[gunsmith]

maybe getting ready for AWB sunset?
lets hope!
anyway,must be a great place to work!
(I wonder what their CCW policy will be)
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/0803/16gun.html

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 8/16/03 ]

Columbus to get gun plant
German firearms firm to employ up to 500

By BILL HUSTED
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A firearms manufacturing plant that eventually could employ as many as 500 will be built in Columbus by German gun manufacturer Heckler & Koch.

Mike Gaymon, president of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, said Friday that the plant initially will employ about 200 people.

"This has been an eight-year project," Gaymon said of the state's efforts to lure the plant. "Gov. [Sonny] Perdue has been very supportive."

Heckler & Koch makes firearms -- including submachine guns, assault rifles and handguns -- for both the civilian and military markets. Among its customers are the German and Spanish armed forces.

The company's U.S. headquarters is in Sterling, Va. That city, along with sites in Texas and Florida, apparently were considered as sites for the new manufacturing plant.

The initial construction phase will cost about $20 million in leases, construction and equipment. The state is giving the company $300,000 in financial incentives, and the plant will be built in Columbus' Muscogee Technology Park.

No formal announcement has been made yet, and additional details will come then, said the chamber's Gaymon.

"We would expect to talk about the construction schedule then as well as all the skill sets [from workers] we are looking for," Gaymon said.

Heckler & Koch won't be Georgia's only firearms manufacturer. An Austrian gun maker, Glock, has its U.S. and Canadian headquarters in Smyrna. Glock pistols are used by 65 percent of U.S. law enforcement agencies, according to the company's Web site.

[Oracle]

w00t! We'll have Glock and HK here! All your bases are belong to us!

[Spieler]

VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!:D

[CZ 75 BD]

Georgia!:D

[UnknownSailor]

Maybe this is an attempt to get around the import ban?

[No4Mk1*]

The State government made it known recently when many companies were being sued and gun design laws passed in other states that Georgia would welcome manufacturers and not force them to redesign their products.

[Schuey2002]

Georgia Rules!!! :evil: :D :D :evil:

[Razor]

Thank you, Georgia!!! :D

[PeteyPete]

Nice.....!:D I wonder what this will do to the prices of HK firearms.

[MAKOwner]

Wonder if I can get a job there and move down (from Atl area). I'd love to work for HK, doing what-the-heck-ever.

[mete]

Now it won't be just peaches ! They should have done this years ago. It will eliminate problems of exchange rates, import duties and and contracts which specify "American made"

[Byron Quick]

I wonder if Ft. Benning had anything to do with their choice of Columbus rather than the Atlanta area?

[El Tejon]

Joe-juh? Who went South with the guns?:D

That'll be peachy keen! I foresee a road trip with a U-Haul in the near future.:cool:

[Waitone]

Finally, a gun manufacturer actually grows and uses a brain. They located in a gun-friendly state.

I have never been able to understand the logic of doing the nasty with states that economically want them out of business.

Good on H&K. Good on Georgia.

What I want to know is how did SC let this one get buy 'em. SC has been working Germany for 35 years to get business move to the state.

[Quintin Likely]

Are they taking job applications yet? :D

I think I could make a fine, uh, "quality assurance" tester.

[cma g21]

July 30, 2003
TSA revisits German gun contract

By Richard H.P. Sia, CongressDaily

The Transportation Security Administration is reconsidering its recent decision to arm U.S. commercial airline pilots with German-made Heckler & Koch handguns, only a few days after House Small Business Chairman Donald Manzullo, R-Ill., inquired about the agency's method of choosing a supplier,
according to congressional and gun industry sources.


The companies that competed for a three-year, $5 million contract to supply TSA with as many as 9,600 .40-caliber semiautomatic pistols have been told that their bids will be re-evaluated, but the reasons were left unclear, industry sources said. TSA officials told at least one firm they had
questions about information the agency used earlier this month to select H&K as the winner.


The questions came from Manzullo, an outspoken advocate of "Buy American" laws to help support U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Aides to the Illinois Republican said he had met last week with TSA officials to learn why the German firearms giant H&K beat other bidders, including American-owned Smith & Wesson and foreign firms, like Beretta, that have manufacturing facilities in the United States.


"We are pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has wisely decided to rebid the handgun contract for the Transportation Safety Administration," Manzullo said Tuesday in a statement. "After our initial meeting, it was obvious that the decision to select Heckler & Koch, a German company with no U.S. manufacturing capability, over American competitors was based on faulty data."


One TSA official initially told the committee staff early last week that H&K would make its firearms in the United States. That contradicted a July 18 CongressDaily news story that quoted company spokesman Steve Galloway as saying all the guns would be made at H&K headquarters in Oberndorf, Germany, and then shipped to a distribution center in Sterling, Va. Galloway, who has said his firm does not have a U.S.-based manufacturing plant, could not be reached Tuesday for further comment.


