Brunswick Corporation: Bowling Division Owner

Brunswick Corporation, formerly known as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, is an American company that has been manufacturing and marketing a wide variety of products since 1845. The company was founded by John Moses Brunswick, who built his first billiards table in 1845 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the years, Brunswick expanded its business to include bowling equipment and centres, with the bowling division being established in the 1880s. In 2014, Brunswick Corporation announced its intention to exit the bowling business, and by 2015, it had completed its departure from the industry, selling its bowling centres and equipment divisions to Bowlmor AMF (now known as Bowlero Corporation) and BlueArc Capital Management, respectively. Despite no longer owning the bowling centres that bear its name, Brunswick Corporation's legacy in the sport remains, having played a pivotal role in the global growth of bowling and the standardisation of its rules.

Brunswick Corporation's history

The history of Brunswick Corporation dates back to 1845 when John Moses Brunswick, a Swiss immigrant, founded the company as a woodworking shop in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally, the company focused on making carriages, but soon expanded into manufacturing billiard tables. Over the years, the company grew and diversified into various product lines, including bowling equipment, boats, marine engines, phonographs, and tyres.

In the early 20th century, Brunswick Corporation, then known as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, expanded its product line to include diverse items such as toilet seats, automobile tyres, and phonograph records. During World War II, the company contributed to the war effort by manufacturing small target-drone aircraft for the US military.

In the post-war era, Brunswick introduced the automatic pinsetter for bowling, revolutionising the sport. The company continued to innovate and diversify, entering the boating and yacht business in the 1980s and acquiring several well-known brands, including Sea Ray, Bayliner, and Boston Whaler.

Throughout its history, Brunswick Corporation has been characterised by its willingness to diversify and adapt to changing markets. It has survived economic downturns and emerged as a leader in the recreational and leisure industry, with a strong presence in the marine and boating sectors.

Bowling equipment manufacturing

US Bowling is another prominent name in the industry, known for its commitment to enhancing the bowling experience. They offer a diverse range of meticulously crafted bowling lanes, top-of-the-line pinsetters and scoring systems, and lane maintenance products. Their customisation services allow customers to create unique bowling environments tailored to their preferences.

QubicaAMF, a leader in bowling manufacturing, boasts one of the largest R&D teams in the industry. They offer innovative products for new and existing bowling and entertainment centres, with a presence in 90 countries. Their product line includes scoring systems, management systems, furniture and design elements, lane care supplies, and more.

Funk Bowling, a family-owned business, has over 130 years of experience in bowling equipment manufacturing and installation. They specialise in string pinsetters, duckpin bowling, mini bowling, and custom design. Funk has completed projects worldwide, including installations in the US, the UK, Japan, and Morocco.

Ebonite International, established in 1905, is known for its top-quality bowling products, including balls, bags, shoes, and accessories. Their subsidiary, Columbia 300, is also a leading manufacturer of high-quality bowling equipment.

DV8 Bowling stands out for its innovative and bold designs, catering to bowlers seeking a unique experience. Hammer Bowling, established in the 1980s, is known for its power and precision, crafting elite bowling equipment. Flying, a Chinese company established in 2006, offers a range of bowling equipment, including Standard Bowling, Duckpin Bowling, and Mini Bowling.

Bowling rules standardisation

Bowling is a popular recreational and professional sport played by 120 million people in over 90 countries. The standard rules of bowling are outlined by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), which acts as the national governing body of bowling in the US and is recognised by the US Olympic Committee.

The Basics

Bowling involves rolling a ball down a lane to knock over pins at the end of the lane. The lane is typically made of wood or synthetic material and is 60 feet long from the foul line and 41-42 inches wide. There are 10 pins at the end of the lane, placed one foot apart from each other. The aim is to knock down as many pins as possible.

