Bushmaster closing factory in Maine

[Bailey Guns]

Bushmaster closing Windham plant

The firearms maker, which is based in Windham and employs 73, will shut down next March.

By J. Hemmerdinger jhemmerdinger@pressherald.com
Reporter
Four years after being acquired by a private equity firm, Bushmaster Firearms International plans to close its manufacturing plant in Windham, effective March 31.


The firearms manufacturer, which was founded in 1973 and is based in Windham, employs 73 workers in Maine.


A media release from Madison, N.C.-based Freedom Group Inc., Bushmaster's parent company, said the Windham plant's staff will be given "comprehensive severance packages" and assistance in finding new jobs.
Freedom Group will retain the Bushmaster brand but move the manufacturing of products now made in Windham to other facilities. Freedom Group owns other firearms manufacturers, including Remington Arms Co., Dakota Arms Cos., Parker Gunmakers, H&R 1871 and Marlin Firearms.


Members of Maine's congressional delegation called the closure a blow to the Windham community.


"The workers of that company have earned an international reputation for the quality of their work ... It's very disappointing to see them cut out of the respected brand they have worked so hard to build," said Rep. Chellie Pingree in a prepared statement.


A statement from the offices of Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said Bushmaster "has provided good jobs to workers in the Windham area, and the facility's closure will be a great economic loss to southern Maine."

Bushmaster makes short-barreled and long-barreled rifles, including the M16 military rifle and the related AR15. Those models are used by law enforcement agencies, private security firms and the militaries of 50 countries.


Bushmaster guns are made from aluminum and advanced carbon fiber and are used for hunting, recreational and competition shooting and home defense, according to the company's website.


Bushmaster made news in August, when R.J. Grondin & Sons proposed building an enclosed firing range at its quarry in Windham for weapons testing by Bushmaster. The proposal followed months of complaints by residents about noise from high-power weapons testing at the quarry.
Bushmaster was acquired in April 2006 by the New York City-based private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, which also acquired Remington, DPMS and Marlin from 2006 to 2008.


All were placed under the ownership of Freedom Group, a company owned by Cerberus.


In a 2009 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said the acquisitions were intended to create "the world's leading firearms and ammunition company."

[theGinsue]

Hmm. Interesting. Seems to me that Freedom Group (Bushmasters parent company) is closing down and pulling out of New England completely.

You may recall the announcement last March 26th of Freedom Group closing down North Haven, Connecticut Marlin plant as well.

Curious.

[2ndChildhood]

I hope they aren't moving the production out of the US...

[jerrymrc]

The proposal followed months of complaints by residents about noise from high-power weapons testing at the quarry.

Hope there happy now.

[Troublco]

Not that I'm a huge Bushmaster fan, but I hate to see a successful manufacturer shuttered for any reason.

[Great-Kazoo]

I hope they aren't moving the production out of the US...

nor do i. the next great debate on the web will be sound something like this. "Who makes the best AR?"

CHINA

[KevDen2005]

nor do i. the next great debate on the web will be sound something like this. "Who makes the best AR?"

CHINA

We all know that the Chinese version isn't better, but little kids in factories can produce them at alarming rates for a fraction of the cost

[BPTactical]

My guess is "Freedom Group" is owned by some liberal lefty organization and is going to shut down US manufacturing slowly. Cerebus Holdings will follow suite.


I'm just guessin though........

[hurley842002]

My guess is "Freedom Group" is owned by some liberal lefty organization and is going to shut down US manufacturing slowly. Cerebus Holdings will follow suite.


I'm just guessin though........

That is the same thought that came to my mind.

[OgenRwot]

They were founded in 1816 and own Remington, DPMS and now Bushy. They also own the following companies:

Marlin
H & R Firearms
NEF
Dakota Arms
LC Smith
Parker
AAC
Barnes Bullets
EOTAC
INTC

I don't think they are a lefty organization, just sayin.