New President & CEO @ RUGER

[Yaworski]

I remember hearing that Sam Walton almost went under . . .

Would that have been a bad thing?

 

[contender]

Well, let's see,, Ruger has a new CEO as of 3/1/25. And to assist in the transition, Mr. Killoy is still there to offer his advice. And he as well as Mr. Fifer will be on the BOD.

But what is interesting is how many here have not had anything good to say about the new CEO,, Mr. Seyfert. Criticism, and negativity without even giving him time to get settled into the job.

Simply put,, let's give him a chance,, and see what he does (or doesn't do) and wait for actual results.

I had hoped to meet him at SHOT this past Jan., but he was being kept very busy in meetings every time I stopped by. I hope to meet him in Atlanta in April. And I will try & offer whatever I can to allow him the opportunity to truly look at what many of us would like to see come from Sturm, Ruger & Co. going forward.

Let's give him a chance before we criticize him.

 

[hittman]

No criticism here.
Just put guns on the shelves! Make that happen please.
I can load up with about all the new Canik and Taurus and Glock and Hi Point and Heritage and Chiappa and Sig and Savage that you can stand to look at. But not Ruger and Marlin unless you are clamoring for the LCP, LCR or 10/22. Ship has sailed on them for the vast majority of us.

 

[3manfan]

His extensive industry background includes well-known companies such as ATK/Vista Outdoors, Magnum Research, Bushnell, Michaels of Oregon, and Birchwood Laboratories.

So he'll be arranging Vista's acquisition of Ruger. Got it.

 

[instructor]

Last time I checked Ruger was the NO 1 firm in the firearms business in America and had some $62 million in cash reserves, certainly not a bad spot for the firm. As for the new guy's education holding an MBA is a positive thing for overseeing a large business, not a negative at all. The man's previous work experience has been with outdoor firms of one form or the other and moving from one firm to another is a result of having been recruited by being offered a far better pay package and benefits as well, it is not uncommon for that to happen. As for the quality of Ruger firearms which other manufacturers offer any better in their price range? Not aware of any at this time.

 

[Ranger]

Yaworski: Fair question. Maybe not in the big scheme of things; but I don't know. I've read that Wal-Mart is a ruthless negotiator - essentially forcing suppliers to outsource overseas and also acceptinng losses that force or nearly force firm bankruptcies. They are good about predicting major weather events and prepositioning related supplies and such. Walton himself reportedly preferred to sell made in USA items; but they sell a lot from overseas.

 

[Yaworski]

Walton himself reportedly preferred to sell made in USA items; but they sell a lot from overseas.

Walmart used to brag about carrying American made products. They don't do that anymore.

A good friend was the president of a company that supplied WalMart and, based on his comments, calling WalMart ruthless is an understatement. Have to go to China and lay off American workers to hit WalMart's price demands? They don't care. Old product that they can't sell, take it back or they'll go elsewhere.

I avoid shopping at WalMart if at all possible.

 

[Yaworski]

As for the new guy's education holding an MBA is a positive thing for overseeing a large business, not a negative at all.

This is what every MBA sounds like to me . . .

 

[eveled]

@contender some of us have witnessed his kind first hand. They destroy companies.

Time will tell.

 

[eveled]

This is a link to an article about a book "The Man Who Said NO to Walmart"

Article/Review: The Man Who Said No To Wal-Mart - imaginary magnitude

I caught a great review on Slashdot for Charles (Fast Company magazine) Fishman’s book The Man Who Said No To Wal-Mart. Although it seems a little lame to link to someone else’s review, I thought the review itself was very well written (kudos to Hemos). The subject matter itself is quite...

imagitude.com

Walmarts business model destroys American companies. Schrade knives is just one example.

 

[Ranger]

One story I remember reading about had to deal with pickles. Do a search with vaslic pickles Walmart case study gallon jar in it and you'll find it. Walmart is one of those businesses you may not want to do business with but may not be able to afford not to. They can make or break a company. I readonly about how Walmart ranks in different categories like top grocery store, top jewelry store, etc.

 

[contender]

Ok,, this thread is about the new CEO of Ruger. Not Wally world.

And while some may want to relate the actions of wally world to how Ruger MIGHT be run by the new incoming CEO, it's still not fair to do that kind of comparison.

As for Ruger "Just put guns on the shelves! Make that happen please." we have to accept the fact that Ruger suffered a big set-back during the covid crap with as much as 65% of the workforce out. And when many of them chose to NOT return to work, and take free money & such,, it's harder to train people to build revolvers than it is to assemble parts for the semi-autos. Yes,, other companies are putting out products,, but NOT revolvers. The semi's are the sellers AND require less skill to assemble.

They are slowly coming back with more & more revolvers as they can bring new hires up to speed on how to build them. Throw in the fact that the larger market share of salable products are (sadly) not revolvers.

Again,, I say give the new CEO time in the job before judging.

NONE of us would want to go into a new job where all they hear is criticism without being given the courtesy of being given the chance to put forth actual work.

And,, if things don't get better at Ruger,, or we see a further decline in products or such,, I'll be the first one to go directly to as many management folks as I can to express my disapproval.

 

[eveled]

I hope you are right, time will tell.

 

[hittman]

Consumers ain't buying the COVID excuse any longer. Been 5 years now.
After this much time, COVID is an excuse, not a reason.
If Ruger themselves are leaning on the COVID excuse, it's doubly disappointing and troubling.

Not being critical of the new guy ….. just setting the stage for expectations as a consumer.

 

[MaxMan]

Sounds like he can't hold a job for very long.

Was he pushed out or stolen for his abilities, that's the real question.

 

[MaxMan]

Ruger stock has been in the tank for a couple years. That may be why the change in leadership. Might be a good time to think about buying a few shares.

https://www.zacks.com/stock/research/RGR/price-target-stock-forecast

 

[Yaworski]

Was he pushed out or stolen for his abilities, that's the real question.

The real question is "Is he a gun guy who knows business or is he an MBA who has worked for gun companies?"

 

[Richard76]

Talked to a buddy of mine a month ago who works there. said they were making over a 1000 10/22 a day

 

[Ranger]

I think Ruger deserves some credit. Virtually all the reviews I've read indicate that the Ruger made Marlin lever actions are much better than the previous ones.

I think QC has declined on some of their other guns; but that is not a new thing. It isnt just with the JT PPP. One of the first single 7s I checked out was so defective the LGS rep apologized for having put it in the display even (obviously they hadnt looked at either).

I do agree that covid had a huge impact on the workforce and people's perspectives. That has improved but it hasn't gone away.

If Ruger can't meet demand for a while due to trying to hire more staffing or because they are retooling machines, training, etc. to improve quality, those are things I can support and wait on.

 

[Ranger]

Maxman: I'm not familiar with the site. Why is the average broker rating 2 (buy) while Zack rating 4 (sell)?