Henry firearms expanding 100 percent of its operations to Wisconsin

A certain amount of nostalgia comes with a Henry firearm, most notably their tried and true lever-action .22. But it’s not just nostalgia, because if you're from Wisconsin, a certain amount of pride comes with a Henry too.

Some Henry firearms were already made in Wisconsin, but recently, the company just announced that 100 percent of its manufacturing operations will take place in the Badger State. 

In an announcement the company made last month, manufacturing operations that took place in Bayonne, New Jersey will be transferred to “its newly expanded state-of-the-art headquarters in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and two additional facilities nearby Ladysmith, Wisconsin.” Also according to the announcement, Henry said it will be closing on a third plant in Ladysmith by mid-summer.

“This strategic transition accommodates the need for increased production capacity and better supports the company’s future growth driven by innovative firearms design,” the announcement said. “Planting its flag firmly in the state of Wisconsin solidifies Henry Repeating Arms’ commitment to American craftsmanship in the heart of the Midwest and underscores the company’s relentless pursuit of enhancing the quality of its offerings, leading the industry in both aesthetic and functional design engineering, and delivering unmatched value to its growing customer base.”

Henry founder and CEO Anthony Imperato indicated the move is best for the company and gave more detail into the transition. 

“We are putting all of our eggs in one basket, the Wisconsin basket, because it makes us more efficient, more productive, and allows for more collaboration amongst our design and engineering teams, all while sustaining and enhancing Henry’s solid reputation for quality,” he was quoted saying in the announcement. “With about 400,000 square feet of cutting-edge manufacturing operations in four facilities within minutes of each other, Henry Repeating Arms is well positioned for its next chapter.”

The company’s president, Andrew Wickstrom, indicated Wisconsin has been crucial to its success. 

“This transition allows us to double down on what we do best — making world-class rifles, shotguns, and revolvers right here in the heart of America,” he was quoted saying in the announcement. “Our Wisconsin operations have been essential to our success for a long time, and now it is the cornerstone of our bright future.”

The company said the increased production in the state already known for its cheese will accelerate the timing of its products to the market, streamline distribution and “enhance quality control to effectively meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s firearm enthusiasts, competitors, hunters, and collectors.”

Storied history

The Henry rifle is named after its inventor, Benjamin Tyler Henry. 

According to the company’s website, he patented the first lever action repeating rifle in 1860 and was an advantage over what at the time was the widely used muzzle-loading musket.

During the civil war, the website said, the first Henry lever actions were used by Union soldiers two years after the patent. And not only were soldiers using the guns, but they started selling well with civilians too.

While Henry rifles gained quite the reputation in the days of the Civil War, its popularity continued on into the “frontier days of the American West,” the website said. 

“It would soon become one of the most legendary, respected and sought after rifles in the history of firearms,” the website said.

While the company will manufacture its firearms completely in Wisconsin, Henry Repeating Arms was founded by Imperato and his father Louis in Brooklyn, New York in 1996. 

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].