Hornady celebrated its 75th birthday in style on June 22, holding an anniversary party at the company's Grand Island, Neb., facility with its employees, vendors, industry friends and customers. National Rifle Association CEO and EVP Doug Hamlin was in attendance, representing the NRA's millions of members at the company's bash. The highlight came when country music stars Big & Rich headlined the night's concert, and a firework and drone show topped off a perfect evening celebrating three-quarters of a century in business.
NRA CEO and EVP Doug Hamlin (r.) meets with Hornady Director of Marketing Neil Davies (center) and Bryan Tucker, CEO of Davidson's (l.) at the Hornady 75th anniversary celebration in Grand Island, Neb., on June 22, 2024.
Founded in 1949 by sporting goods store owner Joyce Hornady, the company began with an advertisement in the May 1949 issue of The American Rifleman, selling its initial product, the .30-cal., 150-grain spire point bullet. Eventually, the business couldn't keep up with its sales and began to expand. Hornady expanded into ever-bigger manufacturing facilities, began selling loaded ammunition under the Frontier Cartridge brand and even expanded into reloading equipment with the purchase of Pacific Tool in 1971.
NRA CEO and EVP Doug Hamlin (center) stands with notable firearm industry leaders, including Jason Vanderbrink, president and CEO of The Kinetic Group (l.); Steve Hornady, president of Hornady (center l.); Steve Kehrwald, president and CEO of Hodgdon Powder (center r.); and Bryan Tucker, CEO of Davidson's (r.).
Today, the company is one of the largest ammunition makers in the United States and, from those early days, it has become a powerhouse in bullet and cartridge innovation, developing industry hits like the .17 HMR, 6.5 mm Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC. It continues to expand and has an extensive line of company-branded accessories and also provides security products under the SnapSafe brand. To see the company's latest products, visit hornady.com.
