win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .  (Read 27612 times)

spencerwatts

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 383
Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« on: February 27, 2015, 04:47:54 AM »
Just noticed a couple of Facebook blog posts regarding a shake-up in Hopkinsville. Most notably, Ronald Hickland, and according to Jeff Richgels, Bugsy Kelly and Ed Gallagher were let go on 2.26.2015.

Per Ronald Hickland (via Facebook): "I am grateful to have been able to realize my dream as a bowling ball designer with Ebonite International, designing for Ebonite, Track, Hammer and Columbia 300. Thankful for the relationships I have built from May 21, 2001 through today. Now it's time to start the next chapter of my life. Stay tuned for the next great chapter!"
« Last Edit: February 27, 2015, 08:14:43 AM by spencerwatts »
Ball speed avg. (18.25 mph)
Rev rate avg. (400-428 rpm)
Still refusing to accept AARP eligibility and membership cards

 

EL3MCNEIL

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 564
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #16 on: March 28, 2015, 03:57:42 AM »
Did the Hammer Bad Ass name cost their jobs?

I highly doubt that, but obviously I don't know for sure since I'm not with the company or a decision maker for them. I'm thinking direction of the company, overall sales, and company perception more than likely have something to do with it.
"Nothing is real, everything is permitted"
-Assassin's Creed

tkkshop

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1173
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #17 on: March 28, 2015, 06:33:46 AM »
Their staffers will be able to throw any of the EBI brands come May 1st. This includes the Tour and when they make telecasts.

billdozer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4613
  • Goin' Global!
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #18 on: March 28, 2015, 11:16:13 AM »
Did the Hammer Bad Ass name cost their jobs?

Probably, how u can u call it Bad A$$ when it's certainly not.  Something bad A$$ would out do the black widow gas mask core, or have something revolutionary.  The name made a boring ball cool, and thata fine, but lol it got banned in school competitions....kinda negative connotation but any publicity is good publicity right!?  It had to be due to sales.....$ in has to be way greater than $ out!
In the bag [Infinite Physix, Volatility Torque, Night Road, Phaze III, Burner Solid, Hustle AU]
*Now Testing* IQ Ruby, Renevant, another IQ Tour solid
Coming soon...???

loop_zero

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #19 on: March 28, 2015, 01:21:11 PM »
So who is going to be in charge of putting a different cover on the Vibe, Resurgence, Kinetic, and Apex series cores?

All jokes aside, and not to discredit Mr. Hickland, but is anyone going to be announced before Expo? Rob Gotchall maybe?

All the companies are guilty of recycling covers and cores! And as far as naming a ball Bad Ass that is just a huge mistake! Even it was the best ball to hit a lane you narrow your demographics down to nothing calling it that.

northface28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3333
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #20 on: March 28, 2015, 07:02:51 PM »
So who is going to be in charge of putting a different cover on the Vibe, Resurgence, Kinetic, and Apex series cores?

All jokes aside, and not to discredit Mr. Hickland, but is anyone going to be announced before Expo? Rob Gotchall maybe?

All the companies are guilty of recycling covers and cores! And as far as naming a ball Bad Ass that is just a huge mistake! Even it was the best ball to hit a lane you narrow your demographics down to nothing calling it that.


EBI strategy for years, throw shit against the wall, hope it sticks. Now, its just a wall with shit smeared all over the place.
NLMB 150 Dream Team
#NoTalking
#HellaBandz

loop_zero

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #21 on: March 28, 2015, 07:25:22 PM »
This is not just a Ebonite strategy. At all. They all regurgitate past balls. Re color, rename and some places, change the smell... I'm not for any one company often my bag is a blend of all companies cause I feel they all have something to offer. To say ebonite is just giving the same thing every year is incorrect. There just losing the popularity contest I feel. Storm being the "cool kid" at the moment.

northface28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3333
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #22 on: March 28, 2015, 08:51:53 PM »
This is not just a Ebonite strategy. At all. They all regurgitate past balls. Re color, rename and some places, change the smell... I'm not for any one company often my bag is a blend of all companies cause I feel they all have something to offer. To say ebonite is just giving the same thing every year is incorrect. There just losing the popularity contest I feel. Storm being the "cool kid" at the moment.

If you consider a decade (at least) a moment, then, yes, you're right. The only decent ball Ebonite has had is the Gamebreaker, which they aptly named, the Gamebreaker 2. So yes, it literally is the same thing.
NLMB 150 Dream Team
#NoTalking
#HellaBandz

Joker-1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 207
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #23 on: March 28, 2015, 09:36:18 PM »
yea storm is like the cool kid right now but i just don't see them being the status of ebonite later on even 10 years later. Unless something goes really wrong in their products

billdozer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4613
  • Goin' Global!
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #24 on: March 28, 2015, 11:15:43 PM »
This is not just a Ebonite strategy. At all. They all regurgitate past balls. Re color, rename and some places, change the smell... I'm not for any one company often my bag is a blend of all companies cause I feel they all have something to offer. To say ebonite is just giving the same thing every year is incorrect. There just losing the popularity contest I feel. Storm being the "cool kid" at the moment.

If you consider a decade (at least) a moment, then, yes, you're right. The only decent ball Ebonite has had is the Gamebreaker, which they aptly named, the Gamebreaker 2. So yes, it literally is the same thing.

Cmon!  They had some good stuff!  Mission, black widow, and eruption, ransom demand, taboo, and the 505 line, had much success!
In the bag [Infinite Physix, Volatility Torque, Night Road, Phaze III, Burner Solid, Hustle AU]
*Now Testing* IQ Ruby, Renevant, another IQ Tour solid
Coming soon...???

northface28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3333
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #25 on: March 29, 2015, 12:12:40 AM »
Now name every successful Storm/RG in that same time frame. I meant Ebonite, not EBI. They've had some good balls here and there. The non-ebonite balls that is.
NLMB 150 Dream Team
#NoTalking
#HellaBandz

Joker-1

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 207
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #26 on: March 29, 2015, 12:24:13 AM »
ebi had some success in different ways. I loved the taboo series and made me throw hammer products for awhile, but once those faded and whatnot I stopped throwing hammer and went back to other products. North is right

billdozer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4613
  • Goin' Global!
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #27 on: March 29, 2015, 03:10:36 AM »
Wasn't saying north was wrong..but there were some great ones during that tie frame!  North face is usually always right...8)
In the bag [Infinite Physix, Volatility Torque, Night Road, Phaze III, Burner Solid, Hustle AU]
*Now Testing* IQ Ruby, Renevant, another IQ Tour solid
Coming soon...???

itsallaboutme

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2001
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #28 on: March 29, 2015, 07:44:08 AM »
When Ebonite acquired Columbia 300 and Track they got an attitude as a company that they could make the rules and everyone needed them.  It bit them in the ass.  Storm has got that attitude now.  Give them some time and it will come to bite them too.

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #29 on: March 29, 2015, 08:14:14 AM »
Any new announcements made?

I will say this.

It is shocking how great such softish sellers like the Amp, the Challenge, the Pursuit S, the Elevate, and the Gamebreaker 2 have absolutely looked sensational in my home house!

Obviously big sellers like the Black Widow Legend and the Jet Black Taboo, Deadly Aim and the First Blood have been big hits!

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS ones that look great other places but absolutely mediocre in my home house have been the complete eruption series and all of their spawn!
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

REVerse

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2027
Re: Major Shake-ups at EBI . . .
« Reply #30 on: March 29, 2015, 08:58:04 AM »
The original Ebonite "ONE" did very well at our center not too very long ago. Some folks complained of cracking issues, but that was after some really high scoring series. The ball was dominant in league play.