ICYMI: Industry News
From Oct. 23–27, 2023
NASGW Announces Annual Award Winners
The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) announced the winners of their annual Appreciation and Caliber Awards during their Appreciation Dinner at the NASGW Expo, in Columbus, Ohio. The NASGW Expo brings together wholesalers and manufacturers within the shooting sports industry to get a first look at new products and plan sales for the upcoming year. Included in the Expo festivities is NASGW’s Appreciation Dinner.
Winners of the NASGW Appreciation Awards are:
Firearm Manufacturer of the Year: Ruger
Optics Manufacturer of the Year: Leupold
Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year: Hornady
Accessory Manufacturer of the Year: American Outdoor Brands
Importer of the Year: Century Arms
Innovator of the Year: Smith & Wesson
In addition to the annual awards, NASGW also recognized Coreware, Celerant and Orchid for their partnership in NASGW’s SCOPE CLX platform.
“I truly appreciate each of these businesses and their contribution to SCOPE,” said NASGW President Kenyon Gleason. “Together we are accomplishing big things and the industry is benefiting from the great data.”
Outdoor Wire Publisher Jim Shepherd was awarded the 2023 NASGW Chairman’s Award.
NASGW, in partnership with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), also selected the top products in seven categories. The Caliber Awards offer a unique, unbiased approach to recognizing and honoring new innovative products.
This year’s winners are:
Best New Accessory: Caldwell — Flash Bang AR500 Steel Target Hit Indicator
Best New Ammunition: Hornady — 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge
Best New Handgun: Springfield Armory — Echelon
Best New Optic: Holosun Technologies — Digital Reflex Sight – Night Vision (DRS-NV)
Best New Rifle: Marlin — Marlin Model 336 Classic
Best New Shotgun: Weatherby — ORION SxS
Best New Suppressor: Rugged Suppressors — Alaskan 360Ti
Best New Overall Product: Marlin — Marlin Model 336 Classic
For more info: www.nasgw.org
XS Sights Sponsors Clay Shoot To Benefit Meals On Wheels
XS Sights is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the sixth annual Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County Clay Shoot. This year’s event will be held Nov. 1, 2023, at Defender Outdoors in Fort Worth, and will help raise money to provide home-delivered meals and other vital services to those who are homebound, elderly, disabled and food-insecure in Tarrant County. XS has been a sponsor of this event since its inception. Each Wednesday throughout the year, a team of two from XS delivers meals in the company’s local area.
“Team XS is honored to again sponsor the Tarrant County Meals on Wheels annual Clay Shoot Fundraiser,” said Kellie Brunn, co-owner of XS Sights. “To celebrate all the hard work our team has put in delivering weekly meals to the homebound in our community, we will spend the afternoon in some friendly competition. We encourage you to join us!”
For more info: www.xssights.com, www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org
Streamlight Marks 13 Years Supporting Breast Cancer Foundation
Since 2010, Streamlight Inc. has donated $867,000, resulting in more than 17,000 research hours, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a not-for-profit organization seeking to prevent and cure breast cancer. Each October, Streamlight recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating proceeds from its pink line of lights to BCRF.
In 2022, the company donated $21,500 from sales of the pink Nano Light keychain light, the pink Siege AA ultra-compact lantern and the pink Strion LED tactical light. For each of the lights, Streamlight donates $1, $2 and $5, respectively.
According to BCRF estimates, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes. More than 43,000 women and 500 men will die from the disease this year. Because of research conducted by organizations like BCRF, deaths from breast cancer have decreased by 43% in the past three decades.
“Streamlight is very proud to have provided continuous support over the years to BCRF, resulting in such a significant number of research hours,” said Streamlight Chief Revenue Officer Michael F. Dineen. “Several of our employees are among those who are breast cancer survivors, which is why we decided to create a line of pink flashlights and donate a portion of the proceeds to BCRF to help find a cure for this disease.”
For more info: www.streamlight.com
Bear Archery, OSCF Release “Connecting With Conservation” Video
To help inform America’s 60+ million active HATS (Hunters, Anglers, Trappers and Shooters) on how land, fish and wildlife conservation is funded in the U.S., Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) has developed a video series entitled “Connecting with Conservation,” where they collaborate with industry manufacturers and state agencies.
The latest video showcases a visit to the Bear Archery facility in Jacksonville, Fla., giving viewers an inside look at bow manufacturing. It shares how archery pioneers such as Fred Bear helped pave the way for archery manufacturers to contribute to the Pittman-Robertson Act.
