SIG Sauer Unveils State-of-the-Art Ammunition Facility in Arkansas
Posted by Nick Miles on Oct 14, 2024
In a significant move to bolster its manufacturing capabilities, SIG Sauer has inaugurated its latest production center, the Jacksonville Arkansas Ammunition Center (JAAC). This expansive 210,000-square-foot facility is dedicated to supporting the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) systems, which are now being integrated into the US Army's arsenal.
The JAAC represents a pivotal expansion of SIG Sauer's production capacity, with a primary focus on the company's cutting-edge hybrid ammunition—a crucial component of the NGSW platform. This development marks a new chapter in SIG's growing presence in Arkansas, which began with their first factory in the state back in 2016.
The grand opening ceremony was a notable event, attended by key figures including Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Senator John Boozman, and Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore. Governor Sanders joined SIG President and CEO Ron Cohen in the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the official commencement of operations at the new facility.
In the official announcement, Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc., emphasized the rapid development of the facility:
"In just one year, we have built a manufacturing facility that will stand for generations with the mission to provide our soldiers an ammunition technology advantage in lethality and overmatch versus our enemies. This incredible facility gives us the ability to significantly scale manufacturing and grow our output for years to come - and this is only the beginning."
The economic impact of this venture is substantial. SIG SAUER's $225 million investment in facilities and equipment is projected to create over 675 jobs and generate more than $300 million in total economic impact for Arkansas. Since establishing its ammunition division in Jacksonville in 2016, SIG SAUER has experienced remarkable growth, now supplying ammunition to all branches of the U.S. military, special forces, and NATO allies across a sprawling half-million-square-foot campus.
Governor Sarah Sanders expressed her pride in hosting this facility:
"Arkansas is proud to be home to this facility. It isn't just a quarter million square feet of manufacturing space and more than 600 jobs; it reinforces Arkansas' place as the arsenal of America. To Ron and all the team at SIG SAUER: thank you for believing in Arkansas and investing in our state. And to everyone who played a role in bringing this facility here: thank you for your hard work."
The JAAC's primary focus is on advanced ammunition production, aiming to strengthen the industrial manufacturing base for the U.S. Department of Defense. This achievement is the result of a strong collaborative effort between SIG SAUER and the U.S. Army, bringing this scalable manufacturing capability to fruition in just over two years.
U.S. Army Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments & Ammunition, Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, highlighted the significance of this development:
"This facility exemplifies the significant investment being made to enhance capacity and capabilities to enable ammunition production at scale in direct support of our Warfighters. It is amazing to see what the team has accomplished in two years with the introduction of the NGSW and the new 6.8mm round that ensures, when called upon, our Soldiers are equipped with the safest, most reliable, and lethal munitions, enabling them to decisively fight and win our Nation's wars."
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting was a star-studded affair, featuring Governor Sarah Sanders, Senator John Boozman, key SIG SAUER executives, and military personnel.
Ron Cohen concluded the ceremony with a sobering reminder of the facility's importance:
"We live in precarious times and SIG is in a unique position to participate in the herculean effort to change our ground forces, and better protect our country and our allies."