St. Cloud Gun Maker Moving To Alabama

ST. CLOUD (AP) - A St. Cloud gun maker is moving its operation to Alabama as part of a major restructuring of its parent company.

St. Cloud-based DPMS Panther Arms manufactures AR-15 and other rifles. Remington Outdoor Co., which controls DPMS Panther Arms, said Thursday it is consolidating multiple company plants into a new facility in Huntsville, Alabama.

A Remington representative says the move is aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency and quality.

In February, Remington announced it was expanding to Huntsville, where it will create 2,000 jobs within 10 years.

It's uncertain how soon DPMS Panther Arms will relocate. The company employed 115 fulltime workers, according to testimony before a Minnesota House panel early last year.

DPMS Panther Arms also is a contractor for the Defense Department.