Ammo Sales Rise in 2008

The general economy may be in a major downturn, but big ammunition producers aren’t complaining — their sales revenues continue to rise. Both Winchester and ATK (Alliant) have reported significant growth in ammo sales through the end of 2008.

Winchester reported that its 4th quarter 2008 sales were $121.4 million compared to $102.7 million for the same period in 2007. The increase reflects a combination of higher selling prices and improved commercial and law enforcement volumes. Higher selling prices and higher volumes offset higher commodity, material, and manufacturing costs, and a less favorable product mix.

ATK also records impressive sales growth in 2008. Third-quarter sales by Alliant Techsystems’ (NYSE:ATK) Armament Systems group rose 15 percent to $438 million, compared to $381 million in the prior-year quarter. The division of ATK produces commercial and military ammunition and gun systems, propellants and advanced energetics. ATK said the strong performance primarily reflects continued growth in commercial ammunition, higher energetics volume, and strong growth within the group’s medium-caliber gun systems and ammunition business.