Ljutic Industries
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Firearms manufacturing |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Al Ljutic and Nadine Ljutic |
| Headquarters | Yakima, Washington , United States |
| Products | Shotguns |
Number of employees | 12 (early 1980s) |
Ljutic Industries—previously known as the Ljutic Gun Company—is a U.S.-based shotgun manufacturer located in Yakima, Washington. The firm was founded in 1959 by Al Ljutic and his wife Nadine in Reno, Nevada, focusing on producing premium firearms tailored for competitive shooting sports.
History
Al Ljutic began his career operating the Ljutic Gun Company alongside his father near Fresno. In 1955, after being introduced to trap shooting by a friend, Al engineered and constructed a trap shotgun within a single day, which later inspired the creation of the Ljutic Space Gun.
The establishment of Ljutic Industries occurred in 1959, financed by a $500,000 settlement received from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company regarding the use of one of Ljutic's designs. The following year, the company transitioned its name from "Ljutic Gun Company" to "Ljutic Industries."
After a devastating fire in 1964 destroyed both their residence and manufacturing facility, the business relocated operations to Yakima. This move led to a collaboration with former Green Bay Packers player Dan Orlich, who supported Ljutic shotguns through his involvement in trap shooting.
During its peak years in the early 1980s, Ljutic Industries employed a workforce of 12 and produced approximately 340 shotguns annually. Nonetheless, by the 1990s, the company experienced declining market presence due to competition from brands such as Perazzi, Krieghoff, and Kolar Arms, resulting in shipments dropping to only 50 units by 2007. Financial difficulties escalated, with debts reaching $1 million owed to the IRS by 2006, alongside customer dissatisfaction and near insolvency.
In September 2006, Jere Irwin of Irwin Research and Development purchased Ljutic Industries from the IRS for $250,000 plus an additional nominal fee for maintaining rights to the company name, with intentions to restore and revitalize the brand.
Ljutic Firearms
- Adjustable Mono gun
- Mono gun
- Pro 3
- Ljutic Space Gun