CZ Group (CZG ) to Acquire Colt Holding Company LLC for $220M (Million) Plus Shares: Oh, Boy

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com

February 14, 2021

Well, this is pretty big news; Czech firearms manufacturer CZ Group, or CZG (full name, Česká zbrojovka Group SE), has apparently just inked a deal to aquire Colt Holding Company LLC for $220M (Million) plus “up to 1,098,620 shares of newly issued CZG common stock if defined EBITDA thresholds are achieved in years 2021 – 2023”. The deal reportedly includes Colt Canada Corporation (CCC), and, we presume, Cold Defense, manufacturer of the M16 and M4/M4A1 series rifles and carbines for US Military forces. CZG’s acquisition of the military defense small arms side of Colt’s business, should it go through, will be interesting from a strategic perspective, as a foreign company will now be at least somewhat in control of a strategic defense materiel resource, moving forward.

While DefenseReview (DR) likes CZG/CZ USA products AND the people we’ve met at their booth at SHOT Show over the years, we’re not sure how to feel about a foreign company, ANY foreign company, purchasing a MAJOR, ICONIC and HISTORIC American firearms manufacturer outright. This one gives us some pause, postive feelings about the folks at CZ USA aside.

Here’s the official press release on the deal from CZ Group:

CZG – Česká zbrojovka Group SE (“CZG” or “the Group”) hereby informs that on 11 February 2021, it signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interest in Colt Holding Company LLC (“Colt”), the parent company of U.S. firearms manufacturer, Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC as well as its Canadian subsidiary, Colt Canada Corporation.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the definitive agreement, CZG shall acquire a 100% stake in Colt for upfront cash consideration of $220 million and the issuance of 1,098,620 shares of newly issued CZG common stock. The agreement also provides for potential earnout consideration of up to 1,098,620 shares of newly issued CZG common stock if defined EBITDA thresholds are achieved in years 2021 – 2023.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Lubomír Kovařík, President and Chairman of CZG, said: “This merger is a strategic step for both companies. The acquisition of Colt, an iconic brand and a benchmark for the military, law enforcement and commercial markets globally, fits perfectly in our strategy to become the leader in the firearms manufacturing industry and a key partner for the armed forces. We are proud to include Colt, which has stood shoulder-to- shoulder with the U.S. Army for over 175 years, in our portfolio. We believe in the successful connection of our corporate cultures, the proven track record of the current management team and the complementary nature of the CZ and Colt brands. The combined group will have revenues in excess of USD 500 million and presents a real small arms powerhouse. The experience of CZ and Colt management will further strengthen both brands and ensure CZ and Colt continue to deliver top quality products and solutions to all our customers.”

Dennis Veilleux, President and CEO of Colt, agreed: “We are very pleased with the prospect of such a strategic combination. Having completed a historic turn-around of the operations and financial performance at Colt over the past five years, this important next step with CZG positions the company to take advantage of significant growth opportunities. We are excited to join forces with CZG which will be a powerful combination for both brands and for our customers.”

The acquisition is to be financed from the Company’s existing cash resources, including recent IPO proceeds, and from the contemplated bond issuance.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval but is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2021.

With this strategic move, CZG will acquire significant production capacity in the United States and Canada and substantially expand its global customer base. Colt is a traditional supplier to global military and law enforcement customers. Among others, Colt is a long-term supplier to the U.S. Army (which relationship dates back over 175 years) and, through its Canadian subsidiary, Colt a designated exclusive supplier of small arms to the Canadian military.

About CZG – Česká zbrojovka Group SE
CZG – Česká zbrojovka Group (CZG), together with its subsidiaries, is one of the leading European producers of firearms for military and law enforcement, personal defense, hunting, sport shooting and other civilian use. CZG markets and sells its products mainly under the CZ (Česká zbrojovka), CZ-USA, Dan Wesson, Brno Rifles and 4M Systems brands. CZG’s subsidiaries include Česká zbrojovka, CZ-USA, 4M Systems and CZ Export Praha. CZG owns a minority stake in Spuhr i Dalby, a Swedish manufacturer of optical mounting solutions for weapons.

CZG is headquartered in the Czech Republic. It has production facilities in the Czech Republic and in the United States and employs around 1,650 people in the Czech Republic, the United States and Germany.

About Colt
Colt is one of the world’s leading designers, developers, and manufacturers of firearms. It has supplied civilian, military and law enforcement customers in the U.S. and throughout the world for over 175 years.

Colt is a supplier to the U.S. military, the exclusive supplier to the Canadian military and it also supplies its products to other armed forces around the world. Colt firearms enjoy a reputation throughout the world for accuracy, reliability and quality. Colt pistols and revolvers are carried by military and law enforcement personnel in numerous countries and are used by hunters and sportsmen and sportswomen worldwide. Colt commercial, sporting, military and law enforcement rifles enjoy similar renown.”

