The History of QubicaAMF Bowling

The History of QuicbaAMF is about fun, bowling and entertainment for friends and families who enjoyed a life while having a nice conversation or bowl for a league for a weekly event.

AMF originated in 1900 as American Machine & Foundry, a manufacturer of industrial equipment. After experimenting in his garage, AMF collaborates with inventor Fred Schmidt in 1938 to refine his idea for an automatic pinspotter. The world’s first automatic pinspotter is introduced in 1946, revolutionizing the game of bowling. AMF then begins full production of the pinspotter in 1952, establishing itself as the leading manufacturer in the professional bowling market in general.

The AMF Bowling World Cup is founded in 1965, with the inaugural annual tournament held in Dublin, Ireland. At the time, the competition was known as the International Masters. AMF revolutionized bowling in 1976 by introducing the world’s first automatic scoring system, allowing bowlers to focus on having fun rather than maintaining score. Another year later, AMF develops the world’s first Surlyn-coated bowling pin. The AMFlite II pin has become the most acclaimed product in bowling due to its great reactivity and ability to boost scores. AMF created the first reactive urethane bowling ball in 1981. It provides bowlers with new power and performance directly in their hands. In 1987, AMF HPL (High Performance Lanes) established the benchmark for high-scoring, low-maintenance surfaces. The unique surface treatment reduces oil carry down, making play more consistent for bowlers of high skill level. Over a year later, AMF relocated its headquarters and manufacturing site from Shelby, OH and Long Island, NY to Mechanicsville, VA, where it remains today. Ultimately, in 1989, AMF introduces the first mechanical bumper system, the Gen II. Mechanical bumpers score with bowlers.

In 1993, AMF pins and lanes set record The Team Event record was set at the ABC Tournament in Tulsa, OK on AMF HPL Lanes and with AMFlite II pins. The record number of pins is still standing at 3,537. It was a Three friends, with one single idea. Understanding that bowling was entertainment as well as a sport, Roberto Vaioli, Luca Drusiani and Emanuele Govoni form Qubica to bring amusement innovations to bowlers and center proprietors worldwide. By 1994, Qubica has started rolling globally to expand the bowling company around the world. Guido Sorba, an Italian bowling distributor, sells over 400 lanes of Qubica scoring (10 times more than 1993) in Europe and the USA. In 1995, Guido, will become the fourth partner of Qubica Italy. In 1995, Qubicard, a software-driven, animated poker game featuring talking cards, capture league bowlers’ imaginations. The game has proven so successful, it’s included in all the next generations of system. In 1996, AMF and other bowling alleys has set more records. The record number of 299 (24) and 298 (14) games was set in Salt Lake City using AMF HPL Lanes and AMFlite II pins. Qubica has went global when Manu, Luca & Roberto grant distribution and the Qubica name to their US partners, giving rise to Qubica USA. This exciting partnership introduces Pat Ciniello and Rich Albright into the group. The next year, the three Italians, form another partnership with Frank Mascadri to form Qubica Asia and Qubica Australia. In 1997, Xtreme Glow-in-the-Dark bowling helps attract a whole new generation of bowlers with lights, music and fun for families, college students and casual bowlers. Qubica introduces automatic lane bumpers interfaced with the scoring system so that the bumpers will go up and down, accommodating both children, adults and people with disabilities can all enjoy to be on the same lane. On that same year, Bowland was introduced when Proprietors update existing scoring systems and offer their customers the entertainment power of Bowland—Tic Tac Toe, Qubes, Slot, and Pogo Pin, visual Lottery games—with sound & industry-first true 3D character animations. AMF has become the first company to offer a glow pattern in their synthetic lanes in 1999, with HPL Glow Track Lanes. The innovation continues when Qubica starts the development of the first Bowler Entertainment System (BES), the future of automatic scoring systems. It’s developed to grow over the years, in the order to meet the challenges of the future. In addition, Conqueror, the most advanced Windows-based total center control system, now operating in thousands of centers worldwide, is introduced in 2000.

