Daisy Sold To New York Group

A New York-based private equity group purchased Rogers-based Daisy Manufacturing Co., which has produced air guns since 1886. Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. announced the acquisition July 1. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The sale was completed June 26, said Joe Murfin, vice president of public relations for Daisy.

The purchase was made through BRS Outdoor Sports Holdings LLC, which owns Gamo Outdoor SLU, a Spanish manufacturer of air guns and outdoor accessories.

Stephen Sherrill, co-founder and managing director for BRS, said in a news release “we look forward to strengthening the company’s position in the youth market and are very pleased for BRS Outdoor Sports and Gamo to be involved with the next chapter of growth for Daisy.”

Raymond Burns, president and chief executive officer of Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, expects the Daisy plant will continue business as usual.

“They’ve always been a part of the DNA of Rogers,” Burns said.

As part of the deal, Daisy president Ray Hobbs is no longer with the company. Keith Higginbotham, president of Gamo Outdoor USA, will become president of Daisy.

“We believe this is a great combination as Gamo is deeply rooted in the outdoors,” Higginbotham said in a news release. “Daisy is a part of Americana, and we both share a passion for the shooting sports.”

Murfin declined to answer when asked if the deal with BRS was an unsolicited offer or if Daisy was looking to be bought.

In 1993, Charter Oak Partners, a Connecticut investment group, purchased Daisy and had owned it for the past 23 years.

No changes at the Daisy plant are planned at this time. It has 65 employees.