Columbia is the umbrella under which Track and AMF sit. yes, they all have their separate presidents and staff. however, everyone sits in the same office building just a few feet away from each other. Columbia inc. is trying to become a more unified group. by doing so, we think we can become a much stronger company. the old adage "three heads are better than one" applies here. or is that two? oh well, whatever it is, you get the idea.
one thing you can be sure of in this day and age of bowling and manufacturing, everyone makes damn good stuff. i mean everyone, Storm, Brunswick, Ebonite, Columbia, and the small market companies. the business is very competitive and everyone is out for their fair share of the market. i find myself running into sales guys out in the field more often. we are all doing the same thing, trying to promote the product we have to offer. with Columbia comes Track and AMF. i don't directly sell the other two, but if i can answer a question regarding Track or AMF i will gladly do so. i have also been supportive of other great balls i have come across over time. we all know how good the ultimate inferno is, or how good the X-factor series has become or the V-2. all great stuff, but we have ours as well. in my opinion, our gear is as diverse as any in the industry. Columbia, just like all the other companies, has had their share of dogs too. keep in mind that when i say dogs, it refers more to pro shop sales and not actual performance. remember the vector series or the orange dot? not good. more recently, maybe the Throttle-up or Formula. personally, i like the formula. what about a Fuze or Tude 1 or 2? Tude 3 actually sold well. how about the Trauma response or recovery? you know i can keep going on and on with every company. my point here is i'm not going to bash anyone. as a sales guy, i just promote my product line to the best of my ability. i have a job to do along with the rest of my peers. it is definitely something i take a lot of pride in and would do so no matter what company i support. in this case, it's Columbia 300. have you drilled one lately? i have and the stuff is awesome top to bottom. i do not feel there is a hole anywhere in the lineup. we have great covers, great cores, the stuff is just plain good! keep in mind that Columbia, just like Ebonite and Storm, is a bowling ball manufacturer. they all have to make balls to survive. Brunswick is a little different in that it is not their number one industry. from what i understand, they don't even have to show a profit. occasionally, all companies make a few too many balls, but it happens. all they are trying to do is make the best ball they can and survive. would Columbia still be around today if they stopped after the yellow dot? how about Storm after the Thunderstorm? what about Ebonite after the crush/r? even Brunswick after the LT-48? the answer is emphatically, no! you definitely don't have to buy everything. if you find one you like, buy a couple and put one away for a rainy day. for the pro shop operator, it becomes a closeout. that should be your dream product. something you can sell for 1/2 of its original selling price and still double your money. you can even charge for inserts and not get a dirty look. the game has changed and so has the business. all Columbia is trying to do is change and keep with the times. Columbia wants to and will continue to help the bowler and pro shop the best way they can.
sincerely,
bryan alpert
southwest sales
columbia 300 inc.
email-bryana@columbia300.com
