Smith & Wesson wants to change its name???

[karlobag]

Smith & Wesson wants to change its name to American Outdoor Brands. I wonder what MBA twerp thought that one up?

http://gunsleague.com/one-of-the-biggest-gunmakers-in-the-us-may-change-its-name-in-an-effort-to-rebrand/

[Ghost]

As somebody with an MBA, that's stupid.

[rtk]

I hate to see them change the name but their stock performance has been less than stellar.

[2in2out]

Call it Initech and hire Bill Lumbergh to manage it.

Seriously, changing the name of S&W is stupid. They'd be giving up absolutely massive name recognition, and for what?

[Ghost]

If they need something new they should start with their product lines.

I thought their M&P's were doing well.

Maybe they need to dust off some retro designs?

I think the election will significantly slow sales.

[Erud]

This would only change the name of their holding company, which controls more brands than just S&W. Smith & Wesson firearms would still be smith & Wesson. There really isn't a lot here to get upset over.

[Spike]

As somebody with an MBA, that's stupid.

Are you triggered?

[harryset]

Sudden Death!

Changing brand names, that drastically, would almost put them in the Off-Brand category.

[mmcnx2]

Guys, take off the tin foil, all they are doing is changing the holding company name. The S&W brand within the conglomerate will still be the same. This allows them to bring items to market and not associate them with the S&W brand. It is a branding and marketing change to help individualize some of their acquisitions. Settle down, the sun will rise and set tomorrow.

[xd ED]

^^^^EXACTLY^^^^
look at the Vista Outdoor Group as an example:

Federal Premium®, Savage Arms™, CCI®, Speer®, Stevens and Savage Range Systems.

and

Bushnell®, CamelBak®, Camp Chef®, Primos®, Bollé®, Bell, Giro, Serengeti®, Jimmy Styks, Cébé, RCBS®, Hoppe’s®, Uncle Mike’s®, Gold Tip®, Weaver®, Blackburn, KRASH!™, Copilot, Raskullz® and Tasco®

[Holland&Holland]

^^^^EXACTLY^^^^
look at the Vista Outdoor Group as an example:

Federal Premium®, Savage Arms™, CCI®, Speer®, Stevens and Savage Range Systems.

and

Bushnell®, CamelBak®, Camp Chef®, Primos®, Bollé®, Bell, Giro, Serengeti®, Jimmy Styks, Cébé, RCBS®, Hoppe’s®, Uncle Mike’s®, Gold Tip®, Weaver®, Blackburn, KRASH!™, Copilot, Raskullz® and Tasco®

Or look at freedom group. I doubt anyone buying a Remington does not think of it as a Remington.

[Ghost]

They are doing it for PC reasons.

One of America’s largest gunmakers, Smith & Wesson, is targeting something of a makeover.

On Monday, the company said it’s planning to change its name to American Outdoor Brands, which it believes will “better reflect [its] strategic focus on the shooting, hunting and rugged outdoor markets.”

The name change has already been approved by the company’s board of directors and will be put before shareholders on December 13.

“We believe the name ‘American Outdoor Brands Corporation’ will better reflect our family of brands, our broad range of product offerings, and our plan to continue building upon our portfolio of strong American brands,” said CEO James Debney in a press release.

Smith & Wesson, which was founded by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson in 1852 and made the handgun carried by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, is mainly known for its guns. However, it’s been snapping up companies in order to expand its product offerings, and this year has purchased a survival gear manufacturer, a laser maker and a knife and toolmaker.

Its efforts to diversify come amidst an escalation in calls for gun control and a souring public mood. Smith & Wesson, which has an interest in positioning itself for tightened access to firearms, may also very well have an interest in improving its image with the public.

Investors, however, seem to have little problem with the company or its name. Its stock is up 27% this year, which is well above the market’s 4% return. It jumped another 2.4% on Monday as investors anticipated a Hillary Clinton win, which would spur gun sales in the short term.


Business has been booming for the gunmaker, too. In its latest quarter, profits roughly doubled to $33 million while revenue climbed 40% to $206 million.

[xd ED]

They are doing it for PC reasons.

One of America’s largest gunmakers, Smith & Wesson, is targeting something of a makeover.

On Monday, the company said it’s planning to change its name to American Outdoor Brands, which it believes will “better reflect [its] strategic focus on the shooting, hunting and rugged outdoor markets.”

The name change has already been approved by the company’s board of directors and will be put before shareholders on December 13.

“We believe the name ‘American Outdoor Brands Corporation’ will better reflect our family of brands, our broad range of product offerings, and our plan to continue building upon our portfolio of strong American brands,” said CEO James Debney in a press release.

Smith & Wesson, which was founded by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson in 1852 and made the handgun carried by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, is mainly known for its guns. However, it’s been snapping up companies in order to expand its product offerings, and this year has purchased a survival gear manufacturer, a laser maker and a knife and toolmaker.

Its efforts to diversify come amidst an escalation in calls for gun control and a souring public mood. Smith & Wesson, which has an interest in positioning itself for tightened access to firearms, may also very well have an interest in improving its image with the public.

Investors, however, seem to have little problem with the company or its name. Its stock is up 27% this year, which is well above the market’s 4% return. It jumped another 2.4% on Monday as investors anticipated a Hillary Clinton win, which would spur gun sales in the short term.


Business has been booming for the gunmaker, too. In its latest quarter, profits roughly doubled to $33 million while revenue climbed 40% to $206 million.

That sounds more like sound marketing and business strategy than appealing to the pc crowd.

Quite likely people will buy some of their stuff if the don't know it's a gun company.

Vista Outdoors, as mentioned, owns Savage, CCI, Federal, also owns 2 companies very big in bicycle helmets.

Many riders would not knowingly buy a bike helmet from a gun company

[Ghost]

The difference here is that Alliant Techsysytems spun off Vista Outdoors who acquired a portfolio of companies.

S&W is still going to be a gun company no matter what they change their name to. They will be the company formerly known as Smith & Wesson.

American Outdoor is a poor choice for a name. They could and should have come up with something better.

[Erud]

The difference here is that Alliant Techsysytems spun off Vista Outdoors who acquired a portfolio of companies.

S&W is still going to be a gun company no matter what they change their name to. They will be the company formerly known as Smith & Wesson.

American Outdoor is a poor choice for a name. They could and should have come up with something better.

Actually,they will still be known as Smith & Wesson. The holding company in charge of the brand will be called "American Outdoor Holdings, LLC" or something along those lines. No big deal.