Federal Ammunition Celebrates Their 100th Anniversary

What began with selling ammunition in gas stations is now an industry powerhouse.

posted on April 27, 2022
Federal 100 year anniversary

Today is the 100-year anniversary of Federal Ammunition, and to celebrate, Federal is showcasing articles, images, and videos on their website that celebrate their history.

“For months we’ve been counting down to Federal Ammunition’s 100-year anniversary,” said Brian Anderson, Federal’s Director of Marketing. “Now that the big day has finally arrived, we’re celebrating with a site takeover of federalpremium.com, sharing the stories, products and special moments that made Federal the world’s leading ammunition manufacturer.”

Each month through the end of 2022, Federal Ammunition will be uploading content that is focused on their rich history of producing ammunition here in the United States. Along with the monthly online content, Federal Ammunition has released a 244-page book preserving the company’s history, and will be offering exclusive giveaways and other promotions based around their 100 year anniversary.

“Initially, the site will feature exclusive videos that take viewers on a tour of the iconic plant, commemorate the anniversary and much more,” continued Anderson. “There’s also an interactive timeline that highlights some of the most influential and interesting moments in company history. Visitors can scroll through a slideshow of vintage posters, enter to win big prizes, and learn the full story of Federal’s earliest years. Look for more articles, seldom-seen photography and other exclusive content added regularly throughout Federal’s centennial year.”

The story of Federal Ammunition begins in 1922, when Charles L. Horn took control of a three-year-old fledgling ammunition manufacturer. Knowing he faced fierce competition from other well-established ammo companies, he embarked on a novel strategy. Horn worked to get Federal products—which at the time consisted only of shotshells produced in a 9,000-square-foot factory—onto the shelves of barber shops, gas stations and grocery stores. He also established a contract to sell Federal Ammunition through Montgomery Ward & Co. and Sears stores.

The strategy worked and helped the company grow. In 1941, Federal secured a contract worth $87 million from the U.S. government to build and operate the Twin City Ordnance Plant in Arden Hills, Minnesota, which was a critical contributor to military ammunition and other defense products during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict.

The Federal Ammunition factory in Anoka, Minnesota, is now a 700,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility where 1,400 employees work in three shifts, 24/7, to produce millions of rounds of centerfire, rimfire and shotshell ammo per day. For more information on the 100th Anniversary of Federal Premium ammunition, please visit federalpremium.com.

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