Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Profile | History, Success, Information

If you are a sports lover, you may want to know about Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Profile. Rawlings is one of the oldest sporting goods manufacturers in history. 

It is an American-based sporting goods manufacturer that has been manufacturing sporting equipment for 135 years. After establishing in 1887, it has been the pioneer of sporting goods, especially for baseball. 

Specifically, Rawlings is best known for its highly premium baseball gloves preferred by all Major League Baseball teams. 

Rawlings Sporting Goods also manufactures baseball bats, safety gear, helmets, footwear, bags, and so on. Aside from this, Rawlings is a leader in supplying basketball and football equipment.

However, with such fantastic long-time history, Rawlings established itself as the leader in sporting equipment making. Rawlings oaths in the sporting industry with “The Mark of the Pro” commitment. 

Origin And Foundation 

Rawling Sporting Goods was founded in 1887 in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. It was the time during the “Long Depression.” Two brothers, George and Alfred Rawlings, were the founders of Rawling Sports. 

Rawlings was initially known as “Fishing Tackle, Guns, Baseball, Football, Golf, Polo, Tennis, Athletic, and General Sporting Goods,” but later changed its name to “Rawlings Sporting Goods.” In their store catalog, the two brothers specifically identified the above-mentioned line by name.

Furthermore, after the foundation of Rawlings, an accident occurred in the very next decade of the company’s existence. In 1898, a fire broke out in the Rawlings’ storefront. As a result, they were forced to enter into a partnership with Charles W. Scudder.

Rawlings Sporting Goods, on the other hand, is recognized as being the inventor of football shoulder pads. They were first presented in 1902. Rawlings was also responsible for the introduction of the first all-weather football in history.

Elaborated History In Different Times

After establishing, Rawling has been doing great in the sports equipment industry. So, there are a lot of things that Rawling first brought into the history of the sport. In the following, a lot of things will be discovered about Rawling Sporting Company Inc.

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Profile: From 1887 to 1954

The shoulder pads that were introduced to the football players were named “Whitley’s Armor Clothing.” It was a fiber-and-felt model. However, in 1906, Rawlings first provided their outfitting to any professional team. It was Saint Louise Cardinals’ uniform, a newly formed baseball team. 

In the following year, 1907, Rawlings first-ever provided balls to the professional baseball league. 

After some years, Rawlings added a new accession in their production line with gloves. They added a deep pocket to the gloves. It is now the standard of gloves since then. 

However, the inventor and developer of the idea were Bil Doak, a baseball pitcher. In 1919, he designed a glove by separating the thumb and forefinger, which formed a deep pocket. 

He took the idea to Rawlings, and they happily adopted the design. They manufactured the glove with the design which became the best-selling gloves for the next 25 years. 

On the other hand, Harry Latina joined Rawlings Sports Goods in 1922. He was credited as “Glove Doctor” for his astonishing invention in gloves. He brought “Deep Well Pocket in 1930”, “Trapper in 1940,” and “V-Anchored in 1950.” He also claimed 30 other patents in glove inventions while in Rawlings. 

Adjustable Thumbs & Pinky Loops, V-Anchored web, Edge-U-Cated heel, etc., are some of the significant inventions of harry Latina. He worked till 1962 in Rawlings. His son Rollie Latina followed his father’s steps and also worked in Rawlings Sports Goods Company from 1962 to 1983.

Since the time of Bill Doak, Rawlings has been synonymous with baseball gloves, a tradition that was continued by Harry Latina.

Rawlings was successful in selling $12 million worth of goods in the year 1954. Rawlings Sports was the fourth biggest sports goods maker and seller in the United States at that year.

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Profile:1955 to 1967

In the following year, 1955, A.G. Spalding acquired Rawlings Sports Goods with $5.7 million. Spalding was the second-largest sporting goods company at that time in the USA. 

By this time Rawlings was manufacturing baseball goods, such as gloves, balls, protective gear, shoes, etc. Aside from these, badminton, bowling, golf, basketball, boxing, softball, tennis, wrestling, and volleyball equipment were also in the production. 

Another significant year for the Rawlings Sporting Company is 1957. This year they started the prestigious Rawlings Golden Glove Award. This award is introduced for recognition of the best fielders at every position in Major league baseball. 

In 1960, Spalding, the parent company of Rawlings had to face a legal law encounter. The Federal Trade Commission found Spalding violating the antitrust laws. For this, Spalding was ordered to separate from the Rawlings Sports Goods. 

Though Spalding took the case to the court in 1963 but lost the case as well. So, Spalding had to sell the company. They sold out the Rawlings Sporting for $10.3 million to a group of private investors. 

Actually, the name “Rawling Sporting Goods Co.” was given after the sale. The company appointed John L. Burns as the new chairman and CEO of the company. He stated that Rawlings sold out the sporting equipment worth $20 million in 1962. And, Rawling never lost money on its investments in the entire time since its establishment. 

However, Spalding imposed a contract that Rawling had to manufacture baseball bats with Spalding logos. The agreement wast lasted til 1977. 

By this time, Rawlings Sporting Goods became the largest privately-owned sporting company in the USA. Though Rawlings had 8 factories it discontinued its footwear. It is because of the invasion of the high quality and highly advanced German molded shoes. 

The New Era of Rawlings Under A-T-O: Since 1967

In 1967, Automatic Sprinkler Corp. of America acquired Rawlings Sports Goods. They renamed themselves A-T-O Inc. in 1969. By this time, Rawlings reached an annual $20 million sales. The mass company made a division under Rawlings. 

However, in 1970, another new era was opened for Rawlings. 12 Major League Baseball teams had been started to wearing the uniforms that were made by Rawlings. Pittsburgh Pirates was on the list of wearing Rawlings’ uniform as well. 

Rawlings introduced newly designed double-knit nylon along with cotton uniforms. On the other hand, American Basketball Association had bee started to use Rawlings’ red-white-and-blue ball. 

Rawling also had been becoming the hockey equipment giant. The parent company A-T-O stated that Rawling had been able to enrich itself as the largest hockey equipment manufacturer as well. 

Tennis and golf were another two sectors in which Rawlings made a great appearance. 

Adirondack Industries was one of the famous manufacturers of baseball bats. They also were famous for toboggans, and winter toys. Alongside the things, Adirondack produces archery bows and hockey sticks. 

In 1971, A-T-O acquired this well-known corporation for a sum of money. They incorporated this firm into the Rawlings division and placed it under its supervision.

Rawlings Corporation, by any measure, failed to generate the money it had anticipated in the mid-1970s. Rawlings curtailed its policies and placed a strong emphasis on marketing and advertising in order to recover the situation.

The company was able to recover as a result, and by the end of the decade had achieved annual sales growth of 20%.

By this time, in 1976, Rawlings established its gold sector under A-T-O’s separate division. 

Establishment Of Baseball Profile: Late 1970s

You might remember about Spalding’s contract. The contract was ended in 1977. So, now, Rawlings is free to bring baseball products with their own logos, and Rawling started to use their logo as well. 

Rawlings Sports Goods became the official vendor of Major Leagues. They had been supplied baseballs for American League and National League baseball from 1977 to 1999. 

Since 2000, every single ball of Major League Baseball has been supplied by Rawlings Sports. Every ball that Rawlings supplies to Major Lague produced in Costa Rica. 

For a simple calculation, Rawlings has been producing 30,000 dozen baseballs annually. These exclude the World series and All-star Game series’ balls. 

Rawlings became the chief source of balls for the amateur market. They sold 1.2 million dozen baseball in 1979. 

Another great baseball equipment manufacturer, Wilson, lost their top position in the glove market to Rawlings. Rawlings grabbed around 30 percent of the market share by this time. 

Wilson is another oldest sporting goods equipment manufacturer and competitor of Rawlings. How are they doing in the industry? What is their history? You may explore the Wilson Company profile to find the answers. 

More than half of Rawlings’ gloves are sold to professional players, according to company statistics.

Adirondack, on the other hand, produced nice bats, albeit not of a higher quality than the bats produced by Louisville Slugger. However, Adirondack managed to sell around 20% of the total number of wooden bats sold in the professional market. Additionally, 25 percent of the bats were sold to amateur players.

Rawlings Baseball Gloves Domination And Other Baseball Production

Rawlings became so obsessed with baseball that half of the equipment manufacturing accounted for baseball equipment by 1985. As mentioned before, by this time, Rawlings became the sole supplier of baseballs for Major Lague Baseball. 

Rawlings maintained its gloves manufacturing in the Far East, and Missouri. By the way, Horween leather company has been providing leather to Rawlings since 1929. Since 2003, they have been providing leather for 3000 gloves of Rawling every year. 

Rawlings was specifically registered as the “Official Uniform and Protective Equipment Supplier to Major League Baseball” in 1987, after receiving clearance from the league. It is the first firm in the world to get this honor.

Additionally, Rawlings’ Tennessee factory manufactures leather for Rawlings, which is utilized in the production of baseball gloves and baseball bats. Being a baseball glove manufacturer in the United States, Rawlings was one of only two firms in 1990 that produced baseball gloves.

It has been in Ava, Missouri, since 1990 that Rawlings has been producing baseball gloves and batting helmets for the Major League Baseball team. However, it has been manufacturing wooden baseball bats in Dolgeville, Missouri, and baseball gear in Licking, Missouri, for almost a decade.

Rawlings Sporting Goods Inc.: 1980s And 1990s

In 1981, A-T-O was renamed Figgie International Inc. By 1983, Figgie stopped making toboggans under Adirondack. Instead, it added football balls to its production line. 

On the other hand, Rawling Golf had been producing golf clubs under the name of Rawlings and Toney Penna. Alongside the golf clubs, Rawlings also had producing and distributed balls, shoes, gloves, bags, etc., for golf. 

Though the golf division had discontinued since 1986. Rawlings continued its footwear production for baseball, softball, and football since 1989. However, the footwear has been made in Taiwan. 

With time, Rawlings opened a baseball bat manufacturing factory in Costa Rica in 1987. On the other hand, in 1990, it closed its plant in Haiti for a politically unstable state. By this time, Rawlings also stepped down its football footwear lineup. 

Like baseball recognition, Rawlings also got the contract for supplying official balls for Basketball and Football for NCAA Championship. Though the baseball replica jersey and T-shirt contract with MLB was not renewed due to unsuccessful business. 

After so many success stories, Rawlings lost a huge revenue in 1992 than 1991. In 1991, Rawlings revenue a $145 million. But in 1992, this was dropped to $135 million. Though in the following year, Rawling managed to recover the situation and revenues a $7.1 million. 

The reason behind the drop in revenue was the cancellation of the apparel contract with MLB. The analysts said that Rawling was facing some manufacturing and distribution issues by that time. 

Rawling As A Public Company: 1994

In the 1990s, Rawlings Sporting Goods Company profile had got some falls. The sale got deemed, profit fell for two years. The authorities of Rawlings were grievances on the parent company Figgie. 

They blamed the parent company did not issue proper investment. Consequently, Rawlings had to limit their production, and cancel customer orders. 

With such phenomena, Figgie Inc. decided to sell Rawling Sporting Goods Co. Figgie brought Rawlings up for sale to the public, and sold for $127 million in 1994. By this time, the amount of debt beside Rawling was 60% of the total of its capital. 

However, Rawlings appointed Carl Shields as the new CEO of it. He oathed to bring change in Rawlings’ day. He blamed on Figgie in 1995, that they turned Rawlings into a Bobbin. 

He claimed Figgies made Rawlings “a metal-bending, heavy manufacturing-type company that never did understand how to operate in a consumer goods industry.”

Rawling emphasized its apparel sector and formed a management team in 1994 that will triple the sales of the apparel by the next three years. With the strategic development, Rawlings started selling “hotel wear” for athletes. 

The hotel wear includes spruced-up sweatsuits and similar items. Athletes generally use them as associate wear while traveling for games. 

Rawlings Backs To The Form

After a certain period, Rawlings also got back its baseball market and renewed the contract with MLB. From 1994, Rawlings became the exclusive supplier of baseballs of 18 Minor Leagues, till 2000. 

Rawling now moved for grabbing the foreign market. As an associate of the program, Rawlings acquired Daignault Rolland in 1997 in Canada. It is a sports manufacturing company that manufactures hockey equipment, as well as baseball equipment and accessories. Though this company makes goods only for Canada. 

Later on, in 1997, Rawling also acquired Victoriaville Line from California Pro Sports Inc. Rawlings had to cost $14 million for acquiring the company. However, it is a hockey equipment manufacturing company. 

After acquiring the company, Rawling again entered into the hockey equipment business. It contracted with some small companies for making hockey pads, and special types of gloves. Brett Hall, the star of St. Louis Blue endorsed the contract from Rawlings. 

By 1998, Rawlings brings a newly designed baseball named Radar Ball. It is a ball with a microchip and an in-built display that is able to measure the speed of pitching. 

