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Thread: Primers are coming

  1. #1
    Boolit Master bbogue1's Avatar
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    Primers are coming

    Primers are on their way -- This facility will specialize in the production of primers
    https://www.texarkanagazette.com/new...ear-texarkana/

    Here is the good news article:
    By Junius Stone

    Texarkana Gazette

    HOOKS, Texas -- Expansion Industries, an ammunition manufacturing company whose corporate offices are based out of Carrollton, Texas, prepares to open a manufacturing facility here.

    They have begun preparation work on the East Campus of TexAmericas Center, purchasing the main G Line of the former Lone Star Army Ammunition plant, and have begun preparing the site for operations.

    Recently, they also have begun a recruiting drive, advertising an on-site job fair they have coming up Jan. 29. They plan on employing more than 400 by 2023 and have plans beyond that.

    The facility will specialize in the production of primers, a key component in ammunition manufacturing, for the small arms industry.

    "We have invested $100 million into the site so far," said Richard A. Smissen, owner, Expansion Industries. "This is all about supply and demand. There is serious demand in the industry for this product and right now, for various reasons, the supply chain is falling woefully short. So we are getting ready to do our part to help out with that issue."

    Smissen describes the new facility as state-of-the-art, featuring a high level of automation. He said the site at the former Lone Star Army Ammunition plant is uniquely situated for what they will be doing.

    "The manufacturing facilities at Lone Star were set up for ammunition manufacturing," said Smissen. "Not only the way the facilities are laid out on the former base, but the facilities themselves are hardened to protect against possible accidents working with this material. What is here was ready for someone like us to come and set up shop. So we've had our people in there getting it ready for a modern manufacturing facility. We aim to be up and running in the first few months of this year."

    Besides getting the facility ready to go, Expansion Industries has already begun recruiting efforts for talent. Though touting modern automated manufacturing facilities, they still will have a sizable labor force, ranging from custodial to skilled labor and technicians, to their own force of truck drivers. They are looking at a wide range of talent.

    "We will also need various engineers and skilled professionals," he said. "Those guys will be at a premium and we want to see those resumes."

    Smissen says Expansion Industries picked the Hooks area for several specific reasons.

    "This is a big asset that will do Hooks and the surrounding asset a lot of good," he said. "Also, this is a key transport area, with easy access to highway and rail freight transport, right there on TexAmericas Center. When it comes time to start shipping, there is not a place better, both in set up and location. And we will be shipping everywhere, both in this country and many places globally."

    Smissen sees Expansion Industries as more than a manufacturing company, however. They have a core set of values that they emphasize with their products.

    "Every box of our ammunition, we make it clear it is about freedom," he said. "The first 10 Amendments of our Constitution lay it all out, our liberties. And the 2nd Amendment is about the freedom of an American to be armed, to defend against any who would seek to take away that freedom. And should our 2nd Amendment fall, there is nothing to prevent the rest of it from being taken. We are a faith-based company and we make that clear. We are doing what we can to take a stand for American freedoms, support shooting sports and with this facility, we will be taking it all to the next level."

    Smissen made it clear it was quite a maze of bureaucracy he had to navigate to get this facility up and running.

    "Miles of red tape and mountains of paperwork, that I can tell you," he said. "And we would not have gotten this done without the team supporting us at TexAmericas Center. Scott Norton, Eric Voyles, Jeff Whitten, Teresa Kemp, Devon McClosky, thank you all."

    (The Expansion Industries job fair takes space Jan. 29 at 523 Titus Road, Hooks, Texas. Prospective employees are invited to email resumes to exp-ind.com online.)

    ( TexAmericas Center is sprawling business complex located about 20 miles west of Texarkana near New Boston and Hooks, Texas.)

    Print Headline: Ammunition plant to open near Texarkana
    Last edited by bbogue1; 01-20-2022 at 10:35 AM.
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  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    This IS good news and hope to see their product on the shelves soon. I hope they can find the folks that want to work and support the shooting sport as well as the supplies to aid our law enforcement.
    Thank you for the good news.

