Industry Achievement Awards

Vol. 10, No. 46 - November 16, 2009

NASGW PRESENTS 2009 HONORS . . . At its annual expo, the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) announced its 2009 Industry Achievement Awards. Winchester Ammunition was named Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year, Sturm, Ruger & Co. was named Firearms Manufacturer of the Year, Birchwood Casey received Accessory Manufacturer of the Year and NSSF received the Chairman's Award for Industry Leadership. The annual awards program allows the industry's leading distributors to select and honor the association's top manufacturers in several key categories, including distribution policy, marketing, promotions and sales, logistics and operations and NASGW and industry support.

SHOT Show

TWO MONTHS AWAY . . . NSSF's 2010 SHOT Show is only two months away. With a new venue, new exciting surroundings and new products galore, the industry's annual main event returns to Las Vegas Jan. 19-22 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. If you haven't already done so, get registered, make travel plans, order tickets to the annual State of the Industry Dinner, register for SHOT Show University and more at shotshow.org. You can't miss!

CELEBRITIES AT THE SHOW? LET US KNOW . . . Professional athletes, actors, rock stars, authors, pro shooters. Each year, the SHOT Show has its fair share of celebrity appearances. We've received word of a few planned celebrity appearances, but we'd like to hear about more. Let us know if your company is planning to have a celebrity make a personal appearance at the show. In return, we'll help you promote it.

News of Note

NSSF NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY RESEARCH . . . NSSF has appointed James Curcuruto as director, industry research and analysis. Curcuruto brings more than 15 years experience in the research, analysis, sales, marketing and advertising fields. He has done a substantial amount of research and analysis for a variety of industries, including the outdoor sports industry. "Jim's thorough understanding of research and analysis will ensure that NSSF continues to produce market intelligence that helps our members to make more informed business decisions," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president. "His broad sales and marketing experience with industry companies will serve NSSF and its members well as we move forward in expanding our initiatives to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports." Curcuruto holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. He is also a lifelong sportsman with a special interest in white-tailed deer hunting. At NSSF, Curcuruto will direct the in-house research and analysis staff while reporting to Randy Clark, managing director of business development. "I am looking forward to building upon the solid foundation that exists within NSSF's research department," said Curcuruto.

ATK ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES . . . Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced that after more than six years as the company's chairman and CEO, Daniel J. Murphy will leave the company and retire in March. The company's board of directors has appointed General Ronald R. Fogleman to serve as chairman of the board of directors. The board also elected John L. Shroyer, ATK's chief financial officer, to serve as interim CEO. The appointments are effective immediately.

PROFIT, AMMO SALES CLIMB AT ATK IN SECOND QUARTER . . . Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced that second-quarter profit rose 18 percent, helped by stronger sales of ammunition for security forces in Afghanistan, the Associated Press reports. The company said that demand remained strong for ATK's commercial ammunition brands and products during the quarter. "I am particularly pleased with the growth of our commercial businesses both in ammunition, aircraft structures and elsewhere across the company," said John Shroyer, interim CEO, senior vice president and CFO. "We are well positioned for continued strength in the second half of the year and are raising our full-year guidance."

SMITH & WESSON NAMES FIREARMS BUSINESS PRESIDENT . . . Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:SWHC) announced that it has named James Debney to fill the role of president, firearms business, reporting to Michael Golden, president and CEO. Debney, 42, most recently served as president of Presto Products Co., a $500 million plastic products business unit formerly of Alcoa Consumer Products. In his role at Smith & Wesson, Debney will oversee the company's firearms business.

Legislative

EXCISE TAX REFORM . . . It's vitally important that all members of the firearms and ammunition industry urge their senators and representatives to support S. 632 and H.R. 510, pro-conservation, pro-business, bi-partisan legislation. All the background information and sample letters you need to call and write your senators and representatives is available in NSSF's online Legislative Action Center. The ranks of co-sponsorship for this legislation continue to grow. Please, call your senators and representatives today.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RETREATS ON COMMENTS ABOUT 'ASSAULT WEAPONS' BAN . . . Attorney General Eric Holder is retreating on the comments he made in February to reinstate the so-called ban on assault weapons, The Hill reports. Back in February, Holder said, "As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons."

NSSF TESTIFIES ON ONE-GUN-A-MONTH LAW IN NEW JERSEY . . . In testimony before the Firearms and Advisory Task Force this September, NSSF testified that the pending one-gun-a-month law, signed into law by outgoing New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, restricts law-abiding dealers from obtaining inventory. In the Star Ledger last week, Task Force Chairman Robert Bernardi, Burlington County Prosecutor, addressed the need to amend the law. "As it stands now, retailers would be prohibited from purchasing guns from their suppliers. I think that was an oversight when the legislation was passed." Prospects for passage of the retailer exemption legislation remain relatively strong, and NSSF will continue to push for this change.

CANADIAN GUN REGISTRY'S LOOMING DEMISE WELCOMED BY RETAILERS . . . A move by conservative members of the Canadian Parliament to end the nation's long-gun registry has been welcomed by Canadian firearms retailers. One retailer noted, "I think common sense has prevailed. The objective to eliminate crime in Canada has not been met. It's been too costly. I believe that the money that could be saved here would be better used by putting police on the streets where we do have problems with crime." Much like in the United States, gun control in Canada has pitted urban representatives against rural representatives.

NSSF Member News

NSSF MEMBERS RECEIVE 25% DISCOUNT ON CELERANT SOFTWARE . . . Celerant Command Retail is a real-time, complete software system that manages all areas of a firearm/sporting goods retail operation. The system integrates point-of-sale, inventory management, warehouse, distribution center, allocation, e-commerce, data mining and more, and includes ATF-approved reporting features, replacing the need for bound log books. A new addition to the system is for consignments and firearm buy/trade-ins with complete tracking. NSSF members receive a 25 percent discount on the initial software system. For more information, visit NSSF's members only site or contact NSSF Member Services Director Bettyjane Swann bswann@nssf.org or 203-426-1320.

Jobs

INDUSTRY CAREER CONNECTION . . . Visit www.nssf.org/jobs for current employment opportunities in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. Employers: Log in to post a job opening.