jthuang
October 17, 2003, 11:33 AM
http://snurl.com/2pca
Hopefully this will lead to a civvie legal G36 someday!
Hopefully this will lead to a civvie legal G36 someday!
Heckler & Koch US plant!
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Skunkabilly
October 17, 2003, 12:53 PM
"It's protecting our soldiers and our law enforcement people with the best technology available, ...[snip]... it's vitally important that the soldiers go out and do their jobs and come back safe and sound. A lot of it depends on the reliability and the effectiveness of that weapon he's got in his hand for self defense."
What about us?
What about us?
feedthehogs
October 17, 2003, 03:45 PM
Skunk,
Don't ya know. We don't matter.
Don't ya know. We don't matter.
El Tejon
October 17, 2003, 03:49 PM
Back to your plow (or rice paddy), serf! And get your ox out of the road.
Weapons are for the nobility, you silly peasant!
Weapons are for the nobility, you silly peasant!
Hkmp5sd
October 17, 2003, 04:13 PM
I've already sent them a deposit on their first US manufactured SP-89. Told them I'd be by on September 16, 2004, to pick it up. Can't wait to make an MP5K! :)
outdoorman63
October 17, 2003, 04:29 PM
i would love to own an HK...usually out of my budget....my rich buddy only buys HK's
iwish he would give me one of the 20 or so he owns..yeah right huh....glad to see gun business in the US
iwish he would give me one of the 20 or so he owns..yeah right huh....glad to see gun business in the US
10-Ring
October 17, 2003, 04:39 PM
Availability might increase, but I don't see prices going down any. I too would like to see the US HK plant up & running SOON, but I don't think they're really after a larger civilian market :(
madmike
October 17, 2003, 04:59 PM
Except for the civilian market, I'm not sure why they'd bother. Labor rates in Germany aren't any cheaper, especially when import costs are considered. And anything on a gov't contract is tariff exempt.
The only economic reason to produce them here is to get sales they couldn't get otherwise.
To us.
Am I missing something? Did they make a huge marketing error? Is there some law that means by being "domestic" they'll get better contracts? Or are they aiming for us and just not making a fuss about it...yet?
The only economic reason to produce them here is to get sales they couldn't get otherwise.
To us.
Am I missing something? Did they make a huge marketing error? Is there some law that means by being "domestic" they'll get better contracts? Or are they aiming for us and just not making a fuss about it...yet?
Dorian
October 17, 2003, 06:40 PM
There was a rumor, that's pronounced RUMOR, AS IN R-U-M-O-R... on hkpro.com about an "HK SL36"
I'm not holding my breath... nope, that's not me turning blue at all, why do you ask?
hep me
I'm not holding my breath... nope, that's not me turning blue at all, why do you ask?
hep me
Hkmp5sd
October 17, 2003, 06:52 PM
Or are they aiming for us and just not making a fuss about it...yet?
Perhaps they have noticed the large number of HK clones being made and sold in the US and they want to get back into the black, plastic rifle business. This lets them get around the '89 import ban. Combine that with the death of the AW ban next year, and there is a large potential market for them to tap.
Most folks think it is more to help them get government/LEO contracts. They can be politically correct when trying to peddle their gov't sales by including "made in America by Americans."
Perhaps they have noticed the large number of HK clones being made and sold in the US and they want to get back into the black, plastic rifle business. This lets them get around the '89 import ban. Combine that with the death of the AW ban next year, and there is a large potential market for them to tap.
Most folks think it is more to help them get government/LEO contracts. They can be politically correct when trying to peddle their gov't sales by including "made in America by Americans."
Thumper
October 17, 2003, 07:05 PM
I've already sent them a deposit on their first US manufactured SP-89. Told them I'd be by on September 16, 2004, to pick it up. Can't wait to make an MP5K!
Our HK rep found me a harness cheap for my airsoft K (traded him three S@W M41 mags). Auto unfolds the stock and everything. I can't wait for my new carry gun. :D
Our HK rep found me a harness cheap for my airsoft K (traded him three S@W M41 mags). Auto unfolds the stock and everything. I can't wait for my new carry gun. :D
Standing Wolf
October 17, 2003, 08:59 PM
What about us?
Commoners need not apply.
Commoners need not apply.
cool45auto
October 17, 2003, 09:52 PM
Commoners need not apply.
