IWA Column: “Focus on Germany” | IWA OutdoorClassics

Shortly before Christmas, Claudia Jahn provides interesting insights into the hunting and shooting sports industry in her column “Blickpunkt Deutschland”. Everything from company relocations, appointments and name changes is included. Plus: the catalogs from German wholesalers have arrived. Read Claudia Jahn's new column and stay informed.

The tightening of gun laws in September 2024 has once again posed challenges for legal gun owners in Germany. Although the measures were less drastic than originally feared, they still represent a further restriction of freedom for responsible gun owners. In this context, it is pleasing to see how our industry continues to focus on commitment and innovation. DWJ is strengthening its team with renowned experts to expand its legal expertise and provide readers with well-founded information. Companies such as Ernst Apel GmbH (EAW) are investing in modern technologies and new locations to strengthen their position. Personnel changes, such as at Heckler & Koch and Waimex, as well as the introduction of new brands and products, such as Nocpix, demonstrate the desire for further development. Traditional companies such as Waffen Lux focus on continuity and future orientation, while wholesalers present exciting new products with up-to-date catalogs. But read for yourself!

DWJ welcomes new editors and strengthens legal expertise

The German Weapons Journal (DWJ) is expanding its team with four renowned experts: Dr. Florian Asche, Dr. Heiko Granzin, Yannik Hofmann and Jan M. Leuchtenberger. As new co-publishers and majority shareholders of Blätterdach GmbH, they bring extensive knowledge in the fields of firearms and hunting law as well as long-range shooting and reloading.
In view of increasing government regulation, the new editors see the need to represent the interests of legal gun owners in the media. Dr. Asche emphasizes: “The pressure on our legal gun owners has become unbearable.” Yannik Hofmann adds: “Case law on firearms law is always to the detriment of gun owners.”
With this strengthening, the DWJ is consolidating its position as the leading voice for legal gun owners in Germany. In future, the focus will increasingly be on legal support and information for readers. The DWJ is also expanding its range to include the “DWJ-Cast”, a podcast that deals with current topics such as the planned tightening of gun laws. In the first episode, Dr. Asche and Dr. Granzin discuss these developments.y
In addition, DWJ offers its readers an exclusive service: the new legal experts are available to provide advice and assistance on firearms law issues - even outside normal business hours if required.
The DWJ team is looking forward to working with the new publishers and is optimistic about the future in order to continue to act as a reliable partner for legal gun owners.

The German arms journal welcomes three new co-editors. — The co-editors of the DWJ from left: Yannik Hofmann, Dr. Heiko Granzin, Dr. Florian Asche and Jan M. Leuchtenberger.

EAW: A move into the future

A company relocation is always a challenge, but Ernst Apel GmbH (EAW) mastered the move from Gerbrunn to Eibelstadt with flying colors. Thanks to dedicated employees and numerous hours of overtime, machines and systems were put into operation quickly. Sales and dispatch continued to run seamlessly throughout the entire process, so that customers hardly noticed the move.
According to Managing Director Stefan Schilling, EAW invested around 8 million euros to future-proof the company. New vibratory finishing and burnishing systems as well as three additional machining centers optimize the operating and production processes. In addition to the production of riflescope assemblies, EAW focuses on contract manufacturing and fulfilling special requirements from authorities.
With the new site in Eibelstadt, EAW is strengthening its position as a reliable partner in the industry and is optimistic about the future.

New company building of the manufacturer Ernst Apel in Eibelstadt on three pictures. — Impressions of the move from EAW to Eibelstadt.

Heckler & Koch: New Head of Sales and Marketing

Mr. Markus Fittering is the new Head of Sales and Marketing at Heckler & Koch. — Markus Fitterling is the new Head of Sales and Marketing at Heckler & Koch.

On October 1, 2024, Markus Fitterling (41) took over as Head of Sales and Marketing at Heckler & Koch. He succeeds Marco Geißinger, who was appointed Chief Sales Officer (CSO) on the Executive Board of Heckler & Koch AG on October 1, 2023. Following his career as an officer in the German Armed Forces, Markus Fitterling joined Dynamit Nobel Defence GmbH in 2014, where he took over as Head of Sales in 2017.

Nocpix is making its debut at IWA

Nocpix is setting new standards with its new focus on thermal imaging solutions specifically for the hunting and outdoor sector. The brand, which stands for excellent image quality and user-oriented solutions, is introducing two product lines: The VISTA series impresses with its round AMOLED display, integrated laser rangefinder and high sensor sensitivity for detailed images. The Lumi series combines compact design with advanced technology and silent operation - perfect for discreet observations. Both series offer the highest image quality and innovative design for demanding users.

