Ruger Buys Anderson Manufacturing

Ruger announced on July 1 it had acquired all assets of Anderson Manufacturing, a company that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (BATFE) 2023 firearm manufacturing report (the latest available) ranked No. 7 in volume of firearms produced that year. Ruger occupied the top spot in the annual release.

“This acquisition is an incredible opportunity to advance our long-term strategy and expand Ruger’s capacity,” Todd Seyfert, president and CEO of Ruger said in a press release announcing the purchase. “We’re excited to welcome members from the talented team at Anderson Manufacturing and leverage their knowledge and infrastructure to better serve our customers. This move reinforces Ruger’s position as a leader in the industry, and reiterates my focus on continued growth, even as others scale back.”

The acquisition includes the facility in Hebron, Ky., the company’s machinery and provides Ruger with a skilled and experienced workforce. Ruger will not continue the Anderson Manufacturing brand or its firearms products. Instead, the company will integrate the firm’s capabilities into its broader operations, with a focus on launching new products, expanding Ruger’s popular product lines and growing its established accessories business.

Anderson History
Anderson Manufacturing was established in 1983, although its official name at the time was WM. C. Anderson Inc. In 2007, the family-owned business became Anderson Manufacturing.

It ranked No. 1 in the U.S. Miscellaneous Firearms Production listing of the BATFE 2017 Annual Firearms Manufacturing & Export Report.  The company produced 211,382 that year. Total number of firearms produced by Anderson in 2023 came in at 337,658.

The company nearly doubled its factory footprint in 2018. Then, in February 2020, the firm added a 32,000-square-foot barrel-making facility and added nine all-new CNC machines in four robotic cells.

In 2023 the company launched a Custom Shop with initial offerings made with OEM parts and Model 700 rifle remnants from the original Remington Custom Shop. The company purchased the legacy inventory and assigned Master Gunsmith David Wheeler to oversee Custom Shop production.

Anderson Manufacturing was family-owned, with Carl and Charles—sons of firm founder William C. Anderson—serving as president and vice president, respectively.