Fiocchi Munizioni

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Fiocchi Munizioni (Fiocchi Ammunition) is one of Italy's largest and oldest manufacturers of ammunitions. The Company's headquarters and main production plant are in Via Santa Barbara in Lecco, Italy.

The Fiocchi Munizioni Logo.

1 History
2 Crucial dates in the history of the Fiocchi Group
3 Recent History
4 Products
5 External links

[edit] History

Fiocchi Munizioni was founded on 3rd July 1876 in Lecco, Italy, by accountant Giulio Fiocchi.

In 1876, Giulio Fiocchi took over the ammunition production part of a weapon and ammunition company already based in Lecco. With great dedication and passion he implemented his great knowledge and technical skills into the production of small caliber ammunitions, making of the Fiocchi final product the best and finest on the market.

At that time a radical change was introduced in firearms: the newly developed breech-loader employing ammunition and components (especially cases) of modern concept replaced the traditional muzzle loader. Fiocchi took the chance and started manufacturing cases with primers suitable for reloading; in the early 90's the production is extended to complete cartridges loaded with bullets or shots. At the same time Fiocchi gave up the production of black powder as it was no more profitable.

Since the very beginning of its activity the company adopted a structure policy laying the ground for then and today's succes: production machinery and equipment are designed and made by Fiocchi fully meeting its production requirements. Such a strategy has always enabled Fiocchi to guide production with up-to-date technology matching with its manufacturing configuration.

At the beginning of 20th century Fiocchi introduced a product diversification and successfully entered a new field of activity -snaps- made using the off-cuts of production. This brought to the creation of Fiocchi Snaps in 1903.

Snaps business assumed an important role to counterbalance the trend of the ammunition market and at the end of 80's was so attractive that, upon Fiocchi decision to focus ammunition as core business, the snaps factory was taken over by the European leader in this field of activity.

During its long life Fiocchi has manufactured all kind of ammunition for guns rifle or pistol: from fire pin shotshells and cartridges, to all kind of cartridges and cases either rimfire or centerfire.

[edit] Crucial dates in the history of the Fiocchi Group

1876 Year of foundation
1877 Start of ammunition production
1903 Product diversification: snaps
1930 Beginning of export
1940 Development of social policy in the territory of Lecco
1945 Bombing of the plant in Lecco
1946 Re-building of the plant
1970 Attack on the European markets
1980 Start of .22 Super Match production
1985 New quality inspection unit
1985 Start of "leadless" primers production
1989 Nato qualification of the cartridge 9 mm Parabellum
1990 Impulse to world-market expansion
1990 Quality System Certificate in accordance with the stardands NATO AQAP-1
1991 Start of production of ammunition with frangible bullets
1993 New loading department for .22 cartridges
1994 New flexible manufacturing line for centerfire ammunition
1994 Automatization line for cases production
1995 New line of products: "Official" clay shooting cartridges
1996 New line of Spas Mil and Law Enforcement ammunition
1999 New line of hunting cartridges
1999 Nato qualification of the cartridges 5,56 mm Ball
2003 Environment Management System Certificate in accordance with the standards UNI EN ISO 14001: 1996
2003 Quality Management System Certificate in accordance with the standards UNI EN ISO 9001: 2000

[edit] Recent History

Fiocchi Munizioni nowadays is world-leader in small gauge ammunition and offers a very wide range of products suitable to meet all demands from shooters or hunters.

Qualifications and Certifications of prestige attest the level of quality achieved by the company:

NATO AQAP-110 Certification

ISO 14001: 1996 Certification of the Environment Management System

UNI EN ISO 9001: 2000 Certification of the Quality Management System.

Furthermore, Fiocchi shooting cartridges have contributed to several World Cups and Olympic triumphs, as the Games in Athens in 2004.

Fiocchi Munizioni S.p.A. is still entirely owned by the founder's Family. After 130 years, Fiocchi Munizioni is still entirely owned by private capital heading to the Fiocchi Family.