Smith & Wesson Gun Maker Abandons Massachusetts for Freedom-Loving Tennessee

[PeteS in CA]

GOVERNOR LEE, COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANNOUNCE SMITH & WESSON BRANDS, INC. TO RELOCATE HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER MAJOR OPERATIONS TO TENNESSEE

https://tnecd.com/news/governor-lee-commissioner-rolfe-announce-smith-wesson-brands-inc-to-relocate-headquarters-and-other-major-operations-to-tennessee/

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. officials today announced the U.S.-based leader in firearms manufacturing and design will relocate its headquarters and other major operations from Springfield, Massachusetts to Maryville, Tennessee.

In addition to its headquarters, Smith & Wesson will relocate its distribution, assembly, and plastic injection molding operations to Tennessee. The project represents an investment of approximately $125 million and will create 750 new jobs.

Smith & Wesson will locate in Partnership Park North in Blount County, where the company plans to break ground before the end of the year.
...
Smith & Wesson joins more than 20 small arms and ammunition manufacturers located in Tennessee. Tennessee ranks No. 1 in the nation for employment in the small arms and ammunition sector, with employment increasing by 54% over the last five years.

Another arms mfr fleeing their historic "home" in the NE US.

[Elderberry]

Ammoland by Duncan Johnson 9/30/2021

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), one of the nation’s oldest firearms manufacturers, announced today that it is moving its headquarters and significant elements of its operations to Maryville, Tennessee in 2023. Smith & Wesson has been based in Springfield, Massachusetts since the company was incorporated in 1852.

Mark Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, said “This has been an extremely difficult and emotional decision for us, but after an exhaustive and thorough analysis, for the continued health and strength of our iconic company, we feel that we have been left with no other alternative.” He specifically cited legislation recently proposed in Massachusetts that, if enacted, would prohibit the company from manufacturing certain firearms in the state. “These bills would prevent Smith & Wesson from manufacturing firearms that are legal in almost every state in America and that are safely used by tens of millions of law-abiding citizens every day exercising their Constitutional 2nd Amendment rights, protecting themselves and their families, and enjoying the shooting sports. While we are hopeful that this arbitrary and damaging legislation will be defeated in this session, these products made up over 60% of our revenue last year, and the unfortunate likelihood that such restrictions would be raised again led to a review of the best path forward for Smith & Wesson.”

Smith indicated that the company vetted a number of cities and states and, after careful consideration, made the decision to relocate 750 jobs and its headquarters to Maryville, Tennessee. The key factors in the decision included the following:

•   Support for the 2nd Amendment

•   Business friendly environment

•   Quality of life for employees

•   Cost of living and affordability

•   Access to higher education institutions

•   Availability of qualified labor for its operations and headquarter functions

•   Favorable location for efficiency of distribution

More: https://www.ammoland.com/2021/09/smith-wesson-to-relocate-headquarters-to-tennessee/

[Fishrrman]

S&W workers who live in Massachusetts and Connecticut can't buy some of the products they make in the S&W factory in Springfield.

...Such as "M&P 15's", for example (S&W version of the AR15).
Or even the "M&P 15/22" (S&W .22LR rifle styled to the AR15).

[IsailedawayfromFR]

In the same manner, why is Chevron still headquartered in California, a state which absolutely hates oil and gas?

Every other large oil company there has left for friendlier environs

[Wingnut]

In the same manner, why is Chevron still headquartered in California, a state which absolutely hates oil and gas?

They must be staying for the huge Tax breaks the state has to offer oil & gas. /s

[DefiantMassRINO]

Thank you, Libs, for putting more working Mass-holes out of work.

Libs, do you realize that criminals don't obey laws?

Smith & Wesson is a prime example how limousine liberal policies work against the interests of working Americans.

[catfish1957]

Very cool....

Outside the hassle of moving, those folks basically probably got a 20%+ raise just from the incremental lower cost of living.

25-30 years ago, I turned down a promotion 3 times for jobs that were pushed on me in the northeast U.S.  Even in 1990 my $120K house near Houston would have cost $900K up there.  I said no thanks.

[rangerrebew]

Smith & Wesson Gun Maker Abandons Massachusetts for Freedom-Loving Tennessee

Iconic U.S. firearms maker Smith & Wesson has just ditched Massachusetts for freedom-loving Tennessee.

Published 3 hours ago

on October 1, 2021

By Warner Todd Huston
 
Iconic U.S. firearms maker Smith & Wesson has been headquartered in Massachusetts for 168 years, but that is no more as the company just ditched the deep blue state for freedom-loving Tennessee.

I a news release published on Thursday, the gun company announced that it has now finalized plans to move its manufacturing and corporate headquarters to Tennessee because of the state’s “unwavering support of the Second Amendment.”

S&W President and CEO Mark Smith said the decision was “an extremely difficult and emotional” one, but since Massachusetts passed a new law that would prevent it from manufacturing most of its products, the company was left with little choice.

https://flagandcross.com/smith-wesson-gun-maker-abandons-massachusetts-for-freedom-loving-tennessee/

[sneakypete]

They are NOT "abandoning Mass for freedom loving Tn".

They are still the same bunch of elitist weasels. What they are doing in moving to increase the bottom line due to cheaper labor and  lower taxes.

Watch them start contributing to leftists politicians running for office as soon as the move is made.

[mountaineer]

I know a legislator in my state who has contacted several gun and ammo manufacturers about relocating here, where it's still relatively free. Soon, I hope!

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Very cool....

Outside the hassle of moving, those folks basically probably got a 20%+ raise just from the incremental lower cost of living.

25-30 years ago, I turned down a promotion 3 times for jobs that were pushed on me in the northeast U.S.  Even in 1990 my $120K house near Houston would have cost $900K up there.  I said no thanks.

In contrast, I took up the offer to work both in New York and in California.  Both experiences were expensive living but worth it in the long run as I collected a nice profit on the houses and now I know now for certain to never return to either place to live.