    Mike

  3. #3
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    pworley1's Avatar
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    Great news
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  4. #4
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    Is this the same Expansion Industries that was selling ETR-7 a few years ago?

    If so I won't get my hopes up...

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    That's great news. A powder plant would be nice somewhere too.
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

  6. #6
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    Sure hope they succeed

    Mike
    NRA Benefactor 2004 USAF RET 1971-95

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

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    Not so sure we'll be seeing them

    Hi all,
    I also think this is great news, and of course, it could only happen in a red state. Unfortunately, I feel the assumption being made that the primers will find their way to reloaders is faulty. I suspect once production ramps up, the bulk of their product will go to feed large ammunition manufacturers. A business' primary purpose is to make a profit, so I think they will focus on volume and sales more than supplying a smaller segment of the market. Just my dos centavos.
    Ed
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  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy


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    This is nice to see.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master Ithaca Gunner's Avatar
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    Hot diggity dog!
    Liberalism is a cult divorced from reality.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master

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    Hallelujah!!.... maybe

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master

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    That sounds promising! Thats quite an investment!

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Daekar's Avatar
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    Regardless of whether these initially flow to ammo manufacturers or whether they enter the reloading market, this is a good thing. At some point, primers will be on the shelves again!
    I'm a big fan of data-driven decisions. You want to make me smile, show me a spreadsheet! Extra points for graphs and best-fit predictive equations.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

    FLINTNFIRE's Avatar
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    Yeah it is the same ones who were selling etr-7 , started out good and went downhill from there , reorganized after a move , not going to get any hopes up .

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
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    My gut tells me that story is all "say so" but "no do so". They are not producing primers nor will they likely do so. They are trolling for somebody to buy them out for a quick buck. One of the big ammo companies will buy them just to shut them down.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    They run a metal punching operation in Mo, are out of NJ. Red River/LoneStar got shut down so they probably bought it at fire sale cost. There is a ammo maker in Garland also that uses plastic cases and needs primers. Rem plant is just down the road from Tex and Sig plant is near little rock.
    Whatever!

  16. #16
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Cautiously optimistic !

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I have $100 that says we will never see a primer from that plant. I posted some numbers on the other thread. The economics do not make sense and $100 million "so far"...yea sure... They will need to produce over one million primers a day to break even...so call it 2 million a day to make a profit.

    History tells us that pre-panic there was excess primer production capacity because we were getting primers on sale. Once the shelves are stocked back up, current manufacturers will be back to having excess capacity.

    And the market has changed. People have been conditioned to shoot less and some have stopped altogether and moved to other hobbies. I know I will not go back to the 10-20k a year I used to shoot.
    Don Verna


  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    Call me skeptical also, curious as to where they raised their capital, in today's political climate? Maybe they are still looking for investors. I do hope something comes of it, but I ain't holding my breath.

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master

    jonp's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lavenatti View Post
    Is this the same Expansion Industries that was selling ETR-7 a few years ago?

    If so I won't get my hopes up...
    Yes, same outfit that was basically kicked out of Virginia. I got caught in their bait and switch scam. Ordered some ETR7 at a good price, they charged my credit card then called the week later and told me the price was much more than advertised. This after charging my card so it was either pay the rest or get my CC refunded sometime in 2027.

    The thing is that the powder is pretty good although I don't use it. I have 8lbs
    I Am Descended From Men Who Would Not Be Ruled

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  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gewehr-Guy View Post
    Call me skeptical also, curious as to where they raised their capital, in today's political climate? Maybe they are still looking for investors. I do hope something comes of it, but I ain't holding my breath.
    Shouldn’t be too difficult to find investors. Heck, if 2500 people here were to invest a paltry $20k each we are up to $50 million. And this is a sure thing...right? Seems like there 2500 guys complaining about primer cost on this forum alone...lol. Add in the real shooters who shoot tons of 9mm and AR’s on those ninja forums and there is plenty of money to milk.
    Don Verna


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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check