BR Track Forum Gone South????

[Brickguy221]

It seems that this Forum is not what it once was since Ebonite bought Track, Rick left Track and Carl seldom posting anymore. Up until the Ebonite buy out of Track, this forum was one of if not the most popular forums on the BR site, but not any more. Anyone else noticed this or is it just me?
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick

Edited on 4/25/2008 1:10 PM

[TheDude]

1 Release in an entire season doesn't make for much excitement. Honestly our shop was able to deal with the constant releases and now we are starved for new balls to put up on the walls.
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Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shops
LaSalle, Quebec
Located inside Pont Mercier Lanes.
Edmonton, Alberta.
Located inside Ed's Rec Room.(WEST ED MALL)
King Of Roto-Grip In Canada.
Keep them honest!


www.juniorsproshop.com(coming soon)

[FIG]

I would like to thank all of the faithful Track Legion supporters who have been with us thru thick and thin. It’s been a crazy year for us in our new home in Kentucky. I understand completely some of the feelings from some here. Change is tough and sometimes hard to adjust to. I want everyone to know that we listen to our customers and do our best to produce the best bowling products on the market. From time to time I feel compelled to post on the boards and this is one of those times.
              What has Track done in a year?
Moved a very large manufacturing facility and most of its equipment and inventory from San Antonio to Hopkinsville KY.  New products take development lead time. Three totally new cores had to be developed for the Track line; the old cores from San Antonio are useless in Ebonite Internationals process. New cover stocks had to be developed and tested to assure great products (WHICH THEY ARE). The manufacturing facility which ran one shift to build Ebonite and Hammer products had to be doubled to accommodate Track and Columbia. New pouring equipment had to be installed to keep up with demand. All this was done while never missing a beat in the production of Ebonite and Hammer products. Think of the magnitude of getting this done in the time frame that the people at Ebonite International did it in and that tells you the dedication of the employees in Hopkinsville.  
     On the marketing side the old Track web site had to be totally redesigned that doesn’t happen overnight. We signed 40 regional staffers and had the first ever staff training camp in Hopkinsville. We signed Mitch Beasley to our pro staff.  Attended 20 distributor trade shows. Conducted 40 Rising seminars all around the US, Europe and Japan.
The first on line live technical support chat forum in the bowling industry was developed and is up and running. We developed and tested a brand new bag line that will be introduced in June. Three new balls are in the process of being introduced and marketed. A new web site is being developed from the ground up. (YES AGAIN) We hired a brand new ad agency and feel for the Track brand our interactive web and forums are very important. The reason the Track forum is down currently is due to the development of the new site. I do apologize that it is not running but I feel if we can’t control outside influences such as spammers it is in our customer’s best interest to keep it down until we can keep them away. Over the next few months you will see the New Track brand rising back to the status we once held. Track is all about the people and all of you here are part of the team. I would like to say something about our current tech staff. Carl, Rob, Rick G and Michael are the best in the industry and are always here to answer any questions you have. If you would like to contact me directly you can reach me at pfigliomeni@trackbowling.com

Paul Figliomeni
Track Brand Manager

[Slopsurprise]

I used to love their pre-merger stuff but, from they way it is looking, stick a fork in Track, they are about done. It doesent seem like they are a high priority on Big E's list. Their stuff now is just so un-exciting.

[htownstaff]

We're nowhere near "forkable"

In my opinion we're stronger than ever.  We are more technologically advanced than we've ever been.  I liked the old stuff too, but the new Track has been great.  

Track is doing things with single density cores that San Antonio couldn't do with the "add-a-piece" cores.  We are the industry leader when it comes to core design.

I will surely admit that I was unsure of what was going to come of this transaction, but at this point I am confident that we are moving in the right direction.

Track has taken the steps necessary to build the brand...  

The staff has received further education from the brand in classroom and on lane settings.  Has anyone else in the industry taken that step?  Nope...but they wish they had come up with the idea and I'll bet there are other labels who will be running a similar program for their people this coming year.  All staff members are more than willing to answer questions and offer advice.  Just ask!  Ask here, BBE or trackbowling.com.  You will always receive a timely and accurate answer.

The website issue was touched on by Paul.  Rest assured, we will have a great website, but it's going to take a little bit of time.  

Paul also touched on the trade shows and seminars.  This is a busy schedule guys!  I've seen what Paul, Tech Support and the DSM's go through.  Long days of seminars and travel are lots of work.  It's no walk in the park.

Hard work and dedication is what this brand has always been about.  This same hard work and dedication, from top to bottom is what will drive us to the top of the industry.  Nobody out there is doing what we're doing.  It will continue to be this way as long as the brand is under Fig and the Ebonite umbrella.

As for the Rick issue, myself and the others have posted about this in other threads.  I don't see a need to keep digging this up.
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Brian Krantz
Track Advisory Staff
Building The Legion one member at a time!

