In the latest SHOT Show news ...
Kelly Grindle has been appointed President and co-CEO of Velocity Outdoor, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the outdoors industry.
Grindle will work alongside Tom McGann, Executive Chairman and Co-CEO and relocating to Bloomfield, New York.
Grindle most recently served as President and CEO of Hatteras/Cabo Yachts, a builder of luxury motor and sportfishing yachts, where he led the company's go-to-market strategy, developed and launched new models and improved overall operating efficiency. Before his time at Hatteras, Grindle held various senior executive positions in the outdoor industry, including over 16 years of senior roles at Johnson Outdoors Inc., a producer of outdoor recreational products, where he ultimately became President, Outdoor Products.
“I’m extremely excited to welcome Kelly to Velocity Outdoor,” McGann said. “Kelly is a passionate outdoorsman with an outstanding track-record of transforming and growing outdoor businesses. We are fortunate to attract someone of Kelly’s stature and experience, and I am very much looking forward to working with him to grow the Velocity Outdoor platform.”
"Velocity Outdoor has an impressive team, strong brands and a supportive parent company,” Grindle said. “This is an exciting time for the company and I am thrilled to partner with Tom to take Velocity to new heights."
Donahue New Mossberg Vice President of Operations
Patricia Donahue has been appointed Vice President of Operations for O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., a leading American firearms manufacturer, effective immediately.
Donahue will have responsibility over all the company’s manufacturing operations. She has more than three decades of experience and will report directly to Executive Vice President and CFO Paul Chartier.
Since 2018, Donahue has served as Director of Supply Chain at Mossberg, where she has influenced many positive changes and operational advancements.
“We’re excited for Patty to apply her established management methods across all aspects of the Mossberg Supply Chain,” said Doug Bell, Mossberg’s President and COO. “Patty’s outstanding acumen and deep understanding of the modern manufacturing supply chain will be influential in aligning the company to address the current and future needs of the sporting goods marketplace.”
Prior to joining Mossberg, Donahue held management positions at other major manufacturing companies, such as Logistics Manager at Jacobs Vehicle Systems; Materials Manager at Stanadyne Corp.; Director of Operations at Lex Products Corp.; Supply Chain Manager at Vaupell Holdings, Inc.; and most recently, Purchasing Manager at ASSA ABLOY Group. Donahue earned her bachelor’s degree in Executive Management from Bay Path University.
Sig Sauer Makes Strategic Push Into Hunting at SHOT Show
Sig Sauer is expanding into the hunting category with a 2020 product lineup geared towards hunters, an expanded presence at SHOT Show 2020 and a preview of what’s to come from #SIGHunting with a new video.
“This year Sig Sauer is making a focused push into the hunting category with several exciting new product announcements specifically geared towards hunters. This also includes the introduction of the SIG Hunting experience and lifestyle which will officially kick-off at SHOT with the expansion of our exhibition footprint,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, Sig Sauer, Inc.
“The addition of the Sig Hunting booth will showcase our complete line-up of Sig Sauer products for hunting across our product lines. The look and feel of the booth is rustic, in contrast to the sleekness of the SIG main booth, and will prominently showcase the new Cross Rifle – the first Sig Sauer precision bolt-action hunting rifle manufactured in the U.S.A., which is already in high-demand.”
The SIG Hunting Booth (#12532) will be adjacent to the Sig Sauer Main Booth (#12240). Products on display will include the complete lineup of Sig Hunting products.
Vorhees New CEO for Taurus USA
Bret Vorhees has been named Chief Executive Officer of Taurus Holdings, Inc., which encompasses Taurus USA, Rossi and Heritage Manufacturing product lines.
The company's Board of Directors named Vorhees to the position Jan. 17. The appointment is effective immediately.
“We are excited to add the unique skill set and experience Bret brings to the company," said Salesio Nuhs, Global CEO of Taurus. "Bret is a customer-focused leader with an extensive background bringing exciting innovation to the firearms industry. His passion for industry-leading firearm development will push the Taurus, Rossi and Heritage brands to the next level.”
As the new CEO of Taurus USA, Vorhees will put an intense focus on building the Taurus brand through innovative product advancements. Vorhees most recently, for the last six years, was VP of Sales and Marketing at Walther Arms.
