B5 Systems

Posts Tagged ‘Remington’

Remington Recalls the Model 700 Again – It’s Triggers (Again)

Saturday, April 12th, 2014

Remington issued a go tray recall notice earlier today for Model 700™ and Model Seven™ rifles with X-Mark Pro® (“XMP®”) triggers, manufactured from May 1, 2006 to April 9, 2014.

Specifically, they are concerned about unintentional discharges. According to a press release, “A Remington investigation has determined that some XMP triggers might have excess bonding agent used in the assembly process.”

You can determine if your rifle is covered by this country recall by reporting the serial number to Remington or by visual inspection using the guide provided by Remington (see below).

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III. You may also determine if your rifle is subject to the recall by a visual inspection.
1) If the face of the trigger is ribbed (see Photo (1) below), your rifle does not have an XMP trigger and is NOT subject to this recall.
2) If the face of the trigger is smooth (see Photo (2) below), your rifle has an XMP trigger and IS subject to this recall – in which case you should immediately seek further assistance at xmprecall.remington.com or by calling 1-800-243-9700 (Prompt #3 then Prompt #1) Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

This isn’t the first recall for the 700. In 2010, they recalled the 700 to deal with a defective safety block. This stemmed from a series of mishaps going back to at least 2001 involving unintentional discharges (sound familiar?). Then, just two years ago, Remington settled lawsuits caused by those defective triggers. Granted, these are slightly different issues but they deal with the same component of the rifle. Considering this is the most popular hunting rifle in the world, they’ll hopefully finally, get this put to bed.

To read the recall notice visit remington.com.

Scott Blackwell Steps Down From President of Marketing and Sales for Remington

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

Scott Blackwell has been working with Remington frontman George Kollitides since 2006. Earlier today, Kollitides announced via internal memo that his longtime friend and advisor Blackwell was leaving his position as President of marketing and Sales for Remington Outdoor Company, effective immediately.

It is with sadness that I announce the departure of Scott Blackwell, President of Remignton Outdoor Company. Since 2006, I have relied on Scott as an advisor, business partner and friend. His loyalty and dedication to our Company and its people are unrivaled.

As President, Scott has overseen sales, marketing and the P&L’s as well as working hand-in-hand with me to develop our strategy.

The mark of a great leader is the people they recruit, develop and grow. Fortunately, Scott is such a person; he is leaving behind a world-class team, and both Scott and I are confident they will rise to the challenge. In fact, I believe this is why Scott has decided now is the time to pursue other opportunities. He is confident in the team he has put in place and wants to see them flourish.

Effective immediately, and until further notice, Scott’s direct reports will report to me.

Please join me in wishing Scott all the best in his future endeavors and thanking him for his deep loyalty and long service to our Company.

FGI CEO Calls GDSI Announcement of Intent to Buy “Publicity Stunt” – But Was It?

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Responding to yesterday’s press release by Global Digital Solutions of their intent to offer $1.082 Bn cash for Remington Outdoor Company, Freedom Group Inc CEO George Kollitides issued an internal memo to employees calling the announcement a “publicity stunt”. The memo was obtained by Grandview Outdoors and published in part on their site.

“A small, unknown investment entity publicly announced its desire to acquire the Remington Outdoor Company,” the memo obtained by Grand View Outdoors says. “If this wasn’t disruptive to our employees and customers, we would not acknowledge the news and recognize it for what it is: a publicity stunt from an agenda-driven group with no credible financing options.”

There are a few interesting point to ponder.

First, that’s a lot of cash for a relatively unknown company and their technology thrust areas aren’t exactly mainstream firearms. Leaving me scratching my head last night when I initially read the press release. Corrected PR states cash and common stock.

Second, GDSI claims to have filed a Form 8-K and announced an Unsolicited Letter of Intent to Acquire Remington Outdoor Company (aka Freedom Group) for $1.082 Billion. You don’t play around with the SEC. So if GDSI did file it, it means they have to mean it, or face trouble. And if they didn’t file it, they may get in hot water over saying they did.