[pnj1967]

htownstaff;

 If you read very carefully Brickguy only mentioned Rick leaving, THATS all he said about "Rick". ONE of your "OWN" TRACK Specialist is the ONE who brought it up AGAIN !!!

 It was     Guined       who posted  " As far as Rick that is a dead subject and Carl is now running three pro shops plus doing tech support for Track so he is an extremely busy individual."



It seems that this Forum is not what it once was since Ebonite bought Track, "Rick" left Track and Carl seldom posting anymore. Up until the Ebonite buy out of Track, this forum was one of if not the most popular forums on the BR site, but not any more. Anyone else noticed this or is it just me?

quote:We're nowhere near "forkable"

In my opinion we're stronger than ever.  We are more technologically advanced than we've ever been.  I liked the old stuff too, but the new Track has been great.  

Track is doing things with single density cores that San Antonio couldn't do with the "add-a-piece" cores.  We are the industry leader when it comes to core design.

I will surely admit that I was unsure of what was going to come of this transaction, but at this point I am confident that we are moving in the right direction.

Track has taken the steps necessary to build the brand...  

The staff has received further education from the brand in classroom and on lane settings.  Has anyone else in the industry taken that step?  Nope...but they wish they had come up with the idea and I'll bet there are other labels who will be running a similar program for their people this coming year.  All staff members are more than willing to answer questions and offer advice.  Just ask!  Ask here, BBE or trackbowling.com.  You will always receive a timely and accurate answer.

The website issue was touched on by Paul.  Rest assured, we will have a great website, but it's going to take a little bit of time.  

Paul also touched on the trade shows and seminars.  This is a busy schedule guys!  I've seen what Paul, Tech Support and the DSM's go through.  Long days of seminars and travel are lots of work.  It's no walk in the park.

Hard work and dedication is what this brand has always been about.  This same hard work and dedication, from top to bottom is what will drive us to the top of the industry.  Nobody out there is doing what we're doing.  It will continue to be this way as long as the brand is under Fig and the Ebonite umbrella.

As for the Rick issue, myself and the others have posted about this in other threads.  I don't see a need to keep digging this up.
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Brian Krantz
Track Advisory Staff
Building The Legion one member at a time!

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Enjoy the people on the ballreview.com forum. Like to help when I can.

http://www.visionarybowling.com/TESTpullout2.html

Users,  I wont deal with,  CBB and Bingham's Bowling Supply Online Bowling Store and read my profile.

[htownstaff]

Easy Paul...
I think Rick G was just trying to reply to each event that Brick brough up in his initial post.

As for myself, I wasn't fingering anybody for bringing it up.  I just think that what is done is done.  It's unfortunate, but there isn't anything that you, me or anyone else can really do about it but wish Rick all the best in his future endeavors.
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Brian Krantz
Track Advisory Staff
Building The Legion one member at a time!

Edited on 4/26/2008 4:35 PM

[Slopsurprise]

quote:We're nowhere near "forkable"

In my opinion we're stronger than ever.  We are more technologically advanced than we've ever been.  I liked the old stuff too, but the new Track has been great.  

Track is doing things with single density cores that San Antonio couldn't do with the "add-a-piece" cores.  We are the industry leader when it comes to core design.

I will surely admit that I was unsure of what was going to come of this transaction, but at this point I am confident that we are moving in the right direction.

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Brian Krantz
Track Advisory Staff
Building The Legion one member at a time!

Thats great but, it doesnt amount to a hill of beans of difference until people start throwing track again. Which, I dont really see them at all anymore and I used to see a ton of them. From a consumers perspective, nothing about what the brand is now, excites me or tells me to buy Track. It just seems like most of Ebonites resources are promoting Hammer, Ebonite, Columbia, and Track in last place in the Black sheep position by a good margin. When I see a difference, I will no longer say stick a fork in Track. As of right now, stick a fork in it.

Best of luck to you guys.

Edited on 4/26/2008 5:28 PM

[htownstaff]

It's got to be an area thing.  Around here, I'm not seeing hardly any of the new C300 or Hammer, but Track is definitely making an appearance along with Ebonite.  All of the brands have good stuff.  I just think it's a matter of preference.

Brand loyalty is big in this sport...The Legion, Sawheads, Hammerheads and The Nacion de Brunswick.  In order for us to really shine, we must win over some of those who are "brand loyal" to other companies.  This isn't an overnight project.

We are moving in the right direction.
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Brian Krantz
Track Advisory Staff
Building The Legion one member at a time!

[six pack]

I see alot of Hammer's in the Detroit area,no new Track at all.the rotos seem to be hot around here also.oh yeah,seen a few new Columbia's also...
BTW keep an eye on 900G if you like the old Track stuff.
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The harder I try the harder they fall

[trackenny]

Please everyone be patient!  Rome wasn't built in a day.  I promise Figs and the rest of his brain trust are working as hard as they can to get everything up and going.  I have seen and thrown some of the new stuff already.  Trust me, you guys will NOT be disappointed. It is great!!  Put your trust in Figs and the brand and you will be very pleased in the end result.  

