by I’m not sure how I missed this as I like to keep up with the relocation of manufacturing within the firearms industry but I did. What clued me in was a posting on The Shooting Wire that this move won an award from the Georgia Economic Developers Association.
Taurus USA announced in April that they were building a manufacturing facility in Bainbridge, Georgia.
Taurus Holdings, Inc. (“Taurus USA”) announces plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Bainbridge, Georgia, part of Decatur County, creating over 300 new jobs with a combined investment of over $22.5MM in infrastructure and operations. Taurus USA, through its subsidiaries, manufactures or distributes the popular Taurus®, Rossi®, and Heritage™ Manufacturing product lines….
David Blenker, President & CEO of Taurus USA comments, “The decision to relocate stems from our desire to expand our facility, keeping all operations in one location. All involved have welcomed Taurus, from the Governor’s office to the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to establishing a solid workforce and giving back to a great community,” continued Blenker. Ground breaking ceremonies will take place mid-summer 2018.
Not being too terribly conversant with Georgia geography, I had to look up Bainbridge. It is in southwest Georgia near the Florida state line west of Thomasville. Perhaps more importantly, it is less than an hour’s drive to Tallahassee, Florida. It has is the home to Bainbridge State College which has partnered with industry on many occasions.
The award announcement on the facility:
In December 2019, Taurus will complete its move to a new 200,000 square foot facility in Bainbridge. This new state-of-the-art facility will help expand the company’s U.S. engineering and production capabilities, host the new corporate headquarters, and further strengthen core manufacturing efforts to better meet consumer expectations in firearm innovation and quality performance. For the Bainbridge and Decatur County area, this move will add 300 jobs and insert more than $22.5 million into the economy.
I’m not sure what was the impetus to this move from their Miami Lakes location in Florida. It could be cost of living, cost of labor, politics, or merely the desire to be a big fish in a small pond. I’ll be sure to visit the Taurus booth this coming week at the SHOT Show and ask.
By the way, I know it is convenient to hate on Taurus. I have a couple of their firearms – a Tracker 627 revolver and a PT1911 – which have worked fine for me. I got them used at a good price and I’m OK with them. They aren’t Smith or Colt respectively but I didn’t intend them to be.
The firearms community in Florida is up against the wall. Between what that idiot Rod Scott signed into law, pushed by panicky RINO idiots in the state legislature, with no one listening to the facts that the firearms community wasn't the problem regarding Parkland (hey, when are the Feds gonna charge the shooter's mom for buying firearms and transferring them to a prohibited (or should have been prohibited) person?)
So, yeah, moving at least out of the Broward – Palm Beach nexus of stupidity is a good idea. And booking to a more gun free state just makes sense.
I'm sure the incentives from GA and the ability to have a more modern plant didn't hurt either. I'd have to guess the cost of labor in a rural area like Bainbridge has got to be cheaper than in Dade County.