“I am honored to come on board to lead this great company," Vorhees said. "This is an exciting time for Taurus, as we have just celebrated our 80 year in business, we opened the new facility in Bainbridge, Georgia, and have a pipeline full of fantastic product innovations that will contribute to making Taurus the top brand in our industry. With an increased investment in U.S. manufacturing, Taurus will bring more innovative products to the market, at a great value. I am also very excited to relocate with my family and to enjoy all of the great benefits that Georgia has to offer.”
Select Sightmark Laser Boresights Offered Through GSA Program
Select Sightmark boresights will now be 100 percent assembled in the U.S. for Law Enforcement and GSA sales.
In an effort to increase its LE footprint, Sightmark will offer premium, in-chamber laser boresights through the GSA program to help officers sight-in their duty weapons with ease and efficiency.
Six common law enforcement firearm calibers will be assembled in Sightmark’s Mansfield, Texas, headquarters including .223/5.56x45 NATO, 7.62x39, .50 BMG, 9mm Luger, .40S&W and .45ACP.
These in-chamber brass boresights project a laser from the firearm’s barrel, allowing officers to quickly adjust the optic’s windage and elevation to match the laser’s position on the target. Once the boresight is replaced with a live round, only minor adjustments may be needed to zero the firearm and optic. In-chamber laser boresights save time, money and ammo compared to traditional boresighting and overall zeroing.
Law enforcement departments and individual officers interested in Sightmark products may contact the LE Division directly at 817-225-6650 or via email at le@sellmark.net.
American Outdoor Brands Offering Daily, Multi-Brand Giveaways
American Outdoor Brands is offering daily giveaways for 11 of its brands during the 2020 SHOT Show.
BOG, Caldwell, Crimson Trace, Frankford Arsenal, LaserLyte, Lockdown, Old Timer, Smith & Wesson Accessories, Tipton, Uncle Henry, and Wheeler will have daily packages of products. The giveaways include bestsellers from a host of the popular consumer outdoor brands, along with some products that just hit the market.
Each package sports a different theme consisting of: Home Defense, Marksman, Tactical and Bench Warrior. Entrants can have a chance at winning these prizes by entering once each day via badge scan at Booth 13729 during SHOT Show 2020. At 4:30 p.m. PST each day a single prize winner will be drawn for that day’s corresponding prize package.
USML To CCL Final Rules Posted for Public Inspection
The final rules to transition export licensing of sporting and commercial firearms and ammunition products to the Commerce Department (Bureau of Industry and Security - BIS) from the State Department (Directorate of Defense Trade Controls - DDTC) have been posted for public inspection.
The rules are available on the Federal Register’s website. They will be formally published Jan. 23, 2020. The rules will become effective 45 days after the formal publication.
Read the rules here: State Department and Commerce Department
NSSF encourages manufacturers, distributors and retailers attending the SHOT Show involved in or considering exporting to attend one of its Export USML to CCL Transition Training sessions on Wednesday, Jan. 22. These special training sessions will help U.S. companies better understand the changing regulations for export operations. Get first-hand guidance on properly exporting your goods and be ready to ask your most challenging questions. Learn more and register here.
Blackhawk Lands Contract With French Army
Blackhawk has landed a contract with the French Armament General Directorate to equip newly furnished Glock G17 Gen5 pistols with new T-Series L3D holsters.
The French Army recently selected the G17 Gen5 and multiple accessories to be used as their standard handgun. The new equipment, including the Blackhawk T-Series holster, will be distributed to the French troops within the first months of 2020.
As part of the contract, more than 75,000 pistols, holsters and related accessories will be provided to the French Army over the next three years. The tender, launched in early March 2019, was open to multiple possible candidates asked to submit their entries for review. As part of the tryouts conducted by the French DGA, all equipment was subjected to a series of stringent tests to asses the reliability and user-friendliness of the offered pistols and their accessories.
“The recent selection by the French Army to pair newly acquired Glock G17 Gen5 pistols with our T-Series L3D holsters is a tremendous validation of the innovation and durability featured in our new duty-rated holsters,” said Josh Waldron, President of Blackhawk. “We are extremely proud and honored to have been chosen by Glock to serve as the holster supplier for this tender. The French Army will be receiving our newest holster system that has been specifically engineered for compatibility with multiple platforms, making it one of the most versatile options available for military and police agencies.”
