CZ plans to open US factory this year

[Snejdarek]

According to CZ CEO, the company plans to open a US factory later this year.



http://ekonom.ihned.cz/c1-65723600-ceska-zbrojovka-ma-na-vic

The CEO CCs PO7, sometimes 2075 RAMI.

 

[bannockburn]

Snejdarek

Thanks or the info; this is great news! Hope they can get it up and running really soon and can maintain a high level of quality control in the new factory.

 

[ElPasoCounty]

It would be nice if they brought the 550 back. Used one's are hard to find.

 

[Pilot]

I have been dreading this. I hope they don't go down the Sig road.

 

[rskent]

I have been dreading this. I hope they don't go down the Sig road.

Why would you dread this? What is the Sig road?

 

[I6turbo]

I have been dreading this. I hope they don't go down the Sig road.

I haven't followed Sig so I don't know what might have happened there, but I also don't see this as automatically good for CZ fans in the longer run. Often times when US factories are opened to produce high quality or unique goods that have been coming from other countries, a lowest-common-denominator effect takes over, cost-cutting measures take over, a build-for-the-US-masses marketing focus takes over, and the product becomes less desirable to those who had an appreciation for the old-country stuff. There's a long history of this across the spectrum of products and industries. That said, I have a bunch of Czech-built CZs, so it's probably not going to impact me.

 

[jdc1244]

When Daimler started building M-Class SUVs in Alabama the result was a disaster.

Perhaps there’s a difference between building a motor vehicle and a firearm, particularly when the latter is manufactured via automation with little human involvement.

But some might want to consider buying Czech-made CZs sooner.

 

[bannockburn]

I6turbo

I have had German SIGs that were great and currently have several U.S. made SIGs, that are also great. I think a lot of how successful CZ can be here starts at the ground level: that is in how well they can set up their factory and how well they can recruit (and retain), a skilled labor force to make their guns.

 

[stoky]

very cool
Here's hoping they have sense enough to set it up in a free state.

 

[rskent]

I have had German SIGs that were great and currently have several U.S. made SIGs, that are also great.

Same here. I’m no Sig expert, but I have a German made P series and a US made P series.

They are both very good quality guns.

 

[chicharrones]

very cool
Here's hoping they have sense enough to set it up in a free state.

CZ USA is currently in Kansas. I wonder if they would set up manufacturing there?

 

[sirgilligan]

That is great news. Isn't it true that some smaller firearms can't be imported, but if they are built in the US they are approved for US sales?

As for the Sig effect, well, in my opinion a company is just a reflection of the people, and if they come in with beliefs that Cohen's approach is the right one then we will have CZ 75's galore:

• CZ 75 Enhanced Elite
• CZ 75 Extreme
• CZ 75 Legion
  
• CZ 75 Nitron
  
• CZ 75 TACOPS
  
• CZ 75 Black Pearl
  
• CZ 75 Blackwood
  
• CZ 75 Desert
  
• CZ 75 Edge
  
• CZ 75 Emperor Scorpion
  
• CZ 75 Rosewood
  
• CZ 75 Equionox
  
• CZ 75 HD
  
• CZ 75 Nightmare

I know, I am somewhat teasing, there are several CZ models, but still.

If the Sig effect happens then our Czech made firearms will appreciate in value, but that is basically trying to make lemonade from lemons, we don't want CZ to be unsuccessful.

Just because they come to America doesn't mean that they have to be publicly traded company, that they have to hire bean counters that decide making the firearm out of stamped sheet metal is the cheapest way to go to maximize profits, etc.

Here is what I hope for:

• Same quality for same price, or better quality for same price, or same quality for cheaper.
• The ability to make some firearms that could not be imported because the firearm didn't get enough "points" under the 1968 act.
• Competition in military and police contracts. I personally think any firearm used by our Military must be made in the US so we don't have an external dependency in war time, even if the manufacturer was an ally.
• The build their factories in States that are very 2nd Amendment friendly and employee Americans!

That is just some thoughts of the top of my flat boney head.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Hope they can keep their high standards and locate in a free state. I welcome them but think I would still prefer Czech made models if I had a choice.

 

[J-Bar]

I have owned two CZ firearms, enjoyed them until I ran into someone who wanted to pay me more than I wanted to keep them.

Good luck to CZ; wishing them and their customers decades of success.

 

[George Dickel]

Labor costs are definitely going to be higher in the US than Czechoslovakia so any firearms made here will have to cost more for the same quality or to offset the higher labor costs there will have to be manufacturing cost cuts. If CZ was made in Germany or Austria then the cost to manufacture here might be comparable or cheaper but Czechoslovakia's economy isn't as robust/expensive.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

CZ USA is currently in Kansas. I wonder if they would set up manufacturing there?

It would make sense. They already distribute firearms from the Kansas City location. So they could save a little on transporting them to the distribution facility if they build the factory close by. And there is some vacant land just across the road from the distribution facility....Not to mention Kansas City is a pretty major shipping hub. UPS, USPS, FedEx, railroads, several major trucking companies, and air freight facilities all call Kansas City home. Logistics can save a manufacturing company big money.

Plus Kansas and Missouri have quite a few skilled machinists available, especially with airplane manufacturing slowing down here. And a generally quality skilled workforce keeps GM and Ford producing some of their highest profiting (and highest quality) vehicles here. Cars and planes are different animals from guns, but a lot of skills and attention to detail can translate.

