About Colt CZ Group

About
Colt CZ Group

Leading manufacturer of firearms, ammunition, and energetics

Colt CZ Group (Colt CZ) is one of the world's leading vertically integrated manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and energetics, serving military and law enforcement as well as commercial markets. The Group markets and sells its products mainly under the Colt, CZ (Česká zbrojovka), Colt Canada, Colt Optics, Dan Wesson, Sellier & Bellot, Spuhr, swissAA and 4M Tactical brands. The Group is also active in the production of energetic nitrocellulose through Synthesia Nitrocellulose.

Colt CZ Group is headquartered in the Czech Republic and employs more than 4,500 people across 13 production facilities in the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and Hungary. The Group has been listed on the Prague Stock Exchange since 2020 and completed its dual listing on Euronext Amsterdam in April 2026. Its largest shareholder is Česká zbrojovka Partners SE.

“Behind Colt CZ are iconic brands, experienced teams, and a commitment to innovation and operational excellence. These are the foundations to deliver trusted solutions worldwide.“

Radek Musil, CEO, Colt CZ Group SE

Vision, mission & values

Our Vision

To become the recognized undisputed leader of the small arms industry.

Our Mission

We are committed to providing innovative and high-quality products that our customers can rely on in any situation.

Our Values

Team spirit

Integrity

Responsibility

Innovation

History

Colt CZ Group was founded in 2013 as CZG - Česká zbrojovka Group SE. However, the history of the subsidiaries of this international Group dates back to the first half of the 19th century, bringing together the traditions of both the European and American firearms industries. Driven by strategic acquisitions, technological innovation, and the continuous expansion of its international presence, Colt CZ has transformed in recent years from a firearms-focused company into a diversified Group active in the firearms, ammunition, and energetics segments.

1825

Louis Sellier, together with Jean M. N. Bellot, founded the company Sellier & Bellot in Prague, to manufacture primers for infantry firearms.

1836

Samuel Colt is issued the US Patent for the first Colt firearm, laying the foundations for the iconic American brand that to this day remains synonymous with the six-shooter revolver.

1920

The establishment of the Czechoslovak Joint-Stock Factory for Explosive Substances in Pardubice laid the foundation for today’s Synthesia Nitrocellulose.

1936

One of the largest and most advanced firearms manufacturing facilities in Europe is established in Uherský Brod, marking the beginning of firearms production under the Česká zbrojovka (CZ) brand.

1976

Founding of the Canadian company Diemaco, the predecessor of Colt Canada.

1997

CZ-USA is established in the United States to provide sales, distribution, and service support for Česká zbrojovka.

2001

René Holeček becomes one of the key shareholders of Česká zbrojovka.

2004

Acquisition of the firearms division of the engineering company Zbrojovka Brno.

2005

Acquisition of Dan Wesson, a renowned American manufacturer of revolvers and 1911-model pistols.

2005

Colt Defence LLC acquires the Canadian firearms manufacturer Diemaco and renames it Colt Canada.

2013

Establishment of CZG – Česká zbrojovka Group.

2014

René Holeček becomes the majority shareholder of CZG – Česká zbrojovka Group.

2015

Acquisition of a majority stake in 4M Systems, a manufacturer of tactical equipment for military & law enforcement, later increased to 100% ownership.

2018

Acquisition of a stake in Vibrom, a company specializing in PIM, MIM, and CIM powder injection molding technologies, reflecting the growing use of these components in firearms manufacturing.

2020

Acquisition of a stake in Spuhr i Dalby, a Swedish manufacturer of premium optical firearms mounting solutions.

2020

IPO of the Group's shares on the Prime Market of the Prague Stock Exchange.

2021

Acquisition of a 100% stake in Colt Holding Company LLC, the parent company of the American firearms manufacturer Colt and its Canadian subsidiary Colt Canada.

2022

Change of the Group's name to Colt CZ Group SE, reflecting the acquisition of Colt.

2023

Acquisition of a 100% stake in swissAA, a manufacturer specializing in small-caliber ammunition and 40 mm underslung grenade launcher ammunition.

2024

Establishment of Colt Optics, focused on the development and production of precision optics and related products built to meet the requirements of professional users.

2024

Acquisition of a 100% stake in Sellier & Bellot, a traditional Czech manufacturer of small caliber ammunition and one of the world's oldest companies in the ammunition and defense industry.

2025

Acquisition of a 100% stake in Valley Steel Stamp Inc. (VSS), a specialized manufacturer of firearm components and a long-standing supplier to the Group in the U.S. market.

