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The Queensland-based munitions manufacturer has subsumed a wholesale arms distributor in a bid to bolster its presence across the Tasman.
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NIOA has announced its acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in Auckland-based firearms and ammunition company Sportways Distributors.
Sportways, which was established in 1999, represents over a dozen international suppliers, distributing rifles, pistols, shotguns, ammunition, outdoor gear and accessories to the dealer network and law enforcement community throughout New Zealand.
As part of the deal, Sportways will be renamed as NIOA in New Zealand, helping the company establish a permanent foothold in the country.
This is expected to further enhance NIOA’s existing relationship with the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police through weapons supply contracts.
“NIOA has a longstanding connection with New Zealand through our support of New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Defence Force as well as the hunting and sports shooting market,” NIOA CEO Robert Nioa said.
“NIOA has a rich heritage in the sporting, recreational and hunting markets so we have a genuine appreciation of Sportways’ reputation and its place in New Zealand.
“Sportways has a wide customer base, and we are excited at the opportunity this brings to expand the offerings for New Zealanders through our global relationships and also to create local job opportunities.’’
Sportways director Garry Powell, who will serve as general manager of NIOA in New Zealand, welcomed NIOA’s acquisition, noting the companies shared interest in the shooting industry, strong advocacy for the licensed firearms community, and gun safety.
“These values and similarities combined with our complementary product lines mean our customers can look forward to new opportunities to access the very best equipment in the world,” Powell said.
The acquisition comes just weeks after the Commonwealth government appointed Raytheon Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia as strategic partners for the $1 billion sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO).
The global prime contractors will be supported by a number of Australia-based industry cooperatives, including the Sovereign Missile Alliance (SMA) – a joint venture between Nova Systems and Electro Optic Systems (EOS) – and the NIOA-led Australian Missile Corporation (AMC).
NIOA also recently appointed Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Lee Goddard as CEO of the AMC.
During his 34-year career, RADM Goddard commanded the Anzac Class frigates, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Perth, and also served at sea in Canadian, Malaysian and US Navy warships and on operations in the Middle East, South China Sea and Border Protection.
Most recently, RADM Goddard served as Commander, Maritime Border Command, leading Operation Sovereign Borders.
[Related: SMA, AMC welcome landmark GWEO partnership, new AMC CEO named]