Third, the GDSI announcement went out via PRnewswire and was picked up by the main stream media. This didn’t go out like an industry rumor. The GDSI CEO actually went on record about financial issues. Lying about this is something the SEC doesn’t take lightly.

Finally, the sections of the internal Remington memo we have seen, never says GDSI’s claim is untrue. Rather, it calls the announcement a “publicity stunt”. The info that is out there wasn’t released officially but leaked to a firearms centric site and not the main stream media. That’s pretty interesting considering last we had heard the whole kit and caboodle was for sale and Kollitides was working with some other Remington employees to raise the cash to purchase it themselves. Maybe someone spoke too soon? Of course, sometimes filing time is filing time.

All we have to go on is what has been leaked. So far, we haven’t seen any definitive statement to the public from Remington/FGI regarding the situation. This leaves serious analysts questioning the entire situation and leads me to believe someone is being less than truthful. The question is, which party?

UPDATE – PRnewswire has issued a correction of yesterday’s press release at the request of GDSI.

In the news release, Global Digital Solutions Files Form 8-K, Announces Unsolicited Letter of Intent to Acquire Remington Outdoor Company, with Estimated Annual Sales of $1.25 Billion and a Purchase Price of Approximately $1.082 Billion, issued 11-Mar-2014 by Global Digital Solutions, Inc. over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the first paragraph, second sentence, should read “GDSI has made an unsolicited offer to purchase Freedom for $1.082 billion in cash and shares of GDSI’s common stock,” rather than “GDSI has made an unsolicited offer to purchase freedom for $1.082 billion in cash,” as issued inadvertently.”

Read the SEC filing here secfilings.nasdaq.com. Interesting. It was an unanswered, unsolicited proposal but I would have expected FGI to disavow this as an unacceptable offer at this point.

Opinion & Order – Kevin Brittingham and Lynsey Thompson v. AAC & Remington

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

If you’ve been waiting for the big SHOT Show, industry insider buzz, I’d say this is it.

We recently informed you that Advanced Armament Corp founder and his associate Lynsey Thompson and won their two-year-long court battle with AAC’s new owners Remington ask Freedom Group aka FGI. Now, we have full access to Judge Katherine Forrest’s opinion. It’s quite the read and she didn’t pull any punches in reaching her verdict or explaining it.

Interestingly, the judge issued the document on Brittingham’s 40th birthday. Talk about a birthday present. Based on conversations with him the judgement could be in excess of $14 Million, but considering the amount he was still owed couple with what he has paid out in legal fees and personal pain, I’d say that it isn’t outrageous. It also lifts any non-compete restrictions, so for Kevin Brittingham, it’s “game on!”

Read it all for yourself by downloading it here: Brittingham Opinion & Order.

Remington Arms Awarded $50M Contract

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, has announced that Remington Arms Company was recently awarded a nearly $50 million direct commercial sale contract to supply the Armed Forces of the Philippines with more than 50,000 R4 carbines. The work will be completed at the Ilion Firearms Plant located in Ilion, New York. Components will be sourced from Remington’s facilities and suppliers across 20 states. In addition to the rifles, the contract also includes accessories and spare parts for the rifles. Work is scheduled to begin immediately and will continue through 2014.

www.remingtonmilitary.com/en/Firearms/Carbines/R4

Hat Tip: www.uticaod.com/

Remington Announces SOCOM PSR Contract Award

Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

Although announced by DoD in April, Remington made their formal, corporate announcement this past Friday the 13th of their award by USSOCOM for 5,150 Precision Sniper Rifle Systems in a 10 year contract worth over $79 Million. This was a long process. The solicitation was released way back in November, 2011.

Remington Arms Co., LLC., Madison, N.C., is being awarded a ten year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of the precision sniper rifle (PSR) system for U.S. Special Operations forces. The estimated contract value is $79,717,783. The maximum quantities for this requirement are projected to be 5,150 PSR systems and 4,696,800 rounds of ammunition. The work will be performed at Remington facilities in Ilion, N.Y., and Elizabethtown, Ky., and the ammunition at Barnes Bullets facility, Mona, Utah. The expected completion date is March 7, 2023. The contracting activity is U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., (H92222-13-D-0003).

