U.S. Repeating Arms announces plans to close Winchester plant


By MATT APUZZO
Associated Press Writer

January 17, 2006, 2:23 PM EST


NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- U.S. Repeating Arms said Tuesday that it is preparing to close its flagship factory in New Haven, where Winchester rifles have been made for 140 years.

The announcement touched off a lobbying effort by city officials and union leaders who hoped to find someone to buy the plant before it closes March 31.

"It's part of who we are as a nation just like it's part of who we are as a city. It's the gun that won the West," Mayor John DeStefano said. "What are we going to have, Winchester rifles manufactured in China? Is this what we're coming to?"

Everett Corey, a representative of the International Association of Machinists District 26, said 186 workers will lose their jobs if the plant closes. The company said it had more than 19,000 workers during World War II.

"Several generations have worked at this place, a lot of fathers and brothers, sons, uncles and daughters," said Paul DeMennato, facility director at U.S. Repeating Arms. "A lot of marriages were people who met at Winchester."

U.S. Repeating Arms, which is owned by the Herstal Group, a Belgium company, has said for years that it was on the brink of closing the plant. The company said sales have fallen off steadily.

DeMennato said the company is negotiating the sale of its plant. The Winchester name is owned by Missouri-based Olin Corp., which had sold U.S. Repeating Arms the right to use the name until next year.

Olin had no immediate word on its plans for the Winchester name.

Yup its sad.

More discussion on it here:

www.huntingnut.com/ind...opic&t=991


-Dallanc

Maybe it is sad, maybe not. What determines the fate of the "Winchester" name will be how the next phase occurs. Olin still owns the name and all of the patents; their arrangement with USRAC was due to expire in a year or so. USRAC is owned by FN and, I believe, FN is owned by Beretta.

Perhaps Winchester will be reintroduced via Olin. This could be the best possible occurance and could see the name associated again with fine firearms. OTOH, Japan and Russia are possible bidders for the rights to manufacture (my conjecture).

I wonder if the demise of USRAC wasn't, in part, due to the introduction of their chubby WSSM cartridges, none of which have distinguished themselves despite the hype of the gun rags and significant tooling costs, none of which were recuperated.

Winchester once employed 19,000 but today less than 200 remain.

I just bought a model70 featherlight in 30-06 I hope they dont close down, I may need parts one day

Handloader I think you hit a big part of it , They put a substantial up front cash outlay on them litl' fat gals , and they rolled over on em ..
Jack

Don't worry GanG...If you chose right that mod 70 will out last you...

Hey GanG, I don't think you would have a problem in this life time.....I shoot my uncle's, grandmas model 94 (it's older than good 'ol Bushmaster ) .

Quote::

FN is owned by Beretta.

"Ownership of the company has changed several times since USRA purchased it in 1981. Former owners include the French government (GIAT) and the F.N. Herstal Group, a Belgian firm. The government of Wallonia, Belgium is the current owner after purchasing the F.N. Herstal Group last year (1997) for $303 million."
yaledailynews.com/arti...?AID=11577

Yeah GanG you most likely aint gonna wear it out .. My M94 was built in 1907 and it's still going , in better shape than Bushy and half his age ..
Jack