Spring Cleaning Sale! Free/Flat Rate shipping on marked products. Shop now and enjoy the savings!
Colt CZ Group, a prominent player in the firearms industry, has recently announced a significant move in its expansion strategy. On December 18, 2023, Colt CZ executed an agreement to acquire 100% interest in Sellier & Bellot, a renowned ammunition manufacturer. This strategic acquisition, valued at $350 million, reflects Colt CZ’s commitment to diversifying its portfolio and strengthening its position in the industry. This expansionist move echoes past moves by CZ in recent years such as their acquisition of Colt, the iconic American firearms manufacturer.
Colt CZ’s acquisition of Sellier & Bellot involves a cash consideration of $350 million and a new issue of Colt CZ common stock. This transaction results in a 27–28% stake for CBC Europe S.à r.l. (CBC) in the share capital of Colt CZ Group. This acquisition will be financed by a combination of the Company’s existing cash resources and debt financing. Regulatory approval in various countries is pending, with the deal expected to close sometime in the first half of 2024.
Jan Drahota, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Colt CZ Group, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating, “This acquisition fits into our long-term strategy to expand not only in our core segment of small arms but also in related areas, with ammunition being a natural complement to our products.” This collaboration with Sellier & Bellot aligns with Colt CZ’s vision of creating value between both the ammunition and firearms sectors of the industry.
Fabio Mazzaro, CFO of CBC Global Ammunition LLC, highlighted the impactful collaboration, emphasizing the long-term vision of Colt CZ’s management. Their subsidiary, Magtech Ammunition, will continue to serve as the dedicated sales entity for Sellier & Bellot products in the United States, ensuring exceptional customer service and reliable distribution.
Sellier & Bellot, with roots dating back to 1825, holds a significant place as one of the oldest engineering companies in the Czech Republic and globally. The company is well-known for its wide range of ammunition, spanning common and obscure cartridges. With approximately 1,600 employees and a main production facility in Vlašim, Czech Republic, Sellier & Bellot is a major supplier of ammunition to militaries, law enforcement agencies, and civilian shooters worldwide.
Radek Musil, CEO of Sellier & Bellot, expressed enthusiasm about the connection with Colt CZ Group, foreseeing a promising future for the long-standing Czech ammunition manufacturer. The collaboration aims to continue building the brand’s legacy and developing innovative solutions for customers going forward.
Colt CZ Group’s acquisition of Sellier & Bellot marks a pivotal moment in the firearms and ammunition industry. This strategic move reflects Colt CZ’s commitment to expansion and innovation, creating synergies between small arms and ammunition. As regulatory approvals progress, the industry eagerly awaits the successful completion of this significant acquisition and the new opportunities it will bring to Colt CZ Group and Sellier & Bellot. To view the official press release, please click here.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.
Prague (December 18, 2023) ― Colt CZ Group SE (“Colt CZ”, the “Group” or the “Company”) hereby announces that on December 18, 2023, it executed an agreement with CBC Europe S.à r.l. (“CBC”) to purchase 100% interest in Sellier & Bellot a.s. (“Sellier & Bellot”).
Colt CZ shall acquire 100% of shares of Sellier & Bellot for the combination of the cash consideration in the amount of $350 million and a new issue of Colt CZ common stock leading to a 27–28% CBC’s stake in the share capital of Colt CZ Group post transaction. The final number of CBC shareholding in Colt CZ Group will be determined depending on the audited financial results of both companies for the year 2023. The acquisition will be financed through a combination of the Company’s existing cash resources and debt financing. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in various countries and is expected to close in the first half of 2024.
“We are proud to welcome one of the oldest and most important producers of small caliber ammunition, Sellier & Bellot, to Colt CZ Group. This acquisition fits into our long-term strategy to expand not only in our core segment of small arms, but also in related areas, with ammunition being a natural complement to our products. We look forward to working with the management of Sellier & Bellot, its employees, partners, and customers, as well as the new opportunities that the connection with Sellier & Bellot will undoubtedly bring to our entire Group,” said Jan Drahota, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Colt CZ Group. “We are pleased that CBC believes in our story and our strategy and is to become the second largest shareholder of Colt CZ Group,” added Jan Drahota.
“The successful contribution of one of CBC Global Ammunition Group’s flagship companies to Colt CZ Group in exchange for a significant shareholding marks the starting point of an impactful strategic collaboration. We are convinced of Colt CZ management’s long-term vision and believe the transaction will lead to remarkable value creation between the ammunition and firearms segments. Our subsidiary Magtech Ammunition will continue to serve as the dedicated sales entity for Sellier & Bellot products in the United States. This ensures exceptional customer service and reliable distribution to further preserve Sellier & Bellot’s trajectory of growth in the most relevant ammunition market,” comments Fabio Mazzaro, CFO of CBC Global Ammunition LLC.
“I am delighted that Sellier & Bellot, after many successful years in the CBC Group, will become part of Colt CZ Group, which has Czech roots and, at the same time, an international presence. We are convinced that the connection with Colt CZ Group will bring a great future for Sellier & Bellot. We will continue to build our traditional brand and work closely with the Colt CZ Group team in developing our products to deliver the best solutions to our customers,” said Radek Musil, CEO of Sellier & Bellot.
Sellier & Bellot is a traditional Czech ammunition manufacturer which ranks among the oldest engineering companies in the Czech Republic and worldwide. The company’s products have been manufactured under its trademark since 1825. The company’s product portfolio includes a wide range of hunting and sporting ammunition and components for pistols and revolvers, rifles, shotguns and rimfire cartridges. Sellier & Bellot is also a major supplier of small caliber ammunition to military and law enforcement customers worldwide. The company has approximately 1,600 employees and operates its main production facility in Vlašim, Czech Republic.
CBC Global Ammunition LLC and CBC Europe S.à r.l. are the holding entities for a group of companies internationally active in the ammunition sector: CBC Brazil, Magtech Ammunition, MEN, SinterFire, New Lachaussée and Fritz Werner. Together, this strategic alliance forms one of the largest ammunition corporations in the world, with a combined experience of more than 300 years in the manufacturing of small and medium calibers.
About Colt CZ Group SE
Colt CZ Group (Colt CZ) is one of the leading producers of firearms and ammunition for military and law enforcement, personal defense, hunting, sport shooting, and other commercial use. It markets and sells its products mainly under the Colt, CZ (Česká zbrojovka), Colt Canada, CZ-USA, Dan Wesson, Spuhr, swissAA and 4M Systems brands.
Colt CZ Group is headquartered in the Czech Republic and employs more than 2,000 people in its production facilities in the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and Hungary. Colt CZ is owned by Česká zbrojovka Partners SE from 75.4%, with the remaining 24.6% being a free float.
One Response
I liked Sellier and Bellot but have ZERO respect for COLT! A friend of mine who is a small business owner was left holding a $50,000 to $60,000 bag when Colt had their last bankruptcy. They kept sending projects and not paying. Then went bankrupt knowing it was gonna happen. This guy is a small business owner and depended on that money to feed his family. I got no use for them.