First CDC programs guide business owners through the process of achieving accelerated growth through curriculum, hands-on assignments, and expert coaching. To learn more about Founders First CDC programs and grant qualifications, visit www.foundersfirstcdc.org.

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Assault on Firearms Industry By Anti-Gun Influencers Using Payment Companies as Weapon to Shoot Themselves in the Foot

Wednesday, November 9th, 2022

Strong-arming credit card payment companies to track firearms purchases is a smoke screen by the government and anti-gun activists and is perpetrating the beginning of the destruction of American citizen rights says Adams Arms president, Jason East. While true “bad guys” find a way around the measure, legal gun owners wonder whether targeting alcohol sales in restaurants and liquor stores is next.

(Brooksville, FL) November 07, 2022 — “Big Brother” is now tracking what they consider to be “troublesome gun purchases”. In mid-September, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approved the creation of a new merchant code to apply to gun sellers for transactions using credit card networks. Adams Arms President, Jason East, points out the danger in this move. “When overarching organizations wield surveillance measures and disguise them as tracking troublesome or dangerous purchases, they are actually initiating the destruction of American rights – the Second Amendment is only the start,” observes East.

The change was proposed by the global Amalgamated Bank and came just days after members of Congress, attorneys general in California and New York, as well as major pension systems in their states strong-armed Visa, Mastercard, and American Express to help “tackle the gun violence epidemic.” (1)(2) Details indicate that the code will show where an individual spent their money but not what items were purchased.

As president of his Florida firearms company which has been in business for 15 years, he views the action as a way to monitor the legal gun-purchasing activities of as many Americans as possible and limit the channels they have a right to use. “What is next? Should Americans be worried that buying alcoholic drinks at a bar or purchasing liquor at a retailer will trigger an alarm that they are a danger to society?” asked East. Put in perspective, in 2021 there were 611 mass shootings in the U.S., and 103 people died. (3) In the same timespan of 2020-2022 drunk drivers killed more than 10,000 people each year. (4) If the government were to seek abuse and problematic alcohol patterns by tracking the 2021 sales of beer, wine, and liquor which grossed $7,701M, they would be met with mass opposition. (5)

Agreeing with the observations of a popular firearms blog, (6) even in the smokescreen the new merchant coding unearths a number of logistical problems, according to East.

• Codes track expenditures but not itemized by product: how will that work at large multi-sport retailers such as Bass Pro Shops versus a small dealer?

• Who will scrutinize the algorithmic results? And who will have the manpower to police the results?

• Most firearms purchases are completely legal, and buyers will likely distrust the financial system, moving to strictly cash purchases or spread purchases over a number of cards and gift cards tied only to a single store.

• Keep in mind that those intent on purchasing for illegal purposes may follow the same tactics. As is the case with most measures aimed at curtailing anything, the bad guys always figure out a way around it.

For years Adams Arms has been a trusted source of high-quality, reliable firearms for the U.S. military and law enforcement in addition to sports enthusiasts. Adams Arms has offered a patented Piston-Driven system that is cleaner, cooler, and more reliable for use. “Our AR-15 piston system, historically a favorite of law enforcement, is seen for its technical merit and reliability. In addition, Adams Arms has developed a backpack with folding AR-15 stock customized for School Resource Officers in protection of children in America’s schools. In short, Adams Arms is there when it counts the most, which helps all users feel safe and in control,” remarks East.

A deeply concerned East comments “All Americans ? not just legal firearms owners ? should think carefully about how much control you want the government to have over your rights as a citizen. Make your voice heard when you vote. Financial strangulation will eventually pull the rug out from under everyone’s feet.”

Posted in 2A, Industry, Press Release | 2 Comments »

AMMO, Inc. Reaches Settlement Agreement with The Urvan Group

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022

Wayne Walker and Christos Tsentas Join the AMMO BoardThe Urvan Group to Support the Company’s Slate of Director Nominees at 2022 Annual MeetingAnnounces Formation of CEO Succession Committee

Because of Market Conditions, Company Suspends the Separation of its Ammunition and Marketplace Businesses into Two Independent Publicly Traded Companies

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AMMO, Inc. (NASDAQ: POWW, POWWP) (“AMMO” or the “Company”) the owner of GunBroker.com, the largest online marketplace serving the firearms and shooting sports industries, and a leading vertically integrated producer of high-performance ammunition and components, today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement (the “Agreement”) with Steven Urvan and Susan Lokey (collectively, the “Urvan Group”).

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will appoint Christos Tsentas and Wayne Walker to the AMMO Board of Directors (the “Board”). Mr. Tsentas is a former investment banker with M&A and investment management experience, who also possesses firearms accessories manufacturing board experience. Mr. Walker is a corporate governance expert with significant public company experience and more than 35 years of experience in corporate turnarounds. Messrs. Tsentas and Walker will stand for election at the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which is scheduled for December 15, 2022. With the appointments, AMMO’s Board will increase in size to nine directors.

“We are pleased to have reached a constructive outcome with The Urvan Group,” said Fred Wagenhals, AMMO’s Chairman & CEO. “We welcome these new directors and believe they can and will contribute to our robust Board deliberations as we chart a path for the creation of shareholder value.”

“As a large shareholder, Board member and founder of GunBroker.com, I look forward to AMMO’s future, and believe the addition of Messrs. Tsentas and Walker as directors will help strengthen the Board and propel the Company forward,” said Mr. Urvan. “I see a bright future for AMMO and look forward to working with my fellow Board members to identify opportunities to drive profitable growth.”

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Urvan Group has withdrawn its slate of seven nominees and agreed to vote all of its shares in favor of the Board’s slate at the Annual Meeting. The Board will immediately form a new committee tasked with planning for CEO succession with the assistance of a nationally recognized search firm. Further, given market conditions and shareholder feedback, the Company will suspend the separation of its ammunition and marketplace businesses into two independent publicly traded companies.

The Company has also ended its previously announced internal investigation into Mr. Urvan and Ms. Lokey. Mr. Urvan will remain on the Board.

Moreover, the Agreement includes customary standstill and related provisions. The full agreement between AMMO and the Urvan Group will be filed by the Company on a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company will file its definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents in due course.
Shareholders do not need to take any action at this time.

Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to the Company. Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP represented the Urvan Group.

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Browning Ammunition Launches Redesigned Website

Monday, November 7th, 2022

ARNOLD, Mo., (November 4, 2022) – Browning Ammunition announces the launch of its newly redesigned BrowningAmmo.com. The digital property is a main destination for hunters and sport shooters around the world who are interested in the full line of Browning ammunition products.

Throughout the site, larger, more vivid imagery illustrates the Browning Ammunition lifestyle, while premium ammunition offerings are also highlighted. Customers can easily search for products that fit their needs. Products such as the new Silver Series rifle ammunition and Long Range Pro Hunter for big game, Wicked Blend™ waterfowl shotshells, TTS Turkey loads, and more will be featured at key times on the site throughout the year.

The new BrowningAmmo.com gives users a streamlined, accessible browsing experience to choose the products they want, find a shooting range or retailer, and connect with the iconic Browning brand. The site is also optimized for mobile devices.

“We understand the buying habits of our customers and the ammunition category can be very easy to navigate with a good digital experience,” says Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing. “The new website brings an easy and beneficial experience to people who want to learn about our products and then find the best location to make the purchase.”

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