Sad but true.:(
Sad but true.:(
Drizzt
October 17, 2003, 10:01 PM
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
October 15, 2003 Wednesday
SECTION: NEWS
LENGTH: 869 words
HEADLINE: Taking aim;
Gunmaker hopes contracts pay off beyond initial benefits
BYLINE: BY TONY ADAMS; Staff Writer
BODY:
On a muddy patch of earth where U.S. Army infantry troops and combat machinery once roamed, the city of Columbus officially laid out the welcome mat Tuesday for German gunmaker Heckler & Koch.
More than 100 city and business leaders were on hand as Heckler & Koch (pronounced "coke") broke ground on a 75,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will pump $25 million in capital investment into the community while creating as many 200 jobs in the short term.
It's the long-term possibilities that tickle those who worked nearly seven years on the deal, with the possibility of H&K landing a lucrative contract with the U.S. government to supply its next-generation assault rifle. Such a prize would be worth as much as $1 billion over 10 to 15 years, company officials say, and more than double the job count.
"There's the potential for that large of a business, but the stars will have to line up," said Peter Simon, vice president of Sterling, Va.-based HK Inc., the U.S. operation of HK Oberndorf of Germany.
Even Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, who was whisked in and out of the ceremonial gathering, appeared to focus more on what could be achieved further down the road than on the initial benefits.
"Once they get a foothold here in manufacturing, we're going to continue to work on them for their distribution and their headquarters here," he said. "We think we've got a business climate here in Georgia that will make them want to bring the rest of their operation here."
The factory is locating on 29 acres in the 1,500-acre Muscogee Technology Park in northeast Columbus. The property, formerly used by soldiers training at Fort Benning, was acquired in a land swap between the city and the post in 2001.
H&K should start construction early next year, Simon said. Hiring of the 200 workers is expected to begin sometime next summer, he said, with the company launching gun production in early 2005.
No firm salary figures have been released, but the workers will be trained through the state-funded QuickStart program that is used as an incentive to lure corporations to Georgia. Training will include cold hammer forging of gun barrels, advanced polymer molding and computerized machine tooling, the company said.
"Some of the training is going to be rather technical and we expect a three- to four-month training period," Simon said.
One of the first weapons H&K plans to manufacture at the Columbus plant is a pistol to be used by commercial airline pilots, the company said. The $3.3 million contract was signed recently with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. Simon said other "commercial" products are in the development stage and will likely be fielded through the local factory.
Heckler & Koch is expected to work closely with Fort Benning as it develops and tests future products in coming years.
A number of soldiers were present Tuesday for the groundbreaking, which included live-fire demonstrations of H&K pistols and semi-automatic and automatic weapons.
"It's a good partnership," said Brig. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, commander of Fort Benning and chief of the U.S. Army Infantry School. "The infantry is all about rifles and the infantry is all about good marksmanship. Soldiers can train to a certain level, but if you have a good weapon, you can train to a higher level. I think that they'll help us learn about weapons technology and good shooting, and we'll share good ideas with them as well."
But Freakley ruled out H&K using Fort Benning's computerized training labs to develop any of its weapons for future sales and production.
"If their weapons are purchased by the United States Army, then those weapons could possibly be used or tested out at the Battle Lab," he said. "But not as a company, they won't use it."
Several congressman were on hand Tuesday, including U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop and U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, who all represent the area on Capitol Hill.
Perdue said the company is playing a part in saving lives, while at the same time making Fort Benning less vulnerable during upcoming base-closure hearings.
"It's protecting our soldiers and our law enforcement people with the best technology available," he said. "It also means that we'll enhance the mission of Fort Benning here, again helping us in this whole effort to protect Fort Benning and our military installations across the state."
One notable guest at the gathering was retired Lt. David Grange, who commanded Fort Benning in the early 1980s and now works as a senior observer for an Army program that trains brigades, divisions and corps. Grange, in fact, was the person who initially introduced Heckler & Koch to city economic development leaders in 1997.
"I just think the natural place for a small-arms producer to be is right here next to the Home of the Infantry," he said. "The biggest (potential) customer is right here. In this case, it's vitally important that the soldiers go out and do their jobs and come back safe and sound. A lot of it depends on the reliability and the effectiveness of that weapon he's got in his hand for self defense."
