Czech investment group RSBC Holding a.s., in strategic partnership with French distributor Rivolier, has acquired a stake in Verney-Carron, France’s oldest and only active manufacturer of small arms. The transaction also includes a share in the Lebel brand, which specialises in supplying modern tactical weapons to military and security forces. The acquisition will become part of the RSBC Defence portfolio, which already includes Slovenia’s AREX and Austria’s STEYR ARMS.
According to RSBC, the integration of Verney-Carron strengthens its ability to provide a fully integrated small arms offering—from R&D and manufacturing to distribution and export—across the European market.
“Our partnership with Verney-Carron and the Lebel brand is another step in building a strong and technologically advanced defence group,” said Robert Schönfeld, founder and owner of RSBC. “It marks our entry into the French market and reinforces our position as a trusted partner for defence and security forces across Europe. At the same time, we are contributing to the revival of such a prestigious brand as Verney-Carron.”
A Legacy Manufacturer Positioned for Modernisation
Founded in 1820 and headquartered in Saint-Étienne, Verney-Carron combines artisanal gunmaking with modern defence technologies. The company holds the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label, recognising exceptional French industrial heritage. Its product portfolio includes hunting firearms, police equipment, and military-grade tactical systems.
Lebel, created in 2021 under Verney-Carron, focuses specifically on military and professional users. Its flagship products include:
- VCD15 (5.56 NATO / 300 BLK)
- VCD10 (7.62 NATO)
- VCD9 (9mm, Glock-compatible)
- Non-lethal systems such as the Flash-Ball
“Verney-Carron is a symbol of French small arms tradition, yet a company with clear potential to become an international leader. RSBC brings new possibilities for development, production, and international expansion—without any relocation or job cuts,” said Arnaud van Robais, Chairman of Rivolier.
Strategic Integration Across Europe
RSBC aims to consolidate and strengthen Verney-Carron’s product lines to create a highly competitive and unified portfolio. By integrating know-how across teams in France, Austria, and Slovenia, the group intends to optimise development and manufacturing while offering complete and modern systems aligned with European defence needs.
The transaction reflects RSBC Defence’s long-term strategy: targeting qualified investors seeking exposure to the dynamic and growing defence sector through ownership in high-value, industrially-rooted companies.
Source: RSBC
By: Katerina Urbanova
Photo credit: RSBC
