Reviving Thompson Center Arms: Bringing an Iconic Brand Back to New Hampshire

Gregg Ritz’s journey with Thompson Center Arms began long before he became the company’s President and CEO. At just 16, Ritz received his first firearm, sparking a passion for competitive shooting that eventually led him to train at the Olympic Training Center as part of the U.S. shooting team. That experience opened doors across the firearms industry and ultimately led him to Thompson Center Arms.

From Competitive Shooter to Industry Leader

Before joining Thompson Center Arms, Ritz built relationships across the firearms and ammunition industry while working as a manufacturing sales representative for several well-known brands. But when the opportunity arose to join Thompson Center Arms in New Hampshire, he quickly realized the company was unlike any other.

Ritz discovered that the company was more than a firearms manufacturer — it had a culture built on innovation, craftsmanship and deeply committed employees.

“The people made the company what it is today,” Ritz said, emphasizing that his role as leader is centered on building the right team and preserving the company’s values.

Turning Crisis Into Innovation

Just six months after Ritz joined the company as its Sales Manager, disaster struck. In 1997, a fire destroyed one-third of the manufacturing facility, bringing operations to a standstill. While the company rebuilt, competition intensified and sales subsequently declined.

Ritz responded by traveling extensively throughout the market, speaking directly with dealers and customers to better understand what hunters and shooters wanted. Those conversations led to one of the company’s most significant innovations: the Encore platform.

Expanding beyond the original handgun concept, Thompson Center Arms’ engineers developed an interchangeable system that could transform into a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader or handgun — a first-of-its-kind platform that remains iconic today.

A Promise to Return to New Hampshire

In 2007, Thompson Center Arms was acquired by Smith & Wesson and later relocated to the company’s headquarters in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ritz stayed on to lead the hunting division. Although he was later offered a permanent executive position, Ritz ultimately chose the entrepreneurial path instead, launching an outdoor marketing company called Walcom.

After Smith & Wesson closed the Rochester facility, Ritz made a promise to himself: if he ever had the opportunity to buy Thompson Center Arms, he would bring it back home to New Hampshire.

That opportunity became a reality in 2024.

Following conversations with veteran industry retailers and business associates along with a group of investors, Ritz successfully acquired the Thompson Center Arms brand from Smith & Wesson. Reflecting after the purchase, all Ritz had was “a piece of paper” confirming ownership of the brand — no equipment, no employees, no facility.

Rebuilding a Brand From the Ground Up

Today, the company operates from a 77,000-square-foot facility in Farmington, NH with 100 employees. Ritz credits strong local partnerships, including Bank of New Hampshire, for helping accelerate the company’s revival.

“Bank of New Hampshire has partnered with other gun companies, so they understand the ecosystem,” Ritz said. “It’s proved to be a fantastic partnership.”

Ritz also praised working with Jon Shapleigh, VP – Commercial Banker, and the bank for helping connect the company with state leaders, the City of Rochester, the Town of Farmington, local selectmen and the economic development community.

“Jon and the bank recognized the opportunity to partner with us and were able to open doors at both the town and state,” he added.

“Thompson Center Arms represents the kind of company that strengthens New Hampshire’s manufacturing economy,” said Shapleigh. “Being part of the company’s return to the state — and helping open doors at the local and state level — has been incredibly rewarding.”

Support From Loyal Customers

Ritz points to the overwhelming response from loyal customers as proof that the Thompson Center Arms legacy remains strong.

“People bought our guns because they believed in the people, the culture, the lifetime warranty and the commitment to quality,” Ritz said. “That connection never went away.”

For Thompson Center Arms, the return to New Hampshire represents more than a business comeback — it’s the revival of a heritage brand fueled by community, innovation and loyalty generations in the making.

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