Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced last week that Wilbur Products, operating under the Motiv Bowling brand, plans to acquire a new 96,000-square-foot facility in Roosevelt Park to address increasing market demand. This investment marks the bowling ball manufacturer's business expansion in Michigan, aimed at enhancing production capacity and efficiency.
Headquartered in Michigan, Motiv Bowling currently employs 43 staff across its facilities in Spring Lake and Roosevelt Park. In recent years, the company has achieved a 20% growth in sales, with rising market demand prompting efforts to increase output and optimize manufacturing processes. The introduction of the new facility will directly support this goal.
This $8.975 million expansion project is expected to create 90 new jobs, with a starting wage of $24 per hour plus benefits, exceeding the local median wage of $22.61. The new facility will be renovated specifically for bowling ball manufacturing and export logistics center operations, equipped with advanced tools such as locally sourced robots, CNC milling machines and lathes, custom grinders, and polishing equipment.
Motiv's existing facility, located just two miles from the new production site, will be retained for research and development activities. The company has also received a $540,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund through the Michigan Business Development Program to support this expansion.
As the sole manufacturer participating in all Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tournaments during the 2025 season, Motiv Bowling holds significant influence within the industry. Players using its equipment have won over half of the PBA championship titles in the same period, highlighting the product's competitiveness.
According to Fortune Business Insights data, the global bowling market size reached $2.69 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $3.47 billion by 2032, with North America holding a 38.28% market share. Market Reports World indicates that North America, as a global hub for bowling sales, contributes 43% of total sales. In 2021, approximately 67 million players in the United States frequented over 5,000 venues, with new players such as student athletes purchasing 2-3 balls annually.
