Thompson Center lays off 36

[tombogan03884]

Just got an e-mail from a guy who works at Thompson Center Arms. He quoted a news story that they were laying off 36 people, Due to "excessive inventory" (He did not say what paper, but I assume it was Fosters Daily Democrat, the Dover NH local paper) he says the published reason is bull, They are not getting orders. This would seem to make sense with the election coming and NO strongly pro gun candidates, people are spending money on "Utility rifles" rather than single shot firearms that are not threatened by any potential legislation.

[Swamp Yankee]

Well if they didn't Advertise so much and pimp out thier guns to all of the shows they might not be in this current situation. Besides for the money H&R makes a better single than any one else.

Mike Mc

[clayflingythingy]

This is only a WAG on my part but I suspect the Encore/Contender SS's are a small part of T/C's business. My impression is muzzleloaders are the bread and butter for T/C. The big rush to buy hunting guns is in the fall and not early spring. If retailers and catalogers are sending in orders for fall delivery smaller than anticipated this would justify the layoff. T/C may be experincing a slowdown in both centerfire and muzzleloading guns.

I doubt if the impending election has anything to do with it. The rising cost of gas and the economic slowdown are more likely culprits. I will venture another WAG and speculate that T/C's customer base are hard core hunters and not gun geeks or self defense oriented. As shown by the Zumbo flap a while back, hardcore hunters and gun geeks don't necessarily see things the same way.

[tumblebug]

I'am a gun GEEK thanks I really did'nt know.

[tombogan03884]

This is only a WAG on my part but I suspect the Encore/Contender SS's are a small part of T/C's business. My impression is muzzleloaders are the bread and butter for T/C. The big rush to buy hunting guns is in the fall and not early spring. If retailers and catalogers are sending in orders for fall delivery smaller than anticipated this would justify the layoff. T/C may be experincing a slowdown in both centerfire and muzzleloading guns.

I doubt if the impending election has anything to do with it. The rising cost of gas and the economic slowdown are more likely culprits. I will venture another WAG and speculate that T/C's customer base are hard core hunters and not gun geeks or self defense oriented. As shown by the Zumbo flap a while back, hardcore hunters and gun geeks don't necessarily see things the same way.

I agree about the hunters but when I worked there the Bread and butter was Single shots about evenly divided between Black powder and cartridge, although accessory barrels for contender and Encore were probably a pretty good money maker, they sold for $150+ and we were turning out thousands.
What bums me out is that my buddy who still worked there took retirement last week, and my Friend at Sig got fired, don't know why but He could be a mouthy SOB and I assume that had something to do with it.

[Sponsor]

[justbill]

Perhaps it's a consolidation since T-C was acquired by Smith & Wesson? Maybe they just don't need these folks anymore if the capacity already exists with S&W people.

[tombogan03884]

Perhaps it's a consolidation since T-C was acquired by Smith & Wesson? Maybe they just don't need these folks anymore if the capacity already exists with S&W people.

No, my buddy , says he saw it comming a couple months ago, the only overlap was the Icon Bolt action rifle T/C introduced last year. S&W bought them for their barrel making, and they have been making the M&P barrels, no word on what departments got hit but my guess is that it's single shot sales that are down.