Honoring Excellence: 17th annual awards pay tribute to innovation, service

Shooting Industry, Sept, 2008

The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence presented its prestigious 2008 awards July 25 in Windsor, Conn., with more than 150 industry leaders attending the academy's ceremony.

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The academy honored 13 companies and one individual after considering 142 entries, and 43 nominees on the final ballot.

The academy's individual honor was presented to Bob Hodgdon, Hodgdon Powder Co. Sturm, Ruger was honored with two awards: the Manufacturer of the Year and Handgun of the Year. Sure-Fire also received two awards, and Ellett Brothers was named Distributor of the Year for the second year in a row.

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Established in 1992, the academy is sponsored by FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS, American Handgunner and American COP magazines. However, no one at the publisher is permitted to vote. The voting power is held exclusively by the academy, which includes 500 industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. They vote twice for each award, first to consider all entries in the 14 categories and then to determine who will receive the awards.

Academy officials again used a more stringent screening process begun last year to ensure products selected for, the final ballot were "in production." Manufacturers whose products were selected-for possible placement on the final ballot had 10 days to submit their products to the Academy for validation.

"This additional step, along with our other strict requirements, ensures the integrity of the awards," said Randy Molde, Academy director. "It also means that just making it to the final ballot is a significant achievement. All of this year's nominees should be proud of their accomplishments."

In keeping with the academy's tradition, the results of this year's final vote were kept secret. The awards presentation and reception were held in conjunction with the Sixth Annual Shooting Industry Masters.

"We salute all the final nominees for their innovation, service and dedication to the industry. To be honored by your peers, who are often rivals, is especially meaningful," said Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry's editor, who joined Molde in presenting this year's awards.

Honoring Excellence

Bob Hodgdon received the Shooting Industry award: "For his 60 years at Hodgdon Powder, providing propellants for shooters and hunters. For helping build the company into what it is today, a company featuring 54 reliable, high-performance muzzleloading and smokeless powder products. For being a tireless defender of the Second Amendment and being instrumental in starting the NRA Handloading Endowment. For being an avid hunter, reloader and shooter."

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"This is such an honor," Hodgdon said in accepting the award. "I can't think of another honor I have received that has anything like this behind it, as far as a lifetime honor. I think it shows a little bit of the American spirit, private enterprise and capitalism--what a great country we have.

"My dad (Bruce Hodgdon) started as a simple gas service salesman selling appliances and he took advantage of an opportunity he saw after World War II (to start Hodgdon Powder). This is the same kind of thing, I think, that has enlivened our country today and it's what has made our country great. I want to thank you folks sincerely from the heart."

Sturm, Ruger received the Manufacturer of the Year award: "For remaking the company to better serve the firearms industry, including creating new firearm and ammunition combinations that eclipse current performance standards, such as Ruger Compact Magnum rifles and the Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Magnum revolver. For the Voice of the Customer program seeking input from consumers and resulting in the M77 Hawkeye rifles, Charger pistol, the SR9 and the LCP. For enhanced dealer offerings, including co-op advertising, special order programs and expanded Web site content."

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"I'd like to thank all the employees of Ruger who made this possible," said Michael Fifer, Sturm, Ruger CEO. "These are the men and women who work really hard every day to try to make a change in the company, to try to bring it forward. When I was listening to the nomination, the one part that really jumped out at me was 'Voice of the Customer,' and we are trying very, very hard to listen to our customers, to find out what they like and to give it to them."

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Ellett Brothers was honored with the Distributor of the Year award: "For taking great pride in serving and supporting the independent retailer for 75 years. For its continuing work with manufacturers to develop new and innovative products such as the newly introduced Taurus Model 327. For continued support of industry organizations such as the NSSF, NRA, Congressional Sportsman Caucus and NASGW. For its commitment to the growth and future of the shooting sports industry by working with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and local conservation groups."

"Thank you very much. I want to thank FMG, the academy and most of all the great employees I have back in South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Thanks to all the suppliers who work with us to help make our job easier," said F. Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers president and CEO.