Winchester going under???
- Thread starter sgtb
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They're closing their main factory. Of note is the fact that Winchester is owned by Olin, IIRC. The trademarked name and any owned copyrights and patents will likely be sold to someone. It's worth too much money to be allowed to sit idle.
I suspect that the same will happen with Ithaca, if it has not happened already.
Mike
I suspect that the same will happen with Ithaca, if it has not happened already.
Mike
sorta... seems there are 2 rumored buyers in the wings, but until the name is sold in '07, it is unlikely that you'll be getting many winchesters from now until then.
here's the reuter's version, and link:
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan 19 (Reuters) - The Connecticut factory that produced the Winchester rifle, celebrated in cowboy movies as the gun frontiersmen used to settle the American West, is shutting down after 140 years in New Haven.
Belgian-based Herstal Group told its 186 workers this week it plans to shutter the U.S. Repeating Arms plant, formerly known as Winchester Rifle Company, on March 31 due to slow sales.
That would end production of the Model 70 bolt-action rifle and the Model 94 lever-action rifle.
Newer models carrying the Winchester name still will be produced in Belgium, Japan and Portugal, the company said.
"If this plant does close, it will be the end of an era," said facility director Paul DeMennato, speaking from the New Haven factory, which employed more than 15,000 people during the 1940s and produced millions of guns over the decades.
The Winchester rifle became a symbol of the American West as wielded by movie star John Wayne and was later used on a popular U.S. TV series called, "The Rifleman."
Earlier, President Theodore Roosevelt helped popularize the gun by using it on a much-publicized African safari.
The company met with a prospective buyer late Wednesday, DeMennato said on Thursday, adding it was too early to tell if a sale was a serious possibility.
"Something like this isn't like buying a house," he said.
In the past year the plant dropped production by 50 percent, DeMennato said, noting that a strong international market producing less expensive rifles prompted the company to make the decision to shutter the plant.
The former owner of the factory, Missouri-based Olin Corp (OLN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) ., still owns the rights to the Winchester brand name and licenses it to Herstal. That license expires in 2007.
Workers expressed a mix of frustration and anger after hearing the news on Tuesday.
"We've given up a lot, everything to keep this place going," said Mary O'Toole, an assembly worker with 18 years at the company. "You have generation upon generation working here and to see it go under now just doesn't seem right."
© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuo...tfh70904_2006-01-23_18-35-40_n23315807_newsml
here's the reuter's version, and link:
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan 19 (Reuters) - The Connecticut factory that produced the Winchester rifle, celebrated in cowboy movies as the gun frontiersmen used to settle the American West, is shutting down after 140 years in New Haven.
Belgian-based Herstal Group told its 186 workers this week it plans to shutter the U.S. Repeating Arms plant, formerly known as Winchester Rifle Company, on March 31 due to slow sales.
That would end production of the Model 70 bolt-action rifle and the Model 94 lever-action rifle.
Newer models carrying the Winchester name still will be produced in Belgium, Japan and Portugal, the company said.
"If this plant does close, it will be the end of an era," said facility director Paul DeMennato, speaking from the New Haven factory, which employed more than 15,000 people during the 1940s and produced millions of guns over the decades.
The Winchester rifle became a symbol of the American West as wielded by movie star John Wayne and was later used on a popular U.S. TV series called, "The Rifleman."
Earlier, President Theodore Roosevelt helped popularize the gun by using it on a much-publicized African safari.
The company met with a prospective buyer late Wednesday, DeMennato said on Thursday, adding it was too early to tell if a sale was a serious possibility.
"Something like this isn't like buying a house," he said.
In the past year the plant dropped production by 50 percent, DeMennato said, noting that a strong international market producing less expensive rifles prompted the company to make the decision to shutter the plant.
The former owner of the factory, Missouri-based Olin Corp (OLN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) ., still owns the rights to the Winchester brand name and licenses it to Herstal. That license expires in 2007.
Workers expressed a mix of frustration and anger after hearing the news on Tuesday.
"We've given up a lot, everything to keep this place going," said Mary O'Toole, an assembly worker with 18 years at the company. "You have generation upon generation working here and to see it go under now just doesn't seem right."
© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuo...tfh70904_2006-01-23_18-35-40_n23315807_newsml
bud45
Member
Buy it through stocks?
