NN, Inc. Provides Update on Aerospace and Defense Capabilities

Rhea-AI Summary

NN, Inc. (NASDAQ: NNBR) updated its Aerospace and Defense capabilities on Oct 6, 2025, highlighting final regulatory credentials and a new commercial win.

Key points: NN secured ITAR registration and a Federal Firearms License (FFL) enabling production of specific firearm components, announced a new weapons customer for its North America machining operations, and said it is prototyping and launching multiple new parts. The company described expanded plating, machining, clad metal, and electronics capabilities (GMF and Polymet divisions) with NADCAP and ISO certifications and >50,000 sq ft of production supporting mission-critical defense applications. NN expects Aerospace and Defense revenue to grow and plans to expand capabilities and certify additional offerings.

Positive

• Secured ITAR registration enabling defense-controlled projects
• Obtained Federal Firearms License (FFL) to produce specific firearm components
• Announced a new weapons customer and active prototyping for multiple programs
• GMF division has >50 years supporting defense programs and NADCAP accreditation
• Polymet supplies advanced clad metals with ISO 9001:2015 quality systems

Negative

• None.

Company Also Announces a New Weapons Customer for its North American Machining Operations

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NN, Inc. (NASDAQ: NNBR), a global diversified industrial company that engineers and manufactures high-precision components and assemblies, today provided an update on its Aerospace and Defense business, supported by registration with the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and its recently obtained Federal Firearms License (FFL) issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Notably, the FFL allows NN to produce specific components for firearms manufacturing. NN’s ITAR registration and FFL license strengthen the Company’s ability to serve U.S. and allied defense customers with secure, high-quality manufacturing solutions.

“Our Aerospace and Defense business is a focus area and is scaling into a meaningful growth platform for NN,” said Harold Bevis, President and Chief Executive Officer of NN, Inc. “By pairing our existing ITAR registration and FFL license with our U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities, we believe we are uniquely positioned to deliver mission-critical components that meet the highest standards of security, precision, and quality. Looking ahead, we expect to strengthen and expand our foundation for growth while opening up new pathways to create value for our defense and commercial partners. Aerospace and defense customers seek suppliers like NN who can combine technical expertise with rigorous compliance, and NN is answering that call.”

In tandem with the announcement of its newly obtained licensing, NN is also announcing a new business win and commercial relationship for its North America machining operations. Rob Esch, NN’s CTO of Machining said, “Our experience with laser technologies and precision machining of exotic metal alloys has led to a breakthrough with a well-known manufacturer of specialty firearms. This has led directly to NN recently winning new business, and we are currently prototyping and launching many new parts for several new programs. This new area for NN has the potential to grow much larger for both parties. We are very excited to be building on our capabilities and supporting our partners this way.”

NN’s Aerospace and Defense operations deliver precision components, plating services and assemblies used in guidance systems, optics and scope housings, weapon components, laser systems, and electronic subsystems. The Company’s ITAR-registered facilities are prepared to serve the specialized needs of customers with ITAR-controlled projects while its FFL license ensures responsible manufacturing in firearms-related categories. Together, these credentials enhance NN’s role as a trusted partner to aerospace companies, Tier-1 defense primes, and advanced technology customers.

Within its Aerospace and Defense segment, NN’s General Metal Finishing (GMF) division has supported high-reliability defense programs for more than 50 years. GMF provides manual rack, barrel, and vibratory plating, stainless steel electropolishing, and a broad range of precious and non-precious metal finishes that meet stringent military specifications. With NADCAP accreditation, ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, and more than 50,000 square feet of production space, GMF processes millions of parts annually for applications such as hybrid microelectronic packages, refractory metal heatsinks, and machined aluminum housings.

NN’s Polymet division adds advanced clad metal solutions to the portfolio, supplying aerospace and defense customers with overlay, inlay, and corelay materials, as well as precious metal wire and electrical contact tapes. These products are used in weaponry components, aerospace connectors, electronic heatsinks, and sighting systems, providing performance advantages that single-alloy components cannot achieve. Polymet’s ISO 9001:2015 quality systems and rigorous ASTM testing standards support reliable supply into mission-critical programs.

The Company’s Aerospace and Defense-capable facilities are strategically located across its U.S. manufacturing network, providing plating, machining, clad metals, and electronics production in secure environments. These capabilities allow NN to support programs ranging from guided munitions and avionics to optics, scopes, and specialty firearms assemblies.

NN expects its Aerospace and Defense-related revenue to increase as new opportunities emerge across government programs, prime contractors, and aerospace initiatives. The Company also plans to expand its Aerospace and Defense capabilities, products and certifications, and highlight them with a larger presence on its corporate website.

ABOUT NN

NN, Inc., a global diversified industrial company, combines advanced engineering and production capabilities with in-depth materials science expertise to design and manufacture high-precision components and assemblies for a variety of markets on a global basis. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, NN has facilities in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. For more information about the company and its products, please visit www.nninc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains express and implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “growth,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project”, “trajectory” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are outside of management’s control and that may cause actual results to be materially different from such statements. Such factors include, among others, general economic conditions and economic conditions in the industrial sector; material changes in the costs and availability of raw materials; the level of our indebtedness; our ability to secure, maintain or enforce patents or other appropriate protections for our intellectual property; and cyber liability or potential liability for breaches of our or our service providers’ information technology systems or business operations disruptions. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Relations: 
Joseph Caminiti or Stephen Poe, Investors 
NNBR@alpha-ir.com  
312-445-2870 

FAQ

What regulatory credentials did NN, Inc. announce on Oct 6, 2025 for Aerospace and Defense (NNBR)?

NN announced ITAR registration and a Federal Firearms License (FFL), permitting work on ITAR-controlled projects and specific firearm components.

How does NNBR's new FFL affect its North America machining business?

The FFL allows NNBR to manufacture certain firearm components and supported a new weapons-customer win and active prototyping.

Which NN divisions support aerospace and defense production and certifications?

GMF (plating/finishing) and Polymet (clad metals) support programs with NADCAP, ISO 13485:2016, and ISO 9001:2015 certifications.

Will NNBR's Aerospace and Defense revenue change after the Oct 6, 2025 update?

NN expects Aerospace and Defense–related revenue to increase as new opportunities from government and prime contractors emerge.

What types of defense components can NNBR now produce after the licensing update?

NN can supply precision machined parts, weapon components, optics and scope housings, laser systems, and plated assemblies for mission-critical programs.

Where are NNBR's Aerospace and Defense capabilities located and highlighted?

Capabilities are distributed across NNBR's U.S. manufacturing network; the company plans to expand certifications and feature them more prominently on its corporate website.