FN Breaks Ground On Second South Carolina Factory

by
posted on October 31, 2023
Fn Breaks Ground 2

On October 19, FN America broke ground on what will be the site of the company’s second production facility in South Carolina. This plant, built upon FN’s solid foundation and history within the state, will be located within the Pickens County Commerce Park in Liberty, near Greenville, S.C.

“This was a historic day for FN. More than 40 years ago, FN opened operations in Columbia to fulfill a government contract for the U.S. Army,” said Mark Cherpes, president and CEO of FN America. “Since that day, FN’s business has grown tremendously, and we have forged unbreakable bonds within the state of South Carolina. Pickens County is a great ally to the manufacturing community and one we have had ties to for many years through our ongoing partnership with their Career and Technology Center’s Machine Tool students. That partnership has helped to develop our future workforce in the community and will be of great importance as we embark upon this expansion to better meet the needs of our customers.”

The company will invest $33 million to construct the future 100,000-sq.-ft. facility over two phases beginning in April 2024 and create 176 new jobs for the Pickens community. With state-of-the-art equipment and construction, FN’s second facility will expand the company’s manufacturing footprint and allow it to meet demand of its military, law enforcement and consumer markets.

FN America was established in the United States in 1979 and opened its doors in 1981 to produce the M240 medium machine gun, a variant of the FN MAG-58, under contract to the U.S. Army. For more than 40 years, the company’s primary production facility has been in Richland County, S.C.—which includes Columbia—and has produced more than 1 million small arms under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense.

“Our connection to FN goes back many years with the work-based learning partnership established with the students of our Career and Technology Center,” said Ray Farley, executive director for Alliance Pickens economic development. “We are delighted to welcome FN as a permanent fixture in our community with this future facility.”

FN America employs more than 600 staff members who produce firearms, accessories and related products for the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies and consumers. The company has manufactured the M4A1, M16A4, M249 light machine gun, M240 and FN SCAR under contract for the U.S. military, as well as its FN 509 striker-fired pistol line used by U.S. law-enforcement agencies like the Los Angeles Police Department.

Latest

John Parker flowing piece flintlock muzzleloader right-side view on white background
John Parker flowing piece flintlock muzzleloader right-side view on white background

Captain John Parker's Fowler: Witness To History

While thousands of firearms were used in and around the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, few survive today. One survivor is the flintlock fowler used by Capt. John Parker of the Lexington militia.

New For 2025: Mossberg 590M Standoff & 500 Slugster Pump Shotguns

The Mossberg 500 is one of the most popular pump-action shotguns ever made. That doesn’t keep the company from making updates and improvements, as evidenced in the new-for-2025 590M Standoff and 500 Slugster series.

Preview: Warthog Sharpeners V-Sharp Elite A4

Warthog USA’s V-Sharp Elite A4 pairs the company’s most feature-packed portable blade-sharpening unit with a detachable wooden base for added stability.

The Men & Guns Of Lexington Green

On April 19, 1775, 250 years ago, approximately 80 armed militiamen from Lexington gathered on their village green to confront several hundred British infantrymen. The events of that morning began a conflict that would ultimately establish the United States of America.

"Battle Road" & The British Retreat To Boston: 250 Years Later

After the fights at Lexington and Concord's North Bridge, the British column had to return to Boston. On its way, the regulars were set upon by hundreds, then thousands, of armed militiamen hell bent on revenge.

Preview: Hawke Airmax 2-7X 32 mm AO

Shooters looking to add optics to their air rifles should choose airgun-specific scopes such as those in Hawke’s Airmax line—which offers four models.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.