Custom Mastershop Series 1911 in .38 Super:
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The second 1911 in .45 Auto:
Posted on 11/08/2016 4:47:54 PM PST by BenLurkin
As iconic as the brand Smith & Wesson is, the name is not expansive enough for the company's ambitions. Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. is asking its shareholders to approve changing the name to American Outdoor Brands Corp. But its firearms will keep their famous name.
The company says it will likely change its ticker symbol to AOBC from the current SWHC. The name change has already been approved by the company's board of directors. Shareholders get a vote on Dec. 13, according to a statement from the company.
Smith & Wesson has been making guns since 1852. The move to rebrand comes as the company increasingly shifts its focus to what it calls "the growing markets for shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiasts." The company made it a goal to diversify into the larger sports and outdoors market.
The company announced the strategy early this year. Over the years, Smith & Wesson has bought sports gear makers, as well as hunting knife and flashlight companies.
In a statement, CEO James Debney said the corporation owns "18 respected consumer brands" and "we intend to aggressively grow organically and through strategic acquisitions, focusing on brands and products that best meet the needs and lifestyle of our target consumers."
The company's strategy seems to be paying off. In the most recent quarter, its profits nearly doubled to $33 million.
In the complicated world of mergers and acquisitions, Smith & Wesson is the name that Saf-T-Hammer Corp. began using after it acquired Smith & Wesson Corp. from Tomkins PLC in 2001. The Wall Street Journal's Doug Cameron reports on the rebranding strategy.
"Smith & Wesson's push into the broader outdoor-sports market mirrors that of Vista Outdoor Inc., the largest commercial ammunition maker. Vista estimates that the U.S. outdoor-pursuits market is worth more than $60 billion a year in sales, excluding team sports, with fragmented segments, such as fishing, wildlife viewing and hiking equipment, each generating industry sales of more than $5 billion a year.
"Mr. Debney told investors in January that Smith & Wesson may create up to three new divisions for outdoor products alongside its existing gun and shooting accessories operations."
Forbes reports the company's stock rose on Monday as investors anticipated a Hillary Clinton win, betting that would spur gun sales in the short term.
It’s amazing they’ve survived this long being based out of MA. Can’t believe that the Massholes have LET them survive and thrive for this long! ;)
They have a nicely done website:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/brands/sw
These expansions of gun brands have not done well, historically.
I agree. Stick with what you know. ;)
Custom Mastershop Series 1911 in .38 Super:
.
The second 1911 in .45 Auto:
This would be like Kleenex deciding to rename itself “American Hygienic Wipes Company” and putting AHWC on everything. What a disaster. Horrible idea.
...American Outdoor Brands...
I know it’s just a name, but I can’t see buying an American Outdoor Brands labeled anything.
It just doesn’t have the sound of protected by Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson.
Or as Howie Carr would say - rump swabs.
The Wesson family has a lot of money. They’re still in Massachusetts. They still have power.
Bookmark
Beautiful guns!!
I know. They’ve caved to the politically correct Pajama Boys and Snowflakes.
All will fall overboard in a tragic boating accident if The Beast is elected tonight.
Their headquarters is in a NASTY section of town.
I felt for Ruger when they pushed Sturm off the label.
But Bill Ruger was no friend to the American patriot either. Those guys and their damned 10 round mags and his utterly INSANE ideas that only cops should have the good stuff.
Feh. Sturm and Ruger were a pox upon us all.
This is why, I feel, when Bill died Ruger finally breathed a sigh of relief and started right away making proper capacity firearms.
We all know what the name change will mean. S&W will be gone.
Doesn’t really matter to me. Their quality has really gone down in the last 30 years or more, despite what the gunwriter shills tell you. If you want a S&W, buy a good used one.
S&W seems destined to make its loyal customers pissed at them for stupid stuff. Their stock has been holding well.
http://www.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/110816/smith-wesson-poised-shoot-itself-foot-swhc.aspx
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