Italian ammo giant Fiocchi on Monday lifted the curtain on a new production operation to pave the way for future growth and provide much-needed primer supply relief for the broader ammunition manufacturing industry.
The company, in conjunction with state officials, announced it had selected a 281-acre site in the Port of Little Rock, Arkansas to develop into a new ammunition primer manufacturing facility. Importantly, the new facility will be just one of six primer makers in the U.S. and the only dedicated lead-free primer plant in the world. The move follows the company's expansion that brought shotshell manufacturers Baschieri & Pellagri and Lyalvale Express under the Fiocchi tent and greatly expands its operations in Arkansas.
"Today I am pleased to celebrate Fiocchi’s growth, which is also a demonstration of the continued expansion of the firearms and ammunition industry in our state,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson. "Over the past several years, my team and I have had opportunity to build a relationship with Fiocchi—meeting with Fiocchi leadership during our visits to the SHOT Show, which is the industry’s leading trade show, and even during my most recent trade mission to Europe. Fiocchi’s decision to grow in Arkansas speaks to the significance of maintaining the business-friendly climate that Arkansas is becoming so well known for."
Founded in 1876, Fiocchi produces both small-caliber ammunition and components and has built a reputation that has seen more than 15 Olympic titles in biathlon, trap, and double trap, as well as numerous world and national shooting sports titles. Today, the company produces loads for a wide array of hunting, recreation, home security, 3-Gun, law enforcement, and cowboy action shooting passions. With over 60 caliber options in their catalog from .17 HMR to .45-70 Government, Fiocchi is also one of the only companies that produce factory-fresh cartridges for legacy collectibles in calibers such as 7.63mm Mauser, 8mm Gasser, and 9mm Flobert.
The company first came to The Natural State in 2020 with a $15 million ammunition manufacturing plant that planned to bring 85 jobs to the area. The new primer plant will include a 120-person workforce expansion.
Arkansas is a good fit for 2A industries, with the state recognizing permitless carry while maintaining a robust shall-issue CCW program for reciprocity. Just since 2019, the state has warmly welcomed CZ's new plant, and Sig Sauer's expanded ammo operations. Further, the state is home to Wilson Combat and Nighthawk Customs in Berryville as well as Vista Outdoors’s huge Remington ammunition plant in Lonoke. In 2013, Thermold Magazines announced it would shift its headquarters and manufacturing operation to the state. Meanwhile, German firearm icon Walther is building pistols in Fort Smith.
Banner image: Fiocchi 9mm on the range at SHOT Show. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
