MEN – Metallwerk Elisenhütte

MEN – Metallwerk Elisenhütte GmbH, commonly abbreviated MEN, is a German ammunition manufacturer headquartered in Nassau (Lahn) in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The company was founded in 1957 by the West German DIAG Gruppe, with production beginning in 1958. Its core business is the development and manufacture of small-caliber ammunition for military and law enforcement use, and it is described as the leading producer in this segment in Germany. MEN's product range covers widely used military and police calibers, including 9 mm Parabellum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 5.56 × 45 mm NATO, 7.62 × 51 mm NATO, .308 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum. Around 2010 the company reported a total production capacity of approximately 180 million cartridges per year. Its customers include armed forces and police forces in numerous countries, a majority of them NATO members, as well as German police. Ownership has changed over the decades. From 1990 the company belonged to the MAN Ferrostaal AG group, which sold it in January 2007 to the Brazilian group Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC). Under CBC ownership MEN has continued to serve international military and law enforcement customers. In France, the Gendarmerie Nationale was MEN's first French customer, ordering 9 mm × 19 ammunition in 1995; MEN has supplied the 9 mm × 19 QD1 round since then. In 2009 the French army purchased MEN's 7.62 × 51 mm NATO and 9 mm × 19 NATO ammunition as well as a share of its 5.56 × 45 mm NATO ammunition. The company remains an active supplier in the European and international small-caliber ammunition market.

Metallwerk Elisenhütte GmbH was founded in 1957 by the West German DIAG Gruppe, and production started in 1958. The company established itself in Nassau (Lahn) in Rhineland-Palatinate, where both its headquarters and production site are located. Its business focused from the outset on small-caliber ammunition for military use. In 1990 the company became part of the MAN Ferrostaal AG group. During this period it continued to develop its military ammunition lines and to serve international customers. In 1995 the French Gendarmerie Nationale became MEN's first French customer, placing an order for 9 mm × 19 ammunition; MEN has supplied the 9 mm × 19 QD1 round to the Gendarmerie since that time. In January 2007 MAN Ferrostaal AG sold the company to the Brazilian group Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC). Under CBC ownership, MEN continued production at Nassau. By 2010 the company reported a total production capacity of approximately 180 million cartridges per year, making it the leading manufacturer in this market in Germany. Its product catalog for the international market included 9 mm Parabellum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 5.56 × 45 mm NATO, 7.62 × 51 mm NATO, .308 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum. In 2009 the French army purchased MEN's 7.62 × 51 mm NATO and 9 mm × 19 NATO ammunition as well as a portion of its 5.56 × 45 mm NATO ammunition. The company's customer base has included armed forces and police forces in several countries, a majority of them NATO members, as well as the German police. MEN remains an active German ammunition manufacturer within the CBC group.

• 2010

  Reported total production capacity of approximately 180 million cartridges per year, described as the leading manufacturer in this market in Germany.

• 2009

  French army purchases MEN's 7.62 × 51 mm NATO and 9 mm × 19 NATO ammunition and a share of its 5.56 × 45 mm NATO ammunition.

• 2007

  MAN Ferrostaal AG sells the company to the Brazilian group Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC) in January.

• 1995

  French Gendarmerie Nationale becomes MEN's first French customer with an order for 9 mm × 19 ammunition.

• 1990

  Company becomes part of the MAN Ferrostaal AG group.

• 1958

  Production begins.

• 1957

  Company founded by the West German DIAG Gruppe.

Leading German manufacturer of military small-caliber ammunition, supplying armed forces and police in NATO and other countries.

• 9 mm Parabellum

  Military and police pistol ammunition.

• .38 Special

  Revolver cartridge.

• .357 Magnum

  Revolver cartridge.

• 5.56 × 45 mm NATO

  Intermediate rifle cartridge.

• 7.62 × 51 mm NATO

  Battle rifle cartridge.

• .308 Winchester

  Rifle cartridge.

• .300 Winchester Magnum

  Magnum rifle cartridge.

1. 1Wikidata: MEN – Metallwerk Elisenhüttewikidata.org
2. 2Metallwerk Elisenhütte GmbH – Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org