Champion Safe Participates in NBS Fall Market
PROVO, Utah, September 1, 2026 — Champion Safe Company, a leading manufacturer of high-security safes and vault doors, concluded its participation in the 2026 Nation's Best Sports Fall Semi-Annual Market, held from August 24 to 27 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. This four-day event allowed Champion to engage with independently owned sporting goods retailers, providing valuable insights and reinforcing its commitment to dealer support and long-term growth.
The market came at a crucial time for retailers, as fall hunting seasons approached and year-end business planning began. Champion Safe leveraged the opportunity to work closely with dealers on product assortment, customer demand, merchandising priorities, and the issues affecting their local markets. The company also emphasized its ongoing focus on manufacturing execution and fulfillment, following a recent strategic growth capital investment.
"Participating in the NBS Fall Market is invaluable," said Tom Mihalek, CEO of Champion Safe Company. "We gain direct insights from retailers who are in the best position to understand their customers and markets. These conversations help us stay focused on delivering strong products, dependable fulfillment, clear communication, and responsive support."
In addition to listening to dealer feedback, Champion utilized the market to present its safe and vault door portfolio, discuss dealer support, and explore opportunities for continued growth. Mihalek emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships, stating, "Our dealers are not just customers, but partners who help us compete in the marketplace. We listen to their feedback and work closely with them to improve our business."
Champion's current operational priorities, including increased manufacturing throughput and shipping existing orders, align with its broader growth strategy. The company aims to serve dealer demand while converting completed shipments into recognized revenue. Direct dealer engagement at markets like NBS helps Champion better align future product, sales, and support initiatives with retail conditions.
Nation's Best Sports, founded in 1956, has supported independent sporting goods retailers for 70 years. The organization now represents over 460 retail members and works with more than 1,500 vendor partners across North America. The NBS Fall Market is specifically structured for conducting business, allowing members to evaluate products and make inventory decisions while retaining independence.
"We believe that knowledgeable independent retailers remain one of the best environments for purchasing a premium safe," Mihalek noted. "Our products require more consideration than a typical consumer purchase, and experienced dealers can help customers understand the differences in construction, fire protection, locking systems, size, placement, delivery, and installation."
Champion Safe Company's continued commitment to its dealer network is evident in its focus on operational execution, responsive communication, and providing products and support that help dealers compete effectively. Insights gathered from dealers will inform decisions across sales, marketing, product, and operations as the company moves through the second half of 2026.
"NBS has created an organization that allows independent retailers to remain independent while gaining the advantages of working together," Mihalek said. "We value our relationship with NBS and its members and look forward to continuing to earn their business."