Nimble Response
Staying ahead of the competition requires an ability to call an audible.
Anderson Manufacturing, a family-owned business based in Hebron, Kentucky, has for more than 30 years manufactured rifles, components, and accessories for shooting enthusiasts of all stripes. Recently, the company appointed industry veteran Jeff Stawiarski as its new chief executive officer. The strategic move is designed to reinforce Anderson Manufacturing’s commitment to innovation and growth.
With a wealth of experience, expertise, and thoughtful leadership, Stawiarski has demonstrated exceptional vision and stewardship throughout his career. He has held positions at Xtreme Scents, W.L. Gore, Vista Outdoor, and, most recently, EOTECH. His appointment is a pivotal component of Anderson Manufacturing’s continued efforts to expand its market presence. As CEO, he will lead Anderson Manufacturing’s strategic direction, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable growth.
SHOT Business: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the industry in the next five years?
Jeff Stawiarski: The biggest challenge I see is the attempt to hold gun manufacturers liable for the criminal misuse of their products. I grew up in Michigan, so I have some connection to the automotive industry. If you’re going to go after a gun manufacturer for an act committed by someone who is not a law-abiding citizen, are you then going to go after a car company because the driver of that vehicle caused the death of someone? That’s not how it works. It’s not the vehicle, and it’s not the gun; it’s the person driving the vehicle, and it’s the person shooting the gun.
SB: What opportunities do you see?
JS: If I’m not mistaken, this industry has a $90 billion impact on the American economy. That means well-paying jobs for Americans and significant tax revenue for state and federal government entities. What we do also helps support law enforcement and the military to help keep us safe from harm both at home and abroad.
Of all the people I talk to—and I have a pretty wide and deep network in firearms, ammunition, optics, and accessories—this industry will continue to stay strong. So, I believe firearms, along with all the other ancillary products, will continue to flourish.
SB: When you get up in the morning, what gets you excited about working in the industry?
JS: Although I have never served in the military or worked in law enforcement, I take great pride that I work in an industry that supports our military and helps to make a difference in law enforcement. I think in the end we make products people are passionate about—people who are passionate about going to gun ranges, people who are passionate supporters of the Second Amendment. I feel that every day I come to work I’m making a difference for these people. I’m from Detroit, where many people at one point in their lives work in the automotive industry. I once worked at an automotive company that made springs and coils. Let’s face it: you can’t get excited about making springs and coils.
SB: In a very competitive world, how does Anderson Manufacturing stay ahead of the pack?
JS: We have a diversified portfolio. We not only build parts, but we build firearms. The work we do on the OEM side is very important. Believe it or not, almost 70 percent of the brands in this space use Anderson parts. Whatever the flavor of the month is, we can deliver. For example, last year it was parts; this year the demand is for finished firearms. It’s kind of like a quarterback at the line of scrimmage who reads the defense and calls an audible. Well, we called an audible. We’re very versatile and nimble, and that allows us to adjust to changes in the marketplace.
Another competitive advantage is we’e a family-owned American-made company. Although the company has only been building firearms and firearms parts for 30 years, the company is 70 years old. Its DNA is in heavy machinery and CNC manufacturing, and that experience over 70 years has helped Anderson carve out its niche in the firearms industry.
SB: The new Frontline series, which consists of two rifles and three pistols for the civilian market, is based on your longstanding Defender series designed for LEOs. What did you learn from the user experience of the Defender series that helped you design the Frontier series?
JS: We have learned so much from our law enforcement partners all over the nation, especially from our team next door-Boone County Sheriffs. When we came out of the development phase and into the testing phase, Boone County Sheriffs were a key element to help us with the next steps. Through testing, we learned that every area of operations is unique and that we need to be flexible when it comes to developing a build-out plan. In essence, we found out that there’s no cookie-cutter approach to arming an entire department. We needed to speak with the LEOs who have boots on the ground, understand their command elements, and even integrate ourselves into some of their training evolutions to get a grasp on what a solid duty rifle looks like for each respective team. As a result, we learned that we have to be nimble as a manufacturer and ready to meet each respective department with their specified wants and needs.
Some of our key takeaways included barrel length and twist ratio, which was heavily dependent on the department’s standard ammunition weights and operation terrain, and gas-system length and corresponding buffer weights to mitigate recoil to support efficiency in follow-on shots. We also revamped our handguard design by implementing seven sides of MLOK compatibility with top rail support, quick-detach sling points, and a tapered retention system with anti-rotation shoulders to give these rifles the rigidity that LE duty rifles demand.
Our partnerships within the industry helped us develop the Frontline and Defender Series by implementing Magpul’s K2 Grips, MOE SL Stock/ BSL Arm Brace, and also Breek Arms’ Warhammer charging handles that support ambidextrous charging and mitigate gas blowback when shooting suppressed.
SB: One of your primary tasks as CEO is to expand the company’s market presence. How will you go about doing that?
JS: I think this is a loaded, yet fair, question to ask a CEO. Really, it’s about the people that work in the company. My director of marketing—another new player to Anderson with longevity in this space—Jeremy Hammon, our vice president of sales and marketing, and I will be leveraging our industry expertise and connections to develop the Anderson story and evolve the brand.
There is also a lot of focus right now on operations. It’s not about coming in and fixing things at Anderson. Instead, it’s about using the team’s expertise to introduce new processes and identify areas of continuous improvement in order to allow the company to expand and grow. In some cases, that’s been identifying internal talent and encouraging growth or making sure we have the right people in the right jobs that speak to their skill set. (andersonmanufacturieng.com)