Scoring

Each game consists of 10 frames. In each frame, the player gets two attempts to knock down all ten pins. If all the pins are knocked down in the first attempt, it is called a strike. If the player misses at least one pin in the first attempt but knocks them all down in the second attempt, it is called a spare. If a player bowls a strike in the tenth frame, they get two more attempts in that frame. If they get a spare in the final frame, the player gets one more attempt.

The maximum score during a bowling match is 300. This can be achieved by obtaining a maximum score of 30 points in each of the ten frames by accomplishing a strike in each of the first nine frames and three strikes within the tenth frame. This is known as a perfect game.

Fouls

The foul line marks the start of the lane, separating it from the approach area. The bowler must not cross the foul line or they will not get credit for fallen pins. The player must also release the ball from behind the foul line. If the ball enters the gutter, it is considered out of bounds and any pins knocked over will not count towards the player's score.

Variations

While ten-pin bowling is the most common form of bowling in the US, there are several other variations of the game, including nine-pin bowling, five-pin bowling, duckpin bowling, and candlepin bowling.

Bowling's global growth

Bowling is a popular sport and recreational activity played by 120 million people in more than 90 countries, including 70 million in the United States alone. The global bowling market size was valued at USD 1020.73 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.52% during the forecast period, reaching USD 1331.09 million by 2028. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing popularity of bowling as a recreational activity, the rise of bowling alleys, and the sport's ability to cater to people of all ages and skill levels.

The history of bowling can be traced back to ancient times, with the earliest known forms of the game dating back to ancient Egypt. Over time, bowling has evolved and spread worldwide, with different variations emerging, such as ten-pin bowling, nine-pin bowling, candlepin bowling, duckpin bowling, and five-pin bowling. The game was also influenced by ancient German religious rituals and gained popularity among German-American circles in the 19th century.

In the 20th century, bowling experienced significant growth, especially in the United States. The American Bowling Congress (ABC) was formed in 1895, creating a unified set of rules for ten-pin bowling. The sport's popularity continued to surge in the 1950s, with the establishment of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) in 1958 and the introduction of automatic pinsetter machines, which eliminated the need for pinboys.

Bowling has also gained international recognition, with the establishment of the International Bowling Association (IBA) in 1926 and the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) in 1952. The FIQ became the official world governing body for bowling in 1979 and was renamed the International Bowling Federation in 2020. The sport has been featured in several international competitions, including the Pan American Games and the Commonwealth Games.

To cater to the growing demand for bowling, bowling alleys have also evolved, offering better food options, arcade games, and upgraded lanes. Luxury bowling alleys with multiple entertainment options are driving the sport's popularity, especially among younger generations. Additionally, technological innovations have made bowling more accessible to people with disabilities.

Brunswick Bowling's sale

Brunswick Corporation, formerly known as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, is an American corporation that has been developing, manufacturing, and marketing a wide variety of products since 1845. The company was founded by John Moses Brunswick, who built his first billiards table in 1845 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the years, the company expanded its product line to include bowling equipment and centres.

However, in 2014, Brunswick Corporation announced its intention to exit the bowling business, citing a desire to focus on its core marine and fitness businesses. The company agreed to sell its bowling centre business to competitor Bowlmor AMF (now known as Bowlero Corporation) for $270 million. The sale included 85 bowling centres in the US and Canada and was completed in September 2014.

The following year, in May 2015, Brunswick completed its exit from the bowling business by selling its bowling equipment and products division to BlueArc Capital Management, a private investment firm. BlueArc continues to produce bowling balls under the Brunswick and DV8 brand names.

The decision to sell the bowling business came as a shock to many in the industry, as Brunswick had been synonymous with bowling for over a century. The company had played a pivotal role in standardising the rules of the game and was responsible for innovations such as automatic pinsetters. Despite the sale, the Brunswick name continues to be associated with bowling through the use of the brand by BlueArc.

The sale of the bowling business allowed Brunswick Corporation to focus on its marine and fitness businesses, which provided 92% of the company's net revenues in 2013. The company continues to operate in 24 countries and employs over 13,000 people.

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