Midway USA created Battenfeld Technologies in 1999 to manufacture specialized firearm-related products. Larry Potterfield, who co-owns MidwayUSA along with his wife, sat down one day with their son and came up with a list of brand names for the new company. It included some of the most familiar today, including Tipton, Caldwell, Wheeler and Frankford. Their missions, respectively, were to focus on products tailored for cleaning, shooting, gunsmithing and reloading.
MidwayUSA was the only source, initially, but as word of the affordable and quality products spread retailers and distributors picked up the lines. Unfortunately, by 2011 tensions grew. With one branch of the corporate family selling direct to consumers, critics claimed it took a toll on the profits of businesses along the more-traditional supply chain. By 2011 Potterfield decided to sell Battenfeld to alleviate the concern.
Clearview Capital, based in Old Greenwich, CN, became the new owner in 2012. By then the stable of firms under Battenfeld control included Caldwell Shooting Supplies, Wheeler Engineering, Tipton Gun Cleaning Supplies, Lockdown Vault Accessories, Frankford Arsenal, Non-Typical Wildlife Solutions and others.
Two years later, BOGGear—established in 2006 to make monopods, bipods and tripods—was added to that list. “We are extremely excited about the addition of BOGgear to Battenfeld,” said Battenfeld Vice President of Products and Marketing Jim Gianladis at the time. “Kim Hicks has done an amazing job establishing the BOG-POD and BOGgear brands. We are committed to bringing high quality, innovative products to the market and look forward to extending our Caldwell line of Shooting Accessories with BOGgear.” BOGgear operations were moved to Columbus, MO.
Then in 2015 Smith & Wesson Holding acquired Battenfeld Technologies, along with its 145,000-square-foot facility in Missouri, for $130.5 million in cash. “Battenfeld Technologies provides us with a unique opportunity to acquire a thriving company that fits perfectly within our core firearm business,” said James Debney, Smith & Wesson president and CEO at the time. “It also allows us to move more strongly into the hunting vertical as well as establish a strong platform for growth in our existing firearm accessories business, which has been a small but highly profitable part of our company.”