About Us

General Company Information

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Who We Are & What We Do
Turbo 2-N-1 Grips is a leading manufacturer of bowling insert products and accessories and offers more original products than any other insert company, including the original 2-N-1™ and 4-N-1™ insert, Urethane Thumb Solid, Clear ICE™ insert, Switch Grip™ Interchangeable Insert, Duo Color Thumb Solid and graphically enhanced skin protection and fitting tape called Tape Scapes.

Owner and inventor, Dave Bernhardt, 61, grew up in the Greater Detroit, Michigan area, bowling in local tournaments and leagues, including the nationally known Michigan Majors and Detroit All-Star league which spawned such well known bowlers as Eddie Lubanski, Bob Strampe, Gene Stus, Joe Norris and many others. He continues to bowl on the PBA Senior Tour and many other events throughout the country.

Bernhardt also owns Davalor Mold Corporation, a plastic injection molding company specializing in prototype tooling, CAD design and manufacturing. His love of the game and occupational expertise was the driving force behind the development of the original 2-N-1™ insert.

Often bowling upwards of 30 games a week between practice, league and tournaments, Dave and many of his friends suffered from trouble with their grip. Options for finger inserts through much of 70s and 80s were limited and most were simply too abusive and wore out quickly for Dave's style of release. Using the resources of his molding company, Dave decided to research and develop a product of his own.

The first 2-N-1 inserts were distributed in 1989 amongst fellow bowlers and pro shops in the regional area. While the new styles and textures offered greater comfort for bowlers, it was the patented "hot colors" that really captured the attention of bowlers and pro shops. Unlike other brands on the market which offered basic white or esh tone colors, Turbo was the first brand to offer Neon Pink, Yellow, Green and Orange inserts. The concept helped propel the brand into worldwide recognition.

Today, daily operations are managed by Lori Tessmar, Dave's oldest daughter. A graduate of Western Michigan University in International Marketing, she has guided the brand's worldwide growth. "It's been the perfect marriage of bowling and business. My father has bowled for as long as I can remember and has a tremendous knowledge of the game. Not as gifted in this area, I put my creative talents and marketing education to good use on the business end. It works very well for us." Lori leads the company as its President of Marketing & Sales and continues to branch out into new lines of accessories and services.

Since incorporation in 1990, many new products have been added to the line including a line of skin protection and fitting tapes (Power Supplies), interchangeable thumb inserts (Switch Grip), wrist support (Bulldog) and many other styles and colors of inserts. While product innovation, quality and service remains the foundation of their business, equally important is their support and commitment to the bowling community. Turbo 2-N-1 Grips is Registered Product of the PBA Tour, is a member of the Billiards and Bowling Institute of America (BBIA), of which Lori resides as a President, associate member of IBPSIA, the official grip of the Junior Gold, Ebonite Demo Day and Power House Training Clinics and has been an exhibiting member of the BPA Bowl Expo since 1995. "We take great pride in our active role in many trade associations, bowling programs and tournaments. We feel it is important to give back and promote the sport that has given us so much," says Tessmar. There's no telling what will come next. But one thing is certain it's bound to be marked with quality and integrity and supported by some of the friendliest people in the business.