Each year, our team makes a trip to the IWA fair in Nuremberg, Germany, typically held in March. This year, we had the added pleasure of receiving an invitation from our friends at the INNOMOUNT company. Eager to learn more about their operations, we happily accepted their invitation.
Our delegation consisted of myself, a part of the written content team, along with our CEO of Optics Trade, Teodor, and the executive director of our Shooting Trade brand, Jurij. It was our first time visiting INNOMOUNT, and we were eager to learn how they earned their reputation as one of the industry's top-scope mount manufacturers. To make the most of our trip, we headed to Germany a day earlier, setting our sights on Fuchsstadt, Neumühle village. This is where INNOMOUNT's headquarters are nestled, surrounded by beautiful nature and charming Bavarian architecture. Given the journey's length, we broke our travel by spending a night in Brun before continuing to Fuchstadt the next morning.
Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Christian Scherpf, the company's CEO, and his kind team. The facilities caught our attention with their modern exterior design and a nod to eco-friendliness through the solar panels installed on the roof. Situated amidst vast fields, the factory offered picturesque views in every direction.
Stepping inside, we were greeted with a warm ambiance that perfectly reflected the company's aesthetic. The main hall of the building was multifunctional, serving as a physical store for product display, a space for business meetings, and even a small kitchen. We were treated to some delicious snacks prepared by our hosts and eagerly anticipated the rest of our visit.
The History of INNOMOUNT
Before we embarked on the factory tour, we were given a brief overview of INNOMOUNT's history. The company's story began when its founder Christian Scherpf, a passionate hunter and an engineer for Blaser at the time, decided to turn his hobby into a career. Leaving his job, he started his own company, laying the foundation for what INNOMOUNT would become.
Interestingly, scope mounts were not the first products to emerge from the INNOMOUNT factory. Christian's initial focus was on developing a double-barrel combination rifle, which made its public debut in 2010 at the IWA fair in Nuremberg. After the introduction, the team at INNOGUN, which is still the parent company of INNOMOUNT today, dedicated time to refining the product, and conducting further testing and improvements.
During this time, Christian's nephew Max also began to play a role in the business. As the rifle's development progressed, Christian and Max started to consider the potential of creating their own mounting solutions to accompany their firearms. By 2011, they had designed their first mounting solution for their guns, patenting a unique locking system.
In 2012, they established a separate branch of the business dedicated solely to mounting solution systems, giving it the name INNOMOUNT. Over time, the mount business began to grow, and seeing the potential, they decided to shift their primary focus to the development of mounting systems. However, they continued to produce guns for the German market, making their finished weapons available to end customers only.
Over the years, INNOMOUNT's business has flourished. Their mounting solutions have gained recognition and are now distributed by 28 dealers across Europe, as well as dealers in Australia and New Zealand. It was fascinating to hear about the company's journey.
Factory Tour
Then we continued our visit with a factory tour. Christian and his co-workers kindly showed us the production line and processes involved in creating their products, from start to finish. The tour began in Christian's office, where he initially designs mounting assemblies using a 3D CAD program. These ideas are then carried forward into the factory for production. Max, Christian's nephew, also plays a key role in the company. As the production manager, he oversees the production process and takes an active part in designing the mounts. His office is conveniently located near the production line of the facility.
The tour did not follow a typical chronological order, but it provided an insightful perspective into the work processes involved in making the end products. Upon entering the factory, we were met with the sounds and buzzes of machinery at work. Our first stop was a large room filled with raw materials, the building blocks for the INNOMOUNT solutions. Next, we visited the storage warehouse, where both completed INNOMOUNT solutions and individual parts were neatly organized on shelves, awaiting their dispatch to customers.
Following that, we saw the assembly room where the final mounts were hand-assembled. Various smaller components, such as screws, claws, springs, rings, and levers, were fitted onto different kinds of scope assemblies. We were eager to learn that all these components were made in-house, ensuring tight quality control and impeccable finished products. However, in addition to their own products, they also sell optics, stocks, and other hunting gear in their store.
The tour then led us down a narrow corridor to another room where INNOGUN operations were conducted. Here, we observed a young, skilled gunsmith hand-adapting and finalizing one of the INNOGUN premium rifles, based on the design of the Merkel K5 but completely modified. The chance to handle this finished firearm was truly impressive, and we were reassured of the high standards the company holds itself to. Our next stop was the main production room. On the way there, we passed by the logistics area, featuring a large table in the center where packages were prepared and readied for shipment.
Finally, we arrived at the main manufacturing area, where raw material bars were transformed into sophisticated scope mounts. These bars are machined into the basic shape of the mount using precision CNC machinery and then sanded to smooth out any rough edges. After sanding, the mounts undergo anodizing, an electrochemical process that results in a sleek black finish, enhanced durability, and wear resistance.
Lastly, each mount undergoes a final quality check before moving on to the assembly or storage. The company is planning to introduce new additions to its Picatinny rails collection soon, which will undergo a process called burnishing to achieve the final finish.
A Glimpse Into the Future
As we wrapped up our tour, Christian and Max extended an invitation for dinner, a perfect capstone to a day immersed in the world of mount manufacturing. We gladly accepted.
Frankly, this was one of the most interesting aspects of our visit as we got the chance to learn more about the company's plans. INNOMOUNT is planning to expand their product range and increase the number of dealers in the future. In addition to mounts and rails, the company has also begun manufacturing their own silencers in various configurations.
Our team is always happy to meet the people at the other end of the table in person, getting to see their work and understand the processes involved. The INNOMOUNT team truly left an impression on us. Seeing Christian, Max, and their dedicated crew in action, turning concepts into tangible, high-quality products was a unique experience. We walked away confident that the company is on an exciting path, and we are thrilled to be part of that journey.
Looking ahead, we cannot wait to see what INNOMOUNT will bring to the table next. We have no doubts that our partnership will continue to flourish and are genuinely excited about the positive developments we see on the horizon.
