Gun Trade Insider (GTI): Wildcat has been manufacturing sound moderators in the UK for more than 25 years. How has the company evolved over that time, and what do you believe has been the key to its longevity?
Sam Banner (SB): Twenty-five years still feels surreal to say out loud! Our parents started the business on a simple need, protecting the hearing of shooters and cutting noise disturbance. Today Wildcat is a modern British manufacturer with an expanding team, ongoing investment in advanced CNC machining, and the production capacity to meet the growing demand both in the UK and overseas. My brother Josh and I now lead the business together, combining different areas of expertise, supported by a team that shares our commitment to producing precision, quality and capable products.
Our staying power comes down to one simple mantra, passion and hard work to deliver on service and quality, providing market relevant products to suit the needs of shooters, whether the customer is a casual shooter protecting their hearing or an elite user chasing performance.
GTI: All Wildcat moderators are designed and manufactured in the UK. What advantages does in-house British production give you in terms of quality, innovation and responding to customer feedback?
SB: Being 100% British made keeps precious gun trade skills alive here at home, this allows for faster supply and lets us turn customer feedback into relevant design changes for the market, instead of waiting on overseas supply chains which may also have different requirements. Our moderators also carry British proof marks allowing RFDs and consumers to buy in confidence. The only thing we haven’t cracked yet is a shortcut through our prototyping, and honestly, we’re not sure we want one. It is exactly what gives a Wildcat moderator its longevity.
GTI: The recent removal of sound moderators from firearms licensing represents one of the biggest regulatory changes the sector has seen in years. How do you expect the new legislation to influence customer demand and the wider moderator market?
SB: It is a welcome change, and we expect to see the moderator section of the trade develop and evolve. With the barrier to market removed we expect to see users replace or replenish units more often with some shooters running multiple moderators per rifle, matched to the job in hand, and that plays straight into Wildcat’s strength in range and fit. We are continuing to back our dealer network to give customers the right advice and the right fit, rather than mail order, where there is real room for error on threads and specs along with specifying the correct unit for the job.
GTI: Wildcat is known for engineering-led product development rather than simply following market trends. Can you explain your approach to designing new moderators and how shooter feedback influences that process?
SB: We’re shooters first and manufacturers second, so we design from inside the community rather than from a spreadsheet of trends. Our Elite series is a result of this, with the increase in precision rifle shooting, consumers required moderators suitable for high precision and increased durability with modern high-performance cartridges. A few genuinely exciting innovations are in the pipeline that we can’t reveal just yet! Our prototyping is arduous because we’re stubborn perfectionists with no shortcuts.
GTI: Alongside manufacturing, Wildcat has developed a strong online retail business offering reloading components and shooting accessories. How important has that side of the business become, and how does it complement your manufacturing operation?
SB: It has become a real engine for us. As shooters ourselves we spotted the gaps in availability of niche reloading components, because gun shops simply can’t stock everything.
We carefully curated the best products and built a shop that delivers quickly and reliably, where everything listed is genuinely in stock, no back orders and no waiting. It’s perfect for the reloader who realises at 9pm that they’re short of components, and it keeps customers close to the Wildcat brand.
GTI: Looking ahead, what are your priorities for Wildcat over the next few years, and are there any new products, technologies or market opportunities that you’re particularly excited about?
SB: International demand is rising on the back of our product quality and reputation, and legislation opening up is a huge opportunity both at home and abroad. We’ve got some new launches in development that we think will turn heads, but our lips are sealed for now. Watch this space.
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