"It showed us that they [TSA officials] didn't know all the facts," said one House committee aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "That was the impetus for the meeting." The contradiction also prompted more questions
about how the agency's "source selection committee"-the panel reviewing the bids-chose the winner, the aide said. "Best value isn't always just the price," the aide added. "TSA is going to look at the policy implications [of
its contract award] as well."


Manzullo raised a larger concern at the meeting: whether the TSA award to the German firm would influence officials elsewhere in the Homeland Security Department and ultimately cost U.S.-based, firearms manufacturing jobs.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which includes the enforcement arm of the old Immigration and Naturalization Service, will award "a substantial contract" next month to supply handguns to its officers, Manzullo said.

With a contract from TSA-situated in the same division as the immigration and customs agency-Heckler & Koch would be well positioned to win the other contract, which committee aides say could be worth $30 million.

"We expect those procurement officials to strongly consider American companies when making that award," Manzullo said Tuesday.


TSA spokesman Robert Johnson declined to discuss the meeting with Manzullo, except to say, "A decision has been made to reconvene the technical committee ... to go through each bid again."


"It's too early to speculate on what may come of that process," Johnson added.


The decision to re-evaluate the bids is only the latest twist in the agency's effort to buy handguns for the airline pilots who volunteer for the Federal Flight Deck Officer program.

According to several well placed industry sources quoted July 16 by CongressDaily, the agency changed its handgun preferences several times once the program was authorized last November by the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act.


Late last year, TSA initially favored Austrian gun manufacturer Glock, then appeared to bow to pressure from the office of Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., in favor of Arizona-based Smith & Wesson. After Italian gun maker Beretta and other firms protested contract requirements they claimed favored one
particular manufacturer, TSA dropped those specifications and opened competition for the handgun contract industry-wide.

Manzullo had considered calling TSA officials to a public hearing after the House reconvenes in September, but for now he will let the process play itself out, aides said.


In May 2001, Manzullo used his prerogative as chairman to convene a hearing on the U.S. Army's $29.6 million contracts to buy 4.8 million black berets, nearly a quarter of which were to be made in China by a British firm.

A few days before the hearing, the Defense Logistics Agency canceled all the contracts involving foreign suppliers.

[S95]

I think.
Anyway, if they do indeed start building the new rifle for our armed forces, they will have to manufacture them in the USA, I believe.
Also, if the AWB sunsets, but you still can't import certain things, making them here would solve that.

[AZTOY]

S95
You are right to a point.

H&K is working on the XM29 and XM8 for our armed forces. But i don't think thay adopted the design let.:confused:

[Feanaro]

If the AWB sunsets with nothing worse in place(My fingers are crossed so hard they appear to have become one appendage) then "assault weapons for everybody!." HK-91/93/94s! Maybe they'll even go back to the original four hundred dollar price tag. I can dream, can't I?

[S95]

Yea, I know they haven't yet, but IMO, it is only a matter of time, and building a plant in the USA does nothing but reiforce my HO.;) (and hope)

[Skunkabilly]

Skunky went down to Jawjuh....

When are they posting job openings on the website?

[JeepDriver]

OH Happy Day ! ! ! ! !

HK91 here I come! ! ! ! ! !

Price be damned atleast it will be NIB

[TechBrute]

I swear that I can hear Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" (9th Symphony) and the Hallelujia Chorus playing right now...

[cool45auto]

Okay fellow Georgia High Roaders, I say we pack up and head that way now! I'd love to change my occupation on Vic's post from salesman to "Oh, nothing really. I just work at the new H&K plant!"

:D :D :D

[Sven]

Great news. More options for consumers, more jobs!

[10-Ring]

German Firearms Maker Heckler & Koch To Build New Factory In Georgia
Sterling, VA. (August 18, 2003) Heckler & Koch announced that it will build a new factory in
Columbus, GA to manufacture firearms for the U.S. military, law enforcement, and commercial
markets.
The state-of-the-art factory will incorporate all of the technologically innovative manufacturing
processes the company is famous for including the cold hammer forging of barrels, advanced
polymer molding, and CNC machining.
“We will initially create about 200 American jobs in Columbus,” said U.S. Vice President Peter
Simon, “and forecast additional growth as some of our U.S.-based design and development
projects mature into production.”
Current military design and development programs include the U.S. Army’s XM8 Assault Rifle
and the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle programs. The company may also
shift a portion of its Design and Engineering Office from the Sterling, VA headquarters to the
Columbus, GA location.
“Recent significant contract awards and our assessment that the company is well positioned
in competing for additional business have convinced us to accelerate our plans to establish a
manufacturing facility in America,” said Simon. “This decision reflects our strategic commit-ment
to the U.S. market and also our acceptance and support for ‘Buy American’ provisions.”
Simon added, “We have a reputation for superior quality that has resulted in long-term
relationships with America’s most elite Special Operations Forces warriors and federal, state
and local law enforcement officers who fight terrorism and crime with our MP5 submachine
gun, our Mark 23 SOCOM pistol, our Grenade Machine Gun (GMG), and our USP 40
Compact LEM pistol.”
Current plans include the manufacture and assembly of assault rifles for the U.S. military and
USP 40 Compact LEM pistols for federal agencies.
Heckler & Koch expects to formally break ground in the fall of this year and for the new
factory to be operational by the end of 2004.

