After swinging into the major leagues in 2008, a local baseball glove company is about to hit Japan.
Vinci Pro will make its international debut when starting pitcher Carlos Torres steps to the plate in the Japanese Major Leagues this spring. Torres, who for the last two seasons played for the Chicago White Sox, was recently recruited by the Yomiuri Giants.
Torres has worn a Vinci glove since 2008 when he played for the Charlotte Knights, the AAA affiliate of the White Sox.
Peter Vinci, CEO of the company, said breaking into Japan is a big step for the company.
“He could have picked another brand of glove, so it’s a big deal to us,” Vinci said, “It opens up a global market for us.”
On the home front, Vinci said the company is growing.
“Business is probably up 25 to 30 percent over the previous year,” he said.
The company added 10 more dealers in California as part of a West Coast push, and has also recently launched a little league affiliate program which shares a percentage of sales with little leagues when they refer sales to Vinci.
Vinci said they don’t have immediate plans to major a hard push in Japan, but he said having the company’s name out there paves the way for organic growth.
The Yomiuri Giants are a high profile team, Vinci said.
“The Giants there are like the Yankees in our country,” he said.
Vinci sold its first gloves in 1997 and slowly worked its way into the majors by getting minor league players to favor them. Unlike many of the major brands, Vinci doesn’t pay players to wear its gloves; instead players choose them because they like them.
As for Torres, Vinci expects him to achieve a great deal of success in Japan.
“Carlos is great; he is one of my favorites. He is the type of person I can text message at two in the morning,” Vinci said.
Previously on BizSense:
After swinging into the major leagues in 2008, a local baseball glove company is about to hit Japan.
Vinci Pro will make its international debut when starting pitcher Carlos Torres steps to the plate in the Japanese Major Leagues this spring. Torres, who for the last two seasons played for the Chicago White Sox, was recently recruited by the Yomiuri Giants.
Torres has worn a Vinci glove since 2008 when he played for the Charlotte Knights, the AAA affiliate of the White Sox.
Peter Vinci, CEO of the company, said breaking into Japan is a big step for the company.
“He could have picked another brand of glove, so it’s a big deal to us,” Vinci said, “It opens up a global market for us.”
On the home front, Vinci said the company is growing.
“Business is probably up 25 to 30 percent over the previous year,” he said.
The company added 10 more dealers in California as part of a West Coast push, and has also recently launched a little league affiliate program which shares a percentage of sales with little leagues when they refer sales to Vinci.
Vinci said they don’t have immediate plans to major a hard push in Japan, but he said having the company’s name out there paves the way for organic growth.
The Yomiuri Giants are a high profile team, Vinci said.
“The Giants there are like the Yankees in our country,” he said.
Vinci sold its first gloves in 1997 and slowly worked its way into the majors by getting minor league players to favor them. Unlike many of the major brands, Vinci doesn’t pay players to wear its gloves; instead players choose them because they like them.
As for Torres, Vinci expects him to achieve a great deal of success in Japan.
“Carlos is great; he is one of my favorites. He is the type of person I can text message at two in the morning,” Vinci said.
Previously on BizSense:
Great Story!
Perhaps Richmond can produce the next Spalding or Wilson.