It has been nearly a year since Czechoslovak Group, known as CSG, began an acquisition process that would bring ammunition manufacturers Remington, Federal, CCI, Speer and Hevi-Shot under the umbrella of the Prague-based arms conglomerate. These highly recognized names in the industry, collectively The Kinetic Group, were purchased for a whopping $2.225 billion in a deal that closed in late November with Minnesota-based Vista Outdoor. 

CSG’s initial proposal to purchase The Kinetic Group came in October 2023 with an offer of $1.91 billion, increasing several times throughout the year while competing buyers threw their hats in the ring, including unsuccessful bids to purchase Vista Outdoor as a whole. The acquisition, however, had to overcome hurdles beyond finding the right price, as CSG’s bids came under fire early on by opposing suitors, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and even American politicians like Vice-President JD Vance, arguing that selling the ammunition giants to a foreign-owned company may not be in the best interest of the United States. CSG countered those concerns, explaining they are already a significant NATO supplier and currently work with multiple U.S. defense companies. Ultimately, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States concluded that no unresolved security concerns existed regarding the deal.

So, now that the proverbial dust has settled, what does the future look like for The Kinetic Group and Lonoke-based Remington Ammunition under its new ownership? Well, it looks pretty good, with CSG intent on investing in the iconic brand, according to David Stepan, investment director for international projects and managing director of CSG’s Ammo+ Division. In a recent interview, Stepan stated the primary goal with U.S. operations is to establish stability and provide leadership as CSG has an understanding of the ammunition business, highlighting that the acquisition is the best overall outcome for the existing Remington workforce as opposed to a private equity firm. That workforce includes The Kinetic Group’s approximately 3,800 employees across operations in Minnesota, Idaho, Oregon and Arkansas with around 1,000 employed at Remington’s Lonoke plant.

“It’s what the people who work at Remington deserve,” Stepan said.

CSG’s experience in the industry includes its ownership of ammunition manufacturer Fiocchi of America and global operations in the defense, munitions, vehicle and aerospace sectors. The company is owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad and operates plants in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Italy, India, Great Britain and the United States, employing more than 14,000 worldwide.

The Kinetic Group, located in Anoka, Minnesota, is headed by CEO Jason Vanderbrink, who was promoted to the position after overseeing the company’s ammunition lines as senior vice president of sales and has been with Vista Outdoor since 2005. Stepan, who recently toured The Kinetic Group facilities, including Remington’s operation in Arkansas, says that the team will remain intact and that local management of Remington’s operations will also stay right where it is.

“The division was well run,” said Stepan.

CSG complements its global defense experience with demonstrated growth, with a 2024 half-year revenue report of $1.6 billion with profits totaling $288 million compared to $670 million in revenue and a total profit of $74 million in the same period a year prior.

Tomas Jandik has followed the acquisition from inception. A professor of finance and the Dillard’s Chair in Corporate Finance at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, Jandik recently stated that Remington and its employees would benefit greatly from CSG’s experience and leadership, adding that The Kinetic Group is now well positioned for growth. Jandik believes that Remington is now poised for greater oppertunity both domestically and in the global market under its new ownership. 

Stepan says that  Remington’s initial focus will be on production efficiency with investment toward modernization and maximizing the plant’s potential, including close relations with sister ammunition companies, sharing lessons, and developing best practices that can be applied across all brands.

“We are here to do business,” Stepan said.