There is no denying that pickleball is everywhere now – it is the fastest-growing sport in America, according to USA Pickleball – and its craze-like popularity is nothing short of phenomenal. The sport, which is a cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis, was invented by three vacationers on Bainbridge Island, near Seatle, in 1965. Its growth really took off in the past 10 years, and then participation exploded during the 2020 pandemic – and shows no signs of stopping.
Banger of an Industry
For the uninitiated, pickleball is easy to learn how to play well into one’s later years, making it a popular sport among seniors; however, the sport’s fastest growing segments are increasingly younger. Add to that its open-play format, which allows players to mix and match with others, making it a very accessible sport – famously social and fun – with over 36 million people saying they play in a survey last year by the Association of Pickleball Professionals.
Headquartered in Hot Springs, Vulcan Sporting Goods Co. has inserted itself as one of the top pickleball brands in the world. The company’s huge debut in 2018 featured the release of an assortment of gear including paddles, balls, bags, apparel and accessories. Vulcan-branded products are distributed throughout North America and the world, wherever pickleball gear is sold.
The products are also sold online, including the company’s e-commerce website, on Amazon and by Walmart, America’s largest retailer.
‘The Home of Pickleball’
The Vulcan business offices, warehouse and distribution center is located in Hot Springs’ Mid-America Industrial Park, comprising a 50,000 square-foot building on a 6.5-acre campus, complete with four state-of-the-art and lighted outdoor pickleball courts, aptly named Vulcan Pickleball Park.
The company was among the first in the region (and nationally) to create a dedicated pickleball facility. The park is open to the public, free of charge, and represents one of the busiest and most popular sports-and-fitness amenities in the Hot Springs community.
In 2024, Vulcan was selected as provider of the official ball used by the Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball, making the new Vulcan VPRO Flight pickleball the only ball played on the sport’s two professional tours. The PPA and MLP league adoptions, which also involve the sport’s largest amateur leagues, position Vulcan as pickleball’s most important ball supplier. The agreement is among the largest equipment deals in the industry, and another important asset supporting Hot Springs and Garland County’s economic development momentum. Over the next several years, Vulcan is expected to own the largest market share of pickleballs, worldwide – with some business leaders and pickleball enthusiast in Hot Springs calling the place they live, “The Home of Pickleball.”
Vulcan Sporting Goods Co. is a division of Tanners Team Sports Inc., a leading supplier of baseball accessories, and the official licensee of Rawlings Sporting Goods and Easton Sports. The company is owned by Smith’s Sporting Group. Founder Vince Signorelli serves as CEO.
More information about Vulcan Pickleball is available at vulcansportinggoods.com.
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