Beretta buys Norma, RWS, Rottweil, Geco

Beretta has purchased one of Europe's major ammunition manufacturing groups, and will be taking control of several well-known cartridge companies as a result.

The deal sees Beretta buying RUAG Ammotec, which is a very large company with 2,700 employees and branches all over Europe (RUAG's website claims employees in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, USA, Austria, UK, France, Belgium, Italy and Finland). We haven't seen a price tag on the deal yet, and it is still subject to regulator approval.

Should the deal go through, Beretta will own "the leading European provider for small caliber ammunition." That includes such brands as Norma, Rottweil Munitions, Geco, and RWS, which should be well-known names to keen Canadian shooters. Norma and Rottweil, for instance, are well-known for their high-end sporting cartridges, relied upon by dangerous game hunters and other shooters needing quality when it matters the most.

Furthermore, RUAG is also a major supplier of European armed forces and police (including the German and Swiss militaries). Obviously, a European business supplying European military clients is going to be very busy these days.

After the deal was announced, André Wall, CEO of RUAG International, said "We are taking the next step to withdraw from the defense-related business completely. We are pleased to have found a renowned industrial partner for Ammotec in Beretta, who will take over all employees and the Thun site. With its industry experience and global presence, Beretta offers the best conditions to sustainably grow Ammotec's business activities for the benefit of customers and employees." No real explanation there as to why RUAG would want to step back, but Beretta seems likely to make a lot of money off the deal, as there is no shortage of demand for ammo these days.

The deal will add five factories and 16 companies to Beretta's holdings, and almost double its workforce, growing turnover to 1.5 billion euros. Could it be 2022's biggest powerplay in the firearms industry? With civilian ammo shortages and war drums beating, it seems quite possible.