tng worldwide history

What started as Nailco Manicurist Centers, a counter in a health and beauty store, has grown into tng worldwide (TNG), an $80+ million family-owned business with customers around the world and more than 200 beauty experts and specialized talent. The company has changed names many times, but has never changed its dedication to customer success.

Larry Gaynor, President & CEO

Larry Gaynor

Engaging a revolutionary business model, TNG set the standard in the professional beauty industry. Gaynor founded TNG in 1985, and in the past 25 years the company has evolved to a team of experts delivering solutions and experiences that inspire beauty. Gaynor built tng worldwide (TNG) with a mission of 100% Customer Success, which means differentiating TNG from the competition by offering solutions to professional salon, spa and tanning clients that build their business and improve their bottom line, enhance image and self-esteem, and eliminate frustration or hassle in clients’ day-to-day activities.

1985

Nailco Manicurist Centers is founded. The first 16-page black & white catalog features a complete line of nail products.

1990

Nailco expanded to include tanning products and services. The catalog grew to 96 pages.

1993

Changing its name to Nailco Salon Marketplace, the company now offered spa products. The 244-page catalog included massage and skin care.

1994-1995

Nailco purchases its largest competitor, Beauty Direct, and opens the Hairco division offering hair care products. The first website in the industry, nailco.com went live.

1997-1998

The catalog division is renamed THE INDUSTRY SOURCE, a Nailco Company, reflecting the growing product mix of nail, spa and hair care products. The Industry Source retail stores are launched. The Nailco Company earns a Future 50 Company award for the second year in a row. The website expands to include an online sale catalog, retail branding, a salon and spa design studio and much more. FPO debuts as the manufacturer of select products.

2001–2008

Gaynor is named Michigan’s 2001 Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year,” earning TNG the cover story of the August 2001 edition of Entrepreneur magazine. The Pavilion debuts as the World’s Foremost Showplace for Equipment & Furniture, featuring The Design Center, S.P.A. (Spa Professional Academy) and the Raquel Welch Wig & Styling Showroom. CIE (Center for Industry Excellence) is the first solutions provider in the industry to offer marketing services to spa and salon owners.

2009

The transformation of Nailco to tng worldwide (TNG) reflects the original brand promise and vision of Gaynor, and the company’s position as the world’s largest cataloger of professional beauty products. To celebrate the transformation, TNG introduces Nailco Gold, an exclusive, members-only program for loyal customers.

2010

TNG opens the TNG Hospitality division, seamlessly integrating spa supplies with in-room, locker room and health and beauty supplies. This team of experts is committed to servicing the unique and evolving needs of the growing hospitality, spa and fitness industries through providing personalized customer service and business advice.

Today

TNG delivers 100% Customer Success through its catalog (thebeautybook), web sites, 20 Michigan and Ohio The Industry Source Stores, and its divisions with Beauty Experts. Today the business includes nail care products and equipment, exclusive hair care products through Kemon, indoor tanning equipment and lotions through CTS, and spa furniture and design services through The Pavilion. The company manufactures select products under the brand names FPO, be PRO, Pavilion and TISPRO. Not only does TNG offer a full-color, 218-page catalog that is the most comprehensive in the industry, but also offers small-business publication, The Industry Source magazine. This magazine is the most read in the industry, with a circulation of 50,000. In keeping with the mission of 100% Customer Success, TNG wows clients and creates an experience that engages their mind and passion through consistent innovation, professional relationships, a huge selection of the highest quality in-stock products, extraordinary business and consulting programs, advanced professional excellence academies and unmatched shipping/delivery. TNG engages clients on many levels. Through involvement with The Gallup Organization, TNG measures this engagement through a system called CE11, in which the company ranks in the unprecedented ninety-second percentile. Likewise, TNG holds employee engagement in high regard. Through Gallup surveys, TNG staff consistently report integrity, confidence, pride and passion in their place of employment. Also, the company has been ranked by local Fox affiliate WJBK among the 101 Best Places to Work in Metro Detroit for seven consecutive years and has been named a Top Work Place by the Detroit Free Press for the past two years. TNG is the only company in the professional beauty industry to be powered by SAP, the #1 business software worldwide. TNG leads community efforts by creating philanthropic opportunities. The staff participates in several blood drives annually to support the American Red Cross. In addition, Gaynor and his wife Teresa (also a company vice president) encourage a strong connection and commitment to the community, as they both believe it is what sets TNG apart from other companies. As a Five-Star Investor with the American Cancer Society (ACS), and a Corporate Team Sponsor for their annual STRIDES events, TNG is involved on many levels. Click here to read about TNG's efforts with ACS over the past decade.