HOT SPRINGS, Ark — One of the fastest-growing sports in the nation has pickleball gear in high demand.
And one of the manufacturers behind those products can be found right here in central Arkansas, and it's making a difference in the economy and game.
At Tanners in Hot Springs, employees are hard at work mass-producing Vulcan pickleball paddles. As the sport continues to grow, so does the demand for these products, and it's something they don't expect to slow down anytime soon.
"There's so many aspects of the game that make it have legs and longevity," Tanners and Vulcan CEO Vince Signorelli said.
Signorelli said it's a trend that's sticking around.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, your athletic ability," Signorelli said. "Your ability to have fun playing pickleball quickly is what I think sets it apart from other sports."
Because of the sports' rapid growth, Signorelli said business is booming.
"We were one of the top 200 brands when we started," Signorelli said. "Now we're top one, two, or three in the world."
Vulcan General Manager Lucia Digiacomo said having their paddles on Walmart store shelves has made a significant difference.
"That just kind of exploded," Digiacomo said. "We've been there for like three or four months now. I think we're over 27% increase in just three months."
That growth, in turn, is helping the local economy.
"This is the headquarters of Vulcan, and everything starts here and gets sent out from here," Digiacomo said.
Gary Troutman with the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce said he's proud to have it.
"Anyone in my profession at a chamber or an economic development organization, they're going to tout their local businesses," Troutman said. "To have one that most of the public recognizes, are familiar with, and associate with fun and good times, that only that booms well for hot springs."
According to Vulcan, the warehouse currently houses around 60,000 paddles.