Czechoslovak Group (CSG), the company owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad, is now the majority stakeholder of Armi Perazzi, the renowned Italian guns manufacturer specializing in the segment of shotguns for the sport discipline of trap (shooting at asphalt or clay targets) and for hunting. Founded by Daniele Perazzi in 1957 and currently led his descendants, Mauro and Roberta Perazzi, Perazzi's guns have helped top shooters from different countries win 62 Olympic medals at 11 Olympics. The company, which produces an average of 1500 firearms per year, has offices in Italy and California, USA, and exports its products to 50 countries. CSG has acquired an 80-percent stake in the company, while the Perazzi siblings share the remaining 20 percent equally. The business will continue to be run by the Perazzi family and the current management team.
The purchase of Perazzi is CSG's second major acquisition in Italy. Last year, the company acquired a majority stake in Fiocchi Munizioni, the manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition, which operates production facilities in Italy, the UK, and the USA (where it has two production sites: one in Ozark, Missouri, and the second in Little Rock, Arkansas). The company's revenues for 2021 amounted to 14.3 million euro. At a global level, in 2023 CSG also signed an agreement to acquire NYSE-listes U.S. company Vista Outdoor's sporting and ammo division (including some historic ammunition and component brands such as Alliant powder, CCI, Estate cartridge, Federal, HEVI shot, Remington, and Speer) and several other Vista Outdoor brands for $1.91 billion. The acquisition of Armi Perazzi proves that CSG is systematically working on its strategic plan to build itself as a global leader in sport shooting and hunting.
Armi Perazzi, excellence and exclusivity will be maintained
"The decision to find a strategic partner to whom we would sell a majority stake in the company was motivated by our desire to ensure a secure future, sustainable growth, and strengthen the company’s unique position in the global luxury arms market,” said Mauro Perazzi. “We decided to partner with CSG, which also has roots as a family business, because CSG understands our history and business philosophy."
Roberta Perazzi added, "With CSG's entry into Armi Perazzi, we expect to strengthen our competitiveness. We see CSG as a strong, successful multinational company that will allow us to continue to produce prestigious hunting and sporting firearms. CSG will help us succeed in the market and open up new business opportunities with its experience."
Michal Strnad, owner of CSG, commented on the acquisition: "Armi Perazzi is a prestigious brand in the field of firearms for sport shooters and elite hunters. At the same time, it is a stable and prosperous company that the Perazzi family excellently manages. The motivation for this acquisition is not only financial but also to strengthen CSG's international prestige and reputation as a global and innovative industrial group expanding in Europe and the USA."
CSG's manager responsible for the acquisition of Armi Perazzi and its future development is CSG Investment Director Stanislav Kuba, who summarizes the goals for the company's further development: "We want to maintain the excellence and exclusivity of Armi Perazzi products, bring new customers to the company, and also to leverage its strong brand, especially in connecting CSG further to the shooting sports."
