Miken Sports Company Profile | A Brief Overview

Miken Sports is one of the leading and prominent brands that make premium baseball and softball bats. However, it is famous for baseball helmets as well. Miken Sports company profile exploration may give you a brief image of the company. 

Miken is the pioneer of composite softball and baseball bats because they use the highest-grade aerospace carbon fiber for making composite bats. 

However, since the company’s establishment, Miken has been manufacturing premium quality bats. So, high-class baseball hitters prefer composite bats from Miken. 

Miken softball bats brought a revolution in the softball composite bat industry. After the domination by aluminum bats, Miken reassembled the way of the baseball and softball bat industry in a shaped version. 

The Man Behind The Miken Sports: A Overview Of History

George Griffith founded Miken Sports. He established the Company in 1997 in Caledonia, Minnesota, USA. George was born in the tiny town of Blue Earth in 1938.

Because his father worked for the roads department, his family was forced to relocate many times. They did, however, eventually settle in Caledonia, Minnesota. George Griffith finished his studies at Winona State University and earned his bachelor’s degree. 

During his undergraduate studies, he worked as a part-time truck driver. On the other hand, he was a member of the Army National Guard throughout his time in the service.

George had a wide range of abilities. Throughout his career, he launched several businesses. The Winnebago Software Company was one of the most valuable corporations globally at the time. The firm grew to become the most extensive library automation software company globally during the following two decades.

Miken Sports, on the other hand, was founded by him in 1997. Miken is considered one of the first bat manufacturing businesses for composite bats. It heralds a new era in composite baseball and softball bats.

Because of this, Miken became one of the most successful makers of premium and high-end bats globally.

He was the one who made it possible for a large number of individuals in the Caledonia and La Crosse areas to find work.

Miken Sports Company Profile Overview

When it comes to Miken bats, we may use the term “premium” to describe their quality. Miken bats, on the other hand, were sought after by famous softball players because of their superior construction and qualities. Miken bats are known for consistently delivering the most significant level of performance. In addition, Miken bats are exceptionally long-lasting.

Miken manufactures softball composite bats in response to the needs of the players. Miken bats, on the other hand, are of the most outstanding quality due to the employment of cutting-edge technology.

You may have noticed that composite bats are becoming more popular. Nevertheless, the mania began when Miken made his debut on the market. It was in 1998 that they introduced composite bats to the market.

Miken is considered the inventor of the contemporary high-end composite softball bat. They have been pushed to the maximum with every bat from the commencement of the production process. On the other hand, other manufacturers were unfamiliar with composite bats at the time.

In softball, it is believed that a player will want to swing his bat and will most likely choose the Miken composite bat for this purpose.

Miken’s ingenuity, research, and enthusiasm are the driving forces behind the company’s success. They place a high priority on the players’ needs and base their work on them. Consequently, you can see that Miken outperforms the rest of the softball composite bat market.

Composite softball bats are most likely to be chosen by players as the future bats. On the other hand, Miken does the mastery on composite bats. 

Miken’s Acquisition In 2004

K2 Inc. bought Miken Sports in the middle of November 2004. By purchasing Miken, they made their way into the team sports industry.

It was not reported how much they paid for Miken at the transaction time. However, it was predicted that the price might range between $10 and $12 million. The transaction had been in the works for over a year before it finally closed.

In contrast, K2 purchased Rawling Sports, one of the oldest sports goods manufacturing companies in the world, back in 2003. Following the acquisition of Miken, the chief financial officer of K2 said that the company would place Miken under the control of Rawling.

“Miken will be a fantastic match for Rawling and well worth the investment,” he added. So, Rawlings became the parent company of Miken in 2004. A local newspaper said that George Griffith sold Miken because of his age. 

On the other hand, Geroge will be the owner of the land and building where Miken will be operating. However, George Griffith, the founder of Miken Sports LLC was, died in 2021. 

Rawling has now declared that Miken will be relocated from California to Missouri and China.

This topic necessitates the creation of another section.

However, like Miken, Easton is another leading baseball equipment brand that is acquired by Rawlings Sports Goods. We have another detailed company profile on Easton. 

Miken Sporting Products

Miken is mainly famous for its softball and baseball composite bats and helmets. However, they also make other equipment for baseball and softball. 

Bats

Miken produces different series of composite bats. However, in the following, we will be showing the various series from Miken Sports. 

MIKEN FREAK

Miken Freak bats are composed of aerospace-grade carbon fiber used in the aerospace industry. This series provides excellent performance as well as long-term durability. 

Essentially, the Freak series uses an E-Flex 360 barrel of 12 inches in length. The distinctive C-4 proprietary design is used in the construction of this barrel.

The design guarantees that the player receives the most performance and swing possible. The redesigned F4P handle, on the other hand, improves the passage of energy from the handle to the barrel. 

