Byrna Technologies Focuses on Domestic Manufacturing
In recent years, self-defense product manufacturers have shifted a significant portion of their production to the United States. This shift has not only been motivated by the advantages of the ‘Made in America’ label but also by practical considerations.
Byrna Technologies, which specializes in non-lethal personal security devices that fire plastic and chemical irritants, has moved its core manufacturing operations. Back in 2021, the company began to seek out qualified parts suppliers across the U.S., stretching from South Africa to Indiana. This aim was to avoid the kind of supply chain disruptions that many faced during the pandemic.
“Our launcher is equipped with over 100 components, and we aimed for redundancy in our sourcing,” shared Byrna Technologies CEO Bryan Ganz, mentioning how, while overseas production was often cheaper, this made reliance on it too risky.
After Donald Trump was elected, there was a moment of reckoning. They thought, ‘Well, he’s vocal about tariffs, and maybe now is the time to start bringing production back to the U.S.’ It was a bit of a gamble, but one they felt worth taking. “Before tariffs were officially announced, we already believed that bringing supply chains home would pay off,” he noted.
He added that the tariffs imposed had actually made domestic manufacturing more appealing and revealed several unexpected benefits during production.
Interestingly, while tariffs increased costs initially, Byrna discovered advantages that offset these expenses. “We realized that making things here not only saved dollars but also time and logistical headaches,” Ganz explained. With supply chains closer, they could quickly adapt to market demands and respond to quality issues effectively.
While Byrna still sources some accessories from overseas, the focus is now primarily on crucial components like the launcher itself and ammunition. “For self-defense products, quality is everything to us and to our customers. So, the badge of ‘Made in America’ really carries weight,” he said.
The company has completely shut down its South African ammunition facility and set up a new one nearer to its launcher production site in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Notably, the latest Byrna launcher, the Burna CL, now boasts 92% domestic components, a significant increase from just 34% prior to reshoring. “Sure, there are costs involved—bringing it back raised expenses slightly, but the margins stayed relatively stable,” Ganz remarked. Last year’s margins hovered around 62%, and this year they’re 60.5%-61%, indicating minimal cost impact.
He also pointed out that high import duties were a pivotal factor influencing their decision to reshore. “If shipping something is even marginally cheaper, tariffs can change that equation quite drastically. I have patriotic feelings about manufacturing here, but as a public company, we also need to keep shareholders in mind,” Ganz reflected. “Ultimately, tariffs made U.S. production the smarter choice.”
Despite the push for local sourcing, Byrna continues to keep some overseas component manufacturing to guard against unexpected shutdowns in domestic facilities. This has led to a commendable 80% to 90% of components being sourced domestically in their supply chain.
