James Ignatowich Is Moving to China to Oversee RPM Paddle Manufacturing

James Ignatowich is making a bold move. The former PPA pro and current RPM paddles founder and CEO is leaving the United States to live full-time in China, and he's doing it to get closer to his paddle production operations.

In a recent episode of the PicklePod, he sat down to explain why China makes sense for his business, what he loves about the country, and how he's preparing for this major life change.

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Who Is James Ignatowich and What Is RPM?

James Ignatowich used to be a fixture on the PPA Tour and in Major League Pickleball, known for his fast hands and event faster feet. That is, until he was terminated by the league for participating in an unsanctioned event in Japan. Now, he's focusing on his paddle line, RPM, and signature model, the Friction Pro.

The Move Is Official

James has already started the moving process. He flew back to the United States for about a week and a half to clean out his apartment in Florida, then headed to Los Angeles before making the jump to China full-time.

The timing is strategic. With a thousand paddles already sitting in his Florida apartment and prototypes filling an entire room, James realized he needed to be closer to the manufacturing action. Living in China allows him to oversee production more directly and keep a closer eye on the paddle development process.

Why China Stands Out

When asked if he had to say nice things about China for business reasons, James laughed it off. He genuinely believes the country is underrated compared to other popular travel destinations in Asia.

Here's what makes China appealing to him:

• Everything costs roughly a third of what you'd pay in the United States.
• Transportation is incredibly cheap and fast.
• The food is excellent and inexpensive.
• The infrastructure is modern, with nice buildings and well-developed cities.

Beyond the practical benefits, James simply enjoys the experience of living there. He encourages others to visit and see it for themselves rather than relying on secondhand opinions.

A Thousand Paddles and Counting

Living in China puts James him right in the middle of the manufacturing ecosystem. He can visit factories, oversee quality control, and stay on top of new designs without the lag of managing everything remotely from the United States.

James is settling into an apartment in China and preparing for this new chapter. For pickleball fans and paddle enthusiasts, it's a reminder that the sport's ecosystem is truly global.

Whether you're curious about paddle manufacturing, interested in James's tournament results, or just fascinated by his entrepreneurial journey, this PicklePod episode offers a candid look at what's driving one of pickleball's most interesting figures to make such a significant life change.

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