Contact Tony Adams at (706) 571-8574 or tadams@ledger-enquirer.com
October 15, 2003 Wednesday
SECTION: NEWS
LENGTH: 869 words
HEADLINE: Taking aim;
Gunmaker hopes contracts pay off beyond initial benefits
BYLINE: BY TONY ADAMS; Staff Writer
BODY:
On a muddy patch of earth where U.S. Army infantry troops and combat machinery once roamed, the city of Columbus officially laid out the welcome mat Tuesday for German gunmaker Heckler & Koch.
More than 100 city and business leaders were on hand as Heckler & Koch (pronounced "coke") broke ground on a 75,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will pump $25 million in capital investment into the community while creating as many 200 jobs in the short term.
It's the long-term possibilities that tickle those who worked nearly seven years on the deal, with the possibility of H&K landing a lucrative contract with the U.S. government to supply its next-generation assault rifle. Such a prize would be worth as much as $1 billion over 10 to 15 years, company officials say, and more than double the job count.
"There's the potential for that large of a business, but the stars will have to line up," said Peter Simon, vice president of Sterling, Va.-based HK Inc., the U.S. operation of HK Oberndorf of Germany.
Even Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, who was whisked in and out of the ceremonial gathering, appeared to focus more on what could be achieved further down the road than on the initial benefits.
"Once they get a foothold here in manufacturing, we're going to continue to work on them for their distribution and their headquarters here," he said. "We think we've got a business climate here in Georgia that will make them want to bring the rest of their operation here."
The factory is locating on 29 acres in the 1,500-acre Muscogee Technology Park in northeast Columbus. The property, formerly used by soldiers training at Fort Benning, was acquired in a land swap between the city and the post in 2001.
H&K should start construction early next year, Simon said. Hiring of the 200 workers is expected to begin sometime next summer, he said, with the company launching gun production in early 2005.
No firm salary figures have been released, but the workers will be trained through the state-funded QuickStart program that is used as an incentive to lure corporations to Georgia. Training will include cold hammer forging of gun barrels, advanced polymer molding and computerized machine tooling, the company said.
"Some of the training is going to be rather technical and we expect a three- to four-month training period," Simon said.
One of the first weapons H&K plans to manufacture at the Columbus plant is a pistol to be used by commercial airline pilots, the company said. The $3.3 million contract was signed recently with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. Simon said other "commercial" products are in the development stage and will likely be fielded through the local factory.
Heckler & Koch is expected to work closely with Fort Benning as it develops and tests future products in coming years.
A number of soldiers were present Tuesday for the groundbreaking, which included live-fire demonstrations of H&K pistols and semi-automatic and automatic weapons.
"It's a good partnership," said Brig. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, commander of Fort Benning and chief of the U.S. Army Infantry School. "The infantry is all about rifles and the infantry is all about good marksmanship. Soldiers can train to a certain level, but if you have a good weapon, you can train to a higher level. I think that they'll help us learn about weapons technology and good shooting, and we'll share good ideas with them as well."
But Freakley ruled out H&K using Fort Benning's computerized training labs to develop any of its weapons for future sales and production.
"If their weapons are purchased by the United States Army, then those weapons could possibly be used or tested out at the Battle Lab," he said. "But not as a company, they won't use it."
Several congressman were on hand Tuesday, including U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop and U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, who all represent the area on Capitol Hill.
Perdue said the company is playing a part in saving lives, while at the same time making Fort Benning less vulnerable during upcoming base-closure hearings.
"It's protecting our soldiers and our law enforcement people with the best technology available," he said. "It also means that we'll enhance the mission of Fort Benning here, again helping us in this whole effort to protect Fort Benning and our military installations across the state."
One notable guest at the gathering was retired Lt. David Grange, who commanded Fort Benning in the early 1980s and now works as a senior observer for an Army program that trains brigades, divisions and corps. Grange, in fact, was the person who initially introduced Heckler & Koch to city economic development leaders in 1997.
"I just think the natural place for a small-arms producer to be is right here next to the Home of the Infantry," he said. "The biggest (potential) customer is right here. In this case, it's vitally important that the soldiers go out and do their jobs and come back safe and sound. A lot of it depends on the reliability and the effectiveness of that weapon he's got in his hand for self defense."
Contact Tony Adams at (706) 571-8574 or tadams@ledger-enquirer.com
George Hill
October 18, 2003, 12:58 AM
Dear HK Santa,
I want my P2000K for Christmas.