Where Has the twenty-first century transformed the world in every way, including bowling with the next generation of software firms that collaborated with QubicaAMF? Perfect games launched a competition in 2002. AMF HPL Lanes with AMFlite II pins set yet another ABC Tournament record in Billings, Montana. This time, 64 games with perfect 300s and ten 800 series were bowled. Qubica has grown through acquisitions. Qubica purchases FENIX/MENDES Corporation, drawn to the parallels between the amusement and bowling businesses and eager to become a new center package supplier. The company then discusses its exciting line of traditional and miniature bowling items and how they might assist bowling center owners improve revenue. After just nine years, Qubica has established itself as one of the world’s few full-service bowling providers. In 2003, Qubica presents its new product line, which includes the Bowler Entertainment System (BES), under the creative name Program X. The collection of business solutions and products offers market segment-specific bowling experiences to all customer types. In 2004, AMF held their 40th annual Bowling World Cup in Singapore, with 95 countries participating and 8 perfect games bowled. The management team is quietly studying the merger with AMF, and excitement is growing. In 2005, legendary Dick Weber, an AMF ambassador for nearly 50 years, leaves a legacy to the sport of bowling. He was chosen for the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975, and he won 26 PBA tours. He was also recognized to the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame. Later On June 14, 2005, industry giants AMF Bowling Products and Italian-based Qubica Worldwide announced their partnership. As a result of this strategic agreement, QubicaAMF Worldwide is now one of the world’s largest manufacturers of bowling and amusement equipment. In 2007, QubicaAMF pioneered turnkey marketing and training programs for centers. These included themed birthday party packages integrated with the Bowler Entertainment System (BES), a Web Reservation program for online lanes booking, and a points-based Loyalty Rewards program integrated with Conqueror Pro. One year later, bowling alleys with outdated automatic scoring systems can access the power of the Conqueror Pro Center Management System via Conqueror Universal—without having to acquire all new scoring. In 2009, QubicaAMF introduced the bowling industry to On-Lane Redemption. Bowlers receive tickets for strikes, spares, splits, and high games—you name it! Tickets are distributed along the lanes and can be utilized in combination with a facility’s redemption scheme. The 45th Bowling World Cup in Melaka, Malaysia, promises to include live internet scoring. Conqueror Pro allows spectators from all around the world to monitor bowlers’ scores in real time on the QubicaAMF website.

In 2010, QubicaAMF is the first to team with BPAA to incorporate its popular youth-oriented Bowlopolis® program into its Bowler Entertainment System (BES). With over 65 animations, now centers that use the Bowlopolis® program can bring it to life with the dedicated Bowlopolis® environment within Bowler Entertainment System (BES). As the extension of the Bowling Center Management School, QubicaAMF launches a dedicated Marketing Seminar and holds the first event in Kuala Lumpur. The Tech Support Customer Portal was created, by A dedicated, self-help area of the QubicaAMF website, it provides customers online access to product related technical information such as Training Modules, Troubleshooting Guides, How-To Videos, Manuals and Parts Catalogs. In 2011, The 2011 Bowling U.S. Women’s Open will be held midfield Dallas Cowboys Stadium, marking the first time in the history of the sport that a women’s major professional bowling event will be held in a traditional sporting venue. The event will feature SPL Lanes. After years of extensive research and development, in 2012, QubicaAMF introduces the new XLi EDGE Pinspotter, designed to make business easier for proprietors, technicians and customers by solving the most pressing challenges centers face with pinspotters. On that same year the addition was to represent the full line of QubicaAMF products in Denmark and Sweden, Bowltech becomes a full-line distributor for the Benelux Union— Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and begins serving as the Master Distributor for our aftermarket products throughout Europe. In 2013, the release of BES X—the world’s only Bowler Entertainment System, centers can grow their business by maximizing every aspect of what makes bowling appealing. BES X delivers more fun, more ways to socialize and more competitive excitement, while making bowling easier, more comfortable and relaxing for all customer segments. While helping the operators to take full advantage of the programs and features of BES X’s scoring and management systems, MAX Training was introduced. This innovative training approach provides enhanced operational efficiencies, streamlined processes, plus improved system and product utilization, empowering centers to maximize business results. In 2014 Harmony furniture line was introduced and it was The world’s only total front-end turnkey furniture solution designed with the bowling business in mind, Harmony features a reconfigurable design that gives operators complete freedom to build the exact settee arrangement they need. Furniture, masking and ball returns all coordinate to create a unique, custom look to match the vision of any center. On that same year, Virtual Marketing Manager has launches while it was Designed to combine expert marketing consultation with ease and convenience of the web, Virtual Marketing Manager is received with great fanfare. It offers a simple yet highly effective approach to in-center marketing that helps a center execute marketing plans and achieve profitable results—time and time again.

