Brunswick's Plan to Acquire Classic Products "Amicably Terminated"

December 23, 2024

Dear Brunswick Bowling Products Partners:
 
Brunswick Bowling Products is announcing the previously proposed planned acquisition of the assets of Classic Products Corp., including warehouses, inventory, and general business operations has been amicably terminated due to input from various business partners, a change in strategic direction, and failure to reach an agreement on key terms. Brunswick Bowling Products and Classic Products Corp. will continue operations independently following the cancellation of the acquisition.
 
We understand that previous announcements raised many concerns among distributors, bowling centers, pro shops, and retailers, and we want to assure you that Brunswick Bowling Products is listening, and we remain committed to the bowling business, the sport of bowling, and our loyal customers.


Kind Regards,

Corey Dykstra CEO
Brunswick Bowling Products

Ebonite International Bowling Products Manufacturer Closes

In a local story reported by WKDZ radio, Cadiz, KT. Ebonite International closed its facilities in Hopkinsville today. 

From other sources, it's been reported that Brunswick is buying the company. No one from either company was immediately available to confirm this news. 

Monacelli Leaves Ebonite, Returns To Brunswick

Monacelli, a 20-time PBA Tour champion and PBA Hall of Famer, confirmed to FloBowling today is the first day of a new two-year contract with Brunswick. The native of Venezuela had been with Ebonite since 2012.

Amleto Monacelli has left Ebonite and signed with Brunswick in a move that bolsters Brunswick’s already deep roster of legendary PBA stars.

At Brunswick, Monacelli, 57, joins PBA Hall of Famers Johnny Petraglia, Parker Bohn III, and Walter Ray Williams Jr. to create a world-class team of bowling’s biggest stars.

“I’m really grateful to Ebonite for their support through the years and extremely happy to be with Brunswick,” Monacelli said. “In the back of my mind, I always wanted to finish my career with Brunswick because I had some of my best years with them.”

Monacelli joined Brunswick in 1988 and left in 1996 but during that stretch, he won 15 of his PBA titles. He also won both of his PBA Player of the Year awards (1989, 1990) while on staff with Brunswick.

“My first contract was with Brunswick when Johnny Petraglia brought me in,” Monacelli said. “They did my green card and helped me with the process to become legal to stay in the United States. To me, that was a big thing and it meant a lot those years with Brunswick. I won more titles with them than anybody.”

Monacelli continues to be active on both the PBA Tour and the PBA50 Tour. His most recent PBA Tour title came in 2016 at the DHC PBA Japan Invitational. He has also won eight PBA50 titles, including four majors, since turning 50 seven years ago.

During the 2018 U.S. Open, Monacelli made news when he was excluded from the exempt list from the event and was forced to bowl the qualifier. He went on to advance to not only advance through the qualifier but made the first cut and narrowly missed match play, finishing in 28thplace.

Brunswick Introduces Four New Balls

Brunswick introduces four new balls, Mastermind strategy and the Fanatic blue/purple (release date July 12th) and the Absolute Nirvana and Fanatic BTU steel (release date August 9th).

The Brunswick Absolute Nirvana combines the Nirvana Ultra Low RG core with the new Black / Blue / Grey ECS Hook coverstock to produce strong mid lane traction with outstanding continuation through the pins on heavy oil lane conditions. Cover is finished 500; 1,000 Siaair Micro Pad.

The Mastermind strategy combines the Blue/Violet/ Orange Relativity Solid Reactive coverstock with the Modified Mastermind Asymmetric core for a ball motion that is very similar to the proven performance of the original Mastermind. Surface is prepped: 500; 2,000 Siaair Micro Pad.

The new Brunswick Fanatics contain the I Block core (looks like the Dual I Block from the Versa Max from the C System series). The BTU is Better Than Urethane, a core and cover option that Brunswick suggests should be used when urethane is an option.

Brunswick Introduces The Rhino Entry Series Balls

Containing a Light Bulb core, Brunswick’s new Rhino series features R-16 Reactive coverstock in Red / Black / Gold Pearl, Black / Blue / Silver Pearl, Purple / Pink / White Pearl, Green / Silver Pearl, Black Pearl. The new Rhino line is finished with 500 Siaair pad then Royal Compound and Royal Shine.