“Bear Archery is proud to support conservation funding and we want our customers to know how important they are to us, as well as to the conservation funding model,” said Neil Byce, director of operations at Bear Archery.
“Our ‘Connecting with Conservation’ video series simplifies the message on how conservation is funded and informs HATS how they are primary funders of land, fish and wildlife conservation in America,” said OSCF Executive Director, Jim Curcuruto. “We thank companies like Bear Archery for helping spread the word to HATS across the nation.”
The Pittman-Robertson Act generates funds from an excise tax on select outdoor products and goes to benefit projects such as land acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat; introduction of wildlife into suitable habitat, research, surveys and inventories of wildlife populations; and development of access facilities for public use and hunter education programs, including construction and operation of public target ranges.
“Without the $3.6 billion in funding provided by HATS each year, wildlife agency budgets would be decimated, and they would be unable to continue to perform all the great conservation work they do,” Curcuruto added.
For more info: www.outdoorstewards.org
Henry Donates $25K To First Responders Children’s Foundation
During a National First Responders Day ceremony on Oct. 26, 2023, in New York City’s Times Square, Anthony Imperato, founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms, continued the company’s support for families of first responders with a $25,000 donation to the First Responders Children’s Foundation. This follows a $50,000 donation made in December 2022 as part of the firearm manufacturer’s Guns for Great Causes charitable program that raised over $1 million last year for a variety of organizations in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary.
The First Responders Children’s Foundation was founded in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks when 800 children lost a first-responder parent in the line of duty. Today, the nationally acclaimed organization provides financial and community support to the children and families of fallen first responders.
“Our mission with Guns for Great Causes and the mission of the First Responders Children’s Foundation go hand-in-hand, and it’s all about the kids,” said Imperato. “These children have parents that dedicate their lives to saving others day in and day out. Not coming home at the end of a shift is unimaginable, especially from the child’s point of view, and I am grateful to be able to lend our continued support to this organization that leads the way in helping to heal those wounds.”
Henry Repeating Arms’ donation is made in recognition of National First Responders Day, celebrated every year on October 28th, and the professionals committed to protecting communities all over America with selfless compassion for the lives they serve.
For more info: www.henryusa.com
U.S. Patriot Donates Protective Gear To Safeguard Communities In Israel
U.S. Patriot Tactical, a GALLS company, donated $735,000 of protective gear, footwear, eyewear, defense tools and outerwear to humanitarian organizations in Israel. The gear and equipment will be distributed to the protectors who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of their communities.
“We pride ourselves on providing gear and equipment to protect the protectors across our country. It is our privilege to step up to help communities in Israel who suddenly have enhanced needs to defend themselves,” said Mike Fadden, CEO of U.S. Patriot. “There is no way we can repair the losses they have suffered. I hope this contribution will help prevent further loss of lives.”
Furthermore, U.S. Patriot, a Charlesbank Capital Partners portfolio company, launched a website where supporters can donate gear and clothing. On this site, patrons can select and donate items identified in high demand by the agencies protecting Israeli communities. All donations will be dispatched directly to the Israeli organizations in need.
For more info: www.uspatriottactical.com
Federal Ammunition Awarded Duty Ammo Contract With DHS, CBP
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) selected the Federal Premium Law Enforcement Ammunition brand as the contract awardee for its 5.56x45mm rifle ammunition. CBP is one of the world’s largest law enforcement agencies and is charged with border security while also overseeing lawful international trade and travel.
“We are proud to provide the highest quality duty ammunition to CBP officers charged with the monumental task of border security,” said Federal Ammunition President and CEO Jason Vanderbrink. “We know they require the best ammunition in their mission to protect our borders and keep the homeland safe. This large duty contract win solidifies Federal Ammunition as a top choice for law enforcement.”
The cartridge selected was the Tactical Bonded 64-grain soft point. This single-award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract is a Strategically Sourced contract for all DHS components with a maximum quantity of 143 million rounds. The ordering period is for a total of five years.
“Federal’s Tactical Bonded line is a trusted partner for some of the most intense conditions,” said VP of Law Enforcement Sales Dave Leis. “Made exclusively for law enforcement and at our Anoka, Minn., headquarters, it achieves accuracy and terminal performance that defeats tough barriers with minimal change to its superior performance attributes.”
For more info: www.federalpremium.com
