Although headquartered in New Hampshire, Sig Sauer is investing millions and adding jobs in their ammunition plant in Jacksonville, Arkansas. 

The expansion, coming after an unprecedented nationwide ammo shortage now dragging into its second year, comes as the company is investing millions in “The Natural State." As reported by local media, Sig has shifted its shipping and storage operations for its ammunition plant to 53,000 square feet of nearby office space to free up floor space for more manufacturing space at its existing facility. In all, the company is investing over $12 million in the expansion and hired both new operators and supervisors for the plant's staff of 220. 
  
Daryl Hanna, chief strategy officer for Sig Sauer, told the Arkansas Democrat the plant will be adding an in-house primer-making facility while new high-speed horizontal cold forming equipment to produce pistol brass, along with machining and laser inspection machinery, will double the production of pistol-caliber ammunition. To help flesh out the line, Sig is looking to hire more than 40 new workers at the plant. 
 

Arkansas is open for the gun industry


While some states have given a cold shoulder to the firearms industry over the past generation, Arkansas has greeted it with open arms. 

Last year, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a two-term Republican and frequent SHOT Show visitor who has strongly courted gun companies, welcomed a planned $15 million facility in Little Rock from ammo-maker Fiocchi, bringing 85 jobs to the state. 

In 2019, Hutchinson announced that legendary Czech gunmaker CZ would open a 65,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, to be completed on approximately 73 acres at the Port of Little Rock, that is expected to yield as many as 565 jobs in two phases as part of a $90 million investment from the company.

Arkansas currently serves as home to Nighthawk Custom and Wilson Combat while Vista Outdoors has recently taken over Remington's large ammo plant in Lonoke. In 2013, Thermold Magazines announced it would shift its headquarters and manufacturing operation from North Carolina to the state. Likewise, German firearm icon Walther is building pistols in Fort Smith.

Banner image: Sig Sauer P229R with SIG Elite Performance ammo loads (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

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