Tennessee-based Barrett Firearms, an icon among American rifle makers since 1982, has been 100 percent acquired by an Australian company.
The Brisbane-based NIOA Group, a family-owned Australian defense contractor whose name is derived from founder and CEO Robert Nioa, jointly announced the acquisition alongside Barrett on Jan. 16.
Ronnie Barrett and Chris Barrett will "provide ongoing support as executive advisers" to Barrett and the NIOA Group while current Barrett President Sam Shallenberger will take over as chief executive officer and long-serving Barrett Chief Operating Officer Bryan James becomes president.
Otherwise, "All management and staff at the Murfreesboro manufacturing facility in Tennessee have been retained and production will continue as normal," says the companies. "Over time it is expected that manufacturing activities in Murfreesboro will be further expanded."
The two companies have been working together for years.
"NIOA’s association with Barrett dates back to 2008," said Robert Nioa. "We have been inspired by the story of Barrett and admire what Ronnie, Chris, and the family have built over more than four decades."
The company recently moved into AR10 production as well and is the current sole contractor for the Army's new MK22 Advanced Sniper Rifles, based on Barrett's popular MRAD platform. According to the latest available statistics from federal regulators, Barrett manufactured 6,815 rifles in 2020.
Banner image: Barrett Model 98 Bravo series on display at the NASGW Show in New Orleans, 2015. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
