Guest Author - Gary King

The year 2005 marks Ebonite's Centennial in the bowling business. As part of its year-long celebration of this milestone, the company has released two "classic" bowling balls, Puma and Nitro/R2.

"Prior to our birthday, we conducted several polls, including one on www.ebonite.com, asking consumers which legendary Ebonite balls they would like to see resurrected in 2005," said Ed Gallagher, Ebonite brand manager. "The Puma and the Nitro/R2 received the most votes and are being released with yesterday's looks and today's technology, a dynamite combination.

"The balls will be engraved with our Ebonite 100 signature logo, making each one a true collector's piece and a tribute to our century in the industry."

Puma, featuring a Modified Trimax™ reactive coverstock, uses a symmetrical light bulb shaped core to dominate on medium oil patterns. A sophisticated Copper Pearl color, Puma offers strong continuous backend motion and is available in 10-16 pounds.

Nitro/R2, available in 12-16 pounds, has a smooth, strong continuous arc in medium to heavy oil. A medium RG, medium flare version of the V2 code and modified Bomber® reactive veneer make this classic a contender for today's competitors.

Based in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally.

The mission of Ebonite International is simple -- to build the world's best bowling company. Their goal is not to be the biggest! The bowling industry's history is littered with companies who equated being the best with their size rather than their leadership, profitability and stability. At Ebonite International, they are at their best when they achieve positive results for everyone involved while maintaining the highest levels of integrity.

It means delighting their consumers and end users with exceptional products and services.
It means providing strength to their trade partners through mutually profitable sales and business programs.
It means maximizing employee satisfaction through a creative environment that instills passion and financial strength that provides personal security.
It means exceeding annual goals for equity growth and return on investment. Building smart programs and making smart acquisitions to act as a catalyst for a successful year, and they are not about to slow down.
Ultimately, it will mean that Ebonite International will continue to set new standards of excellence and innovation, will continue to grow along with their industry, and above all, never abandon their quest to be the best.

The advantages of being privately owned in a publicly held world are for all to enjoy. A major corporate virtue of Ebonite International is their private ownership. Their decisions are not subject to the shifting sands of Wall Street's quarter-to-quarter profit push. They have the flexibility and independence to focus on long-term business building decisions rather than short-term fixes that mortgage their future. As a result, their decisions, and their future, are placed solidly in their own hands. Private ownership also allows them to have a business structure like most of their trade partners. They understand their issues because they have them, too. They are more like you than you may realize.

A bowling industry leader for almost 100 years, the Ebonite brand is recognized around the world for its excellence in bowling balls, bags and accessories. Their sales and marketing programs rest solidly on their unparalleled experience in helping consumers bowl to win.

Ebonite International recently acquired the powerful Hammer brand and fully intends to re-establish the Hammer name. For serious bowlers who want a little attitude to go with their equipment, nothing hits like a Hammer.

Robby's, part of the Ebonite family since 1990, has stood the test of time and is now recognized for producing the finest quality high-performance bowling gloves and positioners in the world.

In 2001, Ebonite acquired Vantage, which manufactures and markets pinsetter and pinspotter replacement parts for Brunswick* and AMF** machines. Vantage rounds out a portfolio that cements Ebonite International's position as a full-service provider of bowling products and equipment that are second to none.

Part of Ebonite International's acquisition of Vantage Bowling is Vantech, which offers the most advanced technology in bowling center pinspotters, ball returns, masking systems, seating and tables, scoring and center management systems and synthetic lanes.

* Brunswick is the registered trademark of Brunswick Bowling Inc., and is in no way associated with Vantage Bowling Corporation.

** AMF is the registered trademark of AMF Bowling Inc. and is in no way associated with Vantage Bowling Corporation.

Ebonite International treat others as they would like to be treated. People make the diffence in their business. They honor their commitments and promises to co-workers, suppliers and customers without fail. They conduct all of their business relationships in a candid, fair, sincere, honest and direct manner.

They are a customer-driven company; therefore, they solicit, listen and profitably act upon customers' needs in a proactive and routine manner. They deliver products superior to those of their competitors in technology, performance, quality, durability and value. They do not ship products that do not meet their quality and performance specifications.

Above all, Ebonite International is committed to excellence. Their operational philosophy is one of continuous improvement that enables them to efficiently produce, market, distribut and service bowling products better than anyone else. Whatever they choose to do, they will always give it their best.

What can you expect from Ebonite International? Building the best is an ongoing and exciting process for them. Only when they achieve results that go beyond expectations without sacrificing integrity do they begin to consider a job well done. Therefore, their consumers and end users should expect products and services that are innovative and are of the highest quality. They should not just expect to be satisfied. They should expect to be delighted.

I could probably go on and on but I think you have the picture. Ebonite has been a name that has been around as long as I can remember and I have owned a few Ebonite balls ever since I started bowling. At the current time, I own only one Ebonite ball, a Predator Sparkle, and I bought that ball at a sale during the ABC National Tournament a couple years ago.

I have always felt that Ebonite equipment is among the best on the market and the shells on their bowling balls usually are extremely durable, among other things. How good is their equipment? Views and thoughts can vary on that from bowler to bowler, but as for me, I could not ask more of a ball than what I have found in the Predator Sparkle. Last year, at one point, I decided to have the ball resurfaced and someone I knew who was bowling with me in a Traveling League took the ball with them and said they would take care of it. When I got the ball back, I could not believe it because they thought I would like it better if it were dull. So they sanded it.

I did not like it sanded so I took it to another pro shop and had it polished back up again. But, you know what? A couple of months later, while bowling in a Senior League at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City, Iowa, I had a 300 game with that ball. It is an exceptional ball and one ball I would not sell for any money. I decided later to try to buy another one but was not successful as that ball has been discontinued. Ironically, another ball I have that I also had a 300 with, a Columbia WICKED, also has been discontinued. So, the two balls I have had 300 games with are no longer active.

I wish Ebonite well on their birthday and the very best in coming months and years. They will, I know, continue to flourish and move forward. Their technology seems to always climb to the top of the ladder and then find ways to add new rungs.

Ebonite International -- new standards of excellence and innovation born of a fiercely independent spirit that never settles for anything less than striving to be the best!