Australian firearms and accessories giant NIOA is expanding into New Zealand after the purchase of local firm Sportways Distributors which will be renamed NIOA in New Zealand, building on NIOA’s trans-Tasman relationships which already include the New Zealand Defence Force and NZ Police.
In announcing the acquisition, NIOA CEO Robert Nioa said the company intended to build on Sportways’ two decades of serving the Kiwi community. “NIOA has a long-standing connection with New Zealand through our support of New Zealand Police and their Defence Force as well as the hunting and sports shooting market,” he said.
“Our company has a rich heritage in the sporting, recreational and hunting markets so we have a genuine appreciation of Sportways’ reputation and its place in New Zealand. Sportways has a wide customer base and we’re excited at the opportunity this brings to expand the offerings for New Zealanders through our global relationships and also to create local job opportunities.’’
NIOA represents more than 50 suppliers and many more world-renowned manufacturers. Sportways Director Garry Powell will stay on as General Manager of NIOA in New Zealand. NIOA now has around 200 staff with offices and operations in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Benalla, Lithgow, New Zealand and the US as well as a joint venture operation with European defence giant Rheinmetall (Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions) in Maryborough, Qld.