The arms manufacturer from Upper Austria, known for the StG 77, was taken over by a Czech investor.
Steyr/Vienna. The traditional company Steyr Arms (formerly Steyr Mannlicher) is no longer in Austrian hands: since April 23, the Upper Austrian arms manufacturer has belonged to the Czech investment group RSBC. The RSBC Group has taken over 100 percent of the shares in Steyr Arms from the previous owner, SMH GmbH, based in Vienna. The takeover will enable further growth and secure Austria as a location, the new owner explained in a press release.
“Steyr Arms enjoys an excellent reputation and stands for trust and quality. We are convinced that RSBC’s resources and extensive know-how will contribute to the further growth of Steyr Arms,” said Robert Schönfeld, founder of the RSBC Group, explaining the takeover in the broadcast on Wednesday.
Steyr Arms produces firearms for the military and police as well as hunting and sporting weapons. The company is best known for the StG 77, the assault rifle of the Austrian Army, which is sold worldwide under the name AUG (Army Universal Rifle). The weapon has also made it into Hollywood films. In “Jackie Brown,” for example, Samuel Jackson praises the gun in a scene with Robert DeNiro.
New managing director
For the takeover, the RSBC Group has founded a new holding company, which also includes the Slovenian production company Arex. Arex produces protective equipment and protective clothing as well as training ammunition.
Tim Castagne, CEO of Arex, will lead both companies going forward. He has relevant experience: Castagne previously worked for the weapons manufacturers Sig Sauer, Heckler & Koch and also for Carl Zeiss Sport Optics.
Milan Šlapák, CEO of RSBC Group, emphasized in the release: “The takeover of Steyr Arms is a unique opportunity. We are proud to be involved in the further development of the company. Steyr Arms has an exceptional product portfolio, particularly in the area of hunting and sporting weapons as well as long weapons for the military and police.”
Gerhard Unterganschnigg, managing director of the previous owner, SMH GmbH, added: “Since we joined in 2007, Steyr Arms has embarked on an impressive growth path. Sales increased sevenfold. The number of employees has almost tripled. “With RSBC as the new owner, Steyr Arms can realize further growth opportunities and further strengthen Austria as a location.”
Founded in 1864
Steyr Arms, based in Steyr, Upper Austria, was founded in 1864 as “Josef and Franz Werndl & Company, weapons factory and sawmill in Oberletten” and was once the largest weapons factory in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today the company employs more than 200 people. In 2023, Steyr Arms generated sales of more than 45 million euros, which is almost 50 percent more than in 2021. (ed.)
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