A message you should hear

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As some of us have said, this isn't "panic" buying. There are over 7M new gun owners and if all they do is buy 2 boxes there just isn't enough ammo and ammo production to meet those demands. This isn't going to end anytime soon and all these companies have to increase capacity or it will never subside.
 
edwardware said:
Maybe he decided to send the professional smiley liars back to marketing, and instead explain the obvious facts in plain English.

Imagine, straightforward truth instead of mealy-mouthed prevarication and deception! Oh the humanity! What's a Corporate Communications Consultant to do?
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The customer is always right, remember? And always in the original Greek means always.

They tell you to tell the truth...don’t ever, ever blame the customer...seek their continued support...if there are rumors, there are also reasons for the rumors (correct or incorrect)...address the reasons.

And, encourage your customers to contact you with any other concerns they have and you’ll be happy to address them also.

You don’t have to agree with any of this but figuratively there are corporate graveyards filled with the rotting corpses of CEOs who didn’t either.
 
The 7m new gun owners are not necessarily new shooters. Lots of folks got a gun "just because", or fear, or "better do it while I can", etc. Guns that will sit in closets, with a box or two of ammo, and be in the same spot ten years from now.

The 700m rounds is 14k cases. A lot, but not insurmountable.

No.... Its glut and panic driving the shortage. "I have seen the enemy, and they are us!"
 
packetloss said:
As some of us have said, this isn't "panic" buying. There are over 7M new gun owners and if all they do is buy 2 boxes there just isn't enough ammo and ammo production to meet those demands. This isn't going to end anytime soon and all these companies have to increase capacity or it will never subside.
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This is one of the areas where the story/explanation needs a little more meat on the bones...So, Mr. CEO, I’m a reloader and components are in the same short supply as is ammunition. I’ve heard you are diverting components away from consumer sales and to the increased production of completed ammunition. Is that correct?
 
CQB45ACP said:
So first you insult and criticize your viewer/customer and then you describe how hard you’re working. He needs a new public affairs consultant—drop the complaints and your message becomes positive and encouraging.
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“Customers” aren’t customers if they can’t buy product. So, instead of understanding the reasons for the shortage or getting off their butts to stand in line, they’d rather complain, spread rumors and write hate mail… or gun forum posts. Can’t say I blame him for his attitude.
 
drband said:
Aah... I don’t take offense at his presentation. Put yourself in his position of scrambling to meet unprecedented demand and constantly being accused of holding back from the consumer. It is a tough time for shooters and producers.
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It’s simply an inadequate response and I take no offense per se. I just don’t like the blame shifting. This is the CEO of a large publicly traded (I think) enterprise, not a sole proprietor.
 
higgite said:
“Customers” aren’t customers if they can’t buy product. So, instead of understanding the reasons for the shortage or getting off their butts to stand in line, they’d rather complain, spread rumors and write hate mail… or gun forum posts. Can’t say I blame him for his attitude.
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I don’t blame him for the attitude. I criticize him for publicizing it.
 
CQB45ACP said:
This is one of the areas where the story/explanation needs a little more meat on the bones...So, Mr. CEO, I’m a reloader and components are in the same short supply as is ammunition. I’ve heard you are diverting components away from consumer sales and to the increased production of completed ammunition. Is that correct?
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Dont think of it as diversion. Ammo is always job #1. Job #2 is keeping machines always running. That means over production can go as components. When #1 increases, excess from #2 decreases.
 
Project355 said:
Dont think of it as diversion. Ammo is always job #1. Job #2 is keeping machines always running. That means over production can go as components. When #1 increases, excess from #2 decreases.
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Maybe but I’m not so sure that’s how they typically produce components, as job #2 or over production becomes components. Could be but I doubt it.
 
Erief0g said:
Interesting to see the factory.

The message reflects what I've thought to be true. Same for the company I work at.

Literally... you aren't getting enough done, you're behind on your construction schedule...

But we have produced 30% more completed work than the previous year and all you get is not good enough.
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What have you done for me lately?
 
CQB45ACP said:
So first you insult and criticize your viewer/customer and then you describe how hard you’re working. He needs a new public affairs consultant—drop the complaints and your message becomes positive and encouraging.
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CQB45ACP said:
I don’t blame him for the attitude. I criticize him for publicizing it.
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Different strokes for different folks. I didn't feel insulted nor criticized by his opening remarks. But, then, I worked in oil and gasoline production during shortages, not the PR department, so I can relate. ymmv
 
@CQB45ACP.... Think about this: Its the profit motive. It's not so much over production, but more like an outlet for the components made. Factories hate idle machines. Idle machines are money sitting on the floor not returning any investment. If they can fill a spot in the marketplace that allows the machinery to keep producing and turn a profit they will do so. If that machine is running ceaselessly and there's greater profit in the ammunition production... Basic business practice says go for the gold.
 
Knowing your audience is important. The long time gun guys are not the same as the new wave that in reality who he is really addressing. I cant immagine the group here in the reloading area are the people sending hate mail. He has all the information like we made a million rounds last year and 1.3 million this year. Put some usable information in there for us.
 
I know the man personally. He is a straight shooter with both words and bullets. I shoot with dozens of Federal Cartridge employees at my home range. They are ramping up staffing, overtime and production. As an "essential worker" I've been through some of the issues he touched on regarding Covid. Whole crews getting quarantined for 2 weeks, resulting in delayed production and missed deadlines, and ridiculous overtime for those still at work. I imagine the situation is worse in a factory setting. I commend the man for giving us the straight story, not some corporate BS.
 
Just look at the great CEOs of great firms. They may have complained about things but customers or potential customers certainly weren’t among them.

He could also have said, wah, wah, wah you a big meany. Just as effective.

This whole discussion has derailed and detracts from the point of this thread. A corporate explanation of shortages from a major ammo manufacturer. Apologies.
 
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Having let it sink in with a cup of mocha-java, This much I'll say: At the range I worked at for 10 years, back in the 80s/90s, we reloaded over a million rounds a year on just a hand full of Star, AmmoCrafter and Dillon machines. Not quite the same, I know. But we did make all our own cast bullets from range lead, and we did have to sort all the brass, and and and... well.... I know, not the same, but the numbers just don't seem all that staggering to me. We popped out a round at a time. Looks his his stuff was doing many more than that, much quicker too.

I do appreciate though, that he even said anything. I agree he could have mentioned "internet gossip, rumors and misinformed speculation" better, maybe by just addressing that issue as I just did with minimal detail, but quickly dismissing it, and turning more quickly to the positive. On the other hand, I got a sense of a guy who is fiercely protective of his brands (he should be!) and doesn't like to be kicked when he feels like he's doing all he can. On the other, other hand, don't dismiss the money they're making right now. A factory dream is 100 percent production 100 percent of the time, and people lined up at your door for more of what you make.

One last thing - there are case studies galore, about companies that "ramp up" to oblivion. There is a demand, they ramp up, go big, but the demand ends though fulfillment, or other situation (think about possible ammo taxes, bans, etc), and they get stuck holding the bag with the institutions that financed the ramp up. For a corporate president, CEO, COO, its a tough walk on thin ice, as they are responsible to shareholders.
 
Random 8 said:
I know the man personally.

He is a straight shooter with both words and bullets.
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If you know him personnaly then you can ask him why the primer market has dried up. The reloading customer market has not gone away. Part of the production process should be set aside to meet that customer demamd, rather tham shutting down one market to satisfy another. It should not depend only on overprouduction of one segiment.
 
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