Czechoslovak Group (CSG) has appointed Paul Lemke CEO of CSG USA, the company’s Virginia-based U.S. division. Vista Outdoor entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Kinetic Group of companies to CSG for roughly $1.91 billion in November 2023. If the transaction receives regulatory and stockholder approval—and no more offers are received—it would add ammunition and component legends Federal, Remington, CCI, Speer, Estate Cartridge, Hevi•Shot and Alliant Powder to the stable of firms he would manage.
As part of his role, Lemke will be responsible for identifying opportunities for growth and innovation and developing strategic trade relationships with key business segments, including the U.S. Armed Forces, law enforcement and other government agencies. Lemke has nearly three decades of military and business experience in the firearm and ammunition industries. He served for 20 years in the U.S. Army, working in military diplomacy and security assistance, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
CSG USA plays a role in serving the U.S. market and growing global trade opportunities on behalf of CSG. The company recently supplied handheld POLR-1 through-wall imaging systems to the U.S. Army, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Phoenix and San Antonio police departments. It also facilitated the delivery of “Straight Flush” missile guidance radars refurbished by CSG’s RETIA a.s. to the U.S. Armed Forces.
CSG USA also serves as point of contact for the U.S. partners of the CSG Group, which owns Fiocchi, a manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition with production sites in Missouri and Arkansas. It has more than 300 employees.
“Paul brings significant experience and knowledge of the U.S. market and our industry and we are pleased to welcome him as CEO of CSG USA,” said David Stepan, CEO of the CSG Ammo+ division and CSG board member. “The U.S. is an extremely important market for CSG, and we plan to significantly expand our presence here, including through our planned acquisition of Kinetic Group, which we are purchasing from Vista Outdoor.”
“I am thrilled to join CSG and look forward to helping drive our growth and relationships in the U.S., which is a strategically important market for the company,” Lemke said. “CSG brings a long-term vision of contributing to the U.S. economy by creating jobs, serving our customers with world-class quality, and being responsible members of the communities in which we operate.”