Rawlings also brings a newly designed aluminum baseball bat. This is less dent-prone and cracking resistant. Another cool feature is added to the bat. The hitter can add and less another 8 ounces of weight to the bat. A customizable bat, undoubtedly. 

By the way, by 1997, Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Profile enriched with the baseball equipment supplying. They became the leader in supplying baseball goods in North America. Their production includes baseball gloves, baseballs, baseball safety gear. 

Rawlings brought 14 types of baseballs along with 125 styles of baseball gloves. Their gloves prices range varied from $5.99 to $159.9 at that time. 

Change Of Ownership In Different Times

Since its establishment, Rawlings has been facing the change of its ownership many times. Actually, it is a normal fact for business companies as well. 

However, the first acquisition of added to Rawlings Sportings Company profile in 1955. A.G. Spalding purchased Rawlings and started utilizing it as baseball equipment. 

With legal complexities, Spalding had to sell Rawlings in 1963 to some private investors. In 1967, Automatic Sprinkler Corp. of America purchased Rawlings, which was named Figgies Inc., later.

Therefore, with the unexpected loss state of the company, Figgie sold Rawlings sporting goods in 1994 a public company. After a few years, in 2003, K2 Inc. purchased Rawlings. They moved Rawlings headquarters in 2005 from Fenton to Town and Country, Missouri.  

In 2007, K2 Inc. sold Rawlings to Jarden, a multi-billion-dollar corporation, after two years of its acquisition.  Jarden, on the other hand, was able to keep Rawlings for the following eight years.

Jarden was bought by Newell Rubbermaid, another multi-billion-dollar corporation, on December 14, 20015. Newell purchased Jarden for a total of $15 billion. However, after this purchase, they merged to form a new company known as Newell Brands.

The last acquisition of Rawlings happened in 2018. A Los Angeles-based private equity company named Seidler Equity Partners (SEP) purchased Rawlings Sporting Goods for $395 million. Though, MLB has a co-investment on it. 

At the moment, Rawlings is under the control of SEP Corporation. Despite the fact that they are no longer producing baseball gloves in the United States.

Along with being acquired by the other companies, Rawlings also acquired some top-class baseball equipment manufacturers too. Easton is one of them. We have another article on Easton Diamond Sports LLC. Company profile. You may check on it. 

Rawlings Sporting Goods Baseball League Collaboration

As one of the biggest sports equipment companies, Rawlings has been collaborating with various leagues from the very first. 

Major League Baseball

In 1906, Rawlings started to provide baseball gloves to St. Louis Cardinals. When Bill Doak designed the gloves with web-pocket, it became the standard for baseball gloves. He patented and sold the design to Rawlings. 

On the other hand, after being acquired by Spalding, they started to use Rawlings for manufacturing baseballs. They also started the Gold Glove Award. It is one of the most prestigious baseball awards. 

The big portion of the MLB prefers gloves and helmets from Rawlings. Rawlings ensures their helmets be used by almost every MLB team. 

American Legion Baseball

American Legion Baseball is an amateur baseball league in America. The players who are aged between 13 to 19 play the league. However, Rawlings sponsors the “Rawlings Big Stick Award” in American Legion Baseball. 

It is presented to the player who gets the most bases done. 

NCAA Baseball

Rawling has been sponsored many teams in a collegiate baseball team in National Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball. 

Rawlings Baseball Goods

Currently, Rawling has been manufacturing various items of equipment for baseball and softball. However, the gloves, bats, and helmets are the signature products of Rawlings. Aside from these, Rawlings is manufacturing a lot of equipment too. 

Gloves

From the beginning of the rise of Rawlings, they have been the synonyms for baseball gloves. Rawlings has developed the most rigorous gloves for baseball. Their web-pocket design became the standard for the gloves as well. 

Currently, Rawling is manufacturing different series of gloves. Their Heart of The Hide is the legendary lineup. Aside from this, Pro Preferred, REV1X, Liberty Advanced, Encore, Breakout, R9, etc., are the best-known gloves of Rawlings. 

They manufacture gloves for all fielding positions, as well as gloves in all of the sizes that are permitted in baseball.  Also, Rawlings provides gloves for all age groups as well. 

Rawlings use high-grade material and extensive engineering to meet the highest quality gloves. Also, you can get your custom gloves from Rawling as per your needs. 

Beyond that, Rawlings has brought the Gold Glove Award, the Platinum Glove Award, and Gold Glove Winners to the game of baseball.

