Legion members,
I had two extensive conversations today (almost 3 hrs) with Ebonite and my Ebonite DSM (Dist Sales Mgr). Here's what I can say about our current status but subject to change at anytime.
Track will remain in Ebonite's future as a mainstream ball company. The name Track has been and still is a very strong and reputable ball company that they want to keep. We are NOT going away or going to disappear. It was conveyed to me that know that Track has a very good and loyal following that cannot simply be disregarded. I am personally very happy to hear this and thank Ebonite for taking this approach to help satisfy our highly diverse customer base.
In regards to new releases, Ebonite R&D has been testing our Phoenix (as newguy stated before) to ensure that product standards meet their requirements. If the ball meets their requirements, then they have to be able to duplicate the pours and mixtures for the ball since Ebonite creates their own pores. After that, the ball has to be submitted to USBC for approval under the Ebonite umbrella. With this being said guys, this will take some time. The San Antonio plant will be running for approximately the next 60 days to help fulfill other legal commitments and obligations.
One main thing that is currently in the process is interviewing and finding 2 brand managers for the divisions of Columbia and Track. The brand managers will be responsible for developing a business plan for each division and will then move forward with corporate approval. Much of what happens to each division will fall under the discretion of the new brand managers. This is primarily the reasoning for Ebonite to not be able to communicate to us what their plans are due to the fact that the brand managers have not been chosen yet. So please be patient guys, this is not a decision we want Ebonite to rush into. They want to make sure they will pick the correct and best people for the job and I second that.
Staff contracts: For all current staffers, a few things must happen. Since this was an "asset" buyout, any legal or binding contracts that Columbia Industries had is still theirs. It is not the responsibility of Ebonite and Columbia Ind. must terminate our contracts first before Ebonite can move forward legally. Even after our contracts are terminated, it does not mean that we will be working for Ebonite. The brand manager will decide what is feasible and allowable in his budget for staffers. I'd advise all current staffers to contact your Ebonite DSM and introduce yourselves and let them know of your intent. If any staff positions are opened up, it will fall back upon the DSM to choose who they want in their respective territories. Again, hopefully this helps explain much of why not much has been communicated to us. It simply couldn't, at no fault of Ebonite.
Last issue, Columbia Rewards Program: I know this has left a bad taste in many pro shop owners mouth including myself. This is the best way I can explain it. This was a program created and promoted by Columbia Ind. While we purchased products under this program, Columbia received the revenue and benefits of the sales, Ebonite did not. Many of us are now calling Ebonite to complain about the abrupt termination of the program yet it was not Ebonite's doing nor was it their decision to end it on Feb 6, 2007. This was a decision made by Columbia. So I expressed my feelings along with others about this that even though it was a decision made by Columbia, I no longer have any incentive to sell a White Dot or Scout which may hurt Ebonite in the long run. I was told then that they would take this to the table and then we'll see what happens. It really wasn't Ebonite's fault (and they don't have the revenue to disburse to it) but they may feel the grunt of it. We were (pro shops) backdoor-ed as many of the Columbia employees were in the past.
I can only express my sadness in this as I lost many good friends and people I worked for to whom I have the utmost respect and appreciation for. Del and Dawn Warren, Brian Purcell, Alex Rios and Nick Siefers(our Robo-Core designer) just to name a few. I was promised a position under the Ebonite family but we'll have to see if any staff positions will be available or not once the brand managers have been put in place. Regardless of my personal situation, I will still be here on BR to help people as I always felt that education in our sport is extremely crucial in assisting and advancing our fellow bowler. I apologize for the length but hopefully this helps answer some questions that have been weighing on our minds. Thank you for your patience.....
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Rick Leong - Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Intl. - Amateur/Pro Shop Staff
Vise Inserts Staff
Dexter Advisory Staff
www.Trackbowling.comTag Team Coaching - Co-Founder
See profile for Track Ball videos
*El Presidente of the Track Legion
Edited on 2/17/2007 1:38 PM