 Look for the new Brunswick Rhino to be available May 10th, 2016. 

New Brunswick Bowling Balls, Including an Old Favorite

Brunswick Ultimate Nirvana™ The new ECS Hybrid coverstock is Brunswick’s latest advancement in performance enhancing technology. ECS expands the soft segments of the polymer chain producing improved friction and wider sweet spot resulting in fewer adjustments. ECS technology generates a faster refresh rate and a longer performance life for the coverstock. 

Paired with the Nirvana Ultra Low RG core, the Ultimate Nirvana provides effortless length through the heads with extraordinary backend continuation on medium oily to oily lane conditions.

Brunswick unveils a retro Danger Zone™ The new PK 2016 coverstock is Brunswick’s modern version of PowrKoil 18. PK 2016 reactive combines their re-engineered “PowrKoil 18” base coverstock with a chemical supplement package for today’s conditions. Combined with the Vintage Light Bulb low RG core the Danger Zone skids easily through the front, maintaining axis rotation for the backend to deliver that famous Danger Zone reaction!

The new Brunswick balls will be available February 16, 2016.

Brunswick Introduces Nirvana

Brunswick is excited to announce a new premium performance bowling ball –Nirvana.   

With the launch of the Nirvana, Brunswick is introducing a new performance line of balls featuring the newly developed Enhanced Composite Segmentation (ECS) coverstock technology.  The innovative ECS technology expands the soft segments of the polymer chain in order to produce improved friction and a larger sweet spot.  The result is better ball motion on a wider variety of lane conditions and fewer adjustments on the lane.  In addition, ECS technology provides longer performance life and a faster refresh rate for improved consistency.

The red/blue/violet Nirvana features the ECS solid coverstock matched with the new Ultra Low RG Nirvana Core to produce exceptional traction and impressive backend reaction on medium to heavy oil lane conditions.  The Nirvana cover is finished with Siaair Micro Pads to 500 then 1500 grit. Bowlers are going to see something very special with the Nirvana especially on heavy oil lane conditions.

The URD for the Nirvana is September 22, 2015.

Brunswick Introduces Two New Balls September 24th

Two new balls from Brunswick the Mastermind intellect™ and Brunswick Brute™

The cover of the Mastermind intellect is Honor Roll A+, a Solid coverstock which Brunswick reports “offers the most aggressive coverstock to date for a Brunswick ball. This aggressive coverstock produces easy length through the heads with unsurpassed traction in the mid-lane and backend to achieve ultimate hook.”

Inside the new ball, the Mastermind Ultra Low RG core features a single density squared-off elliptical inner core. The core is dynamically designed to extend the rotational energy, boosting angular velocity to transfer energy to the pins for increased pin action and higher scores.

 

The new Mastermind Intellect with its Royal Compound finish provides easy length through heads, strong mid lane traction with an aggressive move on the backend on medium to heavily oiled lane conditions depending on the player, of course.

The new Brunswick Brute features Fortify Hybrid Reactive coverstock, Brunswick’s hottest creation based off their performance enhancing additive chemistry technology. Fortify Hybrid Reactive combines a new base coverstock with an enhanced additive package that will provide the easiest length with the quickest lateral traction of any coverstock to date.

The new Brute Low RG/Low Differential Symmetrical core features a compact design to provide maximum energy retention. The new core shape revs quicker producing maximum performance and drilling versatility.

With its Royal Shine Finish, the Brute skids effortlessly through the front, revving strong in the mid-lane saving axis rotation for the backend to provide greater entry angle to the pocket for superior pin action. The Brute will provide maximum length with exceptional backend punching out pins on variety of light to medium oil lane patterns.

The Brunswick Mastermind and Brute will be available September 24th.

Two New Balls from Brunswick in May

 

Ringer™ Royal Blue Solid
With its 500, 2000 grit Siaair finish, the Ringer Royal Blue Solid skids easily through the front, gripping the mid-lane for a strong continuous breakpoint. The Ringer Royal Blue is a strong and controllable hook motion for rev dominant and slower ball speed players on medium oil conditions.

The Ringer Medium RG symmetrical core features top and bottom offsetting flip blocks over a centered mass. This core design promotes skid through the front, stability through the mid- lane and flip on the backend.