Kenny Corley
Track Staffer

[Brickguy221]

quote:It's got to be an area thing. Around here, I'm not seeing hardly any of the new C300 or Hammer, but Track is definitely making an appearance along with Ebonite. All of the brands have good stuff. I just think it's a matter of preference.

Brand loyalty is big in this sport...The Legion, Sawheads, Hammerheads and The Nacion de Brunswick. In order for us to really shine, we must win over some of those who are "brand loyal" to other companies. This isn't an overnight project.

 

htownstaff, Track has never been popular around the area of Oklahoma where I bowl. If you want to buy a Track ball, the pro shops have to order it as they don't stock Track nor do the even mention-promote Track. Ebonite has been popular probably due to one pro shop that prefers Ebonite and thus pushes Ebonite. Ditto for Storm. Ebonite and Storm have presented Demo Days every 1-2 years. Never a Track Demo Day and with most people if a person mentions the name Track, they ask what kind of ball is that?

To sum it up and make a long story short, if Track wants to prosper, especially in markets where it is weak or people don't even know what Track is, then they are going to have to have some Demo-Days or something to get peoples attention. I know that using myself for example, after what has happened to Track the past 1 1/2 years or so, I would have to see some Track balls being used by others as well as trying one myself before I bought one, especially after all of the changes and turn over the past 1 1/2 years or so that Track has had. So the bottom line is.....if Track wants to prosper, they are going to have to address things like I have mentioned here
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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick

[Guined]

Brian how's it going?

You are correct about what I ment about Rick. The subject has been discusse in several threads so I don't know what else can be said.

pnj1967

I know what ever anybody says won't be what you want to here. I'm sorry there's nothing I can do about that. As far as Rick goes I respect his knowledge and ability to bring simplistic approaches to the game. He makes it easy for individuals to understand technical points of the game. Heck I had a good conversation with him about a month and a half a go. Discussing mine teams trip to Nationals. We did pretty well so I explained how we played the lanes and broke them down to score well. Hopefully he will be able to take that information to all the guys he has in the Legion group that are going to compete with him and use it to their advantage. Also if there is anything I can help you with just let me know.

I wish Rick all the best in his endevours. I know he should easily land on his feet running if he hasn't already.

Rick
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Rick Guined

Track Regional Staff Member
Vise PBA Regional Staff Member

[Billy Ray]

In my Shops in the past Track was realy never a big seller. WE had our share of devtoed fans, Myself included back in the day. I went away for a while was on staff with another company for about 4 years then made my way back to Track.

Now with that said I appreciate everyones concern about Rick and his departure from Track. However business is business and unfortunately you cant become concerned with it on a personal level. I doubt we will ever know both sides of the story so from my persepective that issue is dead and I appreciated Rick's knowledge and hard work.

With Respect to The Rebuilding of TRACK as a leader in technology I think Fig is doing a great job. You can't rush success its takes alot of hard work and dedication and it just doesnt happen overnight to be one of the best. THe sales force and staff members are working hard to promote the brand and its been a slow ongoing process in my area. People are warming up to the BRand in my area and not just because I am representing the brand. Others are drilling the balls and finding success with them. I am looking forward to the coming ball releases and new bags as well as the company becoming a regualr strong seller out of my shop as the new companies reputation begins to grow stronger and stronger. I believe we have the right guy leading the fight and he does things very smartly and methodically.

I am here also to field questions regarding the balls and many of you have talked to me in the past or emailed me and had great results. My dedication is to help you guys (and gals) better bowlers.




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Billy Ray
Track Pro Staff
www.raysproshop.com
"Let Us Help You Become More Competitive"

[Billy Ray]

My point was pointing out that Rick is valued in the bowling industry and with the BR readers as a valuable information source that is all and was not a comment from TRACK it was my personal 2 cents. If I got fired or quit my regular job or my staff position its nobody's business but mine and the Company. There were multiple points about the company and my personal thoughts in my post.

Billy Ray

 I was not going to comment on any of this, BUT if this Rick  "thing" is dead and buried, done, etc., why is it  always bought back by a Tack Rep., that is being paid by Track?

 Go back and read the posts it was only mentioned by Brick once about Rick leaving, but continually brought back by a paid Track Rep. It's almost as if Track doesn't want this to go away or some thing.

 
"Now with that said I appreciate everyones concern about Rick and his departure from Track. However business is business and unfortunately you cant become concerned with it on a personal level. I doubt we will ever know both sides of the story so from my persepective that issue is dead and I appreciated Rick's knowledge and hard work."

 



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Billy Ray
Track Pro Staff
www.raysproshop.com
"Let Us Help You Become More Competitive"

[htownstaff]

quote:Ebonite and Storm have presented Demo Days every 1-2 years. Never a Track Demo Day  

Track Demos have been a possibility.  They have been available in our area.  I suggest contacting the DSM for your area about a Track Demo.
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Brian Krantz
Track Advisory Staff
Building The Legion one member at a time!