I've been a very good boy this year. No, really.
Thanks,
Ogre
I want my P2000K for Christmas.
I've been a very good boy this year. No, really.
Thanks,
Ogre
Skunkabilly
October 18, 2003, 01:24 AM
George is your face turning bluer than a country song from holding your breaf?
Skunkabilly
October 18, 2003, 01:29 AM
George is your face turning bluer than a country song from holding your breaf? Mine is :o
Heck the P2000s haven't even made it to California yet :banghead:
Heck the P2000s haven't even made it to California yet :banghead:
Black Snowman
October 18, 2003, 01:31 AM
To get military sales they have to have domestic production. If that doesn't pan out then they go for us without the 24/365 shift rotation. It's a sound gamble on their part.
madmike
October 18, 2003, 01:46 AM
That's potnetially quite good news, then. Stae Dept has no authority to force the military to adopt an H&K. If it doesn't, they'll want the civvie market to pay back on their investment.
State DOES have power with the exec, and with the congressleeches whose jobs depend on employment...
Which would mean a push to let them produce civvie products.
And if AWB sunsets...
State DOES have power with the exec, and with the congressleeches whose jobs depend on employment...
Which would mean a push to let them produce civvie products.
And if AWB sunsets...
Gray Peterson
October 18, 2003, 04:11 AM
4 digits:
SL36.
Which would be the lookalike semi-auto version of the G36, along with it's various variants (SL36K, etc).
Those would be legal here because both the parts and the manufacturing would be done in Georgia. No importation ban.
SL36.
Which would be the lookalike semi-auto version of the G36, along with it's various variants (SL36K, etc).
Those would be legal here because both the parts and the manufacturing would be done in Georgia. No importation ban.
cpileri
October 18, 2003, 05:06 AM
skunkabilly,
so how do you like that new slb2000 in 30-06?
Its on my list as well- w/10 rd mags that is.
C-
so how do you like that new slb2000 in 30-06?
Its on my list as well- w/10 rd mags that is.
C-
BamBam-31
October 18, 2003, 05:16 AM
Those would be legal here because both the parts and the manufacturing would be done in Georgia.
Legal, as in, legal here in Kali, too?
:) :confused: :scrutiny: :( :mad: :fire:
Legal, as in, legal here in Kali, too?
:) :confused: :scrutiny: :( :mad: :fire:
trooper
October 18, 2003, 08:14 AM
Heckler & Koch (pronounced "coke")
No, it's not. Again, the ch is pronounced more like the j in "chicken fajita" (or in "Tejas" :) )
Regards,
Trooper
No, it's not. Again, the ch is pronounced more like the j in "chicken fajita" (or in "Tejas" :) )
Regards,
Trooper
kernal_panic
October 18, 2003, 08:35 AM
i'll take a g36 that doesn't have toad baileys greasy finger prints on it!
Tamara
October 18, 2003, 08:44 AM
Except for the civilian market, I'm not sure why they'd bother. Labor rates in Germany aren't any cheaper, especially when import costs are considered. And anything on a gov't contract is tariff exempt.
The only economic reason to produce them here is to get sales they couldn't get otherwise.
You may notice that Beretta has a plant in Maryland and FN has one in South Carolina. A lot of military contracts with foreign companies specify that the weapon has to be built here. Gotta employ Congressman Porkbarrel's vot... er, constituents.
The only economic reason to produce them here is to get sales they couldn't get otherwise.
You may notice that Beretta has a plant in Maryland and FN has one in South Carolina. A lot of military contracts with foreign companies specify that the weapon has to be built here. Gotta employ Congressman Porkbarrel's vot... er, constituents.
PeteyPete
October 18, 2003, 09:18 AM
On average, German labor rates are about 20% more than US labor rates, and since these will be made in the South (where labor is even cheaper), costs of production should decrease, and subsequently, so should the price. Lets just hope they're smart enough to see the huge civilian market here in the US for high quality firearms, and decide to take advantage of that market.
MagKnightX
October 18, 2003, 09:47 AM
Actually, isn't HK one of the most pro-gun gun companies out there?
And I believe that the correct German pronunciation is kohch with the ch being a hard hissing sound in the back of the throat, like in the Hebrew chanucah, the letter chet. The Spanish jota is a softer H, more to the front of the throat.
