As far as I recall, Lanemasters got "into the game" by buying AZO's manufacturing plant and their technology: cores and resin supplier, etc.around 2003. (One of AZO's initial "tricks" was to make the core out of urethane. I think this is what provided that AZO/LM "crack" sound when the balls hit the pocket.) LM's first 2 or 3 balls were relabelled AZO balls.
I'm pretty sure the Ultima was prior to this buyout. AZO then disappeared until about 3 years ago, when Storm bought the name and started producing AZO balls in Utah.Storm's AZO balls had/have no relationship in any way, as far as I am aware, to the original AZO balls or to Lanemasters manufacturing.
"None are so blind as those who will not see." "Some bowlers are crazy as pickled cats."