13 Aug Barrett Begins Construction on New Era in Weapon Systems Manufacturing
MURFREESBORO, TN – The NIOA Group has officially broken ground on its new Barrett Firearms facility, heralding a new era in weapon systems manufacturing for Tennessee.
The ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the Barrett Manufacturing & Technology Campus (BMTC) and NIOA North American Headquarters, was attended by a host of dignitaries including Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Senator for Tennessee, the Honorable Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr and Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland, industry leaders, company executives and staff.
The BMTC will be the NIOA Group’s global center of excellence for firearms and advanced military weapons manufacturing and research capabilities. The ceremony was held today in conjunction with TNECD.
The $76.4 million project creates a 170-acre campus at 8808 Manchester Pike, not far from the company’s original headquarters where it has proudly operated for more than four decades. It marks the most significant investment in Barrett’s history and reflects the NIOA Group’s long-term commitment to advanced manufacturing and local jobs in Rutherford County.
Barrett has built a legendary reputation for its craftmanship and innovation in large caliber long-range superiority over 40 years and is a trusted supplier to US and allied militaries worldwide. This new facility described as “the factory of the future” will continue that story of innovation, research and development and precision military manufacturing to produce the next generation of advanced soldier fired weapon systems.
Stage 1 of the BMTC includes corporate headquarters, R&D capabilities, large scale state-of-the-art manufacturing and first floor office area spread over more than 250,000 square feet. The expansion will double the Barrett workforce over the next five years and enable the company to meet growing worldwide demand for its commercial and defense products.
Barrett CEO Bryan James said the new facility represented a bold step forward and a long-term commitment to the company’s heritage in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“As a locally founded business, we’re proud to invest once again in the place that has shaped our success as a global leader serving both the commercial and military markets,” Mr. James said.
“This project not only underscores our commitment to the region, supporting hundreds of local jobs, but it’s a significant investment in our people, our customers and our capabilities.”
Mr. James thanked TNECD and the wider community for their strong support of the project, recognizing its potential to create skilled jobs for the region.
NIOA Group executive chairman and chairman of the Barrett board, Rob Nioa, said the new facility would serve as the NIOA Group’s global firearms and advanced military weapons manufacturing center of excellence.
“Tennessee is a firearms and ammunition industry powerhouse. As we look ahead to global growth, we are excited to be building the factory of the future right here,” Mr. Nioa said.
“This is a strategic investment that will give us the scale, technology and capacity to meet the evolving demands of our customers and defense partners worldwide.”
Construction of the BMTC is expected to be completed by February 2027 with operations to begin soon after.
Government officials, NIOA ownership, Barrett Executives and project developers at the BMTC Groundbreaking Ceremony. (Photo by TNECD)
About Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military and more than 80 US Department of State approved countries around the world. The Barrett Quality Management System (QMS) has received the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for the design and manufacture of firearms, ammunition, and accessories, and to provide training for those systems. For more information, please visit www.barrett.net. Barrett is part of the NIOA Group.
About NIOA Group
- The NIOA Group includes NIOA Australia, NIOA New Zealand, the Australian Missile Corporation, NIOA Inc [USA], Barrett Firearms [USA], NIOA UK and joint venture company Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions.
- Established in 1973, NIOA Group is a global firearms, weapons and munitions company with operations in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and United Kingdom with a distribution network covering 80 US State Department approved countries.
- NIOA is a major tenant at the Australian government owned, contractor operated (GOCO) munitions facility at Benalla in Victoria where it operates 30mm Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, 35mm cannon and 120mm Abrams tank ammunition manufacturing capabilities.
- The company is a joint venture partner with Rheinmetall of Germany in the Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions 155mm artillery forging facility in Maryborough, Queensland, delivering key munitions for allied nations.
