Quick goggle search brings it up
Sorry cant copy + paste

News stories say Ukraine related…
If true imagine that..involved in that corruption. What could go,wrong.
Looks like a restructuring deal on surface.
36M contract gone wrong

Once Jerome left and Ken Buch retired as the US rep, the brand in terms of sporting arms seemed to just die. Sad, since I think they made a nice double and were a bit cheaper than Heyms.

This makes me very sad.

My 600NE and 375Fl have served me well in Africa and the USA

wow

Ouch.

I wonder what this will do to the value of those guns? I have one that I am thinking of selling later in the year.

Its a shame under Jerome the customs guns were great. I am glad i got mine done in those times. I suspect as a division it may not have been profitable so they wound that down!!

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Ouch.

I wonder what this will do to the value of those guns? I have one that I am thinking of selling later in the year.

I have given much thought to that. IMO the value of guns made under Jerome's leadership will continue to be worth more. Much better quality under his watch. Thankfully I own 4 of them.

Agree, Don

https://www.brusselstimes.com/...cturer-verney-carron

Belgian group offers to buy French arms manufacturer Verney-Carron

Tuesday 4 March 2025
By
The Brussels Times with Belga


Belgian group FN Browning has submitted a firm offer to acquire the French arms manufacturer Verney-Carron, based in Saint-Etienne and under judicial administration since 12 February, sources told AFP on Monday.

The Belgian group confirmed to AFP that it submitted a "firm offer for a majority takeover" of the company owned by French group Cybergun after several months of negotiations, corroborating information from French media La Tribune.


According to a source close to the matter, this reputable small arms manufacturer’s offer will enable "a resumption of production, which is currently significantly slowed by the partial activity of most of the 68 employees since December."

FN Browning plans to acquire 70% of Verney-Carron Development’s capital and will invest several million euros in the SME, whose cash flow problems are hindering the fulfilment of certain orders.

The industrial operations will remain in Saint-Etienne, and the focus on the defence sector will be confirmed. However, the workforce is expected to be reduced by up to ten employees, a source involved in the deal told AFP.

Founded in 1820, Verney-Carron is the last French small arms manufacturer. Initially specialising in hunting weapons, the factory invented and marketed Flashballs in 1990, defensive weapons used by the French national police for around twenty years.

Its recent shift to producing small calibre war weapons has not compensated for the loss of Ministry of the Interior contracts and the decline in sales of hunting and shooting rifles.

https://www.marketscreener.com...ney-Carron-49234320/

Belgian weapons giant FN Browning wants to acquire French manufacturer Verney-Carron

March 04, 2025 at 01:01 pm EST


Belgium's FN Browning has submitted a bid to take over 70 percent of French gun maker Verney-Carron. The Saint-Étienne-based company has been under judicial scrutiny since February.

Key takeaways

FN Browning wants to acquire 70 percent of Verney-Carron and invest millions of euros.
Production in Saint-Étienne will be retained, but up to 10 jobs are threatened.
The takeover should save the French manufacturer from bankruptcy after failed defense contracts.
FN Browning, the Belgian manufacturer of Browning rifles, among other products, has made an official bid for French arms manufacturer Verney-Carron. Sources confirm this to AFP. Negotiations have been ongoing since 2022, but gained urgency after the French company went into judicial recuperation on Feb. 12. A final agreement now depends on approval by the Saint-Étienne trade tribunal, which plans a new hearing on April 9.

Lifebuoy for Verney-Carron

FN Browning's plan provides for an investment of "several million euros" to deal with Verney-Carron's cash flow problems. Since December, much of the workforce has been working part-time due to production delays. Although the Saint-Étienne plant remains open and the focus remains on defense equipment, job losses of up to 10 staff are imminent.

From shotguns to defense weapons

Verney-Carron, founded in 1820, was long an icon in hunting and sporting weapons. The company gained fame with the "Flashball," a rubber bullet weapon used for many years by the French police. Since its acquisition by Cybergun in 2022, it bet on military contracts, such as a controversial €36 million deal with Ukraine that was delayed. That strategy proved insufficient to counter losses (€4.54 million in 2023).

FN Browning, which posted record profits of 75 million euros in 2023, sees opportunities in French defense expertise. The Walloon group, wholly owned by the Walloon region, is thus strengthening its position in Europe's arms market.

Fabrique Nationale BROWNING is a great company. I'm pleased to see them quickly step up to buy V-C, vs say Beretta, Mauser-Blaser creating some real potential monopoly in European gun manufacturing.

Seems to me that typical of most scarcities, if V-C was to succumb, values of these great guns might go up??

It is rather surprising how quickly they went down when the US respesentation went down??!!

Does anyone know what happened to Ken and is he OK? I always had great conversations with him.

I hunted with Ken two days ago. He is retired from being the V-C rep and doing just fine.

Double Don,
That is super to hear!! Wishing him all the best.
Steve

Ken is a great guy.
Glad you got out with him, Don.

Big Ken fan here, too. Great guy.