Some of the latest shooting sports industry news:

The Mantis X10 was named the “Best New Accessory of 2019” by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA).

Mantis Tech was presented with the award at the annual NASGW meeting Oct. 22 in Orlando.

The Third Annual NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards honor the highest caliber new products in six product categories. The winners for each category are chosen by an independent panel of 18 industry professionals.

The new Mantis X10 attaches to any firearm, providing detailed analytics and feedback on shooting performance including trigger control, shot timing, recoil control, holster draw analysis and many other dimensions of dynamic shooting. The X10 provides analysis for pistols, rifles and shotguns and works in dry fire, live fire and simulated shooting environments.

“We’re grateful to the efforts of NASGW and POMA in recognizing and rewarding innovation in the industry,” said President Austin Allgaier. “We can’t rely on political winds to blow the industry forward — we can only rely on innovative products that meet the needs of the evolving shooter. We’re thrilled to play a small role in changing the way the industry works.”

Hornady Named NASGW Ammo Winner

Hornady Manufacturing has been named Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year for the ninth time by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers.

“We are honored to be recognized by the NASGW as Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year,” said Jason Hornady, Vice President of Hornady. “We are committed to this industry and we would like to thank the NASGW for recognizing the efforts made by Hornady throughout the year to produce and deliver innovative, high-quality products,” Hornady added.

Each year at this event, NASGW Awards the top accessory, ammunition, and firearms manufacturers who best demonstrate a commitment to two-step distribution and who provide outstanding value and service. Wholesaler members evaluate the performance of this manufacturer on key criteria that includes distribution policy, marketing, sales and promotion, logistics and operations and NASGW and industry support.

Founded in 1949, Hornady Manufacturing Company is a family owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. 

Sig Sauer Named Top NASGW Innovator

Sig Sauer accepted the 2019 NASGW Leadership Award “Innovator of the Year” Leadership Award at the association's annual event in October.

“In 2019, Sig Sauer brought new innovation to the marketplace across all of our divisions including the introduction of the P320 XFIVE Legion pistol with our proprietary tungsten infused grip module, as well as the P365 SAS, while Sig Sauer Electro-Optics combined the award-winning BDX and KILO rangefinding technology into the KILO3000BDX rangefinding binoculars,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer, Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, Sig Sauer, Inc.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized for innovation by our industry peers at NASGW for the second year in a row," Taylor added. "We are looking forward to working closely with our distribution partners to introduce new, exciting products in 2020.”

The NASGW Leadership Awards are given to association members that exemplify a commitment to two-step distribution in the sporting goods industry and provide outstanding value and service. Nominees for the NASGW Leadership Awards are evaluated on four key criteria: distribution policy, marketing, sales and promotion and logistics, operations and NASGW industry support.

Horizon Firearms Among Aggie 100

Horizon Firearms is among the top 100 companies from around the world selected for the 15th annual Aggie 100 which honors the fastest-growing companies owned or operated by former students of Texas A&M University.

Horizon Firearms was recognized as No. 28 with a compound annual growth rate of 69 percent. The Aggie 100 is founded and sponsored by the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M University.

“Being on the ‘Aggie 100’ list has been a goal of mine since 2005 when I was first exposed to the award as a student at Texas A&M,” commented Derrick Ratliff, founder and President of Horizon Firearms and Aggie Class of '07. “It’s been a long road to get here from the humble beginnings building guns in my garage. This honor would not have been possible without the help and hard work of a lot of people.”

The 100 Aggie-owned companies with the highest compound annual revenue growth from 2016-18 were recognized at a formal celebration at the Hall of Champions at Texas A&M University’s Kyle Field on Oct. 25, 2019.

“As we mark the 15th Crystal Anniversary of the Aggie 100 program, we celebrate our success by raising the newest class of Aggie 100 honorees," said Blake Petty, Director of the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship. "Knowing how each member company of the Class of 2019 has overcome their own adversities to reach astounding levels of growth and prosperity, we dedicate this significant milestone to the excellence exhibited by our newest additions to the Aggie 100 family.”

A complete Aggie 100 list can be viewed at www.aggie100.com.

Apex Tactical Expands Trigger Kit for S&W M&P M2.0

Apex Tactical Specialties is expanding its line of aftermarket parts for the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 model pistols with the upcoming release of the new curved version of the Forward Set Trigger Kit, which is available now for pre-order.

