MidwayUSA
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hunting and outdoor merchandise retail |
| Founded | June 18, 1977 in Columbia, Missouri, U.S. |
| Founder | Larry Potterfield |
| Headquarters | Columbia , United States |
Area served | Continental United States |
Key people | Larry Potterfield (Chairman) |
| Products | Hunting and outdoor merchandise, ammunition components, reloading equipment |
| Website | www |
MidwayUSA is a privately held American enterprise focused on hunting and outdoor merchandise, with its headquarters located in Columbia, Missouri. The firm primarily caters to customers across the continental United States through its e-commerce platform.
History
The company originated on June 18, 1977, under the name Ely Arms, Inc., beginning as a modest firearms retailer in Columbia, Missouri. Larry Potterfield, who founded and currently chairs the company, initially co-managed the business alongside his brother Jerry. In 1980, Jerry sold his interest back to Larry. Later that year, the firm introduced a mail-order segment featuring a limited selection of ammunition products. Early distribution efforts involved supplying 8mm Nambu brass and other ammunition components.
Following trademark disputes with the Eley Division of Kynoch Industry, Ely Arms was rebranded as Midway Arms, Inc., a name inspired by its original proximity to the Midway community. In April 1998, the company adopted the trade name MidwayUSA. The firm became an innovator in the bulk ammunition components market through collaborations with Starline Brass and subsequently with leading manufacturers such as Winchester and Remington. After the enactment of the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act—which permitted direct consumer sales of cartridge cases—MidwayUSA expanded its direct-to-consumer offerings alongside continued sales to Federal Firearms License holders.
In 1987, MidwayUSA broadened its product range by incorporating reloading equipment from Lee Precision. The company's early adoption of computing technology—beginning with an Apple III in 1982 and progressing to IBM PCs by 1986—served as a foundation for its current Information Systems and Website Management infrastructure.
By 2014, MidwayUSA had fully embraced an online retail strategy, discontinuing its traditional mail-order catalog.
Modern management practices
MidwayUSA implements contemporary management methodologies including Baldrige criteria, Lean, ISO standards, and Six Sigma. The organization received the distinguished Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2009, 2015, and 2021, making it one of only two entities honored three times since the award's inception in 1988. The 2015 Baldrige recognition followed MidwayUSA’s receipt of the Missouri Quality Award from the Excellence in Missouri Foundation in both 2008 and 2015, highlighting its dedication to quality and operational excellence.
NRA support
Larry and Brenda Potterfield have launched several initiatives and educational endowments within the NRA Foundation, with Brenda serving as Vice President on its Board of Trustees. Since 1992, MidwayUSA has enabled customer contributions through the NRA round-up program, donating over $3 million to the NRA/ILA. This reflects the company’s strategic alignment and ongoing support within its core market segment.
External links
- Companies based in Columbia, Missouri
- Sporting goods retailers of the United States
- Online retailers of the United States
- Privately held companies based in Missouri
- American companies established in 1977
- Retail companies established in 1977
- Firearm commerce
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment