BS portfolio firm in US merger

“We’re going to shake things up,” said John Walker, president and chief operating officer of AMF BowlingProducts, who will become president and chief executive officer of QubicaAMF Worldwide. “We will workwith our customers to grow their business and ours, and provide the tools to make bowling centers one of thepremier entertainment destinations in the world.”

The two companies have signed an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture that is expected to be finalized in45 to 60 days. In anticipation of the closing and to facilitate customer relationships, arrangements have beenmade for the two companies to begin selling each other’s products immediately.

The idea was first explored in 1999, but serious talks started after an affiliate of Code Hennessey & SimmonsLLC (CHS), a Chicago-based private equity firm, acquired AMF Bowling Worldwide in February of 2004.QubicaAMF Worldwide, which will employ over 600 people, will have worldwide headquarters just outside ofRichmond, Virginia, and European headquarters in Bologna, Italy, with a network of supporting offices aroundthe world. Joining Mr Walker in running the company are Emanuele Govoni, who was CEO of QubicaWorldwide and will act as CEO, Scoring & Technology Solutions Division and SVP marketing of QubicaAMFWorldwide, and Patrick Ciniello, chairman of Qubica and the new president at QubicaAMF Worldwide, LLC,the U.S. subsidiary of the new company.

Qubica, which was founded in 1993 with $10,000 of capital by three original partners, Roberto Vaioli, LucaDrusiani and Mr Govoni, quickly became a success. The company installed equipment for over 35,000 lanes inmore than 50 countries in just 12 years. Up to now, Qubica has been controlled by a small group of shareholdersincluding BS Private Equity and the original co-founders.

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