A New Chapter for the Historic Firearms Brand
Rivolier Group is proud to announce the positive decision of the commercial court approving the acquisition of Verney-Carron, the last historic French firearms manufacturer, established in Saint-Étienne since 1820. This jewel of French gunsmithing will continue to live and innovate in France, at the heart of its original region. The decision follows a highly competitive takeover offer, both in terms of social considerations and asset valuation.
A bicentennial family-owned company based in the Loire, Rivolier is today one of France’s leading distributors of hunting, sport shooting, and security and defense equipment. With this acquisition, Rivolier strengthens its local presence and reaffirms its commitment to national sovereignty, making “Made in France” a priority.
This takeover marks the beginning of a new era focused on innovation and modernization.
To ensure the revival of Verney-Carron, Rivolier is committed to preserving its unique expertise and maintaining as many jobs as possible at the historic site.
Having previously focused on distribution, Rivolier recognizes its limitations in industrial production and has chosen to partner with leading European manufacturers to structure its operations.
A strategic alliance has been established with two reference partners renowned for their excellence in firearms manufacturing: STEYR ARMS, the Austrian manufacturer since 1864, and AREX Defense, a Slovenian industrial company known for its defense firearms.
Their expertise will help structure Rivolier’s industrial development and bring Verney-Carron products back to prominence on the international stage.
Our Commitments:
- Preserve unique craftsmanship and associated jobs, with no offshoring
- Consolidate hunting and security & defense product offerings to create an effective commercial lever aligned with the market
- Gradually renew all Verney-Carron hunting and security & defense firearms ranges, integrating a strong innovation and R&D program
- Develop an effective marketing strategy based on this foundation
- Integrate an industrial entity: Verney-Carron will become the first industrial entity fully owned and managed by Rivolier
- Internationalize the product range to ensure the development of new Verney-Carron lines in line with our market vision
Acknowledgements
This achievement results from a strong collective commitment to maintaining Verney-Carron in the Loire region—an ambitious, forward-looking project. We warmly thank all internal teams and partners involved in building this offer, as well as stakeholders, elected officials, local institutions, and community actors who have supported this vision.
About Rivolier
Rivolier is a strong distribution player supporting this relaunch, with significant financial capabilities. As of December 31, 2024, the Group reported consolidated revenue of €130 million, operating income of €10 million, equity of €52 million, and cash of €17.5 million. The Group employs 281 people, all based in France.
About RSBC
To strengthen the project’s international dimension, which is essential for future initiatives, Rivolier is partnering with the Czech family holding RSBC, which will hold a minority stake (35%). RSBC invests heavily in European industry and already owns our industrial partners STEYR ARMS and AREX Defense.
STEYR ARMS is a globally operating firearms manufacturer with a 160-year tradition, headquartered in Austria with a branch in the United States. STEYR holds a strong position in hunting rifles and weapons for police and military professionals. Among its most successful products is the iconic Steyr AUG, used by over two dozen armies worldwide. STEYR ARMS’ innovative, high-quality products are popular worldwide.
AREX Defense is a dynamic, growing company with a production base in Slovenia focused on defense products, with orders in NATO countries, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America. Innovative, agile, and performance-oriented, AREX Defense has established itself as a strategic player in Europe, particularly thanks to its handguns and modular weapons systems.