2026

Acquisition of a 51% stake in Synthesia Nitrocellulose, a key producer of energetic nitrocellulose in Europe and North America, and a 51% stake in Synthesia Power, the energy supplier for the Semtín and Rybitví industrial complex.

2026

Colt CZ Group completed a dual listing on Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange, broadening access to the international investment base and strengthening the Group’s position on European capital markets.

Full Colt CZ Group History

statutory bodies

Compliance program

Colt CZ conducts its business activities in full compliance with applicable laws in every territory where it operates. The Compliance Program ensures that the relevant ethical principles and standards are integrated into the operations of each Group member.

Code of Conduct

One of Colt CZ's most valuable assets is its integrity.

Whistleblowing

Colt CZ protects whistleblowers’ identity and guarantees protection against retaliation.

Learn more

Corporate social responsibility

In recent years, Colt CZ has supported dozens of projects of charities, non-profit organisations, sports clubs, and entities in defense, security, health, education, and culture, both regionally and nationally.

Cultural festival Slovácké léto

Defense & Security

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Defense & Security

Support for defense, public safety, veterans, and security-related initiatives represents one of the key pillars of CSR activities across Colt CZ Group. In the Czech Republic, Colt CZ Group and its subsidiaries Česká zbrojovka (CZ), Sellier & Bellot, and Colt CZ Defence Solutions, support organizations such as the Czech Army Military Solidarity Fund and the Police and Firefighters Foundation, also through charitable auctions of limited-edition engraved firearms. These auctions have included unique commemorative firearms, such as the CZ 75 REPUBLIKA pistol marking the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia, the CZ 75 TOBRUK edition, the TRIBUTE TO LEGENDS set including a Colt 1911 pistol, commemorating the merger of CZ and Colt, and the CZ 75 RAF limited edition honoring Czechoslovak RAF pilots during World War II. CZ also introduced a special edition of the CZ BREN 2 Ms battle rifle commemorating 25 years of the Czech Republic’s NATO membership, with one rifle signed by the Czech President Petr Pavel and auctioned for charity.

In the United States, Colt’s CSR activities are closely connected to national defense, law enforcement, and public service communities. Colt supports organizations such as the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association (FBIAA), contributing to initiatives focused on national security, defense readiness, professional development, public outreach, and assistance for service members and law enforcement professionals. Colt also supports the Connecticut SWAT Challenge, one of the nation’s premier tactical training competitions dedicated to advancing law enforcement readiness and professional development. Veterans and active-duty military personnel represent another important focus area. Colt supports organizations such as Hero Down Foundation and Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA), which assist wounded service members, veterans, and families affected by service-related injuries or loss.
Colt Canada supports Team Rubicon Canada, a veteran-led humanitarian organization assisting communities affected by floods, wildfires, and other disasters, as well as Can Praxis, which provides equine-assisted therapy programs for Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, first responders, and their families.

CZ-USA additionally supports organizations such as Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), which assists families and coworkers of fallen law enforcement officers, and Operation Claystorm, which supports veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first responders through outdoor recreation, peer engagement, and wellness initiatives.

Support for Ukraine forms an important part of the Group’s CSR activities. Colt Canada has contributed to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s energy resilience initiatives, while 4M Tactical participated in the Czech public fundraising campaign of the “Gift for Putin” non-profit organization, providing tactical thermal camouflage ghillie suits to the Ukrainian armed forces. CZ has donated proceeds from charitable auctions of limited-edition engraved firearms to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic.

Health & Community Support

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Health & Community Support

Health, wellbeing, and community support are another important pillar of CSR activities across the Group. CZ has been involved in blood donor initiatives for many years, particularly through the “450 ml NADĚJE” (“450 ml of HOPE”) project and employee participation in blood donation campaigns.

Sellier & Bellot cooperates closely with the Rudolf and Stefanie Hospital in Benešov on projects benefiting both S&B employees and hospital patients. These activities include preventive blood analysis programs for employees, which attract hundreds of participants annually, as well as financial support for advanced medical equipment. The company contributed to the purchase of a state-of-the-art surgical table that significantly improves the efficiency and flexibility of surgical procedures, and it also funded a monitoring system for the maternity ward used to track newborns’ physiological functions after birth.

Synthesia Nitrocellulose (SNC) contributes through its sheltered workshop Invaz, where more than 50% of employees are people with disabilities. Following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, SNC donated oxidized cellulose to a hospital in Lviv to help control bleeding during surgical procedures and continues to support Ukraine through ongoing donations of medical supplies, including pressure bandages.

