Bend bullet and ammunition maker Nosler Inc. has purchased 60 acres near Redmond Airport to expand operations, the company announced today.

Nosler plans to build a 30,000-square-foot building to house the company’s ammunition and cartridge brass operations, according to a news release. The company also expects to add 20 jobs.

The expansion stems from Nosler’s 2013 purchase of Silver State Armory of Packwood, Washington, CEO Bob Nosler said in the news release. Last month, Nosler announced the rebranding of Silver State Armory’s brass and ammunition product line known as SSA by Nosler.

Founded in Ashland in 1948, Nosler moved to Bend 10 years later. Nosler Investments owns about 7 acres around Nosler headquarters on SW Columbia Street near Commerce Avenue.

Along with bullets, ammunition and brass cases, Nosler makes production and custom rifles. The company employed about 170 people as of April 2014, according to Economic Development for Central Oregon.