Grand Island, NE - Hornady ® has been chosen as Company of the Year in the Sporting Classics 17th annual Awards of Excellence.

Sporting Classics singled out Hornady as an "innovator and driving force in the hunting and shooting world."

"What more fitting honor could we receive than to be recognized by an awards program that emphasizes engineering, craftsmanship and innovation?" said Steve Hornady, company president. "Those three qualities have been the foundation of Hornady Manufacturing since my father started the company in 1949."

In choosing Hornady for the award, Sporting Classics noted the company's growth from a local startup to mid-size, regional bullet maker to international powerhouse in the design and manufacture of bullets, ammunition and reloading tools.

Hornady has created a dozen new cartridges since 2002, the magazine noted, driving innovation in the areas of long-range shooting, lever-action rounds and dangerous-game big-bore ammunition.

The Sporting Classics Awards of Excellence recognize companies for the significant and long-lasting impact of their products. Nominations are submitted by senior and contributing editors and finalized by the magazine staff.

Founded in 1949, Hornady® Manufacturing Company is a family owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. Proudly manufacturing products that are made in the USA, Hornady® Manufacturing is a world leader in bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture.