Vista Outdoor Reports Record Sales, Upcoming Price Hike

by
posted on February 22, 2022
Vista Outdoor brand logo "V" with mountain peaks blue orange red

Vista Outdoor—parent company of 39 brands that include Federal Premium and Remington Ammunition—reported financial results for its third quarter of Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) earlier this month. The figures cover the three-month period that ended on Dec. 26, 2021 and reflect a new high-water mark in sales at $795 million, up 38 percent. Answers to questions during a follow-up conference call with investors indicates, however, enthusiasts can anticipate a modest price increase on some ammunition in April.

“Our record third quarter results demonstrate that we're successfully executing on our Value Creation strategy and reflect continued high consumer demand for our products,” said Chris Metz, Vista Outdoor CEO. “The power of our brands, combined with our continuous introduction of innovative new products, and lean cost structure has allowed us to offset cost increases through targeted pricing action while absorbing some costs through operational efficiencies to maintain profitable growth across our portfolio. With the acquisition of Stone Glacier, our seventh acquisition in less than 18 months, Vista Outdoor is building a resilient and diverse portfolio and expanding our total addressable market across multiple outdoor recreation categories.”

On Feb. 3, during a follow-up earnings conference call Metz noted, “ … we announced our last price increase in January, which will take effect in April, so that will affect our next fiscal year.” Raw material costs, shortages and shipping backlogs are the chief culprits, but the pandemic has become a production challenge heightened with the Omicron outbreak in. “So, the inefficiencies that we saw with COVID-related vacancies or shortages in labor, we’re quickly working our way through it,” he added. “And we’ve—as you can imagine, we’ve been fighting this for the better part of two years. So we’re, our team is very, very adept at working through those issues. And Omicron, we’ve worked through a lot of those issues. So as we go forward, we continue to believe that our facilities will operate highly efficiently, and it will be kind of normal course, if you will, going forward.”

As for current cartridge scarcity, Metz explained to one caller that if you visit a store, “ … you’ll find that there’s more stock than there were a few months ago. But in total, stocks remain still very low.” He noted centerfire hunting and handgun cartridges—other than 9 mm Luger—remain the toughest to find right now.

Latest

Royce Gracie I Defend The 2Nd
Royce Gracie I Defend The 2Nd

I Defend The 2nd: Royce Gracie

Royce Gracie is one of the most successful and influential mixed martial arts fighters of all time. He's also one of the biggest supporters of the Second Amendment and our right to keep and bear arms.

Gun Of The Week: Walther PDP Pro SD 4.6” Compact Two-Tone Tan

The Walther PDP Pro SD 4.6” Compact in Flat Dark Earth, as seen here, comes as a fully featured 9 mm semi-automatic that’s designed for everyday carry.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 11, 2024

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

Gun Manufacturers & Collectors: An Untapped Market Or Missed Opportunity?

Collectors are without doubt the most passionate and active buyers of guns and accessories, and yet this segment of the gun market is often overlooked and ignored by modern-day manufacturers. 

Langdon Tactical Technology Celebrates 10th Anniversary

From the U.S. Marine Corps to Team Beretta to custom gunsmith, Ernest Langdon's company, Langdon Tactical Technology, is celebrating 10 years of business in 2024 with a commemorative 92 Elite LTT pistol.

New For 2024: CZ 600 American

CZ re-invented its approach to the modern bolt-action with its 600 line of rifles. Now, the CZ 600 American provides a specially configured and styled version for North American hunters.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.