As the sole U.S. government-owned producer of smallcaliber ammunition, the 2,500 employees of Lake City Ammunition provide 120 million rounds each month for the Department of Defense. The facility, which was built in support of World War II efforts, has been in continuous operation since 1940 and produces a large variety of ammunitions, including the 5.56 mm round for use in the standard issue M-16 rifle. Karen Davies, vice president and general manager of ATK Lake City Ammunition, oversees the many business aspects of the operation.

“Although our contract is with the United States Army, every branch of the Armed Forces uses our product because
every serviceman has a rifle” states Davies. “Our dominant market continues to be the military, but we also have a market for law enforcement and hunters.”

In addition to the serious business at hand, ATK Lake City Ammunition is a company that places great importance on
community involvement. As a board member of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, Davies represents ATK Lake
City Ammunition in a variety of community betterment programs. One example is the company’s active sponsorship of “Making It In KC,” a workforce development program designed to prepare students for entry-level manufacturing positions. In addition to providing hands-on production training, the company often hires these program graduates. Other mentoring opportunities include partnering with the Independence School District to execute its nationally recognized “Choices” program.

“Our company is involved in the ‘Choices’ program, where local businesses utilize their employees to talk to eighth grade
students about the importance of staying in school and preparing for a career. We supply employees to teach these classes, and provide financial sponsorship for the Independence School District.”

ATK Lake City Ammunition is proud of its internal internship program, as well. “Rolla has always been a really good source for engineering and business students, as well as other Midwestern colleges from which we actively recruit. We typically have about 15 college students who start around this time in the summer, and we offer paid internships in the business aspects of our facility. In addition, ATK offers a number of academic scholarships to students of employees,”
Davies says.

ATK Lake City Ammunition takes a strong stance on environmental responsibility, as well. As a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’sNational Environmental Performance Track since 2006, ATK Lake City Ammunition voluntarily complies with and exceeds expectations with regard to environmental issues. Included in this effort is the company’s production of “environmentally friendly” ammunition, based on a growing concern over environmental issues
surrounding land and water contamination, especially at areas such as shooting ranges.

Like many other industries that are going green, ATK Lake City Ammunition is “taking the lead out” by replacing the federally listed toxic material with tungsten-tin or tungstennylon mix in small-caliber ammunition. “It’s a big indicator when a company is about more than compliance; at ATK Lake City Ammunition, we voluntarily choose to do the right thing,” says Davies.

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