Rawlings gloves, on the other hand, are the most popular and widely used in Major League Baseball.

Bats

Rawling has been manufacturing bats for baseball since the 1960s. Currently, they are producing alloy, composite, wood composite, etc. On the other hand, Their wooden bats have been made from ash, birch, and maple woods. 

Quatro Pro, Mantra, Velo, Big Stick elite, Impact, 5150, are their bat lineup. Different series are approved with different certifications including BBCOR, USSSA, USA, NSA, and so on. 

Rawlings also manufacture bats with the drop weight range from -3 to -16. 

Rawlings bats are well-performing, durable, and sustainable. They feature large sweet spots, hitting preferences, and anti-vibration technology to ensure the peak performance of the bats. 

Helmets

Rawlings is the official batting helmet supplier of Major League Baseball. As a result, it is assumed that they would be of the highest quality. Rawlings spent a significant amount of time and money researching and developing their batting helmets.

A number of elements, such as optimal vision and blend, are included in the design of Rawlings Helmets. Rawlings helmets are equipped with Impax foam cushioning, which helps to absorb the shocks caused by the balls.

Additionally, they make use of moisture-resistant technology, which adds to the overall comfort. 

Balls

Since 1957, Rawlings has been providing baseball to MLB. Rawlings’ balls are highly durable made from high-grade materials. However, Rawling has been the official balls provider of MLB since 1977. 

Rawlings provides public supply for practice. On the other hand, Rawlings balls are also for collection as well. 

Apparel

Baseball apparel is one of the big business sectors of Rawlings. Their uniform solution was the official uniform provider of MLB in the 1990s. However, they continue the business and provide high-quality apparel solutions for athletes, especially for baseball players. 

Catcher’s Gear

Rawlings catcher’s gear includes a chest protector, helmet, leg protector, and knee relief. Rawlings’ tri-tech technology allows more air circulation through the chest protector. The dynamic fit system brings four-point flexible shoulder points. 

Rawlings’ patent-pending Arc Reactor Core™ technology ensures the high shock-absorbing feature for the chest protector. 

On the other hand, the knee protector comes with Knee-Positioning technology that fits your leg comfortably. The leg guard does not bother with your standing, sitting, or squirting 

Accessories

Rawlings manufacture a bunch of baseball accessories. That includes batting gloves for baseball and softball. On the other hand, there are many accessories in their lineup. 

They include wallets, backpacks, hitting nets, tees, duffle bags, training balls, pitching machines, and others. Expectedly, Rawlings accessories are among the best in terms of quality and durability. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who Is Rawlings Owned By?

Rawlings Sporting Goods is currently under the ownership of  Seidler Equity Partners (SEP) and MLB Properties. They purchased Rawlings in a partnership in June 2018. They Acquired Rawlings from Newell Brands for $395 million. Rawlings is the most chosen gloves by the players. 

2. Where Is The Headquarters For Rawlings?

Rawlings headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Two brothers, George Rawlings and Alfred Rawlings founded Rawlings Sports in 1887 in St. Louis. 

3. What Brands Does Rawlings Own?

Currently, Rawlings is also the owner of three baseball equipment manufacturing giants. They Are Easton Diamond Sports LLC., Miken Sports, and Worth Sports. 

4. Who Is The CEO Of Rawlings?

To grow up the business and keep the pace, Rawlings appointed Michael Zlaket as their new CEO in 2015. He is serving till now with his passion and knowledge. He takes over the all departments of Rawlings under his supervision. 

5. Are Rawlings Made In The USA?

Rawlings are founded in 1887 in St. Louis, Missouri. Rawlings Pro model and custom gloves are still made in Washington, Missouri, USA. 

However, they established their production plant for Easton and Miken in China for their bats. Also, the Minor League balls are made in China too.  

On the other hand, Rawlings Major League balls are made in Costa Rica. 

Conclusion

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company profile holds 135 years of existence. They are the master of making gloves and balls, as well as baseball bats. More than half of Rawlings; business size and revenue comes from baseball equipment. Rawlings is an important part of the history of baseball, no doubt. 

Aside from this, they have established brand value in different sports like basketball, hockey, and football. 

Rawling invests its time and money in the research and development of its products. Their goal is to produce high-quality products and enhance the performance to the peak. Rawlings moves ahead with the motto “The Mark of the Pro”, which represents their commitment to the sporting industry.