Vista Outdoor announces plans to sell its ammunition plants to Czechoslovak Group

Vista Outdoor plans to sell its ammunition-making plants, including its Lewiston operations, to Czechoslovak Group for $1.91 billion in a deal expected to close next year.

Czechoslovak Group employs more than 10,000 at its companies and affiliates, according to a news release issued today by Vista Outdoor with the announcement.

The company’s segments are comprised of defense, aerospace, ammunition, mobility and business.

“CSG is 100% owned and led by Michal Strnad, who has transformed it into a leading Czech industrial group with a strong international footprint,” according to the news release.

CCI/Speer has about 1,400 employees in Lewiston who are part of its Sporting Products segment, which has a total of about 4,500 staff members.  

Jason Vanderbrink, Vista Outdoor’s Sporting Products CEO, will remain in that position after the sale and the U.S. headquarters will continue to be in Anoka, Minn., near Minneapolis.

Vista Outdoor had previously announced plans to split the ammunition manufacturing segment from a portion of the company with brands for outdoor recreation such as Camp Chef, Camelbak and Simms Fishing.

The transaction for the bullet-making operations is subject to approval of stockholders and will require regulatory approvals.

More on this story will be published in Tuesday’s Tribune.