ACROSS THE POND
LIPSEY’S BREAKS GROUND ON NEW HEADQUARTERS AND DISTRIBUTION CENTRE IN LOUISIANA
Lipsey’s, the Louisiana-based firearms distributor, has announced plans to begin construction of a new corporate headquarters and distribution centre in Baton Rouge as part of its continued expansion.
Construction on the 265,000 square foot facility is scheduled to begin in April 2026. The new campus, located on Highland Road, will combine a modern distribution centre with an expanded office complex, reflecting the company’s growing operational footprint.
Laurie Lipsey, chairwoman and chief executive officer of Lipsey’s, said the project demonstrates long-term confidence in both the business and the region.
“For almost seventy-five years, Lipsey’s has been proud to call Baton Rouge home,” she said. “This project reflects our continued belief in the region and dedication to our team, customers and partners who have helped us grow.”
The facility is designed to enhance logistics capability, increase storage capacity and support more efficient distribution across the company’s national dealer network. The expanded office space will also provide additional capacity for staff and collaborative working as the business continues to scale.
Mark Emonet, president and chief operating officer, said the development will focus on operational efficiency and future readiness.
“As we grow, we’re investing in automation and improved workflow systems that will make our team more efficient and help us deliver even better support to our customers and partners,” he said.
FORMER CABELA’S CEO DENNIS HIGHBY DIES AGED 76
Dennis N. Highby, the former president and chief executive officer of Cabela’s, has died aged 76 following a career that helped shape one of the largest outdoor retail businesses in the United States.
Highby joined Cabela’s in 1976 as its 40th employee and went on to play a central role in the company’s transformation from a catalogue-led operation into a global retail brand generating billions in annual revenue.
Over more than three decades, he held a range of roles before ultimately succeeding Dick Cabela as president and chief executive officer. He remained in that position until his retirement in 2009 and later served as vice chairman and board member until the company’s acquisition by Bass Pro Shops in 2017.
Highby was also instrumental in Cabela’s public listing in 2004, marking a key milestone in its growth.
Within the wider outdoor industry, he was known for identifying and supporting emerging brands. Companies such as G. Loomis and Leatherman have credited him with placing early orders that helped bring their products to market.
He is survived by his wife, four children and 13 grandchildren.
NSSF REPORTS 8.4 MILLION FIREARMS PRODUCED IN 2023 AS TOTAL CIVILIAN STOCK SURPASSES 506 MILLION
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released its latest Firearm Production in the United States report, providing a detailed overview of production, imports and exports based on 2023 data.
According to the report, total domestic firearm production reached 8,466,729 units in 2023, representing a 15.4 percent decline compared with 2022. The figures reflect a continued adjustment following the surge in demand between 2020 and 2022.
A total of 13,574,653 firearms were made available to the US market in 2023 once imports and exports are taken into account. Handguns accounted for the largest share at more than 8.1 million units, followed by rifles and shotguns.
Despite the decline in annual production, long-term figures underline the scale of the US market. Since 1990, an estimated 284.4 million firearms have been introduced into the market, contributing to a cumulative civilian stock of more than 506 million firearms.
The report also highlights the continued presence of modern sporting rifles, with more than 32 million units in circulation. While production in this category fell year-on-year, overall numbers in circulation continue to rise.
NSSF president and chief executive officer Joe Bartozzi said the data reflects a return to more typical market conditions following an exceptional period of demand.
MAINLAND EUROPE
PALERO TO ACQUIRE ZEISS HUNTING & NATURE BUSINESS
ZEISS has announced plans to spin off its Hunting & Nature division into a new independent company, which will be acquired by German investment firm palero.
The agreement, signed on February 24, 2026, will see the business separated from the ZEISS Group while continuing to operate under the ZEISS brand through a licensing arrangement. Completion is expected in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Under the new structure, the Hunting & Nature division will operate as an independent entity, with its existing teams, locations and product portfolio transferring into the new company. palero, a Munich-based investment firm specialising in corporate carve-outs, will work alongside the current management team to support the next phase of growth.
Stefan Hämmerle, chief executive officer of ZEISS Hunting & Nature, said the move combines established technical expertise with greater operational flexibility.
BERET TA AND RUGER CLASH OVER BOARD NOMINATIONS AND GOVERNANCE
A developing dispute between Italian firearms group Beretta Holding and US manufacturer Ruger has escalated after Beretta nominated four candidates for election to Ruger’s board of directors.
Ruger confirmed it received formal notice of the nominations on February 24, 2026, with the matter expected to be decided at the company’s upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Beretta currently holds approximately 9.95 percent of Ruger’s outstanding shares, making it the company’s largest shareholder. The disagreement stems from Beretta’s investment and subsequent attempts to engage with Ruger on strategic direction.
Ruger said it had sought discussions with Beretta following the disclosure of its shareholding but introduced a shareholder rights plan in October 2025 after concerns about a potential “creeping takeover”.
The company also stated that previous meetings between the two parties failed to reach agreement on governance and ownership matters.
Beretta rejected Ruger’s characterisation of events, stating that its approach has been focused on collaborative engagement and long-term value creation. It has argued that its proposed board nominees would bring additional expertise in capital allocation, operations and governance.
The dispute now appears likely to be resolved through a shareholder vote, with potential implications for both companies and the wider industry.