GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce it has been selected by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) as the 2025 Innovator of the Year.

NASGW is an association that represents shooting sports wholesalers, manufacturers and their trade partners. First organized in 1953 and incorporated in 1954, NASGW works tirelessly to ensure strong, trusted relationships between shooting sports buyers and sellers.

The association annually recognizes manufacturers with Innovator of the Year Awards at its NASGW Annual Meeting/Expo Event. This annual event provides an unmatched educational, marketing, and communications opportunity for the hunting and shooting sports wholesaler, manufacturer, and sales professional. It was at the 2025 event held in Grapevine, Texas, that the association announced Springfield Armory had been selected as the Innovator of the Year.

“Springfield was recognized by NASGW wholesalers for leading the way in product development in 2025, resulting in it being selected for the ‘Innovator of the Year’ Appreciation Award,” said NASGW President, Kenyon Gleason. “These Appreciation Awards are selected by our wholesaler members and recognize each company’s commitment to two-step distribution and the shooting sports industry. Congratulations to Springfield for this well-deserved award!”

“Springfield Armory is extremely proud to have been named as the recipient of this esteemed award from NASGW,” said Peggy Hickenbottom, VP of Distribution and Customer Service. “Being recognized as the Innovator of the Year by such a respected group simply reinforces that Springfield Armory is bringing the products customers demand to market.”

For more information on Springfield Armory, please visit springfield-armory.com.

To learn more about the NASGW, visit nasgw.org.

About Springfield Armory®

In 1794, the original Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the defense of our young, free Republic. The Armory functioned as a firearms supplier for every major American conflict until 1968 when the government sadly closed its doors. In 1974, nearly two centuries after its inception, Springfield Armory Inc. in Geneseo, Ill. revived the iconic heritage of the Armory to carry on its legacy.

We strive to honor this responsibility as guardians of the original Springfield Armory legacy by manufacturing the highest quality firearms to enable responsible citizens to preserve their right to keep and bear arms in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

With an unmatched emphasis on craftsmanship, performance and exceptional customer service, our mission is to forge superior firearms and provide the tools necessary to defend individual freedoms and equality for those who embrace the rights and principles secured by our Founding Fathers. For more information, please visit us at: springfield-armory.com.