The Bushmaster factory in Windham, Maine will close at the end of March next year. The Freedom Group is consolidating production.

The full press release …

Freedom Group, Inc. (“The Company”), the world’s leading innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition, and related products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military markets announced today that it will close its Bushmaster Firearms International manufacturing facility located in Windham, Maine, effective March 31, 2011.

The Bushmaster brand and products remain key strategic assets within the Freedom Group portfolio. The Company will relocate manufacturing of all Bushmaster products currently produced at Windham to other, existing Freedom Group Facilities. The move will have no impact on customers or the existing supply base. The Company noted that all affected employees will be offered a comprehensive severance package, including outplacement services.

John B. Blystone, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented, “We are continuing to adjust our operations in order to remain competitive and to continue to grow. Given increasing costs and pricing pressures affecting the entire firearms industry, this action is clearly necessary and responsible.”

This is a sad day for Windham’s Bushmaster employees and their families.