Brunswick Corporation to Sell Retail Bowling Business to Bowlmor AMF

[Aslan]

Below is a post by Phil Cardinale from Radical left at another site:
The only change would be that the company will no longer be owned by corporate. This is great because we currently have to play by a different set of rules than the other ball companies play by since Brunswick is publicly traded.

This is interesting. It may be a unique positive to come out of the sale.

There really is a TRUE opportunity for 900 Global or Motiv or even Lane #1, Lord Field, Lane Masters, etc… Brunswick isn't just "Brunswick" balls. That in and of itself is a huge selling point because of the distribution and very nice product line. But really, it's the DV8 line…which is probably 2nd in popularity to Storm and is big with the 20s age bowlers…a key demographic. ALSO…Brunswick makes every product imaginable. We're talking ball cleaners, shoes, bowling pins, lanes, ball returns, pin setters…I mean they have THE most complete product line in bowling. And if an Ebonite or Storm WAS to make an offer…it would be to grab that huge product portfolio.

In all honesty, here in Independence Mo, Strike and Spare, (AMF), they put some big bucks into that alley. All new large monitors, and score keeping pads. They installed a great program into the new score keeping pads, that includes the speed of the ball.

Don't get too impressed. Obviously they have to improve a lot of AMF alleys, new scoring equipment, touch screens, paint, etc… They'll make the bars fancy, food expensive, improve the visual stuff…but the real question is how will the treat the sport bowlers, the pro shops, and the leagues. If they continue to alter hours, trim leagues, etc.. all that fancy aesthetics isn't going to matter.

Leagues and tournaments keep pro shops in business, without them a lot will close up shop. You ever walk into a pro shop during open bowling? Ghost town for sure.

True. 100% true. I've walked in during casual bowling and felt pity for pro shop owners, having a hard time imagining how they even make a buck. Then I've tried to go in and get services in the evening just before/during league play…and there's a constant line of people.

[rv driver]

Corporate can just be a group of friends pooling their money together as a small business it doesn't have to be stuffy suits etc. If I had the money I would open up one but that would require the lotto.

That's what I'm talking about.

[Amyers]

This is interesting. It may be a unique positive to come out of the sale.

There really is a TRUE opportunity for 900 Global or Motiv or even Lane #1, Lord Field, Lane Masters, etc… Brunswick isn't just "Brunswick" balls. That in and of itself is a huge selling point because of the distribution and very nice product line. But really, it's the DV8 line…which is probably 2nd in popularity to Storm and is big with the 20s age bowlers…a key demographic. ALSO…Brunswick makes every product imaginable. We're talking ball cleaners, shoes, bowling pins, lanes, ball returns, pin setters…I mean they have THE most complete product line in bowling. And if an Ebonite or Storm WAS to make an offer…it would be to grab that huge product portfolio.
.

I would love to see seismic or lane masters get a hold of this but I don't think it could happen especially on the ball side but with the lane equipment and products business included it's to big a purchase for those guys.

Motiv is one who could really use this but again with the equipment side included I just can't see them going there

The real competition is going to be between EBI and Storm unless someone big wants in but I can't say as I really see that.

[MICHAEL]

Corporate can just be a group of friends pooling their money together as a small business it doesn't have to be stuffy suits etc. If I had the money I would open up one but that would require the lotto.

YES, circlecity,, the Mom and Pop blowing alley in Plattsburg is owned by actually two couples, and one individual! It can be done, and they have been in business since 1957! Gladstone was also opened about that same time, and is privately owned.... Reto Bowl here in town is also privately owned, Ranch is another one,,, so here in the area we have CHOICES.... which is good!! (

Call me Old Fashion, but I like Mom and POP, everything!!!

Those lanes in Plattsburg are a jewel!!!!!!!! Owned by some of the salt of the earth Farmers!!!

[mike_thomas93]

Ohhh so there is such thing as that, huh Iceman?

[mike_thomas93]

I've never seen Seismic or Lord Field or those company balls. Never seen them thrown. Anyone know a little about them?

[rv driver]

I would love to see seismic or lane masters get a hold of this but I don't think it could happen especially on the ball side but with the lane equipment and products business included it's to big a purchase for those guys.

Motiv is one who could really use this but again with the equipment side included I just can't see them going there

The real competition is going to be between EBI and Storm unless someone big wants in but I can't say as I really see that.

Probably end up being Mitsubishi or Yamaha, or some other large Japanese conglomerate -- somebody that can handle the equipment side as well as accouterments.

[Joker]

I've never seen Seismic or Lord Field or those company balls. Never seen them thrown. Anyone know a little about them?

they're more of those equipments that are ok some actually prefer them saying that they're even better than storm and ebi. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but to me it just doesn't seem to fit myself, their equipment to me seems to either break away at the end or seem to have a less reaction.

[rv driver]

they're more of those equipments that are ok some actually prefer them saying that they're even better than storm and ebi. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but to me it just doesn't seem to fit myself, their equipment to me seems to either break away at the end or seem to have a less reaction.

Well, those companies certainly aren't popular around here. In fact, I've been associated with bowling for over 35 years and have never heard of those companies until just recently. But I'm from the Midwest, where we'd be more likely to stick with the tried and true brands.

[circlecity]

YES, circlecity,, the Mom and Pop blowing alley in Plattsburg is owned by actually two couples, and one individual! It can be done, and they have been in business since 1957! Gladstone was also opened about that same time, and is privately owned.... Reto Bowl here in town is also privately owned, Ranch is another one,,, so here in the area we have CHOICES.... which is good!! (

Call me Old Fashion, but I like Mom and POP, everything!!!

Those lanes in Plattsburg are a jewel!!!!!!!! Owned by some of the salt of the earth Farmers!!!

Yeah Ice, I grew up bowling in a family owned house(tava lanes in riverside.) It was different for sure, you would see the owners daily and had that warm were all family feeling.