Behind the scenes at Bowltech
An article by your roving reporter Jerry Moll
In March, the KTBA was delighted to welcome Bowltech as a sponsor/advertiser supporting this website. Bowltech (previously named Complete Leisure) has been in the bowling industry for more than 20 years and has developed a Distribution and Technical Support network that spans Europe, the Middle East and beyond. They have one of the largest inventories (stock) of bowling related products in Europe and they install new bowling centres all over the World. They also assemble machinery, particularly ball drilling equipment.
Bowltech has recently launched its own TV Channel on You Tube. Go to www.youtube.com/bowltechuklimited
My first reaction was one of surprise as I hadn't imagined just how vast their quantities of stock are. Inumerable bowling related items from just about every major manufacturer are stacked from floor to (very high) rafters! How many balls do you think they currently have in stock? 500, 1000. 5000? No. About 17,000!!! Which one's best for you? Ask your Proshop expert!
Shelf after shelf is piled high with shoes, bags, gloves, ball cleaners, finger inserts and so forth. Several ball drilling rigs had just been delivered awaiting shipping to proud new owners! On the more technical side were countless spare and replacement parts, automatic scoring equipment and lane maintenance machinery. A veritable Aladdin's cave for any bowler interested in what goes on behind the scenes.
I was keen to visit their UK Headquarters at nearby Maidstone so I jumped at an invite from Matt Tomlin, Bowltech's Retail Sales Manager. Matt is responsible for stock purchasing and warehouse procedures and is the main contact point for ProShops. He is, of course, known to many as he bowls league at Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone as well as entering many tournaments
It was a wet and windy Friday that Rosemary (KTBA Council member) and I arrived at Bowltech with the requested donation of a packet of chocolate biscuits! There to meet us were Roger Whichelow, who is responsible for Logistics and Marketing and, of course, Matt. Sadly, I didn't get the chance to meet company founder, Nick Keppe, or Ross Gibson, Ross is Bowltech's Technical Services Manager specialising in Computer Scoring and Lane Maintenance equipment.
Having finished a warming cup of coffee, Matt and colleague Antony (pictured left) took us on a tour of Bowltech's extensive warehouse and technical facilities.
So, you've been to your Proshop and decided which ball is best for your needs but, horror of horrors, no 15lb in stock! Never fear, Bowltech will quickly respond to your Proshop's order and have a 15lb ball despatched pronto. It is very rare indeed for Bowltech not to have what you want, after all, remember those 17,000 balls!
Of course, bowlers cannot buy directly from Bowltech as they are a Wholesaler however they provide an invaluable service in supporting new and established Bowling centres and Proshops so that they can meet the needs of all bowlers.
