ARTICLE
Tanners Team Sports Inc. believes consistent involvement in all aspects of the business community, especially economic development, helps them invest in local assets and people and to be an engaged corporate citizen. A manufacturer of sporting goods equipment and accessories, Tanners was named the 2018 Small Business of the Year during the Chamber’s Annual Banquet and Community Service Awards last January. “The Chamber’s Community Service Award means a great deal to the business as it lifts our profile in our community and lets the general public know that we are here and doing good work,” CEO Vince Signorelli said. He added that in a business like Tanners their relationships are “out there” in the world as opposed to being “right here.” “It is nice for the local business community to get involved with what we are doing which allows us to make new relationships,” he said. Signorelli said the award honored him on a personal level, but also shows the employees of Tanners that their work is meaningful to the community. “Of course, personally, as the founder and operator for 28 years, it means a lot for my peers and my friends to see what we’re doing here and how special it is,” he said. “We get accolades and recognition from the sporting goods industry at large, but somehow being recognized by our own community is actually more special and meaningful. And then, the award is so meaningful to our employees and their families. It gives them a sense of pride, a sense of meaning about their work, which deepens their commitment to their work – and also helps us attract even more talented people from the community as we grow.” Because strengthening the community is important to Tanners, the company is regularly involved in the Hot Springs Metro Partnership and its initiatives. Tanners is also involved in local sports activities and in supporting each of the local high school athletic departments. The company also hosts student interns, student tours, student work projects, and participates in student teaching/training initiatives on-campus. “Community service is extremely important to me personally,” Signorelli said. “This is my adopted hometown and it is special to me. I care deeply about it in a variety of ways. However by using Tanners as my platform to try and help, and give back, the ways that I can add value to the community is much bigger. The community gets a bigger bang for the buck as opposed to it just being me trying to help. Things dear to my heart in Hot Springs include economic development, improving the lifestyle for all who live here, and hopefully one day helping to get a Business Start-Up community going to help new business incubate and develop for the future of Hot Springs and Garland County.” As a manufacture of sporting goods equipment, Tanners is dedicated to enhancing the performance and enjoyment of athletes of all ages and abilities. Founded in Richmond, Virginia 28 years ago, the headquarters moved to Hot Springs 15 years ago. Several years ago, Tanners expanded and moved its headquarters from its original Sunshine Road building to Mid-America Industrial Park. The Sunshine Road building is now being converted into a Research & Development Tech Center. In 2018, the company expanded its Mid-America facility by 50 percent and built an on-campus athletic facility. In 2015, Tanners launched Vulcan Sporting Goods Co. which makes products for baseball, softball, tennis, and most recently pickleball. Tanners is very proud to be Rawlings’ oldest and most important marketing partner, collaborating and working together in a unique relationship that spans over 20 years. For over a century, from the neighborhood sandlots to the big league ballparks, the Rawlings brand is everywhere baseball is played. Tanners is proud to play a role in advancing the prestige of such an iconic red patch, which is, “The Mark Of A Pro.”
Tanners Team Sports Inc. believes consistent involvement in all aspects of the business community, especially economic development, helps them invest in local assets and people and to be an engaged corporate citizen. A manufacturer of sporting goods equipment and accessories, Tanners was named the 2018 Small Business of the Year during the Chamber’s Annual Banquet and Community Service Awards last January.
“The Chamber’s Community Service Award means a great deal to the business as it lifts our profile in our community and lets the general public know that we are here and doing good work,” CEO Vince Signorelli said.
He added that in a business like Tanners their relationships are “out there” in the world as opposed to being “right here.”
“It is nice for the local business community to get involved with what we are doing which allows us to make new relationships,” he said.
Signorelli said the award honored him on a personal level, but also shows the employees of Tanners that their work is meaningful to the community.
“Of course, personally, as the founder and operator for 28 years, it means a lot for my peers and my friends to see what we’re doing here and how special it is,” he said. “We get accolades and recognition from the sporting goods industry at large, but somehow being recognized by our own community is actually more special and meaningful. And then, the award is so meaningful to our employees and their families. It gives them a sense of pride, a sense of meaning about their work, which deepens their commitment to their work – and also helps us attract even more talented people from the community as we grow.”
Because strengthening the community is important to Tanners, the company is regularly involved in the Hot Springs Metro Partnership and its initiatives. Tanners is also involved in local sports activities and in supporting each of the local high school athletic departments. The company also hosts student interns, student tours, student work projects, and participates in student teaching/training initiatives on-campus.
“Community service is extremely important to me personally,” Signorelli said. “This is my adopted hometown and it is special to me. I care deeply about it in a variety of ways. However by using Tanners as my platform to try and help, and give back, the ways that I can add value to the community is much bigger. The community gets a bigger bang for the buck as opposed to it just being me trying to help. Things dear to my heart in Hot Springs include economic development, improving the lifestyle for all who live here, and hopefully one day helping to get a Business Start-Up community going to help new business incubate and develop for the future of Hot Springs and Garland County.”
As a manufacture of sporting goods equipment, Tanners is dedicated to enhancing the performance and enjoyment of athletes of all ages and abilities. Founded in Richmond, Virginia 28 years ago, the headquarters moved to Hot Springs 15 years ago.
Several years ago, Tanners expanded and moved its headquarters from its original Sunshine Road building to Mid-America Industrial Park. The Sunshine Road building is now being converted into a Research & Development Tech Center.
In 2018, the company expanded its Mid-America facility by 50 percent and built an on-campus athletic facility.
In 2015, Tanners launched Vulcan Sporting Goods Co. which makes products for baseball, softball, tennis, and most recently pickleball. Tanners is very proud to be Rawlings’ oldest and most important marketing partner, collaborating and working together in a unique relationship that spans over 20 years.
For over a century, from the neighborhood sandlots to the big league ballparks, the Rawlings brand is everywhere baseball is played. Tanners is proud to play a role in advancing the prestige of such an iconic red patch, which is, “The Mark Of A Pro.”