USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Australian defense contractor NIOA has expanded its global reach with the 100 percent acquisition of the industry-leading rifle design and manufacturing company, Barrett Firearms.
In announcing the deal, NIOA Group CEO Robert NIOA said the two family-owned companies came together out of a shared commitment to quality, innovation, loyalty, and mission.
“NIOA’s association with Barrett dates back to 2008. We have been inspired by the story of Barrett and admire what Ronnie, Chris and the family have built over more than four decades,” Mr. Nioa said.
“It’s been a story of hard work, perseverance, and purpose culminating in the delivery of critical capability for the men and women of the US military and its allies around the world as well as exceptional products to law enforcement agencies and civilian markets.
“Together we share the same mission – combining our expertise and family business values will ensure Barrett carries on building the finest products in the world.’’
Mr. Nioa confirmed the company would continue to operate under the Barrett brand as a separate division within the NIOA Group alongside NIOA Australia, NIOA New Zealand, the Australian Missile Corporation, and the group’s investment in joint venture company Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions.
All management and staff at the Murfreesboro manufacturing facility in Tennessee have been retained, and production will continue as normal. Over time it is expected and that manufacturing activities in Murfreesboro will be further expanded.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Mr. Nioa also announced two key leadership appointments – current Barrett President Sam Shallenberger has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer while long-serving Barrett Chief Operating Officer Bryan James becomes President.
Ronnie Barrett and Chris Barrett will provide ongoing support as executive advisers to Barrett and the NIOA Group.
Barrett founder Ronnie Barrett said “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Barrett story. Rob and the NIOA team have great respect for the legacy Barrett has created as the leader in long range precision rifles. It’s reassuring to know Barrett will be in good hands with a family-owned company that is focused on manufacturing and delivering world-class firearms and munitions to a global network.”
The Barrett acquisition marks an exciting next chapter for NIOA as the company’s entry to the US market, where it has long-standing trusted relationships with American companies such as Vista Outdoors, Leupold, General Dynamics, Northrup Grumman, and the Winchester-operated Lake City ammunition plant.
About NIOA…
NIOA is the largest Australian-owned supplier of firearms, weapons, and ammunition to the Australian and New Zealand defense forces, law enforcement agencies and commercial markets. NIOA is a major tenant at the Australian government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) munitions facility at Benalla in Victoria, where it is currently manufacturing 120mm munitions for the Abrams tank along with 30mm and 35mm cannon ammunition.
The company is contracted to deliver major weapons programs for the Australian and New Zealand militaries and has recently established an artillery shell forging factory in Maryborough, Queensland in a joint venture with Rheinmetall of Germany.
About Barrett…
Barrett is a family-owned and operated company and the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military and more than 75 US Department of State approved countries worldwide. The Barrett Quality Management System (QMS) has received the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design and manufacture of firearms, ammunition, and accessories, and to provide training for those systems.
For more information visit: www.nioa.com.au and www.barrett.net
Acquisition FAQs: barrett.net/support/acquisition-faqs/
Sad. Pathetic. Unamerican.
Selling to a foreign company in a nation that confiscated the citizens’ firearms. Dispicable.
I came here to say exactly this.
This is really small peanuts in terms of US companies selling out to foreign entities – but it is an example of our society as a whole in this nation. We are indeed losing our national identity – and why? Because many of the baby boomers have become fat, lazy slobs unable to raise their kids with a sense of pride in this nation. I spent over 30 years in US Army, Special Forces, proudly wearing a Green Beret. Near the end of my time in service, I saw so many young men joining, and being selected, who did NOT… Read more »
Was it fun to go to far away distant lands, meet strange unusual people and KILL THEM even though they had never done a damn thing to anyone in the USA? Just curious…
Now that you inquire…..HELL, YES!!!!!
All free to decide if sarcasm or not.
Now that you mention it, I would rather be killing communists than have to listen to trolls like you.
Ditto
Why do American companies sell themselves to countries that are so antigun and make guns that cannot be sold to their everyday citizens? It will not take long for Barrett to go downhill.
We can only hope. I just hope I never need any parts.
I think my ‘M82 and M107 just went up in value.
Most likely, it will not take long for NIOA to relocateost of their assets to the US where they can make more money. The probability is that eventually it will become an American company.
Another American Company bites the dust. The owners make a ton of money and the quality goes poof. That’s what they meant to say.
So, you are saying that it is un-American to reap the rewards of your labor? Socialist much?
No he’s saying an American should have bought the company and Poof they are rich and America still owns the gun company.
He’s saying that when you get put in a position where you have to choose profit over principles, the result says something about your character.
I just lost all respect for the Barrett family.
Ronnie Barrett had been a hero for his stance on not arming anti gun state law enforcement. What a shame to sell out this way.
You must have been asleep for the past 40 years…
How disappointing to sell out to a company from a represive Neo-socialist country that is just as likely to repel a Chinese invasion as to join them. Even worse, they do business in the tyranical country of New Zealand.
Looks like California will get their 50 cals serviced now, Sad.
WTF !!! Another to add to the “DO NOT BUY” list. Sad.
American companies selling out to foreigners, foreigners buying American soil… FEW if ANY countries allow foreign entities to buy/own parcels of land on their soil. They may allow a home and small lot but not large areas to be foreign owned.
Barret has always been AMERICAN, that has now ended.
BOTH aspects are very sad.
POS!!! Why in the hell are people selling this Country out to the highest bidder?? No one should EVER be able to own land/property in this Country unless you are A US citizen, and not one with dual citizenship to anywhere else !!!!
“Barrett is a family-owned and operated company . . . ” Not any more. I USED to regard it as a principled company, one that would not sell or service firearms in the hands of repressive state governments, e.g. California. Unless the sales agreement included a clause requiring continuation of their California policies (which I doubt) It looks very much like those principles had a price and the Barrett family got enough money so they won’t really care about the inevitable criticism they’ll be getting in forums like this.
Good thing there is always a SERBU
the real BASED gun maker
Well, I bet Barrett will now be selling to police agencies in areas of the US that wouldn’t have under the old owner. This article is disgusting. I guess the almighty “dollar” got it’s foot hold in Ron’s brain. Too bad. Makes me think that his “patriotism” was sort of a put on. Australia and the other countries mentioned think their citizens are incapable of owning the products Barrett makes.
Hmmm, Sig Saur might have been interested.
I would think civilian sales will cease.
so where are the ex-families socials so we can let them know how we feel about red coats
The Barrett people sold their souls to a nation that has worse gun laws than my dreadful state of Oregon. Shame on them. Cross “buy a Barrett” off the bucket list. Could they not have gotten 95% of the sale price and sold to an American company? Greed, unrestrained by faith in God and concern for one’s nation, kill a nation.
I wonder if that will be the end of sales to civilians in the US?
Have Barrett collection well north of 30…full rainbows of m107a1, MRAD, including MK22, REC7DIDMR, REC10……, been to Barrett for training 10+ times, always a great experience. But, this changes my perspective of Barrett, now foreign owned….by a gun confiscating country no less. Always admired Ronnie for refusing to sell/service jurisdictions where We The Little Peeps were restricted from buying his products. But, now he dumps whole company to We The Little Peeps restricting jurisdiction?!?!?! 1982-2022….40 years…..entrepreneurs cashing out is what it is all about, but RONNIE, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING????? Are there no US-based options??? Surprised to learn they dumped… Read more »