As a free lance consultant to FN-Browning, I received this letter, explaining the closing down of the Winchester plant :
O/Ref.: BI/DK/sd/2006-01/05 January 18th, 2006
Dear ,

I am writing to advise you that after considerable study we are about to make some fundamental changes to the Winchester Firearms lines.
The review is in to the future of the Model 1300 Pump Action, the Model 94 Lever Action and the Model 70 Rifle, where we are currently losing considerable sums with a badly adapted plan for modern manufacture, in New Haven, Connecticut.
We are therefore announcing that Model 1300, Model 94 and Model 70 Rifle order will continue to be fulfilled as long as stocks last and that the plant in New Haven will close end of March 2006.
Browning International will continue to sell and grow its current line of Winchester Select Over & Under shotguns and semi-auto rifles and shotguns manufactured at the Browning Viana factory in Portugal.
We will introduce in 2006 the new Super X3 auto-loading shotgun and the new Super X auto-loading rifle.
We also plan to introduce additional new models in the very near future.
There will be no change in the After Sale Customer Service that Browning International continues to provide.
The above decision has no impact on the Winchester ammunition business.
This action is a realignment of resources to make Winchester Firearms a stronger, more viable organization. Winchester Firearms plans to continue the Great Winchester legacy and is very excited about the future.
Sincerely Yours,

Damien Kaivers
Chief Operational Officer

BROWNING INTERNATIONAL s.a. Registered Office: Parc Industriel des Hauts-Sarts, 3ème Avenue 25, B-4040 Herstal - Belgium Phone: +32 (0) 4 240 52 11 – Fax: + 32 (0) 4 240 52 12 – VAT: BE. 430 037 226 – RPM-Liège: 0430.037.226 Bank account: FORTIS Bank, Place Xavier Neujean, 8, B-4000 Liège – Belgium – IBAN BE 26 2400 0136 0529 – BIC: GEBABEBB www.browningint.com