In 2010, QubicaAMF became the first to collaborate with BPAA to implement the popular youth-oriented Bowlopolis® program into their Bowler Entertainment System (BES). Now that Bowlopolis® has over 65 animations, centers using the program may bring it to life with the Bowlopolis® environment included within the Bowler Entertainment System (BES). As an extension of the Bowling Center Management School, QubicaAMF launches a dedicated Marketing Seminar, with the first event taking place in Kuala Lumpur. The customer portal for tech support was made by Customers can access product-related technical information online, including training modules, troubleshooting guides, how-to videos, manuals, and parts catalogs, by visiting a dedicated self-help section of the QubicaAMF website. The 2011 Bowling U.S. Women’s Open will take place in Dallas Cowboys Stadium’s midfield in 2011, which will be the first time ever that a major professional bowling event for women will take place in a traditional sporting stadium. SPL Lanes will be present during the event. In 2012, QubicaAMF unveiled the new XLi EDGE Pinspotter, which was created to solve the most important issues centers encounter with pinspotters and simplify operations for owners, technicians, and clients after years of intensive research and development. In addition, Bowltech became a full-line distributor for the Benelux Union, which includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and started acting as the master distributor for our aftermarket products across all of Europe in that same year. The addition was to represent the entire line of QubicaAMF products in Denmark and Sweden. With the introduction of BES X in 2013, the world’s first Bowler Entertainment System, centers can expand their clientele by capitalizing on all the aspects that make bowling an alluring pastime. Bowling has never been easier, more comfortable, or more relaxing thanks to BES X, which also offers greater socializing opportunities, competitive excitement, and enjoyment for all customer groups. The introduction of MAX Training assisted the operators in fully utilizing the features and programs of BES X’s scoring and management systems. With the help of this cutting-edge training methodology, centers can achieve optimal business outcomes through increased operational efficiencies, simpler procedures, and better system and product use. The Harmony furniture line was debuted in 2014 as the world’s only comprehensive front-end turnkey furniture solution developed with the bowling industry in mind. Harmony boasts a customizable design that allows operators to create the precise settee arrangement they require. Ball returns, furniture, and masking work together to create a special, personalized aesthetic that fits each center’s concept. Virtual Marketing Manager was launched in the same year, however it was Virtual Marketing Manager, which combines professional marketing advice with the simplicity and convenience of the internet, is well-received. It provides a straightforward yet incredibly powerful method for in-center marketing that aids in the execution of marketing strategies and consistently yields lucrative outcomes for a center.

QubicaAMF supports the 50th annual Bowling World Cup in Wroclaw, Poland at Sky Bowling Centre, which features our new Harmony furniture line and BES X scoring. Clara Juliana Guerroro of Colombia and Chris Barnes of the United States of America won the championship. While the new attractions were unveiled at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, QubicaAMF introduced the new Highway66 Mini Bowling system, which is available in eight different themes, as well as The Suite Spot, which combines Highway66 Mini Bowling, our Harmony furniture collection, and BES X scoring into a lounge concept aimed at FECs. Qubica legacy partners Roberto Vaioli, Luca Drusiani, Emanuele Govoni, Guido Sorba, Pat Ciniello, Frank Mascadri, and Rich Albright reach an agreement with Bowlmor AMF to purchase ownership of the company. After nearly a decade in existence, QubicaAMF will be owned by a single private entity. In 2015, Over 350 centers worldwide now employ BES X—the world’s first Bowler Entertainment System—to boost player engagement, create repeat business, and reach new demographics while still appealing to league customers. These centers report an average 20% increase in revenue during the first year of deploying the system. Highway 66’s many games and themed mini-bowling environments cater to every client segment and age range, making it an ideal fit for BES X, the world’s only Bowler Entertainment System. As a result, QubicaAMF integrated this mini-bowling product into our renowned scoring system, allowing operators to expand and drive their birthday and corporate event businesses.

After a year, QubicaAMF achieves unprecedented success with BES X, revolutionizing the bowling experience for 550 locations in 438 cities around 62 countries, with 9,800 lanes and about 50 million games played. After the system is installed, operators claim tremendous gain in revenue and expansion of their businesses.

Conclusion of the History of Bowling

QubicaAMF has over 100 years of experience and can provide the perfect combination of bowling equipment, products, and services for new or existing bowling entertainment centers, FECs, Cinemas, or any other facility in the hospitality, retail, or restaurant industry. Our ongoing mission is Making Bowling Amazing. We are convinced that bowling has so much more potential to attract and entertain even more people. With our products, we will help our customers fully unleash that potential.

The company has U.S. headquarters in Richmond, Virginia and European headquarters in Bologna, Italy.

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