And I believe that the correct German pronunciation is kohch with the ch being a hard hissing sound in the back of the throat, like in the Hebrew chanucah, the letter chet. The Spanish jota is a softer H, more to the front of the throat.
trooper
October 18, 2003, 09:53 AM
And I believe that the correct German pronunciation is kohch with the ch being a hard hissing sound in the back of the throat, like in the Hebrew chanucah, the letter chet. The Spanish jota is a softer H, more to the front of the throat.
You got it right. I just couldn't find an exact description...
You got it right. I just couldn't find an exact description...
Schuey2002
October 18, 2003, 04:02 PM
Skunkabilly, so how do you like that new slb2000 in 30-06?
I've been wondering the exact same thing.. I ask, and I ask. But all that I've received in return is ..
*Silence*
:uhoh: :o :uhoh:
I've been wondering the exact same thing.. I ask, and I ask. But all that I've received in return is ..
*Silence*
:uhoh: :o :uhoh:
George Hill
October 18, 2003, 04:36 PM
"Heckler and Coach"? :confused:
Scroo'it :cuss:
"H&K" :neener:
Scroo'it :cuss:
"H&K" :neener:
Skunkabilly
October 18, 2003, 08:59 PM
Only 45 rds thru the SLB...boringly reliable and accurate (so far), the way I like it. Haven't shot it since I mounted the optics..
SL36 would be neat. If the ban DOESNT sunset, HK would be shooting themselves in the foot if the mags weren't AR-15 compatible.
SL36 would be neat. If the ban DOESNT sunset, HK would be shooting themselves in the foot if the mags weren't AR-15 compatible.
mattd
October 19, 2003, 01:47 AM
On this website
http://world.guns.ru/assault/as61-e.htm it says they are going to start in 2005 like the news story said, and it does accept m-16 mags.
http://world.guns.ru/assault/as61-e.htm it says they are going to start in 2005 like the news story said, and it does accept m-16 mags.
HiFidelity
October 20, 2003, 09:08 AM
the local word going around is that this plant will be used for manufacturing military weapons only, and I am hearing from some NCO's here that they are going to be joint testing with the local base (Ft. Benning), anyhow, they will start the hiring process mid 2004 for anyone interested :)
Schuey2002
October 20, 2003, 09:29 AM
HiFi,
Do you know if there are any pics floating around (since you live in Columbus) of the new site that are in any local newspapers? Or any other pics that can be posted on the web? http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Do you know if there are any pics floating around (since you live in Columbus) of the new site that are in any local newspapers? Or any other pics that can be posted on the web? http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
HiFidelity
October 20, 2003, 09:42 AM
I haven't saw any pics of it anywhere, just the article in the paper. I have driven by the place, looks like things are just getting started there. It will be a building in which we can be proud to have in our city, seeing as how we lost a HUGE 3-5 billion dollar investment and CPU manufacturing plant from AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) last year to The Phillipines. They were choosing our city until they saw our schools turning out software developers to slave at our local credit card processing house here. They wanted hardware engineers, but we had to cater to this drop in the bucket local company when we could have had a giant investment and thousands of hi-tech and high salary jobs. Goes to show you can't kiss too many (I)'s at once I guess.
Skunkabilly
October 20, 2003, 10:23 AM
Looks like us tech guys are pricing ourselves out of the market...gotta go tactical to adapt to our global economy.
So I called HK a few weeks ago but they are still months out on hiring anyone :(
So I called HK a few weeks ago but they are still months out on hiring anyone :(
HiFidelity
October 20, 2003, 10:25 AM
I hear ya skunk, I am contemplating inquiring about maybe working there next spring. I heard through the grapevine the screening process will start mid spring of next year to have training copleted by end of year to start manufacturing in the first quarter of '05. Maybe some of us HR'ers will luck up and get in the door there.
Schuey2002
October 22, 2003, 03:35 AM
Another article (w/ pics) on this same subject. ;)
http://www.columbusgachamber.com/ChExpress/20031015/index.htm
http://www.columbusgachamber.com/ChExpress/20031015/index.htm
Skunkabilly
October 22, 2003, 10:50 AM
http://www.columbusgachamber.com/ChExpress/20031015/images/H&K-ground-breaking-disk-06.jpg
:eek:
Damn, I wasn't invited! :(
:eek:
Damn, I wasn't invited! :(
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