BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Ebonite => Topic started by: spencerwatts on February 27, 2015, 04:47:54 AM
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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!"
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Not surprised at all. I've met all three and they're class acts. Not sure what's up at EBI, but somebody needs to take a good look around and see what balls are selling and why and it's not that hard to figure out...
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There have been layoffs this week at Ebonite International, the Hopkinsville, Ky.-based manufacturer of bowling balls and other bowling equipment.
Through postings on their Facebook pages, Bowlers Journal has confirmed the layoffs of ball designer Ron Hickland and Group Marketing Director-Communications Bugsy Kelly. Multiple sources also say that Group Marketing Director Ed Gallagher was included in the layoffs.
“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,†Hickland posted on Thursday. “[I’m] 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.â€
Kelly posted a much longer message, but also expressed gratitude for the close to five years he spent with the company.
“I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given over the years, but now it’s time to figure out something new for me,†he posted. “Bowling has been so incredible to me and I’m so incredibly grateful for everything this sport has provided me with. I have never made a dollar any other way than through bowling and I’ve never made a dollar throwing a ball. I’ve literally lived my dream and I’ve had a blast doing it… everything I have is from this sport and I’m indebted to it.â€
Ebonite International Chief Executive Officer Randy Schickert told Bowlers Journal, “We’re going to take a week or two, and then we’ll have announcements about a number of promotions and other strategic plans.
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Like I said in an earlier post. If you are NOT selling balls u can't pay individuals their salary..whether they are worth it or not. I am currently a store manager in a sales environment... The economy sucks right now. I'd imagine all of the equipment being sold and resold on Facebook sucks for the ball Manufacturers as well.
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Like I said in an earlier post. If you are NOT selling balls u can't pay individuals their salary..whether they are worth it or not. I am currently a store manager in a sales environment... The economy sucks right now. I'd imagine all of the equipment being sold and resold on Facebook sucks for the ball Manufacturers as well.
If you're middle class, the economy always "sucks".
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Like I said in an earlier post. If you are NOT selling balls u can't pay individuals their salary..whether they are worth it or not. I am currently a store manager in a sales environment... The economy sucks right now. I'd imagine all of the equipment being sold and resold on Facebook sucks for the ball Manufacturers as well.
If you're middle class, the economy always "sucks".
AMEN to that!!!
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Ebonite encourages us to post our reviews, whether the ball is good for us or not.
Decided to post on this subject. I understand the it is a business decision.
However, when good friends lose their job, it puts a lump in my throat.
Met Ron over the years, smart guy. Drilled some balls for him and his Dad in Baton Rouge in 05 at Nationals. Great Guy.
Ed and Bugsy treated me as a Friend first time I met them, quite a few years ago.
I wish all 3 and their Family the best of luck.
There will announcements in the next week or two.
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Does anyone know if there have been any updates to the shakeups at EBI?
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any news on the shake up guys? and how it's going to affect the product line/s?
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The only thing I have seen is hammer is rebranding themselves ebonite like on Facebook. Someone else is doing the update now and their weird.
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The only thing I have seen is hammer is rebranding themselves ebonite like on Facebook. Someone else is doing the update now and their weird.
Could you provide an example?
Not trying to troll, but the Hammer FB posts seem the same to me.
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Ebonite encourages us to post our reviews, whether the ball is good for us or not.
Decided to post on this subject. I understand the it is a business decision.
However, when good friends lose their job, it puts a lump in my throat.
Met Ron over the years, smart guy. Drilled some balls for him and his Dad in Baton Rouge in 05 at Nationals. Great Guy.
Ed and Bugsy treated me as a Friend first time I met them, quite a few years ago.
I wish all 3 and their Family the best of luck.
There will announcements in the next week or two.
Giving feedback whether positive or negative is always helpful. Think some are hesitant to provide negative feedback though. I personally have felt that EBI has been on the decline for 3-4 years now. I stopped giving feedback on here because anytime one puts a negative word, it seems that you threw a turd in their punch bowl and they whine and sniffle until you delete the post. I had an issue with EBI about 6-8 months ago and tried handling it with EBI and was told it was not there problem. Voiced my dissatisfaction here and couples individuals whined and whined and whined. Mike Judy got wind and called me directly and fixed everything, which I thanked him and appreciated what he did as it was the right thing to do, but should have been handled at their customer service level and he agreed. As we all know each company send to have a 2-3 year peaks and 2-3 year valley, but EBI seems to be in an extended drought and sure in the future they will be back on top for a few year swing.
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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?
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Rich Hanson will be heavily involved with the production of all 4 Brands.
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Did the Hammer Bad Ass name cost their jobs?
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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.
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Their staffers will be able to throw any of the EBI brands come May 1st. This includes the Tour and when they make telecasts.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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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.
