The ammunition manufacturing industry in Europe plays a critical role in defense and security, producing various types of ammunition suited for military and civilian use. Companies range from large corporates to specialized SMEs, offering products such as small arms ammunition, artillery rounds, and advanced munitions systems. The sector is evolving, focusing increasingly on technology integration, sustainability, and compliance with regulatory standards. As demand for high-performance military equipment rises globally, there's a push towards innovation in ammunition design and production methods, while companies also navigate a complex web of regulations governing arms trade and distribution.


The investors in this sector represent a mix of corporate and private equity firms based in key European cities like London, Milan, and Paris. Established between 1981 and 2003, these investors range in size, with some having a workforce of over 10,000. Our list details eight influential players, highlighting their investment activities in 2024, including those like LDC, which acquired Eley Group, and Charme Capital Partners, known for its investment in Fiocchi.


Top 8 Ammunition Manufacturing Investors in Europe


1. Ldc

  • Website: ldc.co.uk
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 15
  • LinkedIn: ldc

Lloyds Development Capital (Holdings) Limited, commonly known as LDC, is a private equity firm based in London, England, founded in 1981. LDC specializes in providing growth capital and strategic support to mid-market businesses across various sectors. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, LDC focuses on helping management teams achieve their growth ambitions through investment and advisory services, fostering long-term partnerships to drive business success. Notably, LDC acquired Eley Group in October 2014 for £42 million, a significant player in the production of high-quality rimfire ammunition. This acquisition aimed to enhance Eley's production capabilities and introduce new ammunition products, showcasing LDC's commitment to the ammunition manufacturing industry. Additionally, LDC has been involved in various other transactions, but the investment in Eley Group is particularly relevant to their role as an ammunition manufacturing investor.


2. Round Hill Capital


Round Hill Capital is a leading real estate investment manager based in London, England, specializing in innovative accommodation solutions across sectors such as residential, student accommodation, and logistics. Founded in 2002, the firm has a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional returns and sustainable value to institutional investors and partners across Europe, the USA, and Asia. Notably, Round Hill Capital has expanded its investment portfolio to include the acquisition of Remington Firearms, which encompasses all long guns, shotguns, pistols, and manufacturing facilities. This acquisition, announced on October 2, 2020, aims to restore Remington's status as a prominent American hunting brand, highlighting Round Hill's strategic interest in the ammunition manufacturing sector alongside their primary focus on real estate.


3. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process while promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the ammunition manufacturing context, including funding for Advanced Blast & Ballistic Systems, which raised significant amounts in equity crowdfunding in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Crowdcube facilitated funding for Disarmco, a company that raised capital in 2014, further demonstrating its engagement with businesses in the ammunition sector. These transactions highlight Crowdcube's role in supporting companies that operate within the ammunition manufacturing industry.


4. Chemring Countermeasures


Chemring Countermeasures is a corporate investor based in Salisbury, England, and is part of Chemring Group PLC, a defense technology company founded in 1905. The company specializes in advanced solutions for explosive ordnance disposal and counter-IED systems, catering to armed forces and national security organizations. Chemring has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in the defense sector, including Chemring Energetics UK, which focuses on energetic materials, and Chemring Energetic Devices. Additionally, their acquisition of Detection Systems, which specializes in IED sensor systems, further demonstrates their commitment to enhancing defense technologies. These transactions highlight Chemring's role in the ammunition manufacturing context, as they develop and provide critical technologies and materials used in munitions and defense operations.


5. Thales

  • Website: thalesgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Meudon, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1979
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: thales

Thales Group is a technology company founded in 1979, headquartered in Meudon, Île-De-France, France. The company specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing advanced electrical systems and devices for the aerospace, defense, transportation, and security sectors. Thales serves a diverse clientele, including governments and commercial enterprises, providing solutions that enhance operational efficiency and safety. Notably, Thales has made several strategic acquisitions relevant to the defense sector, including the acquisition of Thales Raytheon Systems in 2016, which focuses on defense technologies. Additionally, their acquisition of Omnisys Engenharia in 2006 and the Visionix Helmet Mounted Display and InterSense motion tracking businesses in 2013 further demonstrate their commitment to enhancing their capabilities in defense systems, which may include ammunition manufacturing. These transactions highlight Thales's active role in the defense industry, making them a relevant investor in the ammunition manufacturing context.


6. Future

  • Website: futureplc.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: future-publishing

Future plc is a corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 1985. The company specializes in connecting consumers with their passions through high-quality content and innovative technology, operating various specialist media brands. In 2016, Future acquired Blaze Publishing's music and shooting assets in a significant deal, which included several established shooting magazine titles and a notable investment in the UK Game Fair. This acquisition enhances Future's portfolio in the countryside and shooting markets, indicating their engagement with industries related to shooting and potentially ammunition manufacturing.


7. Charme Capital Partners


Charme Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Milan, Lombardy, Italy, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in mid-market investments across Europe, focusing on businesses with an enterprise value of €100 million to €500 million. Charme Capital Partners provides investment management and strategic support tailored to the needs of their clients. Notably, they invested in Fiocchi, a company known for its involvement in ammunition manufacturing, in a private equity round in January 2015. This investment highlights their engagement in the ammunition sector. Additionally, they acquired a 70% stake in Tema Sinergie, a company specializing in clinical solutions and high-tech systems, for an enterprise value of €200 million, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio.


8. Ciclad

  • Website: ciclad.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1988
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: ciclad

Ciclad is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1988. With over 30 years of experience, Ciclad specializes in providing capital investment and strategic support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them grow and manage transitions. Their investment focus spans various sectors, including aerospace and defense. Notably, Ciclad acquired Précimétal in July 2023, a company that produces metal parts through lost-wax casting for the aerospace and defense industries. This acquisition aligns with Ciclad's strategy to engage with businesses that contribute to sustainable development and innovation in critical sectors. Additionally, their earlier acquisition of Precimetal in February 2017 further emphasizes their commitment to the manufacturing sector, which can include components relevant to ammunition production.



Ammunition Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
LdcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200198115
Round Hill CapitalLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020020
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
Chemring CountermeasuresSalisbury, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019050
ThalesMeudon, Île-De-France, France10001+19795
FutureLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500019850
Charme Capital PartnersMilan, Lombardy, Italy11-5020032
CicladParis, Île-De-France, France11-5019884


Want to find more investors focusing on the ammunition manufacturing industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the ammunition manufacturingindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!