DPMS Acquired by Cerberus

[TC95GT]

DPMS Acquired By Cerberus Capital Management Affiliate

St. Cloud, Minnesota, DPMS, a leading supplier of AR15 based rifles, parts and accessories announced today that its assets have been acquired by an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.

Randy Luth, DPMS founder and President, remarked, "We were looking for a partner that could enhance our expertise in operations and further develop our sales and marketing capabilities. Cerberus is a partner that can help us in those areas and provide the financial and operational resources required to expand our business. We look forward to working with them. After starting this business 21 years ago, I couldn't be more excited about our prospects for the future, both in terms of the growth we believe we can achieve and the level of satisfaction and value we can provide to our customers."

In connection with the transaction, Mr. Luth will remain President of the newly formed DPMS Firearms, LLC and will continue to oversee the strategic and operational aspects of DPMS. Added Mr. Luth, "I would like to thank our employees, first and foremost. Their hard work, and the support of our dedicated customers, has brought us to where we are today. As we look forward, we see increased interest in our new calibers, based on the proven DPMS 'LR' rifle platform. With our technical expertise and the commitment of our new owners, we intend to broaden the breadth and depth of our rifle and accessories offerings to current and new markets. We will continue to provide not only great value to our loyal customers, but also the high level of customer service we are known for."

The March Group, a private investment banking firm based in Nashville, TN, acted as financial advisor to DPMS. Principal Brantley Kemp was responsible for managing the transaction and advising DPMS on its strategic alternatives.

About DPMS Firearms, LLC

Headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, DPMS Firearms, LLC manufactures and distributes a complete line of AR15 based rifles and components, as well as rifle platforms in other calibers. DPMS systems are in use by law enforcement agencies, military personnel and civilians worldwide, including the U.S. Border Patrol, security agencies in Iraq, the Jordanian army, America's top competitive shooters and big game hunters.

Media Contact:
Dustin Emholtz DPMS, (800) 578-3767

http://www.shootingwire.com

[hammAR]

They also own others, in addition to Chrysler:

Firearms - Acquired Bushmaster Firearms, Inc., from Windham, Maine native Dick Dyke for an undisclosed sum in April 2006, and purchased Remington Arms in April 2007. Under Cerberus direction, Bushmaster Firearms acquired Cobb Manufacturing, a well-respected manufacturer of large-caliber tactical rifles in August 2007. Cerberus also announced the acquisition of DPMS Panther Arms in December 2007.[5]

[Srigs]

Most of the machine parts for DPMS are machined by Haberman Machine in North St Paul. Useless fact for the day

[cobb]

And I was told yesterday that they were purchased by H&K for $48 million.

I guess my source was off.

[1911fan]

This is also the company that owns Remington arms.

[Pinnacle]

Good for Mr. Luth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish him all of the success that he deserves as he has ALWAYS been a good steward of his industry. How much you wanna bet Remington Comes out with an AR sometime soon?

Good for DPMS - good business sense deserves success.

[hammAR]

How much you wanna bet Remington Comes out with an AR sometime soon?

They already do:
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/Model_R-15_VTR.asp

Model R-15 VTR™ Modular Repeating Rifles is based on Bushmaster.....