It ensures that the barrel flexes to its most significant potential. This allows for the most powerful possible striking capabilities.

In the Mien Freak series, the biggest sweetspot is delivered with a 0.5-ounce endload. This ensures that the barrel is balanced for swinging with greater force. 

The Freak series, on the other hand, has been authorized by the USSSA standard. Depending on your needs, you might end up with the most significant bat for dominating the USSSA league.

MIKEN FREAK PRIMO MAXLOAD

The 4-piece design of Miken, Freak Primo will dominate the plate with its extensive performance. It provides excellent flex and power hitting. Primo series features a 0.5 oz endload with more balance to the barrel. 

The Tetra-Core technology makes the barrel ultra-responsive while swinging. You will feel the power in every swing of the series. The bat’s handle is powered by Sensi-Flex technology, which provides quick power transfer to the barrel from the handle. 

MIKEN DC41

Miken DC41 is propelled by a barrel of 12.25 inches in length. It is a USSSA-approved series constructed of aerospace-grade carbon fiber, and it was created in the United States. The barrel is made of E-Flex 360 and C-4 unique carbon fiber, specific to this model.

You will get 360° flex and the best possible performance from the bat. However, it also provides a high level of long-term durability.

The DC series has a hefty 1.00 oz endload, which provides the most power across the broadest sweetspot. While swinging, the 1-ounce endload provides crazy level pop for the player. This series may particularly appeal to the power hitter who desires greater weight in the end cap.

ULTRA GAMER SSUSA

A true 2-piece composite monster in the making. The Ultra Gamer SSUSA series has greater power, more swing, and more flex than the previous generation. Ultra is a game-ready series in which you do not make any concessions in terms of the break-in time.

Senior league series fueled by 0.5 oz endload has been tremendously hot. The barrel is 14 inches in length. The enlarged sweetspot and flex assist you in making contact with every ball you encounter.

BENEFIT THE BADGE MAXLOAD

The Benefit the Badge is part of a new bat series that has just been released. Actually, it is a limited-edition model created to pay tribute to the United States military. The Fogle Family Foundation will benefit from the sale of the bat. The name of the bat reflects the bat’s primary aim.

On the other hand, the bat was re-engineered by the engineers using premium-grade aircraft carbon fiber. It provides renowned performance as well as long-lasting durability.

The series’ characteristics include a 12-inch barrel with E-Flex 360 technology and unique carbon fiber from C-4. Because of its big sweetspot, 360° flex and pop, and 360° flex and pop, this bat will appeal to power hitters.

The 0.5-ounce endload helps to bring the barrel into better balance. This bat has been approved by the United States Squash Association (USSSA) to fulfill the USSSA league standard.

Batting Helmet

Miken is mostly known for its helmets, such as the composite bats, which are very durable. Since the 2018 season, Miken’s batting helmets have been used by all 30 big-league baseball clubs around the country.

Mike Thomson, the senior vice president of Rawling sports, confirms that all Major and Minor league players are currently wearing Rawling’s helmet. And Miken makes helmets under the management of Rawling sports. 

Rawling has been commissioned by Major League Baseball to build helmets that can withstand throwing speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Miken developed helmets that are capable of withstanding shocks of up to 100 miles per hour.

As a consequence, Miken introduces the S-100 Pro Comp, which serves as his hallmark helmet. It is the one that is intended for use in Major League Baseball. Miken, on the other hand, offers both the Cool-Flow Vented and the regular helmet, which may be used in other leagues as well.

MIKEN ADULT GOLD Batting Glove

Miken makes the palm of this Adult Gold batting glove out of goat leather that has been processed. The goatskin has been treated to provide a substantial amount of grip while swinging the bat. Adult Gold, on the other hand, has a wonderfully soft feel in addition to excellent grip.

The batting gloves are equipped with a 50 mm neoprene cuff to provide additional stability during play. Additionally, the gloves include a palm cushion to increase the level of safety.

Without a doubt, the design is very pleasing to the eye.

MIKEN PRO SERIES SLOWPITCH GLOVES

Miken Pro series Slowpitch gloves have an added layer of suppleness to them. Their uppers are crafted from full-grain leather. The design enhanced the form and retention of the product. Miken Slowpitch gloves are, to put it bluntly, game-ready. You do not need to adhere to the break-in time.

Miken gloves, on the other hand, are created in the Pro H Web pattern. When it comes to grabbing the balls, the design assures incredibly effective functioning. Also, the Poron XRD palm protection provides a high level of protection against ball contact.

The Pro Series gloves are found in different sizes, such as 13 inches, 13.5 inches, and 14 inches. Miken softball gloves are great in terms of performance and comfort. 

