Company description::
PLAINFIELD, Ill. (March 1) - Circle Athletics announced today that it will enter the domestic and international sporting goods market to provide premium, cutting edge sports gear to consumers.
In its initial launch, the company will supply new and innovative bowling products with a focus on apparel, balls and shoes. Product distribution will be via the company’s website, www.circleathletics.com, and in bowling center pro shops, which provide access to the more than 70 million consumers that bowl each year.
“We are going to offer high performance athletic equipment to both the recreational and avid bowler,” President Chip Zielke said. “The different and unique designs will bring a new look and performance element to the competition and the lanes.”
Circle Athletics products are currently available in the U.S. and Asia and are planned to hit the European market in the second quarter of 2004. After the initial bowling product offerings, the company plans to expand into other sporting goods categories.
As the founder and president of Circle Athletics, Zielke has more than 20 years of industry knowledge at every level of the business including marketing, management, operations and sales. He was Director of Marketing at Brunswick Bowling and Billiards Corporation and the Director of Sales and Marketing at Storm Products, Inc. Most recently, he was the vice president of strategic business development for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), where he managed Tour marketing and new business initiatives.
In addition to his accomplishments in executive management, Zielke was a professional bowler, coach and bowling center manager early in his career. He has also authored two books, Revolutions and Revolution 2.
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