In the latest shooting sports industry news...
The W.L Carter Company has been named the 2019 Rep Group of the Year by Traditions Firearms.
The award was presented in Las Vegas as part of pre-SHOT show activities with Tim Locker, Steve Kirkpatrick, and Brien Wiggins accepting the award on behalf of W.L Carter. The award was given to W.L Carter by Traditions VP of Sales Ryan Nicholas.
“I am honored to present the Rep Group of the Year award to W.L. Carter," Nicholas said. "As a group, they have continued to provide excellent sales support for our customers and were imperative to helping Traditions™ grow in 2019. They do a fantastic job for Traditions.”
The W.L. Carter Company is based in Texas.
NSSF Earns Gold Davey Award for Creative Advertising
The Davey Awards has recognized the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s SHOT Show with a Gold Davey Award in its Design/Print category for the SHOT Show’s “Fully Loaded” print advertising.
The award recognizes NSSF and CSG Creative, NSSF’s SHOT Show creative agency, for the 2020 show’s print ad creative.
The Davey Awards are sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA), an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising and marketing firms. AIVA members include executives from organizations such as Condé Nast, Disney, GE, Microsoft, MTV, Yahoo! and many more.
The Gold Davey is the Davey Awards’ top honor.
NSSF’s SHOT Show is the largest trade show of its kind in the world, attracting attendees from 115 countries in addition to all 50 states. More than 55,000 industry professionals attended the 2020 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, with the number of exhibiting companies exceeding 2,500.
The show is held each year at Las Vegas’ Sands Expo Center and is the venue’s largest event. Next year, the SHOT Show is adding even more exhibits, education, meetings and experiences in the new Caesars Forum.
Davidson's Adds Weaver Accessories
Davidson’s, one of the nation’s top firearms wholesalers, has added Weaver to its family of firearms accessory offerings. Davidson’s initial offerings from Weaver will focus on optic mounting hardware. The Weaver name is synonymous with high-quality rings and bases.
Davidson’s Director of Purchasing Kane Cannedy said, “We are happy to make Weaver mounting systems available to our dealers. Weaver is an industry leader in mounting hardware and is a staple in most shop’s inventory.”
Weaver, a Vista Outdoor brand, has more than 80 years of experience creating the world’s most reliable optics and mounting systems. Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, shooting sports and outdoor products, and has a portfolio of well recognized brands that provides consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products for individual outdoor recreational pursuits.
Heckler & Koch Honors Top Rep Group, Sales Reps
Heckler & Koch has named Owen J Brown & Associates as its 2019 Manufacturer’s Representative Group of the Year. OJB provides sales and marketing services in the Western U.S. states for various brands in the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade.
"The success of the team is reliant upon each team member rising to the challenges presented. It is our pleasure to recognize the Owen J. Brown & Associates team for each rising to the challenges of the year,” Director of Sales & Business Development Nathanial Schueth said. “As a group, they serve many markets with unique challenges. From California, to Montana, and everywhere in between, they each drove HK with their dealers and distributors. We salute them for a job well done and look forward to continued success in 2020."
Trevor Gathman of Vincent Pestilli & Associates also was recognized as the top individual sales rep nationwide.
"Our sales representative team is critical to the success of Heckler & Koch's commercial business," Schueth said. "It is our pleasure to recognize our team members who went above and beyond in providing service and support to our dealer network. From hitting the roads to fielding calls, our team is always there to support our dealer and distribution partners. This recognition for Trevor and team is well deserved and we look forward to continuing HK's growth in the United States."
Additionally, Heckler & Koch recognized the top sales representatives from each rep group that carries the HK line. Top individual reps in their respective groups are:
Vincent Pestilli & Associates - Trevor Gathman
Covey Sales & Marketing - Matt Evans
Core Line Marketing Group - Jeff Woods
Owen J Brown & Associates - Christian Larsen
Owens Outdoor Sales - Cameron Salvaggio
Moeller Joins Bill Hicks & Co. Leadership
Randy Moeller has been named Director of Sales for Bill Hicks & Co., Ltd., a distributor of wholesale sporting goods.
