Vista Outdoor Rejects $2.9 Billion Offer

by
posted on March 14, 2024
Vista Outdoor Rejects
Image courtesy of VistaOutdoor.com.

On March 4, the Vista Outdoor Board of Directors announced that it rejected yet another unsolicited proposal to sell the firm, this one from Canada-based MNC Capital (MNC) offering to buy the company for $35 per share. A Nasdaq news report estimated the value at roughly $2.9 billion. Vista has now turned down two offers since the firm entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Sporting Products division to Czechoslovak Group (CSG) on Oct. 1 for $1.91 billion.

Vista first announced its plan to split into two separate corporations in May 2022, a strategic move for shareholders in step with the current agreement. Under its terms, CSG would assume ownership of some of the industry’s biggest ammunition and component makers—including Federal, CCI, Remington Ammo, Speer and Hevi-Shot. The remainder of Vista’s 41-firm portfolio would then fall under a new corporation umbrella.

Enthusiast concerns over the agreement were largely put to rest in January, when CSG’s David Stepan and David Blenker—president of Fiocchi’s United States operations—answered questions in a frank discussion with American Rifleman. That video is found here.

Headquarters for the famed American firms would remain in Anoka, MN. “We are confident that CSG is a great home for our leading ammunition brands,” Jason Vanderbrink, CEO of Vista Outdoor Sporting Products said shortly after the deal was inked. “The company is fully committed to our iconic American brands and expanding our legacy of U.S. manufacturing, support for military and law enforcement customers, and investments in conservation and our hunting and shooting heritage. We are excited to work closely with the CSG team as we enter this next phase and position our brands for long-term success.”

MNC’s offer was to purchase all of Vista Outdoor, not just its Sporting Products division. Terms were similar in the deal offered by Colt-CZ Group in November. The had a value of roughly $1.7 billion, however. It was turned down by the Vista Board in later that month.

Latest

KelTec PR57
KelTec PR57

KelTec’s PR57: Thinking Outside The (Detachable) Box

KelTec has brought the stripper clip back with the thoroughly unconventional PR57—a carry pistol with an uncommon chambering, an unusual action and no box magazine.

The Armed Citizen® June 9, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

More Western States Opening Large Shooting Ranges

A number of states in the western U.S. have opened or are planning to open large, versatile ranges to serve the growing need for publicly accessible shooting spaces.

Preview: Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster

More than just a fresh look made using handcrafted leather, the Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster has been redesigned to accommodate extra ammunition in addition to a concealed firearm.

New For 2025: Rost Martin RM1S & RM1C Comped

Two new models joined the Rost Martin handgun lineup in 2025, one with subcompact dimensions and another with a built-in compensator that promises to reduce recoil substantially.

CMP Resumes M1911 Pistol Sales

As of January 2025, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) had resumed sales of surplus U.S. Army M1911/M1911A1 pistols to qualified U.S. citizens.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.