BBM eNews

Hog Bristle

The United States imported 10,491 kilograms of hog bristle in November 2018, down 75 percent from 41,993 kilograms imported in November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 199,831 kilograms of hog bristle were imported, down 47 percent from 374,550 kilograms imported during the first 11 months of 2017.

China sent 197,772 kilograms of hog bristle to the United States during the first
11 months of 2018.

The average price per kilogram for November 2018 was $43.08, up 70 percent from the average price per kilogram for November 2017 of $25.34. The average price per kilogram for the first 11 months of 2018 was $36.56, up 68 percent from the average price per kilogram of $21.70 for the first 11 months of 2017.

Broom And Mop Handles

The import total of broom and mop handles during November 2018 was 1.7 million, up 42 percent from 1.2 million for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 17.1 million broom and mop handles were imported, down 1 percent from 17.3 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

During the first 11 months of 2018, the United States received 7.8 million broom and mop handles from Honduras, 5.5 million from Brazil and 2.7 million from China.

The average price per handle for November 2018 was 77 cents, down 25 percent from $1.03 for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months of 2018 was 72 cents, down 13 percent from 83 cents for the first 11 months of 2017.

Brush Backs

November 2018 imports of brush backs totaled 918,068, up 73 percent from 531,001 for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 5.2 million brush backs were imported, up 4 percent from 5 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

Sri Lanka shipped 2.4 million brush backs to the United States during the first
11 months of 2018, while Canada sent 1.7 million.

The average price per brush back was 43 cents during November 2018, up 5 percent from 41 cents for November 2017. For the first 11 months of 2018, the average price per brush back was 49 cents, down 4 percent from 51 cents for
the first 11 months of 2017.

Metal Handles

The import total of metal handles during November 2018 was 1.4 million, down 7 percent from 1.5 million for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 18.2 million metal handles were imported, down 11 percent from 20.5 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

During the first 11 months of 2018, Italy exported 7.3 million metal handles to the United States, while China sent 5.9 million and Spain shipped 3.9 million.

The average price per handle for November 2018 was $1.21, up 5 percent from $1.15 for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months of 2018 was $1.02, up 7 percent from 95 cents for the first 11 months of 2017.

– FINISHED GOODS IMPORTS –

Brooms Of Broom Corn Valued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 473,610 brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents per broom during November 2018, down 2 percent from 484,539 for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 5.8 million brooms of broom corn were imported, down 9 percent from 6.4 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

Mexico sent nearly all of the brooms to the United States during the first 11 months of 2018.

The average price per broom for November 2018 was $2.36, down 1 percent from $2.39 for November 2017. The average price per broom for the first 11 months of 2018 was $2.41, up 1 percent from $2.38 for the first 11 months of 2017.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Material

The import total of brooms and brushes of vegetable material during November 2018 was 138,556, down 48 percent from 267,300 brooms and brushes imported during November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 2.3 million brooms
and brushes were imported, down 12 percent from 2.6 million for the first
11 months of 2017.

Sri Lanka exported 1.4 million brooms and brushes to the United States during the first 11 months of 2018.

The average price per unit for November 2018 was $1.82, up 34 percent from $1.36 for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months of 2018 was $1.20, down 18 percent from $1.47 for the first 11 months of 2017.

Toothbrushes

The United States imported 88.7 million toothbrushes in November 2018, up less than 1 percent from 88.3 million imported in November 2017. During the first
11 months of 2018, 1 billion toothbrushes were imported, the same as for the first 11 months of 2017.

China sent 801.3 million toothbrushes to the United States during the first
11 months of 2018.

The average price per toothbrush for November 2018 was 26 cents, up 1 cent from the average price for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months of 2018 was 24 cents, up 9 percent from 22 cents for the first 11 months of 2017.

Hairbrushes

November 2018 imports of hairbrushes totaled 5.7 million, the same as for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 49.7 million hairbrushes were imported, up 3 percent from 48.2 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

China sent 49.5 million hairbrushes to the United States during the first
11 months of 2018.

The average price per hairbrush was 26 cents during November 2018, up 24 percent from 21 cents for November 2017. For the first 11 months of 2018, the average price per hairbrush was 25 cents, up 1 cent from the average price for the first 11 months of 2017.

Shaving Brushes

The United States imported 6.1 million shaving brushes in November 2018, down 22 percent from 7.8 million imported in November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 53.1 million shaving brushes were imported, down 5 percent from 56.1 million imported during the first 11 months of 2017.

China sent 35.9 million shaving brushes to the United States during the first 11 months of 2018, while South Korea shipped 8.7 million.

The average price per shaving brush for November 2018 was 15 cents, up 67 percent from 9 cents for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months of 2018 was 14 cents, the same as for the first 11 months of 2017.

Paint Rollers

The import total of paint rollers during November 2018 was 5.5 million, up 2 percent from 5.4 million for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 82.8 million paint rollers were imported, up 29 percent from 64.3 million during the first 11 months of 2017.

China sent 66.6 million paint rollers to the United States during the first 11 months of 2018.

The average price per paint roller for November 2018 was 54 cents, up 10 percent from 49 cents for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months of 2018 was 42 cents, down 11 percent from 47 cents for the first 11 months of 2017.

Paintbrushes

U.S. companies imported 21.4 million paintbrushes during November 2018, up
15 percent from 18.6 million for November 2017. Paintbrush imports for the first
11 months of 2018 were 282.9 million, up 18 percent from 238.9 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

China shipped 254.6 million paintbrushes to the United States during the first
11 months of 2018.

The average price per paintbrush for November 2018 was 31 cents, down
18 percent from 38 cents for November 2017. The average price for the first
11 months of 2018 was 29 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for the first
11 months of 2017.

Upright Brooms

The total import of upright brooms for November 2018 was 1.6 million, up 14 percent from 1.4 million for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 16.6 million upright brooms were imported, up 4 percent from 15.9 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

China sent 14.7 million upright brooms to the United States during the first
11 months of 2018.

The average price per broom for November 2018 was $1.64, up 7 percent from $1.53 for November 2017. The average price per broom for the first 11 months of 2018 was $1.41, up 13 percent from $1.25 for the first 11 months of 2017.

– EXPORTS –

Export totals for the first 11 months of 2018 were up in three categories outlined: toothbrushes, artist brushes, and paintbrushes, compared to the first 11 months of 2017.

In November 2018, three categories also reported increases, compared to November 2017: brooms and brushes of vegetable materials, toothbrushes and paintbrushes.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Materials

The United States exported 7,211 dozen brooms and brushes of vegetable materials during November 2018, up 30 percent from the November 2017 total of 5,552 dozen. Exports of brooms and brushes of vegetable materials during the first 11 months of 2018 were 81,622 dozen, down 1 percent from 82,377 dozen for the first 11 months of 2017.

The United States sent 47,035 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada, during the first 11 months of 2018.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $23.70 in November 2018, down 43 percent $41.40 for November 2017. The average price per dozen brooms and brushes for the first 11 months of 2018 was $35.51, down 4 percent from $36.88 for the first 11 months of 2017.

Toothbrushes

During November 2018, the United States exported 14.8 million toothbrushes, up 37 percent from 10.8 million for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 150.9 million toothbrushes were exported, up 22 percent from 123.8 million exported during the first 11 months of 2017.

The United States exported 39.6 million toothbrushes to Canada, and 28.4 million to Germany, during the first 11 months of 2018.

The average price per toothbrush for November 2018 was 51 cents, down 7 percent from 55 cents for November 2017. The average price per toothbrush for the first 11 months of 2018 was 53 cents, down 5 percent from the average price for the first 11 months of 2017 of 56 cents.

Shaving Brushes

The United States exported 533,504 shaving brushes during November 2018, down 56 percent from 1.2 million for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 15.5 million shaving brushes were exported, down 3 percent from 15.9 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

During the first 11 months of 2018, the United States exported 5.9 million shaving brushes to Brazil, 3.1 million to Canada and 2.8 million to Mexico.

The average price per shaving brush for November 2018 was $2.34, up 121 percent from $1.06 for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months
of 2018 was $1.28, up 21 percent from the average price for the first 11 months
of 2017 of $1.06.

Artist Brushes

November 2018 exports of artist brushes totaled 778,367, down 11 percent
from 874,367 for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 9.6 million artist brushes were exported, up 5 percent from 9.1 million for the first 11 months
of 2017.

Canada received 6.6 million artist brushes from the United States during the first
11 months of 2018.

The average price per artist brush was $3.67 during November 2018, down 5 percent from the average price for November 2017 of $3.86. For the first 11 months of 2018, the average price per artist brush was $3.66, down 4 percent from $3.82 for the first 11 months of 2017.

Paintbrushes

The export total of paintbrushes during November 2018 was 218,098, up 41 percent from 154,558 for November 2017. During the first 11 months of 2018, 2.3 million paintbrushes were exported, up 10 percent from 2.1 million for the first 11 months of 2017.

Canada imported 1.2 million paintbrushes from the United States during the first 11 months of 2018.

The average price per paintbrush for November 2018 was $5.76, down 43 percent from $10.02 for November 2017. The average price for the first 11 months of 2018 was $6.69, down 7 percent from $7.23 for the first 11 months of 2017.

November 2018

Click here for the entire November 2018
Import/Export Statistics.

Lambskin Specialties Celebrates Its
Original Dust Wand’s 50th Anniversary

Lambskin Specialties, a manufacturer of dusting and manual cleaning tools, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Dust Wand duster.

In 1969, Albert Schultz introduced the duster to the cleaning industry when he embarked on a road trip through the American heartland with his two young sons. He cold-called on distributors that summer, demonstrating his new creation and proving its effectiveness toward better dusting.

“Fifty years later, this item’s longevity proves that when a product is made with integrity, excellent design, quality materials and proven performance, it never goes out of style,” according to Lambskin Specialties.

The original Dust Wand design was based on the memory Schultz had of watching his grandmother clean furniture by wrapping lambswool around her finger. He experimented with how to effectively attach lambswool to wood handles until he perfected the design. The result was the Dust Wand duster, which enabled housekeepers to reach dusty surfaces with ease.

“Natural lambswool offers incredible dusting power. While a light static charge attracts dust, its web of fine fibers and natural lanolin oils works together to trap and hold dust particles, until the duster is spun to release them,” according the Lambskin Specialties. “Lambswool naturally conforms to furniture corners, crevices and carvings to effectively remove dust.

“As Schultz predicted, the industry embraced his new tool, and his company transformed itself from a small garment industry business to North America’s largest manufacturer of lambswool dusters serving the maintenance industry. Every Dust Wand is still manufactured in the company’s Winnipeg, Canada, factory.”

While Lambskin Specialties has adapted the original Dust Wand duster with different handles, lengths, pom sizes and colors, the design concept has remained true to its origin. Various configurations provide a multitude of dusting solutions, such as models which fit on utility handles (the Wall/Ceiling and Corner Boy models) for virtually unlimited reach to high surfaces.

“After 50 years, the industry still depends on the reliability of the Dust Wand duster, a simple design which is well-executed with quality materials,” said Myron Schultz, who
as a young boy accompanied his father on the Dust Wand’s maiden cold-calling blitz,
and is now celebrating its golden anniversary as the company’s president.

“Dad believed the Dust Wand would create a dusting revolution,” Myron Schultz added.
“It certainly did in 1969, and today it remains an industry dusting essential – often imitated but never truly duplicated. It gives us great pride to be serving this wonderful industry for five decades.”

Lambskin Specialties, originally incorporated as Schultz Fur Manufacturing, started in
the 1940s as a manufacturer of fur trimmings for hats and coats. In the 1960s, it
expanded to designing and creating sheepskin footwear and garments. Today,
according to the company, it is the largest supplier of dusting products servicing the maintenance industry. Its dusting products include a variety of Dust Wand dusters made with lambswool, synthetic fibers, microfiber and feathers, as well as a full line of floor dusting and cleaning tools.

Lambskin Specialties is headquartered and manufactures in Winnipeg, and ships throughout North America and internationally. See updates on the 50th anniversary celebration and view the complete line of Dust Wand products at www.Lambskin.com.

Filmop Highlights Its Jobby Dust Pan
With Swivel Floor Squeegee

Filmop’s Jobby Dust Pan with Swivel Floor Squeegee provides no-touch collection of wet and dry debris from hard flooring.

The replaceable dust pan rubber edge lays flat to the floor while the flexible squeegee blade (also replaceable) bends to eliminate gaps between the pan and floor for complete one-sweep collection.

The squeegee is easy to clean and disinfect. The swivel head reaches into low-to-the-floor, tight places.

Visit www.FilmopUSA.com for more information.

2019 International Home + Housewares Show
Is Scheduled For March 2-5 In Chicago

The 2019 International Home + Housewares Show is sold out with more than 2,200 exhibitors, according to the International Housewares Association, the Show’s owner
and operator. The Show, which takes place at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, begins
at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 2 and closes at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

“The high demand to be part of our world-class marketplace continues for IHA member suppliers,” IHA President Derek Miller said. “We look forward to bringing the industry together at the premier global housewares industry event.”

Show exhibitors are expected to come from more than 50 countries, and include 400 companies exhibiting for the first time.

This year the Show will focus, in part, on the growing specialty beverage movement, increased educational opportunities in the IHA Smart Home Pavilion and a continued emphasis on building careers in the housewares industry through the Experience Day program for college students.

The IHA Smart Home Pavilion expands to more than 30 exhibitors, presenting the future of housewares, and offers increased education opportunities. The Smart Talks stage will feature presentations from established experts discussing the rapidly evolving internet of things technologies, and how these developments impact the housewares industry.
Programs run Saturday through Monday, with sessions beginning every half hour.

Meanwhile, The Discover Design Expo, located in the North Building of McCormick Place, will feature nearly 200 companies and brands from all Show categories, along with Design Debut, which allows 12 new-to-the-Show exhibitors — whose products demonstrate high-design and innovation — to come and experience the International Home + Housewares Show without having to create an entire display.

A Toast to Trends reception on Sunday, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., will give buyers and news media attendees an opportunity to mingle with Discover Design exhibitors. This will take place in the Grand Concourse Lobby, near the 23rd Street Bistro.

Exhibitors can also vie for the IHA Global Innovation Awards (GIA) for Booth Design, which honor exhibitors for their booth presentations. The awards are based on creativity
in design, merchandising and messaging, and will be divided into two categories — exhibitors with booths over 300 square feet and exhibitors with booths 300 square
feet or less.

IHA is also helping to encourage the next generation of housewares suppliers by bringing college students to the Show with an Experience Day. Through Experience Day, students are exposed to the housewares industry by seeing the industry marketplace and meeting executives. This year, Experience Day will take place on Sunday, March 3, and 150 students are expected to participate. They will walk the Show floor and have breakfast roundtables with members of IHA’s Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC). Last year, about 100 students from colleges nationwide participated in the inaugural event.

Other Show highlights include: the New Exhibitor Preview with 90 first-time exhibitors, on Saturday morning; the Hall of Global Innovation, featuring the Show’s special exhibits, including Pantone ColorWatch, the IHA Global Innovation Awards (GIA) and the IHA Student Design Competition; the Innovation Theater, with 21 presentations exploring important issues including the connected home, global lifestyle trends and omnichannel marketing; and educational seminars led by IHA’s color expert, Leatrice Eiseman, and lifestyle guru, Tom Mirabile.

Also, a Power Hour, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday through Monday, offers exhibitors and buyers an opportunity to extend their meetings for an additional hour. Appointments for Power Hour are encouraged.

Visit www.housewares.org for more information and to register for a show badge.

West Coast Brush Manufacturing
Association To Meet In Santa Fe, NM

The 2019 West Coast Brush Manufacturing Association (WCBMA) meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6-9, 2019, in Santa Fe, NM. The event will take place at the Inn and Spa at Loretto (www.hotelloretto.com), which features a full-service award-winning spa, casual fine dining, onsite art galleries and boutiques, a heated year-round pool and a tranquil sculpture garden.

The Inn is located in the heart of Santa Fe, near the Palace of the Governors and
one block from Santa Fe Plaza and the Canyon Road Art District. Many museums,
restaurants and boutiques are within walking distance.

The meeting date coincides with the nearby Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, scheduled from October 5-13. A limited number of rooms have been booked a day before and a day after the meeting for attendees who wish to stay longer.

Attendees can contact the hotel’s reservation department at 1-866-582-1646. Access to the blocked rooms and special group rates can be achieved by mentioning either the group code “2019WCBMA” or that the person is with “WCBMA.” All reservations are due by Sept. 5, 2019.

Further details about the meeting’s agenda will be announced at a later date.
For more information, contact Industrial Brush Corporation (St. George, UT)
Vice President Gregory Tripp at 435-673-7500.