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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 art computer numerical control, or CNC, machines that run every day. e layout of the factory tells the story of the pro- duction output of the two businesses. On one side, 19 CNC machines turn out gun slides. e machines are controlled by computer software specifically set to make each type of slide, and are monitored by staff to assure they are running correctly. e other side looks like more traditional manual manufacturing, with machines that stamp out the various parts of each handcuff, which are then put together by workers. e carbon and nickel-plated cuffs at one point are shipped to Springfield to get shined, and then sent back to Houlton for final assembly. e hand- cuffs are bought mostly by police and the military, although they can be purchased by the public in other stores. Allen says the handcuffs comply with National Institute of Justice guidelines for materials strength and dimensions. Ironically, the handcuffs all use the same key, which also works in the handcuffs of competitors like Peerless Handcuff Co. of West Springfield, Mass. "Handcuffs are meant as a temporary restraint, and a supervisor is with the detainee, whose hands are cuffed behind their back," Allen says. He adds that the handcuffs have a ratcheted closure, so they are not as easy to pick or get free from as one would imagine from watching movies. e handguns, which are assembled in Springfield, also are sold to police and military customers. But they also can be bought at stores like Cabela's and Kittery Trading Post for prices ranging from $400 to $700. e Houlton factory runs a truck to Springfield loaded with gun and handcuff parts three times a week. It's an eight-hour drive one way. Parent company Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) reported net sales of $552 mil- lion for fiscal year 2015 ended April 30, down almost 12% from last year. Firearm division net sales were $531.2 million, a decrease of 15.2% from last year. ings turned around in the first quarter of FY2016 ended July 31. Quarterly net sales were $148 million, up 12% from the first quarter last year. Firearms division net sales of $134 million rose by close to 2% from the comparable quarter last year. e company's share price tends to rise and fall with news of mass shootings, which act to increase sales to SIZE UP YOUR VALUATION Gain Insight with Valuation and Forensic Experts The issues are complicated. You need an expert who can bring clarity. Leveraging Northern New England's largest accounting and consulting fi rm. Dependable valuations. Defendable results. SHAREHOLDER DISPUTES ECONOMIC DAMAGES LOST PROFITS BUSINESS APPRAISAL BERRYDUNN.COM Smith & Wesson highlights World's leading maker of handguns. Best known products: .22 rimfire revolver; .38 special revolver used by police; .44 Magnum made famous by Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" movies; .357 Magnum. Products include handcuffs and bicycles for law enforcement use. It also sells law enforcement software and systems that through an electronic composite drawing of a suspect can match a database of mug shots and rank possible suspects. S O U R C E : Smith & Wesson website C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »

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