Smith & Wesson Cuts Ribbon on Huge New Factory in Pro-Gun Tennessee
Smith & Wesson, moving its headquarters from anti-gun Massachusetts, made it official over the weekend that The Volunteer State is its new home.
The company first announced the $120 million move to Tennessee from its long-time home in Springfield, Massachusetts in September 2021, and broke ground for its new 650,000-square-foot facility just two months later. On Saturday, the company held its grand opening celebration and cut the ribbon on the new plant.
Funded from cash on hand by the publicly traded company, the new facility shifts employees from its former flagship location in Springfield, Massachusetts; its plastic injection molding facility in Deep River, Connecticut; and its distribution plant in Columbia, Missouri, with the last two locations closing to streamline operations. Tennessee will house the company's headquarters, distribution facility, and assembly facility as well as a company museum and retail space.
The facility sits on 230 acres at 1852 Proffitt Springs Road in Maryville, just off from the McGhee Tyson (Knoxville) Airport, which makes shipping and receiving easy.
The grounds are located on beautiful rolling hills, and the campus is fully enclosed.
The main entrance, when viewed overhead, is a cylinder, in an ode to Smith & Wesson's famed revolvers.
Guns.com was taken on an off-camera tour of the new plant, which in addition to a planned 22 assembly lines, includes a full-service employee gym, cafeteria, medical facilities, and a 23,000-square-foot indoor shooting range that is serviced by robots.
Smith & Wesson officials told Guns.com that some distribution employees are already working on site, while office staff will begin moving into the building in the coming days. Plans are to have some 350 in the facility by the end of the year and upward of 620 soon after. The plant can triple its production if needed.
While some legacy employees have transferred to the Tennessee site from other S&W locations, hiring is already underway with reportedly over 200 local candidates evaluated for the first dozen jobs advertised earlier this year.
Before the cutting, there was prayer, a rendition of the National Anthem, and a raising of the U.S. flag – followed by the Pledge of Allegiance – the Tennessee state flag, and the S&W company ensign by an honor guard.
Speakers for the ribbon cutting included "Uncle" Si Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" fame. Appropriately and as if on cue, a V-formation of Canadian geese passed directly overhead as he was at the podium.
Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchel, along with at least one Santa Claus reference.
Tennessee Lt. Gov. James Rand McNally III.
Lt. Gov. McNally, an S&W fan, even showed up with his EDC.
State Rep. Cameron Sexton, speaker of the state house.
And U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (Tenn-R).
The ribbon cutting itself, with U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett (Tenn-R) seen on the far right next to Uncle Si, Mayor Mitchel, Lt. Gov. Mc Nally, and Speaker Sexton.
Following the ribbon cutting, S&W hosted a fall festival with the local community invited to join the celebration. Besides swag bags, a food and beer garden (which had a great BBQ), there were also tons of exhibits and entertainment as well as a charitable silent auction and drawing. While S&W employees were allowed to invite two family members to attend, the company also put 5,000 tickets on sale to the public-- which promptly sold out in just a couple of hours.
Over 5,000 came to the festival that accompanied the plant's grand opening.
Dozens of vendors from across the firearms industry were in attendance.
While S&W set up to exhibit its catalog under the big tent. S&W Ambassadors Jerry Miculek, Travis Kennedy, Chad Robichaux, and Julie Golob were on hand to display their talents.
Those curious about future acquisitions could get a feel for the guns. The first 500 adults through the gates could hit the shooting range.
Outside of industry events like SHOT Show and conventions by a few large member organizations such as NRA and USCCA, it isn't often that the public can come and lay hands on a company's entire catalog and ask those who make the guns some first-hand questions.
Guns.com ran into (left to right) Sasmitha Das, Priya Ankam, and Sri Amada under the tent, as they sampled the M&P15 line.
S&W's factory engravers were showing off their skills.
We managed to catch up with the talented Lena Miculek and her faithful companion.
The event featured a bandstand that showed off the talents of Catie Offerman, Travis Denning, Joe Nichols, and Josh Turner.
"We're pleased to be opening up our brand-new facility here in Maryville, Tennessee," S&W President and CEO Mark Smith told Guns.com. "Unbelievable Innovation and technology we're putting into this new facility and as you can see, a beautiful brand-new building, and we're just thrilled to be here.
Smith said it was a "momentous occasion in Smith and Wesson's history" and spoke highly of the welcome rolled out in the pro-gun state that it now calls home.
"Tennessee is just a very very strong stalwart of protecting that Constitutional right for our citizens as you know and for us to be here and to know that we're welcome here, that you know they're going to they're going to go above and beyond and protect our industry and you know we just we just couldn't be happier," said Smith.
For those interested in S&W's career opportunities, head on over here.
Copy and photos by Chris Eger, video by Ben Philippi
