The country’s biggest firearms maker Sturm, Ruger and Company continues to dominate the industry, this year garnering its eighth consecutive “Manufacturer of the Year” award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers.

“We continually strive to meet the needs of independent wholesalers and the demands of their customers, the retailers and consumers," said Ruger CEO Mike Fifer. “Our ongoing new product development and continued process improvement are designed to deliver innovative new products of interest to consumers. We also focus on marketing promotions and communication tools that will benefit distributors of Ruger firearms as we recognize strong wholesaler support and cooperation are vital to our success.”

The NASGW represents distributors, manufacturers and sales representatives in the hunting and shooting industry. The “Manufacturer of the Year” award was presented to Ruger at the association’s annual exposition in Little Rock, Arkansas, in mid-October.

Ruger has had a big year in 2014, introducing a host of new products, including its first gas impingement AR-15, as well as bolstering popular lines like its Ruger American Rifle series and LC-9 pistols.

In its yearly roundup of firearms manufacturer statistics, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives consistently lists Ruger as America’s most prolific gun maker. The latest data show Ruger sold over 800,000 pistols and revolvers in 2011 — almost 200,000 more than its nearest competitor Smith & Wesson. The company cranked out over 300,000 rifles that year — which was about 100,000 more than its closest competitor, Savage Arms.