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Post by thedoctor on Feb 8, 2007 9:46:33 GMT -5
What does everyone think about this?
Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
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Post by MrPerfect on Feb 8, 2007 10:02:25 GMT -5
What does everyone think about this? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Hard to say right now, I didn't know that Columbia was up for sale. If Ebonite keeps the Columbia line of balls out on the market, then we will probably never notice a difference. I feel there is enough other manufacturers out there to keep bowling ball prices competitive.. But I wonder what happens to Chris Barnes what?, 1.25 Million dollar contract with Columbia? I wonder if Ebonite picked it up? I would assume that they would have to as part of the sale but I don't know for sure. |
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Post by MrPerfect on Feb 8, 2007 10:08:56 GMT -5
Here's an article I read from Ebonite's website. EBONITE INTERNATIONAL, INC. ACQUIRES COLUMBIA INDUSTRIES Tuesday, 02/06/2007 Company Continues to Build Collection of Bowling’s Best Brands HOPKINSVILLE, Kent. – Ebonite International, Inc. has entered into an agreement for an asset purchase of Columbia Industries, including the Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane® brands of bowling equipment, announced William T. Scheid, president of Ebonite. Terms were not disclosed. “Our goal is to build a portfolio of the best brands in the bowling business to provide distributors, pro shops and ultimately consumers with the products that fit their needs,” said Scheid. “These brands, particularly Columbia and Track, have tremendous equity over a long period of time. We are very pleased to bring them into the Ebonite International family.” Effective immediately, all sales of Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane bowling balls, bags and accessories will be the responsibility of Ebonite International. Manufacturing of bowling balls for these brands, currently being done at the company’s manufacturing facility in San Antonio, Texas, will be moved to Ebonite International’s Hopkinsville, Kent. facility at some point in the near future. “As our business has become increasingly competitive with a shrinking market of league bowlers, consolidation became inevitable. We considered a variety of options and felt like the acquisition by Ebonite International provided the best opportunity to maintain the viability of our brands,” said David Herrmann, vice chairman of Columbia Industries. Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane join Ebonite’s International’s existing consumer brands: Ebonite, Hammer and Robby’s. In addition, Ebonite International is the parent company of Ebonite VanTech Capital Equipment and Vantage Bowling, which serve the commercial side of the bowling business. “We still have many details to work out but are confident that we will successfully integrate the Columbia Industries products into our company. We did this with the acquisition of the Hammer brand in 2002 and look forward to doing so again,” added Scheid. Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit www.ebonite.com. |
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Post by PBAHoFer on Feb 8, 2007 10:37:12 GMT -5
What does everyone think about this? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Hard to say right now, I didn't know that Columbia was up for sale. If Ebonite keeps the Columbia line of balls out on the market, then we will probably never notice a difference. I feel there is enough other manufacturers out there to keep bowling ball prices competitive.. But I wonder what happens to Chris Barnes what?, 1.25 Million dollar contract with Columbia? I wonder if Ebonite picked it up? I would assume that they would have to as part of the sale but I don't know for sure. Enough other manufacturer's? Ebonite, Brunswick and Storm are now the Big 3, with the other companies just offering niche sales... Ebonite is the new ExxonMobil and I feel sorry for San Antonio... that is a major manufacturing complex that is closing down and losing thousands of jobs... |
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Post by MrPerfect on Feb 8, 2007 10:52:11 GMT -5
True but that is a part of life. No one is guaranteed a job at any company for any period of time. With less bowlers the need for new bowling balls becomes less as well. That's not hard to figure out. It's possible that one of the other Manf. will buy it and hire many of the same workers to make their bowling balls, who knows...anything can happen.
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Post by PBAHoFer on Feb 8, 2007 11:09:59 GMT -5
Storm is based in Utah, Brunswick in Mexico and Ebonite/ Coumbia 300/ Track/ Dynothane and AMF is in Kentucky.
I guess maybe one of the companies could use the facility for regional manufacturing, but that seems unlikely.
Well, hell, at least NAFTA worked. And maybe with the way the world politics are going, San Antonio can re-open a couple of Army and Air Force bases... or at least until W starts WWIII... then things could pick up for them.
I only hope and pray that you continue to enjoy your good fortunes that you have been able to garner in your life.
Especially with the "no guarantees mantra" that you are quick to point out when misfortune falls upon others...
But, that's part of your likeability quotient.
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Post by MrPerfect on Feb 8, 2007 11:22:07 GMT -5
Well if you think that bad things have never happened to me before in the past, your sadly mistaken. I try to overcome and adapt, instead of parading my misfortunes to the public for sympathy.
What happened to those workers at Columbia in San Antonio is misfortunate but whose fault is it?.... It's not like we can blame you if Pasadena's bowling membership lessens under your tenture or if our City Tourn. entries lessens while your President. At least I won't blame you. Y'all have done all yall can to promote the Tourn. and I feel y'all listen to the bowlers to try and do what you can to draw more entries. But if there are just fewer bowlers, what can you do?
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