Thought I would comment on this years Track releases to give some insight. Take this years releases for the first part of the bowling season. We have 7 releases. The Solutions are a 4th line. If you look at the Track catalog hitting the shelves now, you will see it is separate from the Heat/Slash series in the catalog. If yyou take you these 2 releases, Track is introducing 5 balls in the first part of the season to their three established lines. 2 Asy, 2 Sym, 2 Classic Perf. What did they release last year in the first part of the season-Rule, FAZ, HexPlosion, Xception, and Slash. 5 balls. Difference is 3 balls came out end of July and the X and Slash came out end of October/early November. In my book, by releasing them now it gives them more shelf time. For a pro shop operator, we like that. 2 years ago, if I remember right, Track release 4 balls in the first part of the season.
My conclusion
If Del and company did not start a 4th line, there would be only 5 releases, the same as last year. Additionally, Track has always been the leader in technology, etc since Del came aboard. Del didn't get to where he is today by being a follower, he has always tried, and has been, a leader. So, Track is trying something different this year. If it works, GREAT! If it doesn't, oh well. Try something different next year.
It is easy for me and anyone else sitting here to say Track is RIGHT tro do this or WRONG to do that, as we don't know budget restraints, sales goals, R&D, strategic plans, etc of what goes on behind the scenes of ANY COMPANY. Thus the reason why I never said anything about Big B moving to Mexico...on the surface, it looks bad to leave the USA...but behind the scenes...we have no idea what they are looking at or are confronted with, and it could have been a bigger problem if they stayed. We know this, some jobs for Americans may/will be lost. But, the bowling part of Brunswick was in a massive hole last year for cash flow. Lets say they decided to stay instead of move. They may have terminated some employees to help the bottom line. Lets say after a few more years, and a few more terminations, Brunswick decides bowling is no longer a good business decision, and they shut down operations, or at that time they decide to move to Mexico.If they decide to shut down operations,the PBA loses out, all of Brunswick's bowling division is out of business, their suppliers may have to lay off/terminate employees to compensate for this. It could have meant more jobs were lost in the long run to stay here than in the long term to move to Mexico. If they move down the line, maybe the conditions that were favorable for them to move now were not so down the road. They will probably be financing their new building. What if in 5 years the interest rate they can borrow money at is 15%....and today they could secure the same loan for 8%. That is a HUGE difference, especially in the uncertain markets of today. I am not defending their decision as I do not know everything that caused them to make their decision, however, as a college grad with a degree in Bachelors of Science of Business Administration-major Finance, we are taught to look not only at the present, but future outputs as well. To keep jobs in the long run, we may have to give up some now.
Clint
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Clint Daley-Owner
Lets Go Bowling Daley
Inside Hunt Club Lanes
Salem, Ohio 44460
TRACK ADVISORY PRO SHOP STAFF
http://www.trackbowling.com/
