Walther Arms Law Enforcement has supplied 100 PPQ M2 9mm pistols to the Lorain County Sheriff's Office in Ohio.

LCSO conducted a comprehensive testing program reviewing several models of 9mm Duty Pistols in its move away from the .40 caliber pistols they were carrying. In reviewing the Walther PPQ M2 9mm pistols, they found a significant advantage over the balance of the pistols evaluated.

Walther Law Enforcement also completed a comprehensive armorers training for the LCSO. In addition to the agency purchase, almost a quarter of the LCSO sheriff's deputies took advantage of the Individual Officers Purchase Program, which provided significant discounts to the deputies in purchasing new pistols for their use.

Wouters New President, CEO at Bangers

Brent Wouters has been named President and Chief Executive Officer for Bangers LP.

Wouters takes over from retiring industry veteran Rick Bestwick. Both worked together for seven months to facilitate a seamless transition.Bestwick will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to Wouters and the company.

Wouters brings more than 20 years of experience to Bangers, serving in CEO, COO, and CFO capacities in several high-growth industrial, automotive and aerospace companies.

“Brent brings with him vast experience in finance, business development, organizational improvement, and executive management to the Bangers organization,” Bestwick said. “As we continue to grow and evolve within the two-step distribution network, Brent’s experience will help solidify impactful transformation in our capabilities and continued expansion. I look forward to working closely with Brent to help the organization grow.”

Founded in 1986, Bangers L.P. is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and has sales representatives in 13 states.

Shooting-Performance Signs Laura Burgess Marketing

Shooting-Performance, Inc. has signed on with Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM), a public relations and marketing firm in the outdoor, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military communities to grow the brand across several markets.

Mike Seeklander, founder and owner of Shooting-Performance, Inc., a premium firearms training company for individuals on every level seeking to develop lifelong skills and for competitors looking to improve and increase their chances of winning more matches, will utilize LBM’s position in the shooting sports market to further increase awareness of the many product offerings and increase membership.

Seeklander, a former U.S. Marine who served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm and in the reserves, began his career as an instructor before his return to civilian life as a primary marksmanship instructor. He also was employed by the Knox County (TN) Sheriffs Departments Corrections division and was a member of its highly trained Special Operations Response Team. Seeklander continued serving as a police officer in Knoxville, where, besides patrol, he served as an investigator for the Organized Crime section.

As a shooting competitor, Seeklander has more than 25 titles to his name from major state and area matches in IPSC and IDPA, two national championships at the IDPA BUG Gun Nationals, and a World Championship in the Steel Challenge Production Division. He is among an elite minority in being ranked both Grandmaster and Distinguished Master.

Lester Joins Davidson's as Director of Marketing

Scott Lester has joined Davidson’s as the Director of Marketing to lead the marketing team encompassing print, digital, and web design.

Lester joins from Compass Marketing, Inc., where he served as Executive VP of Sales. In that role he was responsible for all sales, marketing, analytics, and digital activities pertaining to their Fortune 500 clients. Lester also worked for Freedom Group from 2004-11 as Director of Product Management & Marketing (FGI Accessories & Licensing), and President of Remington Licensing Corporation. From 2002-04 he worked as the Director of Purchasing for Ellett Brothers.

Colquitt New VP of Sales for Benelli USA

Lee Colquitt is the new Vice President of Sales for Benelli USA.

Colquitt will lead Benelli USA by setting the strategic direction for all sales and channel initiatives within the U.S. market for Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger and Uberti brands.

“We are excited to have Lee join the Benelli USA team,” said Benelli USA General Manager Tom DeBolt. “He brings a strong track record of sales leadership and industry knowledge and we look forward to having his support to move our strategic priorities forward.”

Colquitt joins Benelli USA with more than 20 years of combined experience in sales, product development, marketing, and merchandising. Previous experience includes development and execution of successful sales strategies for leading firearms, archery and hunting accessories companies. He spent 10 years in the firearms industry, serving in various sales management roles overseeing chain stores, distribution and premium firearms as well as collaborating with channel to develop marketing and merchandising strategies.

Bourassa, Brooks Tapped at Buck Knives

Buck Knives announces key organizational appointments in marketing, product development and business development.
 
Chris Bourassa will assume the role of Director of Marketing and New Product Development, where he will be responsible for delivering Buck Knives’ voice, vision, and product range into the market.
 
Having spent the past eight years with Buck Knives as National Sales Manager, and most recently Director of North American Sales, Bourassa is innately suited for this role and prepared to implement this new phase of growth and excitement in Buck Knives.

Chris Brooks will assume the role of Director of Business Development in an effort to more fully realize Buck’s position in ancillary markets. Brooks will be focusing efforts in the tactical, military, and government sectors, as well as furthering commitment to the culinary side of the product range.
 
Brooks has spent the past two decades in the cutlery industry logging time with Kershaw Knives, Southern Grind, and nearly three years with Buck Knives.

Zanders Names Dunbar New Operations Manager

Zanders Sporting Goods, a national wholesale distributor located in Sparta, Illinois, bolstered its management staff by hiring Glenn Dunbar as Operations Manager.

Prior to joining the Zanders team, Glenn worked more than 40 years in various high volume manufacturing companies where he developed a reputation as a results-driven and versatile team player. He is known for being a strategic business partner, with a successful track record in safety, training, leadership development, employee relations and regulatory compliance.

Guns.com: The Preferred Online Marketplace for Dealers

There's a reason more firearms retailers are turning to Guns.com to list their inventory online. 

