Industry Update

Reinforce3D and Impac Systems Engineering have partnered to accelerate industrial adoption of the Continuous Fiber Injection Process (CFIP) across North America. The collaboration enables manufacturers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to integrate continuous fiber reinforcement into production without redesigning parts, enhancing strength-to-weight ratios while maintaining design freedom.

The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for May 2026 reached 1,105,758, a 3.2 percent increase from May 2025's 1,071,685. The National Shooting Sports Foundation reported new monthly NFA checks data, with Texas, Virginia, and Florida leading in NFA checks, while the May 2026 NFA figure of 146,551 increased 100.4 percent year-over-year.

Solar Atmospheres' Eastern PA facility commissioned a new 12-foot horizontal vacuum furnace designed for titanium Hydriding and Dehydriding (HDH) processing and heat treating. The furnace features a 54" x 54" x 144" working zone, 15,000-pound load capacity, and dual mechanical pumping systems to support growing customer demands.

Payroc, an official NSSF Affinity Partner, offers a cash-discount program enabling firearm retailers to pass 100% of credit and debit card processing costs to customers. The compliant program provides two price options at checkout and is supported across all 50 states.

Kowalski Heat Treating (KHT) has advanced its heat treating capabilities for knife blade and firearm component manufacturers through updated stacking methods, optimized thermal processing, and refined quench controls to improve consistency and reduce costly rework.

Paul Baker, CFO and co-owner of Productiv, published "Output Over Hours," a data-driven guide revealing how hourly temp staffing models cost 50-100% more than invoiced rates. The book draws on 1,000+ kitting projects and promotes Productiv's Embedded Operations model, which has achieved 23% cost reduction and 41% throughput increase across nine active sites.

Juan Ramos has been appointed Regional Sales Manager for Edge Technologies, covering the South Central territory including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Southern Illinois. Ramos brings experience from Southwest Machine Technologies and will focus on strengthening Edge Technologies' presence in Texas and Oklahoma.

Simil Cuero Plymouth is a manufacturer specializing in durable, efficient performance fabrics and synthetics for cases, pads, boots, and uniforms offers custom designs and USMCA-compliant solutions. Contact Fernando Itzkowich, Sales Director, for more information about their comprehensive product development services.

Kowalski Heat Treating has introduced process and racking enhancements to improve knife blade heat treating outcomes by addressing incoming blade geometry inconsistencies. The company refined stacking orientation, load configurations, and quench consistency to achieve tighter hardness control while reducing scrap and rework for customers.

Continuum Powders announced Jon Cozens as Chief Executive Officer to lead the company's scaling phase. Cozens brings over a decade of experience from leadership roles at Aries Clean Technologies, Mura Technology, and Fulcrum BioEnergy, with a track record of commercializing industrial technologies and raising significant capital.

Payroc, an official Affinity Partner of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), is helping firearm retailers reduce payment-processing costs by 50–70% through its RewardPay Choice surcharge program. The compliant solution allows merchants to offset rising card acceptance costs while maintaining seamless checkout experiences across in-store, mobile, and online environments.

Payment-processing platform Payroc has become an official Affinity Partner of the NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association. Founded in 2003, Payroc offers firearms-friendly payment solutions for brick-and-mortar, gun show, and online sales, providing NSSF's 10,000+ members with competitive pricing and dedicated support.

PİKSAN CNC specializes in high-precision CNC turning and milling for automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers across Europe. The company offers stable series production, in-house CMM inspection, and holds ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949, and VDA 6.3 certifications while providing competitive pricing through in-house tooling capabilities.

NSSF has named 2TON as its first official Affinity Partner, providing NSSF members with specialized branding, marketing, and digital development services. 2TON will be listed in the NSSF member portal and collaborate with the association to provide marketing education and resources for firearm industry businesses.

Edge Technologies appointed Jimmy Clark as Director of Sales to lead sales strategy across North America. Clark will oversee regional sales efforts, channel partnerships, key accounts, and manage customers and dealers in Florida. President Kevin Meehan emphasized the role's importance in expanding Edge's footprint and strengthening dealer relationships.

Shippers Insurance Program (SHIP-INS), family-owned since 1998, offers third-party shipping insurance for small package, LTL, and air freight at rates 60% lower than carrier-declared value charges, with no contracts or monthly minimums.

Productiv celebrates its 20th anniversary in February 2026, marking two decades of partnership and operational excellence. The company has invested in AI-driven tools for dock scheduling, B2B scanning, and workforce planning, while implementing collaborative and humanoid robotics across its five nationwide warehouses.

Todd Seyfert, President and CEO of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., has been elected to the NSSF Board of Governors at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Seyfert brings extensive industry experience from previous roles at FeraDyne Outdoors, Vista Outdoor, and other manufacturing enterprises.

Wilson Arms Holdings LLC, a precision rifle barrel manufacturer since 1954, announced new private ownership with Steve Pawl promoted to CEO after 44 years with the company. The Branford, Connecticut-based manufacturer maintains its commitment to quality.

Thomas Thacker has been named Chief Executive Officer of Azimuth Technology, effective January 12, 2026, succeeding co-founder Len Zaiser IV. Thacker, a firearms industry veteran with 30+ years of experience, previously served as Chief Operations Officer and held senior positions at Ammo Inc., Armalite, and FN America.