I'd be willing to throw in a few bucks, from my meager check, to save a piece of American tradition...derned foreigners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd be willing to throw in a few bucks, from my meager check, to save a piece of American tradition...derned foreigners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
too late.
japan and portugal have already been named the producers of winchester (by herstal, not olin) until the name lease expires.
if you want to buy stock in winchester, its tough. the name is leased to herstal, through olin. olin is publically traded, ticker symbol 'oln'.
olin is aka winchester ammunition, but is not otherwise affiliated w/ production of winchester guns.
japan and portugal have already been named the producers of winchester (by herstal, not olin) until the name lease expires.
if you want to buy stock in winchester, its tough. the name is leased to herstal, through olin. olin is publically traded, ticker symbol 'oln'.
olin is aka winchester ammunition, but is not otherwise affiliated w/ production of winchester guns.
sorry for double post...
But i think that the folks at winchester dont care about tradition just money is their main concern. They just want to be a 'commerical' company and rack in the 'dough'. but they dont seem to care about american made just all they seem to care about is putting guns on the shelf not quality and american jobs :banghead:
But i think that the folks at winchester dont care about tradition just money is their main concern. They just want to be a 'commerical' company and rack in the 'dough'. but they dont seem to care about american made just all they seem to care about is putting guns on the shelf not quality and american jobs :banghead:
rangerruck
Member
them and ford motors. everybody get there shtf stuff ready, stop smoking and get in shape.
countertop
Member
Olin is also one of the largest chemcial producers generally in the country. Not quite Dupont, but its a whole lot more than just Winchester Ammo.
Here's a link to their product line. Actually, I am shocked that Winchester is listed as 1/3 of their business. Perhaps in terms of product line items, but my guess is Winchester is dwarfed by the Chor Alkaline business.
Here's a link to their product line. Actually, I am shocked that Winchester is listed as 1/3 of their business. Perhaps in terms of product line items, but my guess is Winchester is dwarfed by the Chor Alkaline business.
T.R.
Member
Schrade Cutlery was America's oldest knife producer. Their quality and innovative deisgns went un-noticed by many hunters while cheap Chinese imports sold like crazy. They went under but I read their product line will come back... assembled off shore. Sounds like China to me.
I'm fairly certain that Winchester product line will be offered again at lower prices... assembled off shore. So it goes.
TR
I'm fairly certain that Winchester product line will be offered again at lower prices... assembled off shore. So it goes.
TR
Master Blaster
Member
You know about 5 years ago, I bought a model 9422, its accurate has no manual safety, and excellent 3lb trigger right out of the box, beautiful bluing, beautiful walnut stock with lots of cut checkering. All machined, no mim or castings. And it has excellent accuracy.
All that for $350 brand new, I noticed the Henry and the marlin rifles as well but they were not nearly as nice. The 94/22 really was made like they used to be made.
Well I guess they should have been charging $700 for it, becuase now it will be made in brazil out of the cheapest stuff. Oh well.
I remember when folks used to make custom rifles out of model 70's....
All that for $350 brand new, I noticed the Henry and the marlin rifles as well but they were not nearly as nice. The 94/22 really was made like they used to be made.
Well I guess they should have been charging $700 for it, becuase now it will be made in brazil out of the cheapest stuff. Oh well.
I remember when folks used to make custom rifles out of model 70's....
salty
Member
Just as Ford - the dumbing down (WALMARTING) of America continues - when a US company like Ford cares more about International markets than the US and there are no tariff protections as in other countries it is no wonder a foreign company doesn't give a rat's behind about the US workers at Winchester. Every dollar we spend at a Target or Walmart is another dollar that goes to buy products primarily from non-US sources.
salty said:
Where do you suggest we shop to buy American made goods? Not trying to flame - but any store I shop at regardless if it is the local business or national chain is full of foreign made goods.
Where do I go to buy a "Made in USA" clock/watch , TV , calculator , coffee maker , stereo , camera, DVD player , toys, computer monitor or clothes? Those are just a few of the items I have bought or looked to buy in the past several months.
A lot of what I buy from the big chains are food items and it saves me a lot over the local grocery store which is more like a giant convenience store. Plus , nearly all of the food items are US made.
Stauble
Member
i heard somethin bout them letting toyotas in NASCAR dunno how true that is but it ties in nicley with everythin comin from overseas now
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