Madison, N.C. -The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded the Remington Defense Division of Remington Arms Company, LLC (“Remington”) – a subsidiary of Freedom Group Inc. (“FGI”) – a $79.7 million dollar Firm Fixed-Priced (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide up to 5,150 Precision Sniper Rifles (“PSR”) and 4.6 million rounds of precision ammunition. This award is the result of full and open competition conducted by USSOCOM.

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Remington Defense will serve as the system integrator for the PSR, which is a durable sniper system capable of providing accurate target engagement and modular capabilities in barrel length and caliber conversion. Remington Defense will utilize two other FGI companies in the production process; Barnes Bullets will produce ammunition and Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) will manufacture muzzle breaks and suppressors.

Remington Defense already holds the U.S. Army’s $28M contract for 3,600 XM2010 enhanced sniper rifle systems. Remington Defense will be able to leverage its sniper management, workforce, and supply base to ensure the delivery of quality and highly-effective PSR systems.

The PSR award further establishes FGI’s dominance in sniper system expertise, technology, and manufacturing capability for the U.S. Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies. FGI has the ability to produce a fully integrated sniper system consisting of firearm, suppressor, and ammunition products. FGI’s capabilities provide customers with unparalleled product affordability, quality, and technology.

“We are proud to provide our military Special Operations Forces with top-of-the-line technology,” said George Kollitides II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Group and Remington Arms. “The expertise, quality and centuries of experience at Remington are clearly recognized. This award not only represents a new era in precision sniper systems, but also proves that an American manufacturing company can still expand its product offerings and compete in this modern age to provide best in class weapons, ammunition, and suppressors to our troops defending freedom around the globe.”

“Members of our armed forces, and especially those on Special Operations teams, are our Country’s first line of defense,” said John Day, Vice President and General Manager of Military and Law Enforcement. “They deserve the highest quality and newest technology available. Every aspect of the PSR was designed with this in mind.”

Over the past four years, Remington Defense invested in its ability to compete in the government small arms space by modernizing production facilities, focusing research and development on end-user requirements, and ensuring consistent and repeatable quality in a high-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.

www.Remington.com

Remington Responds To Criticism Over Remaining in New York

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Remington has been catching hell for their decision to keep their manufacturing in New York after that state passed the “SAFE Act” that is some of the most restrictive firearms legislation in America. There’s another issue that they don’t address in this statement. Their owners want to sell them but it will cost some cash to move. Conversely, anyone who buys them will probably want to move them so their current location isn’t exactly a selling point. It’s damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

To our Remington fans,

We believe the NY SAFE Act is unconstitutional and was passed in a questionable fashion.

Remington and its employees worked diligently with pro-gun legislators to prevent the Act’s passage. We actively participated in the Albany rallies and drove the letter-writing campaign to stop this anti-gun legislation.

The recently awarded Department of Defense (Special Operations Command) contract, questioned by some as a “pay-off,” has been in development for years — it has nothing to do with NY State.

While we are unhappy with the misguided acts of our elected politicians, Remington will not run or abandon its loyal and hard working 1,300 employees without considerable thought and deliberation. Laws can be overturned and politicians voted out of office, but the decisions we make today will affect our people, their families and entire communities for generations.

Please bear with us as we determine the most appropriate way to satisfy our customers and protect our employees.

Magpul Shipping FDE 870 Furniture

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Flat Dark Earth versions of Magpul’s SGA Stock and MOE Forend for the Remington 870 are now shipping.

The SGA Stock is a user-configurable buttstock designed to add much-needed adjustability to the tried and true Remington 870 12ga shotgun.

The MOE Forend is a drop-in replacement for the standard Remington 870 12ga shotgun, featuring extended length and front/rear hand stops for improved weapon manipulation.

www.magpul.com