Featured Daniel Defense Lays Off Large Percentage of Its Workforce Candice Horner October 5, 2017 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Amid ongoing reports of deteriorating sales in the black rifle market, firearms manufacturer Daniel Defense laid off an undisclosed number of employees. According to conversations with those affected and social media posts, on Friday, Sept. 29 and Monday, Oct. 2., the firearms manufacturer eliminated approximately 100 full-time positions. A former employee of Daniel Defense affected by the layoffs said, “This was very unexpected. All of us were handed a blanket packet that explained everything. The paperwork didn’t even have my name on it. All they said about my job was that my position was being eliminated. There was no severance package, we were just fired.” The scope of the layoff is unknown, but firsthand sources including current and recently laid off employees speaking under the condition of anonymity said anywhere from a third to a half of the company's workforce was affected. Speaking about the terms of employment at Daniel Defense and the layoff, one laid off employee said, “We all had to sign a non-compete. I think the non-compete I signed was for 2 years. The outgoing talk and paperwork didn't specify the non-compete being lifted. It's unfortunate for a lot of people who don't have skills outside of the industry.” According to former employees, Daniel Defense's post-termination non-compete clause is contained in a standard employment agreement employees sign as they are brought aboard. It is used to protect the employer's interests by preventing employees from working for a competing company for a certain amount of time, stipulated in the non-compete clause. When asked about the existence of a post-termination non-compete agreement, the terms, and whether it will be enforced, officials from Daniel Defense refused the opportunity to comment. The layoff occurs as Daniel Defense is moving into a newly built 300,000 square-foot facility on the same road as its existing facility in Black Creek, GA. According to news reports, the company plans to combine its Black Creek, GA and Ridgeland, SC plants, consolidating production under one roof. Currently, Daniel Defense manufactures most firearms in their Ridgeland facility, while executive operations are run from the Black Creek location. Marty Daniel, president, CEO and founder of Daniel Defense, talks about the growth of the company in a recent video showing footage of the new facility. Daniel Defense is one the largest privately-owned firearms manufacturers in the United States. In a February 2017 interview with Marty Daniel, Forbes cited Daniel Defense as a company with “$73 million in 2016 sales, a gross profit of 35% and 279 employees.” Daniel Defense is most well-known for its AR platform rifles and its lightweight rails. This year, Daniel Defense ventured into NASCAR by partnering with Richard Childress Racing Series Team. Daniel himself has shown his support for the Second Amendment by contributing to the NRA and putting out a call to action before the 2016 Presidential Election. At press time, officials from Daniel Defense declined multiple opportunities to comment on this report. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.