Kimber Finally Turns Southward
BY Herschel Smith
4 years ago
Many times I’ve asked to know why firearms manufacturers would continue to do business in states that hate their business, fleece them with taxes, and force them to deal with collective bargaining. I’ve specifically mentioned Kimber, among other manufacturers.
It appears that Kimber finally figured it out.
Kimber Manufacturing, a company that makes a variety of firearms and ammunition, is transitioning its corporate headquarters from New York to its facility in Troy, Alabama.
The decision to change the location of the company’s headquarters was first announced last week, and much of the work has already been completed.
A release from the company notes that “leadership, R&D and manufacturing resources” are now in place at the 225,000 square-foot facility in Troy.
Kimber is now “adding staff across all departments” to complete the transition.
The gunmaker’s massive presence in the Wiregrass is still relatively new. Governor Kay Ivey first announced it in her state of the state address in 2018. At the time, it was described as a manufacturing capacity expansion, not a new headquarters, but the executives at Kimber appear to have grown fond of the Yellowhammer State.
The gunmaker was founded in Yonkers, New York, in 1979 and remained headquartered there until its recent transition to Alabama.
The company says it completed an exhaustive search for its new headquarters, and Troy stood out for its “proximity to top-tier engineering schools as well as gun- and business-friendly support from the city of Troy and the great state of Alabama.”
State Representative Wes Allen (R-Troy) praised the move in a statement sent to Yellowhammer News on Monday afternoon.
“I am very proud that Kimber is moving their headquarters from New York to Troy, AL. Kimber recognizes our business friendly environment, our strong support of the 2nd Amendment & our hard working people,” he remarked.
“This is a testament to the conservative leadership of Mayor Jason Reeves & the Troy City Council & the Pike County Commission,” Allen added in his statement.
As for the many positions that Kimber is now seeking to fill, the company lists “CNC technicians, machinists, quality control specialists, lean technicians, design engineers, compliance analysts, customer service representatives, materials planners, maintenance technicians, finishing operators, and assembly technicians,” as among the available jobs.
“Kimber is a great place to work, especially if you love firearms,” promised Pedi Gega, Kimber’s director of assembly and product finishing, in a statement.
“We have two indoor gun ranges, one outdoor range, a state-of-the-art design and prototype fabrication center, and a dynamic team of professionals who pride themselves in producing firearms with unmatched attention to detail, design and performance,” Gega continued.
Those interested in applying for a job at Kimber Manufacturing can do so here.
Give it time. I predict there will be little left in New York. Alabama and New York had a contest. Alabama won.
Prior: Gun Valley Moves South
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On October 27, 2020 at 2:16 am, skybill said:
Hi Herschel,
Well, Would ya’ Believe!! Kimber in Alabama!!!!!!!!!
It’s….( youtube.com/watch?v=Cenz3cP3rjE ) ……
This is the “REAL” version with “GOD BLESS” at the end!!
Audentes, Fortuna, Ivat,
skybill
ps hope it works!!
On October 27, 2020 at 6:30 am, Bryan Wortman said:
If the company leadership has “seen the light” and is moving to more conservative Alabama, then why did the CEO of Kimber make a TV commercial in support of Montana Senate candidate Steve Bullock? During his failed presidental bid, Bullock voiced support for various gun control measures- perhaps signaling to Chuck Schumer he’d be a loyal follower in the Senate. I won’t be buying any Kimber products anytime soon.
On October 27, 2020 at 6:37 am, Humility said:
Leave the leftists behind when you move. They should remain in the state they’ve destroyed.
On October 27, 2020 at 6:42 am, Mike Perry said:
Alabama also has excellent hunting and fishing.
“Alabama has tremendous natural diversity with more than 1.3 million acres of public hunting land and some of the most liberal seasons and bag limits in the nation. Alabama hunters have an opportunity to hunt many species, including, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, feral hogs, waterfowl, rabbits, squirrel, mourning doves, and many other species.”
https://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting
Lots of lakes, ponds and rivers for fishing too.
“The Alabama Bass Trail features 11 premiere bass fishing lakes Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lay Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.”
https://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing
On October 27, 2020 at 8:18 am, Ned2 said:
What took them so long?
On October 27, 2020 at 9:01 am, Fred said:
“The decision to change the location of the company’s headquarters was first announced last week, and much of the work has already been completed.”
This is a sure sign of a well run company. Excellence in leadership is on display in this one simple sentence. Announcing after the work is essentially done is how good companies do things. Announcing 3 years in advance and failing is how bad companies do things.
Right from the mouth of Him in whom dwells the Godhead fully (Colossians 2:9):
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Kimber, Gitten’ it done Jesus style.
(This is fully scalable from you and your family, personal and financial and spiritual, business, and even nationhood.)
Sccy, on the other hand, had intended to move to TN but, well, mistakes were made and continue to be made.
On October 27, 2020 at 10:10 am, Ca said:
Congrats on Instalanche!
Keep rocking.
On October 27, 2020 at 6:52 pm, Brad said:
Maybe they’ll stop using MIM parts now.
On October 28, 2020 at 12:35 am, Unknownsailor said:
“Maybe they’ll stop using MIM parts now.”
Nope. They could never meet their market price if they didn’t.
I had one, a Custom II, and had to put a heavy dimple into the rear sight dovetail so the rear sight would stay put and not walk off the gun on me. I sold it last year, and when I sold it the safety plunger tube was starting to come un-staked. It ran well, made it through several Gunsite classes and some others, but I eventually stopped shooting it, so I sold it.
On October 28, 2020 at 12:19 pm, Ned said:
Brad said:
“Maybe they’ll stop using MIM parts now.”
And plastic mainspring housings.
On October 28, 2020 at 2:41 pm, Brad said:
A couple years back Kimber was the most repaired gun by Gunsmiths. I believe Taurus now holds that honor. Your better off paying a couple $100.00 more and buying a Les Baer.
On October 28, 2020 at 6:06 pm, Unknownsailor said:
“And plastic mainspring housings.”
Pars-Ordnance did that, too. My P-14 came with a plastic one. I replaced it with a Ed Brown one.