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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
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Wasn't saying north was wrong..but there were some great ones during that tie frame! North face is usually always right...8)
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Since the one series Ebonite has been very lackluster. The mission line was ok but it is where the bigger decline started. How the other three brands do well and Ebonite became the bastard child says a lot about how things are being run.
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Quite a few guys up here throw ebonite were I'm at. There was lots missions when they came out and then pursuits and now there's a lot of pivots and pivot points. I do believe they are falling behind the rest of there "family" but of course all in all its all the same company so I'm sure they are doing just fine. I my self loved the first 5 and 7 series from track. And some how influenced a hand full of guys to get 505C's and T's. I think it's probably not as bad as it seems for them.
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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.
I agree the One was awesome, before it died.
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The Pursuits were good??
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The Pursuits were good??
Haha! Yeah there was a strong following for the Pursuit-S, the asymmetrical not so much. At least were I live!
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The Pursuits were good??
I have a Pursuit. The ball rolls, and carries well. My only gripe is that I hardly ever see enough oil to use it.
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Yes that is exactly what I am seeing. The Pursuit S is tearing it up at our center!
The Pursuit. Very angular and very touchy! Not as consistent.
Just observing others!
Regards,
Luckylefty
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Got a call from Szabina on Monday. good news coming for Staffers. Also, a post on Staff Face Book page from Gotchal. Letter coming out at the end of this week.
Can't say much else. Luckylefty, what Center do you Bowl at?
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Staffers will be able to throw all EBI brands. Which is good for me, as I have 3 local staffers that can give me the hook up :P problem is, there isn't much that I want :( I will probably order a Legend, as I currently have 4 other balls in an all black ball lineup 8)
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Staffers will be able to throw all EBI brands. Which is good for me, as I have 3 local staffers that can give me the hook up :P problem is, there isn't much that I want :( I will probably order a Legend, as I currently have 4 other balls in an all black ball lineup 8)
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I'd throw their stuff, but I get a limited bowling ball budget.. Other releases rule out ebi. I want all of the kinetic line balls that now our 05's.
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Any word or new updates?
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Only thing I've heard is Tommy Jones is no longer with EBI.
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Only thing I've heard is Tommy Jones is no longer with EBI.
Woah are you serious
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Only thing I've heard is Tommy Jones is no longer with EBI.
That's crazy! He was one of my favorite bowlers back when I was in High School. I hope he lands some where and gets a great deal. I saw him bowling with some Hammer Equipment before and he seemed to have a better reaction than with his Ebonite balls.
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Only thing I've heard is Tommy Jones is no longer with EBI.
Woah are you serious
Bowled the IB open and thats what I "heard", take it for what its worth.
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A very likeable guy for sure, but he hasn't performed that well in the past few years.
its a results driven business to some extent
maybe he had a better offer elsewhere, he could have been the one to leave.
either way, sad to see him go if true
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I got the dipsh!t answer, "UH, Five bucks says he does amazing with storm covers!!!!"
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When I think about ebonite I just remember the lil arc thingy icon and mister TOMMY JONES!!!!!!!
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When I think about ebonite I just remember the lil arc thingy icon and mister TOMMY JONES!!!!!!!
Yep I think Jason couch too!
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Scythe is the "arc thingy." Hahaha.
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Yeah, Couch has been there forever.
i had the opportunity to throw a few beers down with him a few years ago after a demo days.
that guy is darn funny...fun guy to hang out with, great stories
but he said that EBI was a great place to be , sounded like he sincerely meant that
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Looks like Tommy is still at Ebonite.
http://www.ebonite.com/community/our-people/pba-staff (http://www.ebonite.com/community/our-people/pba-staff)
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If Tommy Jones stays with Ebonite and the staffers are now allowed to throw any of the four brands I think it would be interesting to see what he and other staffers decide to use. I think that it would be indicative of which balls they consider better or what they match up with better than the others.
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Looks like Tommy is still at Ebonite.
http://www.ebonite.com/community/our-people/pba-staff (http://www.ebonite.com/community/our-people/pba-staff)
When was the last time that site was updated?
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September 2011, NorthFace. ;)
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September 2011, NorthFace. ;)
Exactly my point.
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Mika was taking pics of the Delirium and saying it was the best C300 he's thrown in a long time.
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If Tommy Jones stays with Ebonite and the staffers are now allowed to throw any of the four brands I think it would be interesting to see what he and other staffers decide to use. I think that it would be indicative of which balls they consider better or what they match up with better than the others.
I like it when the local EBI staffers throw other people's Utah equipment and tell that bowler that he is lucky that he gets to throw storm lol. The same can be said with all of the motiv stuff....I have seen EBI staffers throwing motiv in summer leagues LOL and that tells me everything I need to know.
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Touring Players can use any EBI Equipment. On June1st the rest of Staffers can order any EBI Equipment. May 1st, we can use any EBI Equipment in competition. Will check on the Tommy thing.