 

[Snejdarek]

Often times when US factories are opened to produce high quality or unique goods that have been coming from other countries, a lowest-common-denominator effect takes over, cost-cutting measures take over, a build-for-the-US-masses marketing focus takes over,

CZ has opened a new factory just for polymer line guns in Slovakia. They planned the same with Brazil but it never materialized. Now they are saying that they aim at LEO market with primary aim at "smaller federal law enforcement organizations".

So my guess would be on polymer guns.

Most probably that nonsense with "Scorpion Pistol" will be ended by US made SBRs.

If I should speculate even further I'd expect either US or Slovak factory to focus on the hammer x striker fired line of pistols and vice versa.

When Daimler started building M-Class SUVs in Alabama the result was a disaster.

Well Czech made Hyundais have reputation of higher reliability compared to the Korean ones. Let's wait and see how the US CZ factory will fare.

Here's hoping they have sense enough to set it up in a free state.

Hope they can keep their high standards and locate in a free state.

CZ was very loudly outspoken against the EU Gun Ban. It may be my Czech perspective but I don't think any other major manufacturer went to similar lengths. I would not expect any different from their US subsidiary.

I welcome them but think I would still prefer Czech made models if I had a choice.

Most probably if you stay away from polymers, you will have to buy Czech.
Really, man? Really? It's been 25 years now...

Cars and planes are different animals from guns, but a lot of skills and attention to detail can translate.

CZ's Czech factory is making also precision metal parts for aircraft industry.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Isn't it true that some smaller firearms can't be imported, but if they are built in the US they are approved for US sales?

They would also avoid people having to play the 922r game for Scorpions and Brens.

 

[armoredman]

I haven't heard word one about this, so will ask. CZ already HAS a factory here - it's just set up to make Dan Wessons instead.
I would love to see a CZ factory in the states but would also want to be very careful about product quality and such, but we also could get many models not importable right now.

 

[armoredman]

Confirmed, CZ-USA is moving towards domestic production, and they are absolute on keeping quality high. No words on where/when/what, but they will release the info when they are ready. Yayyy!!!

 

[everydefense]

They would also avoid people having to play the 922r game for Scorpions and Brens.

I'll take a US-made BREN 2 in 7.62x39, please!

 

[RoscoeBryant]

Labor costs are definitely going to be higher in the US than Czechoslovakia so any firearms made here will have to cost more for the same quality or to offset the higher labor costs there will have to be manufacturing cost cuts. If CZ was made in Germany or Austria then the cost to manufacture here might be comparable or cheaper but Czechoslovakia's economy isn't as robust/expensive.

Yeah Czechoslovakias economy has really gone downhill since the 1990s

As for the cost issue - you have to take into account shipping and import plus margins. Of course, the labor cost is lower in the Czech Republic than it will be in the US, but you save a lot of money not having to go through the whole import process and not having to pay for transatlantic shipping. This is not only about the cost of the actual import and shipping, but also the cost of the administrative segment behind it. Depending on the actual process they may also cut out the middleman and save on that part.
Price politics and manufacturers/dealers margin also have an important role. Some firearms are actually sold for a better price in the US than in their country of origin, simply because of the more competitive market - so producing in the US does not automatically mean a change in consumer price, but maybe just a change in CZs margin

 

[Pilot]

I haven't followed Sig so I don't know what might have happened there, but I also don't see this as automatically good for CZ fans in the longer run. Often times when US factories are opened to produce high quality or unique goods that have been coming from other countries, a lowest-common-denominator effect takes over, cost-cutting measures take over, a build-for-the-US-masses marketing focus takes over, and the product becomes less desirable to those who had an appreciation for the old-country stuff. There's a long history of this across the spectrum of products and industries. That said, I have a bunch of Czech-built CZs, so it's probably not going to impact me.

This is exactly my fear, although as others have said, it may be unfounded. I like the CZ's that are made in the Czech Republic, and I also have several, but I don't want to see them degrade and/or become more expensive either.

 

[Llama Bob]

It would be nice if they brought the 550 back. Used one's are hard to find.

A US made 550 with 100% reliability would be the bees knees. Hopefully someone there's paying attention...

 

[everydefense]

Yeah Czechoslovakias economy has really gone downhill since the 1990s

As for the cost issue - you have to take into account shipping and import plus margins. Of course, the labor cost is lower in the Czech Republic than it will be in the US, but you save a lot of money not having to go through the whole import process and not having to pay for transatlantic shipping. This is not only about the cost of the actual import and shipping, but also the cost of the administrative segment behind it. Depending on the actual process they may also cut out the middleman and save on that part.
Price politics and manufacturers/dealers margin also have an important role. Some firearms are actually sold for a better price in the US than in their country of origin, simply because of the more competitive market - so producing in the US does not automatically mean a change in consumer price, but maybe just a change in CZs margin

Yes, CZ no doubt planned around the following factors when they decided what products they would make in their new plant (not in this order):
1) Similar manufacturing processes across models within the plant. No point in making vastly different products if they can standardize/make their processes leaner.
2) Weighted towards products that are heavily favored by the American market compared to the world market... would reduce shipping costs and increase supply chain responsiveness.
3) (Hopefully) target firearms that are limited by American governmental restrictions when imported (e.g. military-style rifles, etc). But those may also be the most expensive to manufacture, and there are probably less of those sold in general than the more popular handgun models etc, so they may not want to sink a lot of money into developing those product lines at a new plant.
4) Simply increasing production capacity/bandwidth for the most popular/profitable models that have a mature manufacturing process.

Those are my thoughts, at least. I'm sure I've missed a point or two.