The Czech Republic’s Colt CZ Group has announced that on 18 December 2023 it executed an agreement with CBC Europe to purchase a 100% interest in Czech small-calibre ammunition producer Sellier & Bellot.
“Colt CZ shall acquire 100% of shares of Sellier & Bellot for the combination of the cash consideration in the amount of USD 350 M (EUR 319.6 M) and a new issue of Colt CZ common stock leading to a 27–28% CBC stake in the share capital of Colt CZ Group post transaction,” the company announced in a press release.
The final size of CBC’s shareholding in Colt CZ Group will be determined depending on the audited financial results of both companies for the year 2023. The acquisition, which will be financed through a combination of the company’s existing cash resources and debt financing, is subject to regulatory approval in various countries and is expected to close in the first half of 2024.
“We are proud to welcome one of the oldest and most important producers of small-calibre ammunition, Sellier & Bellot, to Colt CZ Group,” Jan Drahota, CEO and chairman of the board of directors of Colt CZ Group, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This acquisition fits into our long-term strategy to expand not only in our core segment of small arms, but also in related areas, with ammunition being a natural complement to our products. We look forward to working with the management of Sellier & Bellot, its employees, partners, and customers, as well as the new opportunities that the connection with Sellier & Bellot will undoubtedly bring to our entire Group.”
“We are pleased that CBC believes in our story and our strategy and is to become the second largest shareholder of Colt CZ Group,” Drahota added.
Meanwhile, Radek Musil, CEO of Sellier & Bellot, was quoted as saying, “I am delighted that Sellier & Bellot, after many successful years in the CBC Group, will become part of Colt CZ Group, which has Czech roots and, at the same time, an international presence.
“We are convinced that the connection with Colt CZ Group will bring a great future for Sellier & Bellot,” he added. “We will continue to build our traditional brand and work closely with the Colt CZ Group team in developing our products to deliver the best solutions to our customers.”
A traditional Czech ammunition manufacturer, Sellier & Bellot ranks among the oldest engineering companies in the Czech Republic, its products having been manufactured under its trademark since 1825.
As well as producing a wide range of hunting and sporting ammunition as well as components for pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns, Sellier & Bellot is also a major supplier of small-calibre ammunition to military and law enforcement customers worldwide.
The company has around 1,600 employees and its main production facility is located in Vlašim in the Czech Republic.
Colt CZ Group, meanwhile, is one of the leading Czech producers of firearms and ammunition for military and law enforcement agencies, as well as for personal defence, hunting, sports shooting and other commercial uses. The company employs more than 2,000 people worldwide.
CBC Global Ammunition and CBC Europe are the holding entities for a group of companies internationally active in the ammunition sector: CBC Brazil, Magtech Ammunition, MEN, SinterFire, New Lachaussée and Fritz Werner. Together, this strategic alliance forms one of the largest ammunition corporations in the world, with a combined experience of more than 300 years in the manufacturing of small and medium calibres.
