Posted on 06/30/2017 4:24:20 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 30, 2017) – ShellTech LLC, a newly formed high-volume manufacturing subsidiary of Shell Shock Technologies LLC, plans to locate an ammunition shell casing factory in Pulaski County with a $3.2 million investment that will create 50 full-time jobs, Gov. Matt Bevin announced today.
“Kentucky welcomes this investment by ShellTech, the newest member of our state’s booming engineering and manufacturing sector,” Gov. Bevin said. “Their decision to locate in the commonwealth and bring excellent jobs to our communities, reflects positively on our state. I am grateful for their site selection and look forward to their success in the months and years ahead.”
ShellTech’s new facility in Eubank will manufacture lightweight, nickel-alloy and aluminum NAS³ cartridge cases designed by its parent company, Shell Shock Technologies LLC of Westport, Conn.
ShellTech is purchasing an existing 14,000 square-foot facility and 11 acres previously home to the contract manufacturer of SIG SAUER ammunition and will assemble NAS³ cases under a long-term contract from its parent company.
The new operation will begin with assembling 9mm cases before adding 5.56 mm, .308, .45 ACP, 380 and .40 S&W cases along with a selection of other popular pistol and rifle calibers.
“Our new high-volume manufacturing facility in Eubank, Ky. will give us the scale necessary to accelerate the market introduction and commercialization of Shell Shock’s NAS³ case technology,” said Craig Knight, president and CEO of both Shell Shock Technologies and ShellTech. “We’re extremely grateful for the support provided by the commonwealth of Kentucky, Pulaski County and the various regional and local development agencies. We appreciate their belief in Shell Shock’s technology, development plan and potential. We’re also looking forward to getting involved in, and giving back to, the local community.”
Shell Shock’s two-piece NAS³ cases use a nickel-alloy cylinder mated to an aluminum base. The NAS³ design offers multiple advantages including approximately 50 percent weigh savings versus traditional brass casings; corrosion resistance; greater durability for hand loaders; and after firing, they can be picked up with a magnet.
Founded in 2015, Shell Shock is an early stage technology and manufacturing company focused on developing innovative case designs. The company introduced the NAS³ technology in 2016 and sales have since grown exponentially.
Shell Shock is a component manufacturer supplying shell cases to the shooting sports market, as well as to US and foreign ammunition manufacturers, law enforcement, military and other government agencies. Neither Shell Shock nor ShellTech loads ammunition.
Sen. Rick Girdler, of Somerset, said the region welcomes its newest corporate resident with open arms.
“I want to welcome ShellTech and its parent company, Shell Shock Technologies, to Pulaski County,” Sen. Girdler said. “The creation of new jobs in our region is always celebrated news, and I wish ShellTech the best in this endeavor and thank the company for his new investment.”
Rep. Tommy Turner, of Somerset, noted the positive impact ShellTech could have on the region.
“My district has suffered a lot through the downturn in the economy, but it’s nice to see that we are rebounding. Further, I am happy to see a company making shell casings has decided to invest in our region,” Rep. Turner said. “As a hunter myself, it is nice to see a company in the ammo business coming to our community.”
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Steve Kelley said he expects big things from the community’s newest company.
“What an exciting opportunity we have in locating ShellTech in Pulaski County. This company will revolutionize an industry standard by manufacturing superior shell casings using aluminum, and will have enormous upside potential for growth in the aluminum industry. We are proud to partner with such an innovative and professional group of entrepreneurs, and we anticipate great success in the coming years. Opportunities like this happen once in a lifetime, so we are very fortunate to be involved in this venture.”
Martin Shearer, executive director of the Somerset Pulaski County Development Foundation, expressed gratitude for everyone involved with the project.
“This is an exciting project because it is leading edge technology for the industry. It should also be noted that this project involved the helpful efforts of many people and groups, including Judge Kelley and Pulaski County Fiscal Court magistrates, Brett Traver and SKED, as well as several state legislators, such as Tommy Turner, Rick Girdler and David Meade.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in June preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $800,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
In addition, ShellTech can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2016, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for nearly 95,000 Kentuckians and 5,000 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
For more information on the technology ShellTech will produce, visit www.shellshocktechnologies.com.
Good news for job starved south central Kentucky.
Some indoor ranges I’ve been to put a magnet on your ammo before allowing it into the shooting area. If the magnet sticks, it’s not allowed.
What’s the concern about non-brass casings?
I’m not certain, but it may have something to do with sorting and resale of casings. There are legitimate concerns about steel in the ammo, for safety reasons, but the casings don’t have any bearing on that aspect.
If steel was the problem, it seems that using a magnet sweep (like they use to get nails out of the area after construction) would make it easy to sort them out.
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