Americans offended by negative media reports

The arrival of the large American corporation “Howell Machine“ in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the BiH defense industry has been seriously shaken, the BiH news agency Patria (NAP) has learned from reliable sources.

Namely, the leaders of this company sent a letter to BiH institutions at the end of last month stating that they are “monitoring the reaction of domestic actors“ to the publication of the Memorandum of Understanding and Strategic Partnership they signed with the Government of the Federation of BiH. Their new visit to BiH is expected soon, but the date of the visit, as NAP has learned, has not yet been specified.

The powerful American firm is ready to enter the management structure of BiH defense industry companies under a mutually acceptable model and secure millions of dollars in business for these companies. However, as understood from the letter, they were concerned by media reports following the signed memorandum.

- We understand that there have been some questions regarding HMT’s ability to support such an activity. A television station (FTV, our note) in BiH has cited a business report claiming Howell Machine is a company of $4.8 million, with 25 employees – states the letter from the company owner Dave Howell and director Doug Roberts.

Facsimile of the letter that arrived at BiH institutions at the end of February

However, they further clarify that this is a misrepresentation of the factual situation. They say that HMT is actually just a parent company created to own a group of reputable defense industry firms, including “Ammo Load Worldwide“, “Lewis-Clark Ammunition Components“, “Clearwater Bullet“, “X-Treme Bullets“, and several others.

- “Howell Machine“ itself is a very small part of the entire company, but it is a recognized name in the industry. We have become the fourth largest ammunition manufacturer in the USA – the letter states.

However, despite the fact that they were surprised by the negative media campaign in BiH regarding a deal that can ensure long-term stability for the BiH defense industry, the American company remains interested. In the letter, they propose to form a team with the Government of FBiH to conduct all checks before cooperation begins.

Incidentally, the memorandum between the Government of FBiH and HMT envisages the American company entering the management of companies such as “Igman“ from Konjic and “Binas“ from Goražde, and in return, the state, as the majority owner, would have secured millions of dollars in business and stable companies expanding their operations, NAP reports.