A proven leader in the online market, Guns.com increases sales using a network of loyal, nationwide customers, while making the process quick and easy for dealers. We feature the fastest inventory upload you'll find, not to mention, we handle the entire consumer transaction from beginning to end. 

As the most dealer-friendly firearms marketplace, Guns.com doesn't believe in hidden costs or surprises, which is why we charge a flat 4.9% fee -- only if we sell your gun.

Ready to sell more firearms? Get in touch with Jeff Tesch and the Guns.com team now by calling 952-767-8454.

Federal Goes Virtual to Support Buy Group Customers

Federal developed a series of virtual sales shows to support its Buy Group customers. This effort is due to many of the industry’s sales shows being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting on August 10, and running throughout the month, Federal will launch four virtual Buy Group shows for its business partners. Each Buy Group will receive its own dedicated week to review the digital content through an online portal. At the end of the week, attendees will get their questions answered by Federal’s sales staff and product teams through live chats.

New product videos with detailed information on features and benefits will be the focus of the shows. Other digital content that will be provided include: messages from Federal Ammunition President Jason Vanderbrink and Senior Vice President of Sales Jim Bruno; examples of upcoming product advertising; trade marketing tools and displays; plus, pricing, terms and hot show specials for Buy Group members.

New-for-2020 ammunition from Federal’s sister companies Speer and CCI will also be featured. Highlights include:

Federal Premium Terminal Ascent - Bonded construction penetrates deep, while the patented Slipstream polymer tip initiates expansion even at lower velocities and long range. AccuChannel groove technology improves accuracy and minimizes drag. Available in eleven of the most popular hunting cartridges and as component bullets.

Federal Premium Force X2 - Nine copper-plated 00 FX2 buckshot pellets split into two equal-size pieces on impact. Double the wound channels, improved energy transfer to the target, and less potential for over-penetration.

Speer Gold Dot Carry Gun - Speer has built upon the law-enforcement proven Gold Dot G2 bullet, optimizing the design and loading to provide superior feeding, ballistics and terminal performance through compact concealed handguns. Available in 9mm Luger 135-grain, 40 S&W 165-grain and 45 Auto +P 200-grain.

CCI MeatEater Series - CCI has partnered with MeatEater’s Steven Rinella on this exclusive new series of ammunition. CCI’s rimfire products available in this series includes Copper-22 22 LR 21-grain HP, Mini-Mag 22 LR, 36-grain CPHP and Maxi-Mag 22 WMR, 40-grain JHP.

Business customers and Buy Group members interested in more information on Federal’s virtual Buy Group shows should contact their Federal sales representative.

Gyori Appointed President, CEO for Pelican Products

Phil Gyori has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer for Pelican Products.

Gyori has served as Group President of Pelican since joining in 2016. He succeeds Lyndon Faulkner, who becomes Executive Chairman after serving as Chief Executive Officer since 2006.
 
“I am honored to lead Pelican Products at this very exciting and critical time," Gyori said. "Our company is ideally positioned to capitalize on our market leadership in the coming years with an exceptional global team that is dedicated to meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers worldwide. We will build on the incredible foundation established by Lyndon to take Pelican and our operating divisions to new heights.”

Gyori has more than 30 years of executive and management experience and a proven track record of driving rapid business growth. As Group President of Pelican since 2016, he has had responsibility for all three of the company’s divisions: U.S. Commercial / Government / Consumer, International and Pelican BioThermal.
 
Prior to Pelican he spent 16 years as an executive at Bushnell, a global leader in Sports Optics & Outdoor Recreation, where he was the general manager for the $400 million North American Division and where he helped grow the overall business from $100 million to $600 million. Before joining Bushnell, he served in leadership roles at Nike, Procter & Gamble, and The Quaker Oats Company.
 
Mr. Gyori holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business.

Bushnell Shipping Powerview 2 Binoculars

Bushnell has started shipping the Powerview 2, an evolution of its popular Powerview line of binoculars that have offered industry-leading value for more than a decade.

A versatile, general-use binocular, Powerview 2 models feature an aircraft grade, aluminum alloy chassis built for durability without adding unnecessary weight and bulk. Each model sports high-quality, soft-touch black rubber armor and brushed metal texture finishes that give it an eye-catching modern exterior design and superior ergonomics.

Available now for purchase at prices ranging from $39.99 to $79.99, Powerview 2 fits within nearly everyone’s budget. The line offers compact, mid- and full-size options in roof or porro prism configurations ranging from 10x to 20x magnification. This wide assortment provides multiple options for any outdoor adventure.

Sellmark OOD Expands Bulgaria Operations

Sellmark OOD has expanded its headquarters in Sofia, Bulgaria, to better serve its more than 5,000 retailers and dozens of distributors on six continents.

With continued growth through Europe, Asia and Africa, even during the global coronavirus pandemic, Sellmark OOD determined the expansion was necessary. The headquarters campus is now triple its original size and capacity.

“While Sellmark OOD has already established world-class servicing, including order fulfillment and product support here in the EU and surrounding continents, we realized the time is right to move into a larger facility and incorporate enhanced technologies to better serve our customers,” said Sellmark OOD Director Greg Sharpe. Equally as important, we wanted to accommodate the exciting trend of growth we’ve experienced thus far and expect to see well into the future.”

Sellmark currently serves more than 5,000 retailers and dozens of distributors on six continents. The strategic location of Sellmark OOD in Sofia, Bulgaria and the new expansion to accommodate continued growth is expected to further improve sales, communications and overall distribution across Europe as well as surrounding regions.