this has been going around for a while this week but thought i would post it here incase no one saw it on the other sites. Mead sold Redfield to Leupold and Weaver to ATK
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=PZ&Date=20080421&ID=8515416&Symbol=MEAD

Leupold & Stevens Purchases Redfield Brand
Leupold® & Stevens, Inc. has purched the Redfield® brand and "all intellectual property and associated assets". Founded in 1909, Redfield was for decades a leading domestic producer of riflescopes, spotting scopes, mounting systems and binoculars until it closed in 1998. Since then, the Redfield brand has changed hands a number of times, with Leupold & Stevens making this latest acquisition from Meade Instruments. Leupold officials have declined to discuss the purchase price, or future plans. Tom Fruechtel, Leupold's President & CEO says the company will "carefully consider how to proceed" while being "cognizant of Redfield's historical significance and the place it holds in the hearts of millions of dedicated American sportsmen."

from the shooting wire

It sure would be nice to see these old brands regain the respect they once had.

I've got a new Weaver K-4 that I bought a couple of years ago that is a very good scope. I quit recommending it to folks because of all the horror stories I kept reading about Meade.

I think it will be great. Leupold is a great American company and ATK already owns most of Blount's old shooting sports assets. I just bought a new K4 and V7.

That's interesting Jim. When Meade bought Weaver, Simmons and the Redfield name a few years ago they bought them all from Blount/ATK. I didn't see anywhere in the article whom Meade sold to. I do know that if Leupold and ATK are going to be selling Weaver and Redfield they will be much better for warrentee issues than Meade was. I'm glad to see that happen. I've several of the Weavers and find them good scopes. I believe the Redfield line is actually a new series of scopes brought out by Meade Optics. They only bought the name from ATK a few years ago, though I could be wrong about that.

here's the info on the weaver line being sold.
from the shooting wire:

ATK Acquires Weaver Optics



ANOKA, MINNESOTA–ATK has announced its acquisition of Weaver® Optics from Meade Instruments effective April 24, 2008. This acquisition further heralds ATK’s return to the optics category and integrates yet another trusted and respected name into the well-known family of ATK brands.

This strategic move, coupled with the 2007 launch of Nitrex Optics™ establishes ATK as a significant and growing force within this product category. Mark DeYoung, President of ATK Armament Systems and ATK Commercial Products stated that “The opportunity to add Weaver optics into our growing portfolio of quality brands supports our strategy for growth. As we continue to expand our capability and product offering in the accessories category, optics will be a solid contributor to our success. Our company has a solid history with the Weaver brand and we are pleased to add Weaver optics back into our winning lineup.”

The legendary Weaver brand of optics, when combined with ATK’s existing Weaver rings, mounts and bases, positions the company for continued growth and operational synergies within their optics line-up.

About Weaver Optics
From the field to the range, Weaver® Outdoor Optics brings more than 77 years of innovation and expertise to the shooting experience. Engineered to be the most reliable optics, Weaver ensures accuracy—shot after shot, hunt after hunt. So whether it’s punching paper at the local range or chasing game through the high country, Weaver optics are up to the task.

About ATK Armament Systems
Headquartered in Utah, ATK Armament Systems is the world’s largest ammunition manufacturing entity generating approximately $1.5B annually in sales. The organization manufactures small caliber military ammunition, medium caliber military ammunition, medium caliber gun systems, rocket motors, ammunition propellants, commercial and military smokeless powder, law enforcement and sporting ammunition, ammunition related products and is the operator of two U.S. Army ammunition manufacturing plants. The organization employs approximately 6,000 people. More information is available at www.outdoorwriters.atk.com.

About ATK
ATK is a premiere aerospace and defense company with more than 17,000 employees in 21 states and over $4.1 billion in revenue. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.


Media Contact:
Jason Nash or Michael Kinn, ATK (800) 322-2342 (Nash/3878 or Kinn/3848) or pressroom@atk.com