Accokeek, MD (April 1, 2021) - Today, Beretta is excited to join Sako Ltd. in the
celebration of its 100th birthday and the impact that the company and its products have
made in the rifle and cartridge marketplaces around the world.

Founded on April 1, 1921, this prestigious firearms manufacturer has a rich history of
producing renowned high-quality products crafted by their skilled master craftsmen that
provide innovative solutions for its customers’ needs.

“At Beretta USA, we are proud to partner with the highly skilled and experienced men
and women of SAKO as they continue to innovate and deliver top-quality,
high-performing, precise, and reliable rifles to our demanding American customers,”
Francesco Valente, General Manager and COO of Beretta USA, said.
The original Sako factory was established as part of the Finnish Civil Guard and was
designed to meet its gun repair needs. The workshop became an independent financial
unit on 1 April 1921; Sako marks that date as its moment of establishment. The
workshop was initially called Suojeluskuntain Ase-ja Konepaja Osakeyhtiö (Civil Guard
Firearm and Engineering Co Ltd). In 1927, it became a limited company with its name
abbreviated to the acronym Sako.

During this time, the company moved from Helsinki to a factory site in Riihimäki, where it
continues to operate to this day. In Riihimäki, the assembly of a new model of rifle, the
M28, began. Nicknamed ‘Pystykorva’ (the dog breed ‘Spitz’), this rifle proved to be of
even better quality than similar weapons being used by Finnish defense forces.
Simultaneously, the company also began to manufacture cartridges and is the world’s
only rifle manufacturer that also makes cartridges.

During the 1950s, Sako entered the US market with the acquisition of a Sako L46 by Jan
Winter, an American company Firearms International agent. The US gun culture during
this period was immense, but the competition was tough. Everyone was surprised by the
popularity of the Sako L46 rifle, but its unparalleled performance was undeniable, and
exports of Sako products to the US steadily increased year after year.

In 1996, Sako saw a huge success in their Sako 75 range of products, which was Sako’s
first model to be designed as new from the very beginning. This success launched Sako
into its next step as a manufacturer as it began to outproduce the resources of its current
production facility capabilities to meet international demand. In 1999, Beretta Holding
Group expressed an interest in Sako and acquired all the company’s shares.

For the past 21 years, Sako has flourished and grown as a part of the Beretta Holding
Group and has seen the development of new, innovative technologies and growth in
yearly product volumes. In 2020, Sako manufactured and sold the one-millionth unit of
the Tikka T3, a rare feat for any bolt action rifle. 2020 also saw the launch of the
revamped Sako S20 hybrid rifle. This highly technical product allows the user to switch
between hunting or precision shooting by simply exchanging the forend and stock. Also,
Sako reached its all-time production record at more than 113,000 rifles produced in a
year. Additionally, Sako launched their first copper bullet designed and manufactured
in-house, the Sako Powerhead Blade, and broke its record for cartridge production with
more than 11 million cartridges made.

As it moves into its second century as a reputable weapons manufacturer, Sako
continues to develop world-class hunting, military, and target rifles and cartridges that
are uncompromisingly precise and reliable.

Beretta, established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world, tracing its roots through 15
generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost
500 years. Beretta USA Corp. was founded in 1977 and provided the most widely deployed sidearm
throughout the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta manufactures, distributes, and markets a complete line
of firearms, accessories, and apparel. Beretta also owns and operates six retail Beretta Gallery stores
worldwide. For additional information, visit www.Beretta.com.