Fred Wagenhals

Fred Wagenhals is the chairman and CEO of AMMO Inc., based in Scottsdale, and in the last year he successfully led the completion of the company’s new production facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

The 185,000-square-foot plant represents the pinnacle of ammunition and munition components manufacturing, equipped with advanced R&D, ballistics and range facilities, the company said. The facility, completed on time and under budget, has tripled AMMO's manufacturing footprint and positioned the company for exponential growth. The new plant will allow greater efficiency and cost-control measures, contributing to AMMO's projected milestone of producing a billion rounds of ammunition.

AMMO Inc.’s products cater to law enforcement, military, sport shooting and self-defense uses. The company has gained recognition for its branded munitions and patented offerings, such as STREAK Visual Ammunition and armor-piercing rounds for military applications. AMMO Inc. also owns and operates GunBroker.com, the largest online marketplace dedicated to firearms, hunting, shooting and related products. GunBroker.com serves as a secure platform for individuals to buy and sell firearms and related items while adhering to federal and state laws.

Wagenhals envisions AMMO becoming a billion-dollar company within the next five years, with projected revenue targets of $350 million in 2023 and $500 million in 2024.

Wagenhals mentors several team members within AMMO and has even taught a course at the University of Arizona in Tucson, sharing his experiences, challenges and the hard work required to thrive as a young entrepreneur. Wagenhals emphasizes the importance of perseverance, dedication and treating others with kindness and respect.

“My greatest accomplishment was not a sacrifice — kindness and respect for everyone I have worked with, worked for and hired to work for me,” Wagenhals said. “The characteristics it takes to be a titan of industry is not how successful your companies became, not how high the stock went before you sold, not how much money you banked, it’s how you treated people you worked with, did business with, made lifelong friends with. It’s how you’ll be remembered.”

Wagenhals leads by example, beginning his days at 5:30 a.m., engaging with every employee from the chief financial officer to maintenance professionals and valuing and respecting his team's contributions.

“I inspire vision in my ‘team’ by leading by example and tell my staff to lead by example and others will follow suit,” Wagenhals said. “I value and respect my team and in turn they feel empowered and respected, and I let them know daily when I walk around and speak to each member that they are our company’s greatest assets that hold more value than money.”