IAC acquired by Witmer Public Safety Group

BILLERICA, Mass. – Interstate Arms Corporation (IAC), a leading distributor to the law enforcement, corrections, security and public safety markets, has been purchased by Witmer Public Safety Group, based in Abbottstown, Pa.

Business Transition Services, an M&A firm based in Pembroke, N.H. and Andover, Mass., identified the buyer and coordinated the transaction, representing the sellers. Ken Schaefer and John Howe of BTS began working with owners four years ago to prepare for a transition so founders could retire.

IAC was formed in 1974 by two brothers, Martin and Saul Arnstein. In addition to law enforcement, the company operated a full FFL distribution business.

Witmer has been growing through the years, focusing largely on the public safety community including firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. Its work with the law enforcement community includes operation of Officer Store, which provides a full line of products for those working the front line of law enforcement.

Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

“Regarding our working relationship with Business Transition Strategies. After 32 years of continuous growth we hit 2009 & 2010 and like many companies we went flat and in 2010 had our first loss. At this point we knew we had to make changes if we where to succeed in this new economic environment. Business Transition Strategies (BTS), particularly John Howe and Ken Schaefer, were brought on as consultants. The BTS team came in, evaluated everything in a professional and thankfully non-threatening manner. They interacted with all employees and our professional partners. Once this was done they presented their findings to the executive group and gave very specific suggestions for improvements. This done and a plan in place, John & Ken continued to help us move forward and implement changes and make adjustments where needed. I am happy to say we are back to being a growing and profitable business and I believe BTS played a big part in making this happen. I would recommend to anyone that they include BTS as part of their business plans for the future.”

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