If you’d prefer to read it on the CZG website, click here.

Company Contact Info:

Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC
545 New Park Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06110 USA
Toll Free: 800-962-2658 (COLT)
Office: 860-236-6311
Website: https://www.colt.com

Colt Canada Corporation (Defense Sales)
1036 Wilson Avenue, Kitchener, ON, Canada, N2C 1J3
Tel: +1 (519)-893-6840
Fax: +1 (519)-893-3144
Info Email: info@coltcanada.com
Website: https://www.coltcanada.com

Colt Canada Law Enforcement Sales
Tel: +1 (519)-893-6840
Email: lawenforcement@coltcanada.com
Website: https://www.coltcanada.com

CZG – Česká zbrojovka Group SE
Opletalova 1284/37
110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic
IČO (Phone): +420 291 51 961
Email: info@czg.cz
Website: https://www.czg.cz

CZ USA
P.O. Box 171073
Kansas City, KS 66117
Toll Free: 800-955-4486
Website: https://cz-usa.com

Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Central

© Copyright 2021 DefenseReview.com. All rights reserved. This content/material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without first receiving permission and providing proper credit and appropriate links.

Related Articles:

CZ P-10 C Suppressor-Ready Striker-Fired 9mm Compact and Dan Wesson 9mm/.45 ACP/10mm Auto 1911: Suppressor-Ready Combat/Tactical Pistols for Encounters of the Worst Kind (Video!)

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro with Arm Brace: One Very Cool Little 9mm Pistol Package! (Video!)

Reflex-Suppressed CZ Scorpion EVO III Micro S2 Reflex 9mm SMG/PDW / Pistol/SBR for Military SOF Dynamic CQB/CQC and Civilian Tactical Home Defense! (Video!)

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Blowback-Operated Semi-Auto-Only Suppressed 9mm Pistol/SBR/PDW (Short Barreled Rifle/Personal Defense Weapon) + Silencerco Omega 9K Silencer/Sound Suppressor! Or, Just Get the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine. (Video!)

CZ 2075 RAMI BD (Decocker): Big Gun Performance in a Sub-Compact DA/SA 9mm/.40 S&W Combat/Tactical Pistol!

CZ P-07 Duty Polymer-Framed Combat/Tactical Pistol: The Best Pistol Nobody Knows About (Range Review/Shooting Test)

Colt SWORD (Sniper Weapon and Observer Reconnaissance Devices) Networked Weapons Targeting System for Netcentric Warfare (Network-Centric Warfare) Demonstrated for DR at SHOT Show 2014 (Video!)

Colt Pro CRP-18 and Pro CRP-16 AR-15 Carbine/Rifles for Tactical 3-Gun Competition/Competitive Shooting: Adjustable Gas System, Geissele SSA-E Trigger, and Fluted Barrel! (Video!)

DR Exclusive First Look!: SCAR Who? Meet the Colt Modular Carbine (CMC) Model CM901 Multi-Caliber 7.62mm NATO Battle Rifle / 5.56mm NATO Assault Rifle for U.S. Military Special Operations Forces (SOF) and General Infantry Forces (GIF). DefenseReview (DR) Reports (Photos and Video!)

DR Action Video! Colt SCW (Sub-Compact Weapon) Personal Defense Weapon (PDW)-Type 5.56mm NATO AR SBR/Sub-Carbine Fired on Full-Auto at NDIA Range Day

DR Action Video! Colt IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle) 5.56mm NATO Mag-Fed AR: Light Machine Gun/Squad Automatic Weapon (LMG) Proposed Replacement Fired on Full-Auto at the Range!

DR Action Video! Colt Model P0923 APC (Advanced Piston Carbine) Fired on Full-Auto at the Range: Colt Piston-Driven AR Carbine/SBR on the Way

Colt Defense Launches Colt Tactical Carbines/Rifles for Civilian Tactical Shooters at SHOT Show 2010: Tactical Guns Accessorized for Intensive Tactical Training

The U.S. Army’s Next Carbine: Hello Gas Piston/Op-Rod “Enhanced M4/M4A1 Carbine”-Type AR (AR-15), Goodbye Direct Gas Impingement (DGI) Operation?

CZ Group (CZG ) to Acquire Colt Holding Company LLC for $220M (Million) Plus Shares: Oh, Boy by

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.

Check Also

Novus Precision MDS3 and the PDS1: Russian Clone Optics Better than the Originals!

By Toby Melville July 22, 2024 Red dot optics have become a standard accessory for …