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Across the pond: United States
Mead Industries files for Chapter 11 protection
Nebraska bullet and ammunition-machinery manufacturer Mead Industries has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, seeking to reorganise while it addresses disputed lawsuit and contract claims.
The Wood River-based company filed its voluntary petition in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska on 2 September. The filing lists more than $7.1m in assets and more than $6.4m in liabilities.
Named creditors include Kentucky’s Best Hemp Inc., which holds a disputed lawsuit claim exceeding $1.85m; Hiawatha National Bank, owed more than $1.3m; FNBO, owed more than $544,000; and Gunwerks LLC, which has a $346,000 contract-dispute claim. Debts to company owner Gregory A. Mead and AMDG Enterprises are also listed.
Founded by Greg Mead in 1977, Mead Industries manufactures precision hunting bullets, plus machinery, equipment and components for ammunition makers. Its 15,000 sq ft Wood River facility includes a ballistics laboratory, welding shop and machine shop. The company says its equipment supports production of more than 50 million bullets a month across the shooting industry.
The petition records gross revenue of more than $2.4m in 2024, falling to more than $1.3m in 2025. By the filing date, it had generated more than $1.1m during 2026.
Garmin acquires Applied Ballistics
Garmin has acquired Applied Ballistics, a provider of ballistic research, projectile data and integrated solver technology for the long-range shooting market. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition expands Garmin’s capability across its tactical, hunting and shooting-sports businesses. Applied Ballistics develops ballistic solvers and radar-validated projectile models for hunters, competitive shooters and other long-range users.
Brad Trenkle, Garmin Co-Chief Operating Officer, said: “Applied Ballistics is a natural complement to Garmin’s outdoor and tactical product portfolio. By bringing our teams together, we can accelerate innovation and deliver even more capable, integrated solutions to customers who depend on accuracy.”
Based in Howard City, Michigan, Applied Ballistics’ portfolio includes the Quantum app, a ballistic solver and ecosystem-management platform.
Mainland Europe
Steiner adds PromoBoxx dealer platform
Steiner Optics has partnered with US retail marketing platform PromoBoxx to give authorised dealers access to ready-made, brand-approved digital campaigns.
The platform supplies content for email, social media and websites, helping retailers promote Steiner products without producing assets from scratch. Campaigns will be updated to support launches, promotions and product features.
Dave Paskenski, Steiner Optics’ Director of Sales, said: “Our dealers are experts at serving hunters, shooters and outdoor enthusiasts, but marketing can often compete with the demands of running a business.”
The EU lead shot restriction, which moved towards adoption when the European Parliament concluded its consideration on 8 October, is covered in full in EU lead shot ban: what the seven-year transition means for UK dealers.
Republic of Ireland
Daniel Technologies appoints Paul Connolly
Daniel Technologies has appointed Paul Connolly as Business Development Manager – Defence, strengthening its capability in the defence and security sector.
Connolly joins following a 24-year career with the Irish Defence Forces, including senior technical, operational and command appointments. From 2019 to 2024, he served as Brigade Ordnance Officer and Officer Commanding of 2 Brigade Ordnance Groups, before becoming Senior Staff Officer Procurement within the Directorate of Ordnance.
His experience covers the design, specification, inspection, maintenance and procurement of defence equipment. He is also an experienced explosive ordnance disposal officer, with more than 17 years of active EOD service and overseas deployments in Liberia, Kosovo, Chad and Lebanon.
Connolly said: “The move to Daniel Technologies just simply made sense. It feels like a very natural move to go from being an Ordnance Officer involved in the design, specification, inspection, maintenance and procurement of defensive equipment to a company that is at the cutting edge of the sourcing and supply of defensive equipment and services.”
In his new role, he will focus on matching changing defence requirements with products and services suited to operational use.
Related articles
EU lead shot ban: what the seven-year transition means for UK dealers – The EU restriction in full.
