April 16, 2014
By G&A Staff
th birthday than to celebrate with friends, family and neighbors in a brand new home?
Steyr Arms did just that on April 4, 2014, unveiling a new 33,000 square-foot manufacturing headquarters in Bessemer, Alabama. The facility includes an impressive firearm gallery available to distributors, dealers and their customers wanting to compare a wide range of models and configurations first-hand.
Steyr's U.S. operations were previously located in Trussville, Ala., until thriving demand and increasing production prompted this expansion into a state-of-the-art location with the capacity for future growth in manufacturing.
Situated near Birmingham, Steyr's new residence includes a sophisticated 25,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and warehouse that will effectively boost stateside firearm production and importation. Part of the new headquarters also features a new indoor test range and a stunning 3,000 square-foot showroom where hundreds of sample firearms serve as tangible pieces of history and future for Steyr, Merkel and Anschutz .
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Those in attendance for the official ribbon cutting included local politicians, business owners, firearm distributors, industry professionals and media. Steyr-Mannlicher owner and CEO Dr. Ernst Reichmayr was also on hand to celebrate 150 years of the company's rich tradition, and to give a glimpse of what's ahead for the U.S. market.
"We have a lot of great products that we will introduce in 2014 to celebrate our 150th anniversary," said Scott O'Brien, CEO of U.S.-based Steyr Arms. "Those new products will take a lot of people by surprise. We've fast-tracked several lines and we plan to bring some amazingly useful firearms to America in 2014."
The firearm industry actively awaits the arrival of those new offerings, which may be unveiled as soon as the 2014 NRA Show starting April 25th in Indianapolis, Ind. Stay tuned for coverage of the show right here on G&A.com .
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But Steyr's 150-year celebration included more than teasers to highly anticipated new guns. During the ribbon cutting, Steyr extended some neighborly love by increasing law enforcement discounts to sworn officers from Jefferson County, Ala. They also presented the very first Steyr AUG-A3 marked as manufactured in "BESSEMER, AL" to Bessemer's Mayor Kenneth Gulley.
G&A Editor Eric R. Poole was among those present to welcome the Austrian firearm innovators into their new U.S. headquarters. Poole had a chance to tour the facility, and it wasn't long before he joined the assembly line building and test firing what would become his own American-made Steyr AUG-A3.
Join us in welcoming Steyr into their new facility with this behind-the-scenes tour of their new U.S. headquarters, manufacturing facility and showroom in the heart of the American south.
G&A Editor Eric Poole tested his own Steyr AUG-M1 after final assembly and quality control.
Eric Poole performed a several-hundred-round function test on two new Steyr M9-A1 pistols while demonstrating their accuracy.
Part of the new headquarters also features a stunning 3,000 square-foot showroom where hundreds of sample firearms serve as tangible pieces of history and a glimpse into the future of Steyr, Merkel and Anschutz.
€¦ as well as this new AUG-A3 with MUD finish.
Steyr's new showroom allows potential customers and dealers to shop for uncommon variations of popular firearms not usually seen in local gun shops, such as this Limited Edition Steyr AUG-A3 with a white stock ...
Once built, Bessemer-manufactured AUGs are tested for accuracy and reliability at Steyr's new indoor test range.
G&A Editor Eric R. Poole had the rare opportunity to learn how to build a AUG-A3 firsthand from Steyr's master gunsmith, Herbert Wohlmuth.
This assembly line of Steyr AUG-A3 barreled receivers are among the first produced in Bessemer, Ala. From here, each serial number is assigned a stock color and enters final inspection before testing.
A huge non-typical whitetail buck inhabits a wall of Steyr-Mannlicher's classic long guns.
Among the guns on hand for evaluation by Guns & Ammo included L9-A1 and M9-A1 semi auto pistols chambered in 9mm.
Steyr's new U.S. headquarters includes an expansive 25,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and warehouse.
Situated near Birmingham, Steyr's residence will effectively boost stateside firearm production and importation.
This MUD-finished Steyr SSG-08 is new for 2014 and was among crowd favorites during the grand opening.
Steyr Arms' new facility includes a state-of-the-art test firing range.
A stunning selection of
Merkel 12- and 20-gauge shotguns are displayed in Steyr's expansive showroom.
The warm woodgrain from these Merkel rifles invites the keen eye of hunters and collectors.
Steyr-Mannlicher owner Dr. Ernst Reichmayr introduces Steyr's new U.S. headquarters.
A group of local politicians, business owners, firearm distributors, industry supporters and media welcome Steyr to their new home at a press conference in Bessemer, Ala. on April 4, 2014.
Steyr CEO Scott O'Brien speaks with local media about the company's heritage and their plans for the future.
Read more: http://www.gunsandammo.com/?p=26569#ixzz2z4klyZUd
Left-to-right: Bessemer, Ala. Mayor Kenneth Gulley, Steyr CEO Scott O'Brien and Steyr-Mannlicher owner Dr. Ernst Reichmayr celebrate 150 years of rich tradition during the company's official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Steyr presented the very first AUG A3 marked as manufactured in 'BESSEMER, AL ' to Bessemer's Mayor Kenneth Gulley.
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