All
three industry organizations have named Taurus International
as Manufacturer of the Year, completing the triple crown by
winning the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Manufacturer
of the Year honors for 2002. On
April 27 in Reno, Nevada, Taurus was named Manufacturer of
the Year by the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence. This
award marks the completion of a clean sweep of Manufacturer
of the Year honors for 2002 by Taurus - an industry first.
The award was presented by Shooting Industry magazine Editor
Russ Thurman and Academy of Excellence Director Randy Molde
to Taurus Executive Vice President and COO Bob Morrison.
The
Taurus triple crown for 2002 consists of the National Association
of Sporting Goods Wholesalers award given in November, the
SHOT Business award presented at the 2002 SHOT Show and the
Academy of Excellence crown awarded in Reno. The Academy of
Excellence award is decided by the members of the academy
in a secret ballot. The Academy membership consists of industry
executives and journalists. This is the first time that a
single manufacturer has taken all three awards in a row.
"It
is a singular honor to have been recognized by our distributors,
our dealers and now our peers as the best," remarked Morrison.
"Team Taurus has made great strides, and I am honored to be
the messenger home with this mark of their success. I share
in their humble thanks for this award."
"On
behalf of Carlos Murgel, myself and the rest of Team Taurus,
I want to thank all who have supported us - whether in the
marketplace or on the ballots - and recognized the efforts
of so many talented and dedicated people. The fact that a
broad spectrum of manufacturers - not just gunmakers - are
represented here makes this award all the more significant,"
continued Morrison.
The
Academy recognized Taurus, "For continued commitment to excellence
in manufacturing modern firearms, including Total Titanium
handguns, rapid introduction of firearms chambered in the
newest calibers, unwavering support of the industry and Constitutional
freedoms, and its patriotic offer of free handguns to arm
the nation's airline pilots."
Morrison
also noted, "It is our commitment to excellence and innovation
in firearms design and safety that has brought these awards.
Not a day goes
by that we are not looking for a way to improve what we do
and advance safe participation in the shooting sports. I am
proud beyond words of our team. I wish all of them could receive
this award with me."
In
mid-November 2001, the National Association of Sporting Goods
Wholesalers presented Taurus with the honors at their annual
gathering in Phoenix, AZ. The NASGW award is decided by the
wholesalers and distributors who are an essential part of
the Taurus family, and it is a great honor to be recognized
by our customers for our efforts. The Taurus booth was a busy
place at SHOT 2002.
