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| BSA springers - UK production now not confirmed after all... |
Well, BSA are certainly springing us some surprises. No sooner does Martin Lowe, MD of BSA Guns, ring me with the news of spring gun production resuming at their Birmingham factory... than he's replaced as MD by Simon Moore, BSA's former General Manager!
The shock change of personnel at the top was accompanied with a press release from Britain's iconic gunmaker which says, I quote:
'Simon also commented upon the recent communication that BSA Spring Guns are imminently returning to Birmingham. "I rule nothing in nor out at this stage. However, the strategic direction of BSA as a brand is under review. Manufacturing location is not important, technical expertise, and heritage is the key. No decision has been made on the issue at this time."'
I've since spoken with Simon, who refused to be drawn either way regarding the information that the previous incumbent had informed myself (and others within the airgun industry) - but one thing I can confirm is that PCP manufacture looks set to remain in Birmingham. Indeed, Simon says so in the press release:
"Birmingham is the group's 'Centre of Excellence' for PCP design and manufacture, (and will remain so!), as well as a major design authority and provider of engineering knowledge on the group's Spring Guns."
But whatever, I guess it means it's most unlikely that I'll be visiting the BSA factory this month to grab a UK-made Lightning XL after all!
A real shame that the new MD says manufacturing location is not important, yet heritage is. I would of thought the two went hand in hand. People want Birmingham made BSA's, or at the very least English made. Dont go the way of Webley, it would be a real shame...
ReplyDeleteNigel, a friend, I'm going to buy a pcp for me, even a feeble, type hatsan bt65.
ReplyDeleteHi Hk.airgun. The Hatsan BT65 is a nice air rifle - and I have been testing one in recent months. It will be on my AirgunTV channel on YouTube soon.
ReplyDeleteSimon's statement is a contradiction ("Manufacturing location is not important, technical expertise, and heritage is the key"). Heritage has everything to do with manufacturing location. I won't buy a BSA built outside the UK.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, me neither. Rob M
DeleteWell it comes as no surprise with BSA's confusions we at Solware Limited a well known RFD in Tamworth are still awaiting BSA's decision why we are NOT ALLOWED to sell BSA guns?? We are told its due to location of close rival John Knibbs International. So if that is the case why do both gunshops sell Air Arms/Daystate/Falcon/Diana/RWS/Theoben/Cometa/Webley etc Theres something not right and politics is the possible reason. No replies to phone calls? No replies to emails? No replies to written correspondence?
ReplyDeleteSimon Moore at BSA said: "Manufacturing location is not important, technical expertise, and heritage is the key."
ReplyDeleteManufacturing location is important! How can a company have heritage when its products are made in another country altogether, far away from where the company started out and made it's historic products? Technical expertise is important, but a product loses its 'heritage' when it's not made by the people (or at least in the country) that made the company famous. That's where Webley went so very wrong, now they barely exist as a brand at all. In the case of BSA, the clue is in the name, it's even more important for a company called "Birmingham Small Arms" to make their products in Birmingham! I ++dearly++ want to buy a BSA spring gun!!! But I won't buy one that isn't made in the UK, or preferably Birmingham. Rob M
I have been looking to buy one of these rifles for a while now, but when i started to do research on them and found out that they were made by GAMO the reviews were bad, faulty springs, cocking arms etc.
DeleteSimon Moore at BSA said: "Manufacturing location is not important, technical expertise, and heritage is the key."
Technical expertise - who knows how to make a better gun than us brits, I wont buy a BSA gun thats not made in Birmingham UK.
me 2 mate and the whole world thinks likewise,,webley a point in case
DeleteAbsolutely this countrys lost its heritage , selling out to cheaper countrys like china.who mass produce these rifles to the very max for the cheapest cost! Keep them produced in uk by people who understand the companys heritage and have passion in there work!!
DeleteBSA should be made in Birmingham!
ReplyDeleteThe Swedes are pretty good at it as well...=)
www.skyddsjakt.n.nu
Hi!
ReplyDeleteHow can I tell if my BSA Lightning XL is made in Brimingham?
I've bought it from a guy who didn't have that information, maybe the serial number can help?
Loving the information on this website , you have done great job on the posts. Thanks for providing such a great information with us.
ReplyDeleteCompression springs
i will never buy a foreign bsa ever, and everybody i know says the same , get rid of that clown quick
ReplyDelete