Ruger Captures Coveted "Manufacturer of the Year" Award From National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers For Third Year In A Row

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) has been presented with the Firearms Manufacturer of the Year award by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers for the third consecutive year. The award was presented during the Association's 36th Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada. In order to choose the best of the best, NASGW wholesaler members evaluated the performance of top manufacturers on four key criteria - distribution policy; marketing, sales and promotion; logistics and operations; and NASGW and industry support.

"Winning the Manufacturer of the Year award for the third year in a row is a great honor for Ruger," said Ruger CEO Mike Fifer. "Our organization is dedicated to meeting the needs of our independent distribution network. Through a strong commitment to our Voice of the Customer program, we are generating a product mix that is meeting the demands of the current marketplace, helping both Ruger and the wholesalers remain successful in this competitive business environment. We want to thank NASGW members for this award and their continued support."

"Strong wholesaler support and cooperation are vital to our success as a manufacturer, and we continue to develop new products, marketing promotions and communication tools that will benefit distributors of Ruger firearms," said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Chris Killoy. "We appreciate this recognition of our efforts to help distributors, retailers and ultimately the consumer, receive high-quality products and support from Ruger."

The award was presented during a breakfast gathering at the Grand Sierra Resort, where the theme of this years meeting, "Opportunity in Action," was emphasized by Michael Brown, Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers. "The interactive nature of this Expo allows manufacturers and wholesalers to exchange ideas, obtain instant feedback and plan for the next 12 months," said Brown. "I encourage everyone to take advantage of the next three days to create the opportunities that will move our business forward in the coming year."