FN Browning Group – negotiations to acquire Sofisport

The proposed acquisition is based on strong industrial, geographical, and cultural complementarity between Sofisport and the FN Browning Group, which is owned by the Walloon Region, part of the Belgian state. Additionally, Sofisport’s products are expected to complement all product lines and brands offered by the FN Browning Group. According to the leaders of both groups, the merger represents a unique opportunity to create a world-class operation, fully integrated in the field of firearms and ammunition. The merger is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of both groups in a market full of integrated players. Furthermore, the benefits of the endeavor include enhanced development and efficiency. From an economic standpoint, the merger is also expected to bring benefits to the local community by creating new jobs.

The competitiveness of European industry is a fundamental challenge for the future of the Union and our countries. Consolidating and building European groups that are leaders in their fields is one of the keys to meeting this challenge. The future of employment and the industrial base of our regions and territories depend on it. The acquisition of Sofisport by FN Browning Group is a concrete and relevant step in this international context and is in line with our commitment to the reindustrialisation of Wallonia. For the Walloon Government, defence is a strategic sector.

Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Vice-President of the Walloon Government and Minister for the Economy

FN Browning Group and Sofisport are world leaders in their respective fields, with highly complementary and world-renowned expertise. Our two groups also share a similar industrial culture based on local ecosystems and cutting-edge know-how. In a context of industry consolidation, the acquisition would strengthen the competitiveness, growth and local industrial base of each of our companies and their subsidiaries. Together, we would create a strong, sustainable group with leading brands and a comprehensive range of products and services in each of our core businesses: defence and security on the one hand, and hunting and sport shooting on the other.

Julien Compere, CEO of FN Browning Group

In a rapidly consolidating industry, this operation would create a world-leading group. For Sofisport, integration with FN Browning Group would be the ideal way to consolidate its strategic position in the hunting and sports sector, accelerate its objective of diversification and development in other market segments, and better structure itself in an increasingly complex environment. The combination of Sofisport’s culture of efficiency and performance with the FN Browning Group’s culture of innovation and excellence, with their shared ambition and long-term vision, would form the solid basis of a new leading group focused on sustainability, innovation and performance.

Paolo Pederzoli, CEO of Sofisport

Owned by the Walloon Region, part of the Belgian federal state, the FN Browning Group designs and manufactures firearms, ammunition, and integrated weapon systems used by the armed forces of many countries around the world. Through its subsidiaries, including FN Herstal and Browning, the Group markets the FN and Noptel brands for its Security & Defence division and the Browning and Winchester brands for its Hunting & Sport division.

The FN Browning Group, headquartered in Herstal (Liège) since its establishment in 1889, employs over 3,000 people and has seven production sites in Belgium, Portugal, Finland, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The Group is also a shareholder in the Japanese company Miroku.

You can read about the latest news from FN Herstal in the following articles:

Nowy pistolet FN HiPer z zakładów w Herstal

Karabiny maszynowe FN Herstal na MSPO 2024

Powrót pistoletu z Fabrique Nationale – FN High Power

FN Herstal launches a new versatile weapon mount for land and sea platforms\

FN Herstal na Enforce Tac 2024

Sofisport is a producer of shotshell ammunition for hunting and sporting applications. Sofisport has subsidiaries, including Jobel Sport Cheddite and Sofiam, which have experience in the production of ammunition and its components, such as powder, cases, and primers.

Sofisport is based in Paris and its traditions date back to the 19th century. The company employs 7,000 people across fifteen locations in France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The company and its subsidiaries market their own brands and ammunition components and produce ammunition on behalf of other companies.

Advertising cooperation: The distributor of FN Herstal products in Poland is Griffin Group Defence.