As for Bushmaster, many of their experienced employees got the shaft when Freedom Group merged it with Remington and moved production out of Maine. Years later, many of those employees got back in the game by creating Windham Weaponry, which was well-respected as a quality manufacturer, but one that didn't go overboard with the tacticool features and accessories.
Unfortunately, Windham recently fell victim to mounting post-COVID supply and costs problems, and ultimately shut its doors. Pity, too... it was a good source for mil-spec AR barrels with chrome lined bores.