German based firearms manufacturer, Walther Arms, Inc., plans to locate its U.S. operations at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Walther Arms plans to share a campus and business resources with Umarex USA which plans to expand its manufacturing operations to include components of both airguns and firearms. Through the expansion, the German-based business, PW Group, owners of both Walther Arms and Umarex USA, will relocate certain products currently manufactured abroad for manufacture in Fort Smith under the Walther Arms Company.
The Arkansas Economic Development Corporation said combined, the companies plan to invest more than $7 million toward expanding the facility and operations over the next five years. The expanding facility will serve as corporate headquarters for both Walther and Umarex in North America, with estimates of create from 70 to 120 new jobs over the next five years.
Adam Blalock, chief executive officer of Walther Arms and Umarex USA said; “We are absolutely fired up to see Fort Smith become the home for the iconic Walther brand and company. My personal hope and objective is to see more manufacturing and jobs return to the USA in the coming years and what better place than Fort Smith.”
“Fort Smith’s excellent workforce helped convince Umarex and Walther to increase production here, and their overall Arkansas experience led to make our state their North American Headquarters,” Governor Mike Beebe said. “Success stories like this will help to influence other companies deciding where to invest for success.”
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