Moeller will focus on maintaining and enhancing the current relationships with our customers, while pursuing new accounts and business development.
“I have known Randy for over 20 years, and feel very fortunate to welcome such a knowledgeable and well-respected leader in our industry," said Shelly Hicks, President. "He brings with him a vast amount of experience, has worked for some great companies, and will be a valuable addition to our team."
Bill Hicks & Co., Ltd., founded in 1969, specializes in all aspects of the hunting and shooting sports industry.
Bow Spider Selects Hunter Outdoor Communications
Bow Spider bow retrieval system has selected Hunter Outdoor Communications as its agency of record, effective immediately.
“We are pleased to be working with an agency that understands our channels, products and programs,” said David Merrill, Bow Spider owner and CEO. “As we continue to grow and evolve this brand and launch other brands, I look forward to having an agency partner that will drive us to a new level of awareness and presence in the outdoor and hunting markets.”
Hunter Outdoor Communications will collaborate with the brand to communicate the product technology, company story and corporate initiatives. HOC will drive media and public relations, strategic ideation, content strategy plans and execution to support product launches and event trade show programs. All of the communications programs will be carefully designed to build awareness and engagement with influencers, retailers and customers.
Lucas Oil Outdoor Line Partners With Cheaper Than Dirt
Lucas Oil Outdoor Line, makers of outdoor industry lubricants and cleaning products, has partnered with wholesale distributor Cheaper Than Dirt.
Lucas Oil Outdoor Line is constantly looking for ways to better serve customers and continue to build the brand. Teaming up with Cheaper Than Dirt will allow it to reach a broader customer base and be more accessible for consumers.
Cheaper Than Dirt, founded in 1993, has expanded to include a broad variety of outdoor industry products.
"We are very happy to be working with the team at Cheaper Than Dirt," says Lisa Marie Young, Business Development Manager for Lucas Outdoor Line. "They have a proven track record of success in the industry and they bring valuable tools and experience to our team."
Lucas Oil has been producing lubricants and additives available for more than 30 years. It recently launched the Lucas Oil Outdoor Line for the hunter, sportsman or competitive shooter who is serious about their equipment and maintaining it properly.
Zanders Sporting Goods Expands Product Line
Zanders Sporting Goods, a national distributor located in Sparta, Illinois, proudly announces a huge expansion of product lines in its already vast inventory of firearm and outdoor products.
“Thanks to the diligent work of our purchasing staff, Zanders is now able to offer products from even more trusted brands,” commented Stefanie Zanders, President and Chief Operating Officer for Zanders Sporting Goods.
Dealers will now be able to choose products from Angstadt Arms, Christensen Arms, Cobratec Knives, Energizer, Hatsan USA, H&N Sport, Nomad, Riton and UST.
“The core focus at Riton Optics is customer service, and we believe in partnering with companies that share the same values,” said John Piscione, Vice President of Sales for Riton Optics. “Zanders' commitment to customer service for over 50 years is the perfect compliment to our product line and the core values we carry as a company.”
Bear & Son Cutlery Adds Kroll International for Distribution
Bear & Son Cutlery has added Kroll International as a major distributor for 2020, effective immediately.
Bear & Son's line of American-made automatic, tactical, rescue, and EDC knives will be offered to law enforcement, public safety, military and homeland security dealers throughout Kroll’s distribution channels.
As a leading wholesaler and supplier of law enforcement, military, public safety, and shooting sports equipment, Kroll International’s partnership with Bear & Son Cutlery will offer our nation’s first responders with premium American-made knives at value-driven prices. Kroll’s vast dealer base will have the opportunity to carry a large selection of Bear OPS automatic knives, tactical fixed and folding knives, and offer everyday carry pocket knives from Bear & Son Cutlery’s brands.
“The partnership between Kroll International, their dealers, and Bear & Son Cutlery offers us potential to better serve the public safety and government segments—an honorable service that is part of our core values,” said Matt Griffey, Vice President of Bear & Son Cutlery. “Together, we look to grow productivity, relationships, and to provide more American-made products for our nation’s best—our first responders, police officers, military members, and government employees.”
