Daniel Defense officially opens new facility

Some 250 guests, local and state officials, including Gov. Nathan Deal, gathered to celebrate the official opening of Daniel Defense’s new facility at Bryan County’s Interstate Centre Thursday morning.

 The $29 million, 300,000 sq. ft. was building was completed late last year to consolidate the company’s previous Black Creek, Ga. and Ridgeland, S.C. locations.

 “I was here for the ribbon cutting for the original Daniel Defense building and of course it was a great event. Obviously Daniel Defense has done extremely well and this new building is massive. It is unbelievable how big it is. The machinery, the firearms that are built here, and the fact that the business continues to grow is just amazing. It is great for Bryan County and we are just happy to see it,” former Chairman of the Bryan County Commission Jimmy Burnsed said.

 Today the company founded in 2001 by Marty Daniel employs around 210 individuals and produces approximately 50,000-60,000 AR15 style rifles and accessories per year.

 Prior to making his comments to the employees and dignitaries gathered Daniel spoke about what the day meant to him and his staff means to the operation.

 “This is a great day, an awesome day. It is a day when we can stop for just a minute and think about where we have been and where we are going, contemplate why we are here,” he said.

 “It is an amazing team. When you look at where we are and the success we are having. I will talk about the amazing brands that we end up in the same sentence with, which is an amazing accomplishment. The reason we are here is because of our people are the right the people, they are a better set of people and that’s why we’re being successful.”

 Later Gov. Deal acknowledged the Daniel Defense employees as well, saying the kind of work they do means the must bring their entire body and mind to the job with them daily.

 “This kind of work, precision manufacturing, requires that you be here in every form and fashion of your being. And I know that you do that. If you had not been doing that Daniel Defense would not have the reputation for the quality products that it is producing. And it is that reputation that allows this event to happen today and it is that reputation which is going to cause this plant to continue to grow even further,” said Deal looking toward the employees.

 Current Bryan County Commission Chairman, Carter Infinger, noted Daniel Defense’s value to the county.

 “Not only is this a great facility I am proud of Daniel Defense for coming back here; locating all their headquarters here, all their assembly here. I think there is a bright future here for Daniel Defense. You can see the real quality work they do. I am excited for them; I am excited for Marty and Cindy (Daniel). They are a great economic driver for our county,” he said

 Prior to the remarks from Daniel, Deal and others visitors were taken on tours of the facility where almost all of the parts for the weapons are produced, many of them with the help of robotics, until the final assembly is done by hand. The facility also includes a gift shop, which hopes to include retail weapon sales in the future.

 The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and lunch for guests and employees.