The CPT (Chemical Projection Technology)– Control reactive coverstock describes the newest formulation for a low friction coverstock. The benefits of using the Brunswick Chemical Projection Technology allows them to produce a lower friction reactive coverstock that easily projects down the lane and provides controllable hook motion on medium oil lane conditions.

Strike King™ Emerald Pearl

The new Strike King features a symmetric core design and SK13 reactive coverstock (500 Siaair, Royal Compound, Royal Shine) to provide smooth and controllable ball motion for the Brunswick entry level product line. This combination provides outstanding shelf appeal, excellent performance, and incredible value to entry level ball buyers.

 

Look for these new introductions May 7th.

Brunswick Rolls Out Mastermind™ Genius and Vintage LT 48™

The black/green/gold Mastermind Genius offers more length, improved versatility and stronger backend reaction on medium to heavy oil lane conditions. The Mastermind Genius combines the new Honor Roll Hybrid reactive coverstock and the Mastermind Ultra Low RG core to produce a more angular ball motion for more entry angle, increased pin action, and higher scores.

The Vintage LT-48™  is an old-school solid black ball that combines the new 3C solid reactive coverstock and a new Medium RG symmetric core to produce enhanced control, consistency, and carry on a variety of lane conditions. The Vintage LT-48 provides added length and improved versatility making it an excellent choice for slower ball speed and higher rev rate bowling styles.

“I am very excited about the Vintage LT–48! This ball provides outstanding length allowing me to relax and roll the ball to the breakpoint without any concern for early hook.”
–Johnny Petraglia

Brunswick Adds Three To Their Ball Lines

Brunswick Mastermind™ Pro Performance. “ The black/blue/orange solid Mastermind provides the strongest hook motion of any Brunswick ball to date” reports Brunswick. The Mastermind combines the latest cutting edge Honor Roll Solid coverstock and the new Mastermind Ultra Low RG core to produce unsurpassed traction in the oil and on the backend. The result is higher angular velocity for increased pin action and higher scores on heavy oil lane conditions.

Melee™ High Performance. The red solid Melee features the new Savvy Solid reactive coverstock and a new medium RG symmetric core to provide maximum versatility on a variety of oil patterns. The result is easy length with a forceful backend reaction.

Ringer™ Platinum Pearl  Affordable Performance The Ringer Platinum Pearl features a new low friction coverstock formulation matched with the Ringer Medium RG symmetric core to provide a ball motion that projects easily down the lane with backend flip on medium to light oil lane conditions.

Two New From Brunswick in Novemebr

Brunswick reports the new Aura begins a new age of ball motion for Brunswick never seen before. “Outstanding length, super quick response to friction with the most continuation on the backend of any previous Brunswick ball.” The Aura with its Rough Buff finish, is designed to maintain the highest amount of Angular Velocity at the breakpoint when compared to other previous balls on medium to heavy oil lane conditions.

The Optimum-Flip Solid coverstock is Brunswick’s newest innovation in performance enhancing additive chemistry. The new Optimum-Flip Solid coverstock incorporates a new base reactive along with additive technology to create an outstanding Skid Flip ball motion for the Brunswick product line. The Aura Ultra Low RG core features a single density rounded-off elliptical inner core. The core is dynamically designed to extend the rotational energy, boosting angular velocity to transfer energy to the pins for increased pin action and higher scores. Available November 14, 2012

Brunswick Meanstreak™ The Addaptive ƒ(P2) Pearl coverstock is Brunswick’s latest advancement in performance enhancing additive chemistry. ƒ(P2) describes the latest ƒormula which multiplies their (P)projection additive with an aggressive reactive coverstock base creating a reported "Super Clean cover that skids easily down the lane creating maximum versatility." This new formulation is designed to produce the cleanest front end, while maintaining traction on the backend.

The new Meanstreak High RG symmetrical core features a long and lean design to provide maximum energy retention. Adding a mass around the equator stabilizes the dynamics to enhance the versatility of the core.

With its High Gloss finish, the Meanstreak is super clean through the front, retaining axis rotation for the backend with a strong continuous breakpoint. This combination of coverstock and core creates an extremely versatile motion and a great “Go To” ball on lower volume & broken down lane conditions. Available November 14, 2012

GEICO PBA Summer Shootout on ESPN

Reigning U.S. Open champ Pete Weber of St. Ann, MO, put 12 points on the board in Round 4 of the GEICO PBA Summer Shootout at 10pin bowling lounge, helping his Storm team take the early lead in the annual Manufacturers Cup competition.

