SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 20, 2013) --- Smith & Wesson Corp announced today that it received the ‘Innovator of the Year’ award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) during the Association’s 40th Annual Meeting in Grapevine, Texas. NASGW Chairman of the Board Kent Williams and NASGW Vice Chairman of the Board Pete Brownell presented the award to Smith & Wesson President and CEO James Debney. The ‘Innovator of the Year’ award was designed to recognize an individual or company that has developed a unique product, service or strategy and who, in the opinion of NASGW, stood out among its many competitors.
“Our congratulations to Smith & Wesson on winning the NASGW 2013 ‘Innovator of the Year’ award,” said Kent Williams, Chairman of the Board. “This award, as with our Annual Awards Program, reflects a vote of our member firms and recognizes the depth and breadth of the innovative products of Smith & Wesson and also acknowledges the significant contribution they have made in furthering the expansion, image and development of shooting sports.”
Presented annually, the NASGW Awards were developed to acknowledge manufacturers who provide outstanding value and service and excel in developing new products and services. Wholesaler members evaluate the performance of manufacturers on key criteria that includes distribution methods, marketing, sales and promotion, logistics and operations and NASGW industry support. This comprehensive assessment of manufacturer performance has been designed to provide a more balanced appraisal that truly recognizes the best of the best according to NASGW members.
“To be named as the ‘Innovator of the Year’ is a great honor for all of our employees and a tremendous validation of our accomplishments over the last year,” said Debney. “In order to provide increasing value to our customers, we have focused on elevating the Smith & Wesson brand by introducing innovative new products, improving our manufacturing processes and developing sales methods that provide better service to our distribution partners. On behalf of everyone at Smith & Wesson, we would to like to express our appreciation to the NASGW and all of its supporting members for this recognition.”
Organized in 1953 and incorporated in 1954, the NASGW is comprised of wholesalers, manufacturers, and independent sales representatives both nationally and internationally. The NASGW members are primarily involved with fishing, hunting, shooting sports accessories and equipment. For more information on the NASGW and the NASGW Industry Awards, please visit www.nasgw.org.
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing and design, delivering a broad portfolio of quality firearms, related products and training to the consumer, law enforcement, and military markets. The company's brands include Smith & Wesson®, M&P® and Thompson/Center Arms™. Smith & Wesson facilities are located in Massachusetts and Maine. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.