In the United States, Colt and CZ-USA support community and charitable organizations focused on healthcare, recovery, and family support. Through the Kids & Clays Foundation / Jack Robinson Memorial Shooting Event, both companies contribute to pediatric cancer research and treatment programs at leading children’s hospitals across the United States.

Colt Canada contributes to community support initiatives through the Waterloo Regional Police Service Backpack Challenge, providing backpacks, lunch kits, and school supplies to children and youth organizations across the Waterloo Region.

Sports & Conservation

Sports & Conservation Activities

Colt CZ Group and its subsidiaries have long supported shooting sports, recreational shooting, and hunting traditions. The Group regularly supports shooting competitions, international championships, organizations such as IPSC and USPSA, and its own elite shooting teams.

In the Czech Republic, CZ established the Czech Shooting Foundation in 2010, which provides funding for competitions, youth talent development, community events, and charitable initiatives, helping promote shooting sports participation, education, and social responsibility. In North America, Colt and CZ-USA combine support for shooting sports with broader conservation and outdoor initiatives rooted in responsible firearm ownership and stewardship of natural resources.

Colt supports recreational shooting, firearm safety initiatives, and outdoor activities through partnerships with organizations such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and HAVA. Through participation in the Pittman-Robertson Act framework, Colt contributes to wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, public shooting range development, and hunter education programs funded through federal excise taxes on firearms and ammunition.

CZ-USA and Dan Wesson proudly support a broad range of conservation and outdoor organizations dedicated to preserving wildlife habitats, expanding public access, promoting sustainable hunting traditions, and ensuring the future of America's outdoor heritage. These organizations include the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Ducks Unlimited, Boone & Crockett Club, Whitetails Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Safari Club International (SCI), Pheasants Forever / Quail Forever, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). Through these partnerships, CZ-USA and Dan Wesson help advance habitat restoration, conservation education, scientific wildlife management, hunter recruitment, and long-term stewardship of wildlife resources.

CZ-USA and Dan Wesson also recognize the vital role of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which has generated billions of dollars for wildlife conservation, public access, shooting ranges, and hunter education programs across the United States. As members of the firearms industry, CZ-USA and Dan Wesson are proud to contribute to this uniquely American conservation model and support efforts such and raising the awareness of the important connection between hunting, recreational shooting, and wildlife conservation.

CZ-USA also supports youth shooting sports and outdoor education through organizations such as the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Outdoor Campus Shooting Complex, which provide educational programs, safety training, scholarships, competitions, and outdoor skills development opportunities for young participants.

Education & Culture

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Education & Culture

Education, public awareness, and cultural initiatives are embedded across many of the Group’s CSR activities. In the field of education, CZ maintains a long-standing partnership with the Secondary Technical Training Center (SŠ-COPT) in Uherský Brod, helping develop the next generation of skilled technical professionals. Through a dual-education model that combines classroom learning with hands-on training in the company’s production facilities, students gain valuable practical experience and career opportunities. To support technical education and attract young talent, CZ offers scholarships and incentive programs, including the Junior Zbrojovák program and technical education scholarships. These initiatives help students pursue technical careers while strengthening the future workforce in the region. As for cultural projects, CZ contributes, for example, through support of the local cultural festival “Slovácké léto” held annually in Uherské Hradiště.

In North America, Colt and CZ-USA place significant emphasis on firearm safety education, responsible firearm ownership, youth education, constitutional rights awareness, and professional development. Colt supports initiatives such as Project ChildSafe through NSSF, as well as educational and advocacy activities organized by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). Through its partnership with NDIA and AUSA, Colt also contributes to networking, professional education, and public outreach initiatives connected with defense and security.

CZ-USA supports a broad range of educational and advocacy organizations, including NSSF, SAF, NRA, USCCA, Knife Rights, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and Women for Gun Rights. These partnerships support firearm safety training, certified instruction programs, youth mentorship, self-defense education, hunter education, constitutional rights awareness, and legislative engagement connected with lawful firearm ownership and recreational shooting traditions.

About Colt CZ Group

About
Colt CZ Group

Leading manufacturer of firearms, ammunition, and energetics

Vision, mission & values

Our Vision

Our Mission

Our Values

History

statutory bodies

Radek Musil

Josef Adam

Martin Durčák

Jan Holeček

Erika Vorlová

Compliance program

Corporate social responsibility

About Colt CZ Group

AboutColt CZ Group

Leading manufacturer of firearms, ammunition, and energetics

Our Vision

Our Mission

Radek Musil

Josef Adam

Martin Durčák

Jan Holeček

Erika Vorlová

About
Colt CZ Group