Nocpix is making its debut at IWA.

Tradition and future at Waffen Lux

Under the motto “Honoring the past, shaping the future”, the handover of the traditional company Waffen Lux was celebrated on 13 September 2024. Just in time for the company's 93rd anniversary, Reinhold Lux handed over the management of the company to his successor Olaf Beisheim. With great thanks to his family, long-standing employees and companions, Lux paid tribute to the history of the company, which has existed as a master gunsmith business since its foundation in 1931. The new management focuses on continuity and further development in order to continue the success story of Waffen Lux.

Reinhold Lux ceremoniously handed over his traditional specialist gun store in Heidelberg to his successor Olaf Beisheim.

Sascha Schick joins the Waimex field sales team

Sascha Schick looks after Waimex customers in southern and western Germany in the field.

Waimex is pleased to welcome Sascha Schick as a new sales representative for Southern and Western Germany. With 16 years of hunting experience and ten years as a manager of a shooting club, Schick has extensive expertise in hunting and shooting sports. His many years of sales work for renowned brands such as Browning, Winchester, Miroku and Kite make him a familiar face in the industry. Thanks to his in-depth knowledge of the market, he will provide customers with expert advice and tailor-made solutions.

A breath of fresh air:
New catalogs from wholesalers present exciting new products

The leading wholesalers in the hunting and shooting sports industry have published their latest catalogs for 2024/2025, including AKAH, Alljagd, Waimex, Frankonia and Manfred Alberts. These comprehensive works provide a detailed overview of the latest products and trends.

Hunting wholesalers publish their new print catalogs for the new season. Five different catalogs shown. — Hotly anticipated: The catalogs of the German hunting wholesalers have arrived.

AKAH has published its current catalog for 2024/2025 as an interactive online flip catalog. This offers intuitive navigation, an efficient search function and a high-resolution display on all devices. Practical bookmarks and direct links to products in the online store make the shopping experience easier. Multimedia elements such as videos and interactive content enhance the product presentations.
The catalog presents numerous new products, including the PARD brand with innovative night vision and thermal imaging devices and the French rubber boot brand Rouchette, known for its exceptional comfort and durability. Berger bullets and Mikov and Boker knives were also added to the range. In the lure sector, 1a-Origitar has been added to the range.
With this catalog, AKAH is setting new standards in product presentation and offering customers a comprehensive and modern shopping experience.

Alljagd has also published its catalog for 2024/2025, which presents a wide range of innovative products and brands. Special highlights are the new brand pages:

Stocon stocks: High-quality stocks for individual customization.
KMR pistols: Precisely manufactured pistols for demanding shooters.
AREX pistols: Modern handguns with advanced technology.
Knife sharpeners from Horl: Innovative sharpening systems for perfect blades.
HorridoLINE and AlljagdLINE: Exclusive product lines with selected articles.

The catalog also offers numerous new products in the clothing sector, with a special focus on women's clothing that combines functionality and style. It's worth taking a look at the new catalog to discover the diversity and innovations from Alljagd.

Frankonia presents a wide range of hunting guns, optics, equipment, clothing and shoes, ammunition as well as historical, sporting and leisure guns on almost 800 pages.

Manfred Alberts has a large number of brand new items in its new 2024/2025 catalog. Particularly noteworthy is the Advanced Impact System from Benelli, an innovative barrel and choke system that sets new standards in shooting performance. In addition, the new SL2 sports shotgun and the DT11 DLC sports shotgun from Beretta will be presented, which meet the highest standards of performance and elegance. In the field of optics, Manfred Alberts will be presenting the eRanger series from Steiner Optik, including the eRanger 8 and the eRanger LRF binoculars, which impress with their advanced technology and robust design. The range will be complemented by the new Ranger 4s and Ranger 10 riflescopes. Finally, the latest developments from Svemko will be highlighted: the FLEX & GENESIS silencer series, which represent the cutting edge of technology.

Waimex impresses with a range of around 30,000 items, including well-known brands and innovative products for hunting and sport shooters. The Waimex 2025 catalog comprises almost 300 pages with new and established products from all areas of the hunting and sporting firearms range

These new catalogs offer retailers and consumers valuable guidance. It's worth taking a look at the digital or printed editions.