Ammo Makers: Percy Henderson, CCI/Speer, Talks Craft, Karate and Champion Mindset

For 30 years, Percy Henderson has walked through the doors of CCI/Speer with similar determination as when he first started with the company in the mid‑90s. Through the decades, he has grown into a true craftsman — someone who knows the rhythm of the machines, the nuances of each process and how to change over machines when engineers are eager to test new product designs.

But ask him what defines his three decades with the company, and he won’t point to a smooth-running machine. He won’t mention the building, tools, or even the culture. Instead, he’ll share the biggest lesson he has learned: that mindset is your greatest asset.

“Whatever your circumstances are, how you think about them determines your experience,” he said.

Henderson learned the power of mindset when he was reassigned from primers to spinning – a move no one wanted because the repetitive nature of the work. They needed someone to fill the role, so years ago he shifted, followed quickly by feeling a dread toward coming to work. That’s when he knew he needed to approach the situation differently. He decided to embrace the role and focus only on what he enjoyed about that work. It wasn’t long before he enjoyed spinning just as much as working with primers.

That mindset has carried him through every role, every challenge he has faced, change he has navigated and machine he has worked on.

In his time with the company, Percy has worked across multiple areas: primer assembly, rimfire spinning, plastics, Waterbury (jacketed rifle bullets), and now Fusion bullet production. In his tenure, Henderson has built a reputation for technical skill, problem‑solving and a relentless work ethic. As a setup worker, he works to keep machinery operating, changing them over and make adjustments where necessary. It’s usual for this to be the sole role for a setup worker, however Percy also serves as the operator of the machines.

Some machines he runs alone, others are managed in pods, but Percy thrives in the rhythm of his work – starting up one machine, checking another, darting between stations when things get busy, and enjoying the calm when everything runs just right.

“I enjoy the challenge,” he says. “Even if I’m banging my head against the machine one minute, solving the problem is the best feeling.”

Problem solving, Henderson says, is both his biggest challenge and a favorite part of the job.

“They go hand in hand. When I have a challenge to work through, I enjoy the process. It can get discouraging, but that feeling you get when you solve that problem is like nothing I'd ever trade. It is worth the frustration.”

Throughout his employment with CCI/Speer, Percy has improved processes that have stuck. He has redesigned the lube delivery system, adjusted tooling sequences and recently helped Engineering solve a forming issue with a plated bullet by spotting an irregularity and suggesting a new die configuration – a fix that worked better than anticipated.

But technical skills are only part of Henderson’s story. When his shift at CCI/Speer ends, his world expands well beyond the plant floor – though the most important chapter of his life began right there at work.

Percy met his wife, Darcy, during a work event. Darcy was a supervisor in Rimfire Assembly. What began with a company golf tournament led to a few chance run‑ins and eventually formed into a relationship. By the end of that year he proposed on a trip to the coast; and the couple married in April 2009.

He and Darcy, along with their daughter, Jayden, and son, Taylor, partake in everything from hunting and camping to paddleboarding with the dogs, picking huckleberries and fishing. He enjoys working on cars with his son and cheering on his daughter from the sidelines at karate practice – or at least he did, until he felt inspired to try it himself.

“I brought her to her classes for about a year and just thought ‘That doesn't look too bad.’ I had been going through moves with her at home and observing her practices and finally thought ‘I can do that!’”

So, a year after his daughter started the sport – Henderson joined the adult class, where he welcomed reality.

“It wasn't the same,” he said. “I went home and my wife thought she was going to have to take me to the hospital! Before then, I never did any sort of exercise or sports, so that was a wakeup call.”

But he didn’t let a bruised ego – or the bruises themselves – stop him. He kept showing up. Six years later, they’ve both earned their black belts – she as a junior black belt and he as an adult. Now, the father-daughter duo competes in local tournaments across the Northwest and has even travelled to Florida for a national event, where each of them placed.

Camping adventures with his family and the shared passion he’s built with his daughter aren’t the only places Percy finds joy. When he’s not in the camper or on the mat, he’s still outdoors – this time with big game on his mind. For years, Percy has kept an annual elk‑hunting tradition with one of his brothers.

They hang game cameras around the 40-acre property and watch elk drift on and off the land. They pay special attention to the big bulls’ patterns, dreaming of what may come once the season opens. When the time comes, they’re well prepared and eager to track down some of the animals they watched all year. At that point, he relies on the products we all have come to rely on and trust.

“Every animal I’ve ever taken has been with my 30‑06 shooting Fusion ammunition,” Percy said. “It’s kind of fun knowing I’m using the same ammo I help make.”

Outside of his hunting ventures, Henderson still opts to shoot ammunition made by his team. He enjoys shooting CCI’s rimfire product and takes any opportunity to shoot his 6.5 Creedmoor Precision Rifle from which he chooses to shoot Federal’s Premium Terminal Ascent. His everyday favorite for his .40‑caliber pistol? Gold Dot, of course.

Percy Henderson’s three decades at CCI/Speer are a testament to resilience, craftsmanship and an unshakeable mindset. Whether he’s solving problems on the line, hunting with the ammo he helped build or earning a black belt alongside his daughter, Percy shows what it means to keep showing up. His story is proof that the right mindset doesn’t just shape a career — it shapes a life.

FAST FACTS

Last read?

I just finished a fantasy series I really enjoyed called Mark of the Fool. I love books like that — full of wizards, magic, and mythical creatures — so it was right up my alley.

Bucket List item that’s brewing?

I’d love to visit Yellowstone National Park. I’d also like to go to Japan — that’s a more recent addition to my bucket list, inspired by my years in karate. At some point, I’d love to take my daughter there, if not the whole family. For now, I’m hoping we can start with some local family trips, and then eventually adventure to Yellowstone.

Biggest fish you’ve caught?

The biggest fish I’ve caught would be a sturgeon out of the Snake River in Idaho. They’re like the dinosaur fish of the area.

Pet peeve?

People who can’t drive.

Favorite holiday?

I really like Independence Day. And probably Easter.

Something your coworkers don’t know about you?

Most of my coworkers probably don’t know that I play the piano. I took about 12 years of lessons all through grade school and high school. I don’t play much anymore, but I can still sit down at the piano and pluck out a tune.

Favorite candy?

M&Ms. Even better - peanut M&Ms.

Best adventure?

The trip I’d love to repeat is the trip to Hawaii my wife and I took after our daughter was born. We went up to the top of Mount Haleakala to watch the sunrise, which was incredible — I wasn’t expecting to see snow in Hawaii, but at that elevation, you sure do. We also spent time snorkeling and enjoyed everything Maui had to offer.