Smith & Wesson to acquire premium firearms manufacturer

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 154-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, on December 18 announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Thompson/Center Arms Inc., a 40-year old, privately held, New Hampshire-based designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium hunting firearms, for $102 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the beginning of January 2007.

Thompson/Center Arms, headquartered in Rochester, N.H., manufactures and distributes innovative firearms recognized by hunting enthusiasts for their precision, performance, craftsmanship and reliability. Thompson/Center Arms occupies a leadership position within each of its core product categories of black powder firearms (or "muzzleloaders"), black powder accessories and interchangeable firearm systems, as well as a presence in precision rimfire rifles. The transaction will combine two leading firearms companies with complementary products, to yield a single provider of high-quality pistol, revolver, shotgun and rifle products.

Michael F. Golden, president and CEO of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, said, "The acquisition of Thompson/Center Arms is an important step in our diversification strategy. Thompson/Center Arms has consistently delivered both profits and strong gross margins while building its position in the hunting rifle market. This move will expand our presence in the $1.1 billion long gun market by providing immediate entry into the hunting rifle and black powder segments, which represents approximately $600 million in domestic sales. In addition to carving out a leadership role in black powder and single shot hunting rifles, Thompson/Center Arms has developed tremendous expertise in manufacturing long-gun barrels, a competency that will be important to Smith & Wesson as we expand our capabilities even further into the long gun market."

The purchase price for Thompson/Center Arms includes the company's Rochester, N.H., facility, which produces all of the company's products and is situated geographically between Smith & Wesson's manufacturing operations in Springfield, Mass., and Houlton, Maine. The transaction will be financed with the proceeds from the sale of convertible senior notes and an acquisition line of credit.

In conjunction with the acquisition, Gregg Ritz, president and CEO of Thompson/Center Arms, will be named president of Smith & Wesson - Hunting. He will continue to lead the Thompson/Center Arms operation and will head Smith & Wesson's efforts to develop its hunting business.

Ritz said, "In addition to bringing together two well-established and highly respected brands in the firearms industry, this acquisition increases opportunities for both Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms. Smith & Wesson's ability to provide capital for growth and expertise in lean manufacturing processes will provide critical support for our new product pipeline and our need for increased capacity based on strong customer demand. In turn, Thompson/Center Arms' array of barrel manufacturing expertise, hunting rifle products, and accessories fits nicely into the Smith & Wesson portfolio of pistols, revolvers, shotguns and future hunting rifles. There is absolutely no overlap in our product lines, while there is tremendous similarity in our dealer and distribution channels and our marketing vehicles."