Apex's Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit for the M&P M2.0 was introduced in November 2017. This new model has a traditional curved trigger version for the M2.0. This means a reduction in overall trigger travel by 40 percent combined with a crisp trigger break reminiscent of a single action 1911 pistol.

The new Forward Set Trigger Kit is specifically designed for and will only work in current M&P M2.0 models in 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP calibers. This includes the M2.0 Compact variants and Performance Center models.

The new Forward Set Trigger Kit for the M&P M2.0 began shipping Nov. 5 and has an MSRP of $164.95.

Dealers and distributors wishing to stock the new trigger kit can contact Apex at dealer@apextactical.com or (623) 322-0200 for pricing and quantity availability.

Lakewood Products Taps Rassat Outdoor Group for Sales

Lakewood Products, a Division of Midwest Textile Manufacturing Corporation, has hired Rassat Outdoor Group as its Sales Agency of Record for Lakewood’s extensive line of outdoor product protective cases.

“We are elated to welcome Rassat Outdoor Group to our sales representative network,” said Steve Wagnitz, President of Lakewood Products. “Rassat Outdoor Group is a champion sales agency specializing in the outdoor space with a client list loaded with premier brands and category leaders. Becoming integrated with this powerhouse team and industry-leading group of brands is a critical step in the further development of our sales channels and we couldn't be more excited about the new partnership."

Rassat Outdoor Group will be responsible for the direct management of current sales channels across the United States and Canada as well as new account acquisition and the development of new sales outlets of brick and mortar and online makeup. Rassat will be looking to extend Lakewood’s market penetration among the all the cases with extreme emphasis on the fishing case category through their extensive network of retail partners of all sizes and scale.

Hicks & Co Announce 2020 Dealer Show Dates

Bill Hicks & Co., a full-line distributor for the hunting and shooting-sports industry, will hold its 25th annual dealer show Jan. 11-13 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. 

This will be the first opportunity in the Midwest to see the new product and meet with factory personnel before the SHOT Show.

Offered at the show will be new and exclusive product, show-only specials and pricing, free goods, vendor programs and extended payment terms for those who qualify.

Register to attend the first show of the year in the Midwest, by contacting your Bill Hicks & Co., Ltd. Sales Representative or Christine Johnson at 1-800-449-5280, christine.johnson@billhicksco.com. If you are interested in becoming a Dealer, please contact us @ 1-800-223-0702.

Dubiel Joins Rogers Sports Marketing

Industry veteran Scott Dubiel has joined the sales staff of Rogers Sports Marketing.

Dubiel has more than 20 years of experience in the sporting goods industry. His most recent experience includes 14 years of sales and field marketing experience with Pure Fishing. Prior to working for Pure Fishing, Scott spent seven years working in sales, marketing and research and development for the Acushnet Company – Titleist Golf.

Dubiel attended Florida Southern College with studies in marketing. He represents Rogers Sports Marketing on the East Coast of Florida and from Jacksonville to the Florida Keys.

“We are very excited to have Scott on board," said Trent Rogers with Rogers Sports Marketing. "He brings industry experience, and will be an important addition, and asset to our sales team moving forward.” 

Sports Marketing South was founded in 1982 as the result of one of the industry's first representative group mergers between BDGR Associates and R. M. Dick Noyes Company. Both started in the mid-50s. Rogers Southeast Company has been serving sporting goods customers for more than 42 years. Combined, they represent nearly 100 years of sales representation to the industry.

The central office for Rogers Sports Marketing is located in Norcross, Georgia.

Beretta Lowers Pricing on APX Pistols

Beretta recently implemented a new, lower price strategy for its APX series of striker-fired, polymer pistols, which means lower prices at retail for the consumer.

In a marketplace crowded with limited time promotions, Beretta has elected to put in place an across the board, permanent price reduction on all its APX pistol models.

“The new price on our APX pistols is about delivering unmatched value to our customers without the worry that they may need to wait for the next promotion to get a great deal,” Chuck Azotea, Director of Product Marketing for Beretta U.S.A., said. “This new lower price does not mean lower quality. Our APX pistols will continue to be built to the exacting standards of military and law enforcement departments worldwide, making it an easy purchase choice for any consumer.”

The Beretta APX pistol is offered in Full-Size, Centurion (mid-size), Compact, and Carry models and in both 9mm and .40 calibers. Target and RDO models are also available. All Beretta APX pistols feature replaceable grip frame housings and a removable, serialized chassis, which make the pistol easy to disassemble and maintain.