The first four rounds of one ball, low-man-out singles elimination matches aired Sunday on ESPN2. In each round, nine players representing nine different bowling ball brands competed in three groups of three players each. The survivor of the low-man-out preliminary matches advance to a final match where the winner earned 12 points, runner-up 8 points and third-place finisher 7 points. Those eliminated in the preliminary matches earned lesser points.

Weber, behind a flawless seven-strike performance (three in his preliminary match and four in a row in a Round 4 showdown with Roto Grip’s Brian Kretzer of Dayton, Ohio), helped Storm take a three-point lead over Ebonite and DV8 in the bowling ball manufacturers’ contest. Brunswick’s Chris Loschetter finished third in Round 4 after an eight-count on his first shot in the three-player final match.

In the first round, Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, NY, threw four strikes in a row – two in his preliminary match and two more in the final showdown to eliminate Storm’s Osku Palermaa of Finland and DV8’s Ronnie Russell of Camby, IN, staking Brunswick to an early lead in the team competition. Russell struck on his first shot in the final match, but had a nine-count on his second shot. Palermaa finished third after an eight-count on his first attempt.

Round 2 went to Columbia 300’s Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, who struck on his first three shots to edge DV8’s Mike Machuga of Erie, PA (double and nine-count). Ebonite’s Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, SC, was third after a nine-count on his first shot in the final match.

Newly-inducted PBA Hall of Famer Jason Couch, who announced his retirement from PBA Tour competition at the start of the Summer Shootout, temporarily put Ebonite into the team lead when he claimed 12 points in Round 3, ousting 900 Global’s Robert Smith of Las Vegas, who left three pins standing on his second shot. Hammer’s Bill O’Neill of Southampton, PA, was knocked out with a seven-count on his first ball.

Five more rounds of singles and doubles low-man-out elimination rounds will determine the team seeding positions for an elimination position round contest leading into the Baker doubles format stepladder finals. All remaining rounds of the GEICO PBA Summer Shootout will air on ESPN on Saturday, July 14, at noon ET and Sunday, July 15, at 1 p.m. ET.

GEICO PBA SUMMER SHOOTOUT

10pin bowling lounge, Chicago, thru July 8

Singles Low-Man-Out Elimination Format (points awarded to each team based upon finishing position in each round)

Round 1: 1, Ryan Ciminelli, Brunswick, 12 points. 2, Ronnie Russell, DV8, 8 points. 3, Osku Palermaa, Storm, 7 points. 4th-6th (5 points each) - Jason Couch, Ebonite; Bill O’Neill, Hammer; Brian Voss, 900 Global. 7th-9th (2 points each) - Brian Kretzer, Roto Grip; Dan MacLelland, Columbia 300; Mike Fagan, Track. 

Round 2: 1, Chris Barnes, Columbia 300, 12. 2, Mike Machuga, DV8, 8. 3, Tommy Jones, Ebonite, 7. 4th-6th (5 points each) – Mika Koivuniemi, Track; Pete Weber, Storm; Missy Parkin, 900 Global. 7th-9th (2 points each) – Sean Rash, Brunswick; Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Roto Grip; Mike Wolfe, Ebonite. 

Round 3: 1, Jason Couch, Ebonite, 12. 2, Robert Smith, 900 Global, 8. 3, Bill O’Neill, Hammer, 7. 4th-6th (5 points each) – Wes Malott, Roto Grip; Jason Belmonte, Storm; Brian Valenta, DV8. 7th-9th (2 points each) – Dan MacLelland, Columbia 300; Ryan Ciminelli, Brunswick; Mike Fagan, Track. 

Round 4: 1, Pete Weber, Storm, 12. 2, Brian Kretzer, Roto Grip, 8. 3, Chris Loschetter, Brunswick, 7. 4th-6th (5 points each) – Mike Wolfe, Ebonite; Ronnie Russell, DV8; Chris Barnes, Columbia 300. 7th-9th (2 points each) – Mika Koivuniemi, Track; Missy Parkin, 900 Global; Tommy Jones, Ebonite. 