Found this on HKPro this AM :cool:

[gun-fucious]

i hope they have a special ceremony on September 14th, 2004...

[ballistic gelatin]

I've been waiting for a firearms manufacturer in the south for a long time. Something other than Taurus. Where do I apply for a job in that location?

[4v50 Gary]

duplicate threads merged. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

[10-Ring]

Wow, merged thread makes my thread look kinda silly :o But I'm still glad to see HK is progressing w/ their plans in the US!

[RandyB]

and you have Kennesaw too!

[GeorgeAtl]

Nice.....! I wonder what this will do to the prices of HK firearms.

Or....what it will do to the prices of (gasp) Glocks!!

They'll have some competition, soon!!

[Skunkabilly]

Schuey:
http://www.hkpro.com/image/g41cover.jpg
:D
[visualize a boatload of HK SA80 mags to go with it]

If this ever happens I have a bucket of :neener:s for Kobun!!!

Pastor Dave's voice in Skunk's head: "Lust bad...envy bad...lust bad..."

[Nightfall]

Mmmm... unimportable HK firearms... ]*drools*

[Skunkabilly]

Yes :)

http://www.hkpro.com/image/33tgs.jpg

:D

[MAKOwner]

Betcha they won't sell anything sweet like that G41 or a semi G36 (unfunkafied like the SL8-1) to us mere civilians... I would still love to work there though...

[Schuey2002]

Skunk, I'm saving my pennies ... :D :neener: ;)

[Kharn]

Party in Georgia? I'll be there with bells on when they throw their first open house.

Kharn

[4v50 Gary]

Goodness Skunk! I have that very poster (laminated) at home. :)

[rebbryan]

if they had put the plant in SC i would've nut my pants, at least we've got FN though. i'm gonna email my senator and tell him we lost a big opportunity

[Schuey2002]

Goodness Skunk! I have that very poster (laminated) at home.
Lucky bugger. I've been looking for one for a few years now with no luck in finding one.

[coldshot03/04]

I heard on the local radio station this morning that H&K was coming to Columbus GA. Right over the stateline from me. Will employ about 200 people.:D WooooHoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Keeper]

Sweet, my inlaws live in LaGrange. We come down from Atlanta about every other weekend. I wonder if they will let people visit the plant. :)

[Kharn]

There was a similar (if not identical) article previously posted, but thinking about letting people visit the plant, HK could probably make some money off them: charge people $10/mag to test fire a G36, let'em do a few rounds semiauto and then empty the magazine on full auto or whatever their standard test is to make sure a rifle works before shipping it out. Its cheaper than paying some guy $20 an hour to test fire guns from 9 to 5 every day.

Kharn

[Skunkabilly]

Time to start working out...I may eschew the AR-15 altogether and get this 10 lb .223 hog :D :D :D

And boatloads of SA80 magazines! And the HK91! And the G36...and lotsa G36 magazines .... and... :o

Silence is Golden!
http://www.hkpro.com/sl9sd.jpg

[Kharn]

Skunk:
Thats an SL9SD, not an SL8, its chambered for 7.62x37 which I believe is .300 Whisper.

Kharn

[Skunkabilly]

I know. I want one :D

[Schuey2002]

Skunk, you need to make a list of what HK's that you don't want..


It would save bandwidth. :neener: ;)

[Skunkabilly]

The VP70 and that saluting gun.

Oh what the heck, I'll take those too.

That underwater pistol would be cool for going to the beach. Too bad you glow if you get in the water at the beach.

[coldshot03/04]

Columbus GA at that. 45 min drive from where I live.

[Kharn]

Skunk:
The saluting gun I can understand, but the VP70?!
Its got a Broomhandle-type detachable stock, and three round burst, whats not to like?

Kharn

[seeker_two]

If Skunk doesn't want the VP-70, I'll take it..... :D


http://www.dentrinity.com/NelsonChen/Collection/pistol/VP70/VP70s.jpg

Very Uber-Deutchland Tactical... ...:cool:

[Skunkabilly]

What the hell, you guys talked me into it, I'll take one :o

How about the P7M10? That's pretty much on the bottom of the list.

[Schuey2002]

What about these? Do you want these too, Skunk?? :p ;)

http://homepage.mac.com/bofrench/Guns/PhotoAlbum65.html

:what:

[.45Ruger]

Late last year, TSA initially favored Austrian gun manufacturer Glock, then appeared to bow to pressure from the office of Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., in favor of Arizona-based Smith & Wesson.

Just out of curiosity when did Smith and Wesson become AZ based, I have lived here my whole life and never heard that one.

[Kharn]

.45Ruger:
They became based out of Arizona when SafTHammer bought S&W back from the Brits a few years ago.

Kharn