MIKEN SPORTS BAGS

Miken will be bringing a variety of backpacks and wheeled luggage with him. They make it possible to have many pockets and chambers. Baseball and softball equipment may be transported with ease with these bags.

A variety of compartments, outside storage chambers, tarpaulin bottom lines, and other features are included in the design of each bag.

Bats may be transported in wheeled bags, which have chambers for this purpose. You will also discover a detachable decorating panel and a convertible shelf.

The “J” type hook is found on the majority of Miken bags.

Miken Sports Closing In Caledonia, MN

Currently, the headquarter of Miken sports is at 415 East South Street, Caledonia, MN 55921. While K2 Inc. acquired Miken Sports back in 2004, it did not plan to move its headquarters and production house. 

However, Rawling decided to move Miken’s headquarter in the last year. Miken is currently employing 59 full-timers and 10 part-timers. With this movement, all employees will lose their jobs. 

On the other hand, Rawling decided to move all facilities from Caledonia in between the next 18 to 24 months, declared in July 2021. 

They are going to move their helmet facilities to Missouri. On the other hand, the bat-making facilities will be moved to China. Rawling also acquired Easton Sportind LLC and is currently producing their bats in China. 

Rawling chief marketing officer Mike Thomson said that it makes sense that Easton and Miken will make bat in one place, saving costs. He expects that it will save them around $10 million every year. 

Thomson said, “These kinds of decisions are really never easy, especially when you’ve got really great employees like we do in Caledonia. And everybody in the company really liked the operation there.”

He also said that “(But) you’ve got a worldwide leader that you just acquired with world-class manufacturing, and you wrestle with all of these decisions. And unfortunately, it just made better sense for us to utilize the factory (in China).” 

So, Caledonia is losing a great and big community, as well as a bug taxpayer. 

Reaction On Closing Operation In Caledonia

The reaction in moving Miken facilities from Caledonia to China is just huge. People and the community of Caledonia have shown instant reaction to it. 

People of Caledonia are also frustrated and upset about the decision. Politicians and town authorities have tried a lot to keep the operations of Miken on in Caledonia. But Rawling never listened to them. 

Senator Smith said, “I think it’s outrageous that major-league baseball and this private equity firm are moving this business out of Caledonia and are shipping jobs to China.”

Senator Smith also wrote a letter to Rawling’s authority to rethink their decision. 

On the other hand, Caledonia’s city administrator Adam Swann is highly concerned about Rawling’s decision. He said, 

“We understand it’s a major concern. We understand this is going to have a big impact not only on the employees who are there but the members of the community. So we’re doing everything we can to change their mind.”

During this period, however, Davids and state senator Jeremy Miller have visited with Rawling authorities to convince them to reconsider their decision. 

Even they expressed an interest in providing Miken with financial assistance if necessary. The authorities, on the other hand, refused.

Mike Thomson said that the conclusion is based on a multi-million dollar set of facts. As a result, they must focus on the business rather than their emotions. 

He was pretty clear in his statement that Rawling did not want to spend time deliberating about the choice he was making. They are always on the lookout for new chances.

“The decision is well down the path,” Thomson said. 

However, Rwaling already sent the notice to the employees, and the local employees are disappointed. 

The result is, a golden chapter of a small and rural town is going to be closed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who Owns Miken?

Rawling Sports Goods is the owner of Miken Sports. Miken Sports’ owner George Griffith sold the company to Rawling Sports in 2004 because of his age. He said, at this age, he could not be able to maintain things. But he did not sell the building and the place of the Miken headquarter. 

2. Where Is Miken Sports Located?

Miken Sports is currently located in Caledonia, Minnesota. However, Rawling is moving all facilities of Miken to Missouri and China. Missouri will produce the helmets of the Miken. On the other hand, Rawling will be manufacturing Miken’s softball slowpitch bats in China. 

3. Does Miken Make Fastpitch Bats?

Yes, Miken manufactures fastpitch bats. The Miken Freak series is the fastpitch bats from Miken. 

4. How Do I Return A Miken Bat?

Rawling does not back the bats directly; even you cannot submit your defected bat to Rawling now as well. You have to submit the defective bat to the dealer you purchased from. If he assesses the bat eligible for a return, he will replace the bat or order another bat to Rawling to replace in case of scarcity. 

Conclusion

Miken Sports is the first company to manufacture composite slowpitch and baseball bats. You may read about the company’s history of success in the Miken Sports Company profile. Known as “the guy behind the scenes,” George Griffith was a successful businessman. He developed several profitable businesses, which prompted him to build another great enterprise, Miken.

Miken is doing well and is supplying world-class composite bats to the softball fastpitch league, among other things. On the other hand, Major league teams are utilizing Miken batting helmets for the sake of safety. 

Miken reached the peak of success with the composite bats and their safest helmets.