Manufacturers Cup Standings (points after four rounds): 1, Storm 29. 2 (tie) Ebonite and DV8 26. 4, Brunswick 23. 5, Columbia 300 21. 6, 900 Global 20. 7, Hammer 19. 8, Roto Grip 17. 9, Track 11.

Brunswick Adds 3 New Balls

The red/black solid Nexxus ƒ(P+R) features Brunswick’s newest innovation in performance enhancing Adaptive Chemistry. The combination of the Projection additive, new Recovery additive, and the Rotor core results in a ball motion with the highest hook potential and most continuation of any ball to date reports Brunswick. With a factory finish of 500 and 1500 Siaair Micro Pad, the Nexxus ƒ(P+F) provides a ball motion that projects through the front, saves axis rotation in the mid-lane and grabs the backend.

 

The black solid C-System versa-max combines Brunswick’s newest breakthrough in Chemical Friction Technology with the Dual Flip I-Block core. The C-System versa-max is factory finished with 500 Siaair Mircro Pad, Rough Buff, and High Gloss finish.

The purple/pink Karma Pearl combines Brunswick’s proven Danger Zone core shape matched with the Activator Plus reactive coverstock to produce good length and a strong yet controllable backend on medium to light oil lane conditions. Release date is not yet available.

PBA World Championships Sunday

New From DV8

Finished with a 2000 grit Siaair Micro Pad Finish, the new DV8 Hell Raiser Revenge has easy length through the front and mid-lane with a very quick response to friction on the backend creating a highly angular motion for a matte finish ball that tears through the pins on medium oily to oily lane conditions. Hell Raiser Ultra Low RG Core (RG – 2.480, Differential - .056) Is wrapped with “Class 7 Reactive” Coverstock finished 500 then 2000 Siaair Micro Pad.

Brunswick’s DV8 Brand adds the Green/White Misfit. The “Misfit” core is a high RG (2.552) and medium Differential (.040) surrounded by the “Class 1 Reactive veneer, finished with a 500 Siaair Micro Pad, Rough Buff and High Gloss polish.
 

Future of Bowling Is In The Young

The popularity of bowling continues to increase each year, partially due to a younger demographic gravitating to the sport. Students, for example, find bowling a fun and inexpensive form of casual entertainment. However, there is also a growing trend among high school and college students joining competitive bowling. In 2010, a record number of students competed in bowling tournaments. 

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) reports over 50,000 high school and 3,500 college athletes competed in bowling tournaments in 2010. 

According to the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA), a bowling industry trade association, as of 2010 high school bowling had seen double-digit growth in five of its last eight seasons, and the number of varsity bowlers has more than doubled within the past decade. In 2010, 47 states recognized bowling on the high school varsity or club level – a drastic increase from 20 states in 2002. During the 2010-2011 bowling season, there was a record number of participants at the varsity level. As a result of the popularity in bowling among students, many colleges now offer bowling scholarships through the NCAA.

“Bowling has become quite popular as a competitive sport among high school and college students, as we have seen trends change drastically to include bowling as a varsity sport. Many bowling centers helped nurture this growth by creating youth-oriented leagues to spark an interest in student bowlers and create a passion for bowling at a young age. This forward-thinking concept created a new generation of bowlers that will continue to impact the popularity of bowling in years to come,” says Gary Smith of Brunswick. 

In 2010, the USBC created the Youth Education Services (YES) Fund. YES initially began developing a sports model for bowlers 12 years of age and older. This specially-designed program involves testing team-based competitions, development of training and recruitment programs which targets the younger demographic. “Brunswick is proud to be a part of the YES Fund industry initiative. It is great to see companies make an investment into the future of our industry as we work together to create a more positive experience for our youth bowlers,” states Brian Graham, Brunswick Consumer Products. 

Recently, Brunswick Bowling & Billiards announced its support of a new bowling exhibit located in the Iowa Hall of Pride. The exhibit was designed to celebrate notable achievements over the past 100-plus years by high school graduates in Iowa communities. A project of the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), the Iowa Hall of Pride honors past and present Iowa high school students involved in extracurricular activities including athletics, academics, and the arts.

Most recently, Brunswick has offered $50,000 in matching funds to the World Tenpin Bowling Association for youth development worldwide. These funds will be used to help build the next generation of bowlers.