BBM eNews

Imports, Exports Down For The First Three Months Of 2020, Compared To The First Three Months Of 2019

U.S. government trade figures for March 2020 indicated raw material imports were down in three categories outlined: hog bristle, broom and mop handles and brush backs, compared to March 2019. For the first three months of 2020, raw material imports were also down in three categories outlined: hog bristle, broom and mop handles and brush backs, compared to the first three months of 2019.

Import totals for March 2020 were down in six of the finished goods categories outlined: brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, shaving brushes, paintbrushes and upright brooms, compared to March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, import totals were also down in six categories outlined: brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents, brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, paintbrushes and upright brooms, compared to the first three months of 2019.

Hog Bristle

The United States imported 1,204 kilograms of hog bristle in March 2020, down 90 percent from 11,918 kilograms imported in March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 31,048 kilograms of hog bristle were imported, down 49 percent from 61,228 kilograms for the first three months of 2019.

China sent all of hog bristle to the United States during the first three
months of 2020.

The average price per kilogram for March 2020 was $41.81, up 15 percent from the average price per kilogram for March 2019 of $36.37. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per kilogram was $24.70, down 39 percent from $40.62 for the first three months of 2019.

Broom And Mop Handles

The import total of broom and mop handles during March 2020 was 943,967, down 33 percent from 1.4 million for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 3.3 million broom and mop handles were imported, down 27 percent
from 4.5 million for the first three months of 2019.

During the first three months of 2020, the United States received 1.3 million
broom and mop handles from Honduras and 1 million from Brazil.

The average price per handle for March 2020 was 76 cents, down 6 percent
from 81 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the
average price per handle was 73 cents, up 3 percent from 71 cents for the first three months of 2019.

Brush Backs

March 2020 imports of brush backs totaled 243,855, down 39 percent from 401,454 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 825,715
brush backs were imported, down 36 percent from 1.3 million for the first
three months of 2019.

Indonesia shipped 387,938 brush backs to the United States during the first three months 2020, while Sri Lanka sent 251,305 and Canada exported 186,472.

The average price per brush back was 53 cents during March 2020, up 6 percent from 50 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price was 52 cents, the same as for the first three months of 2019.

Metal Handles

The import total of metal handles during March 2020 was 1.1 million,
up 44 percent from 762,983 for March 2019. During the first three months of
2020, 3.6 million metal handles were imported, that same as for the first three months of 2019.

During the first three months of 2020, Italy sent 1.4 million metal handles to the United States, while China exported 1 million.

The average price per handle for March 2020 was 92 cents, down 35 percent
from $1.42 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average
price per handle was 98 cents, down 20 percent from $1.23 for the first three months of 2019.

– FINISHED GOODS IMPORTS –

Brooms Of Broom Corn Valued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 494,707 brooms of broom corn valued at more
than 96 cents per broom during March 2020, up 1 percent from 487,409 for
March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 1.3 million brooms were imported, down 13 percent from 1.5 million for the first three months of 2019.

Mexico sent all the brooms to the United States during the first three
months of 2020.

The average price per broom for March 2020 was $2.35, down 1 percent
from $2.37 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average
price per broom was $2.34, also down 1 percent from $2.36 for the first three months of 2019.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Material

The import total of brooms and brushes of vegetable material during March 2020 was 240,564, down 52 percent from 501,032 brooms and brushes imported during March 2019. For the first three months of 2020, 585,698 brooms and brushes were imported, down 58 percent from 1.4 million for the first three months of 2019.

During the first three months of 2020, Sri Lanka exported 318,288 brooms and brushes to the United States.

The average price per unit for March 2020 was $1.19, up 38 percent from 86 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per unit was $1.12, up 70 percent from 66 cents for the first three months of 2019.

Toothbrushes

The United States imported 43.2 million toothbrushes in March 2020, down 42 percent from 74.1 million imported in March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 221 million toothbrushes were imported, down 24 percent from 292.4 million for the first three months of 2019.

China sent 153.6 million toothbrushes to the United States during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per toothbrush for March 2020 was 35 cents, up 30 percent from 27 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per toothbrush was 24 cents, the same as the average price for the first three months of 2019.

Hairbrushes

March 2020 imports of hairbrushes totaled 401,740, down 86 percent from
2.9 million for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 8.6 million hairbrushes were imported, down 35 percent from 13.2 million for the first three months of 2019.

China sent 8.4 million hairbrushes to the United States during the first three
months of 2020.

The average price per hairbrush was 27 cents during March 2020, up 1 cent from the average price for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per hairbrush was 25 cents, also up 1 cent from the average price
for the first three months of 2019.

Shaving Brushes

The United States imported 1.1 million shaving brushes in March 2020, down
42 percent from 1.9 million imported in March 2019. During the first three months
of 2020, 17.5 million shaving brushes were imported, up 22 percent from
14.4 million for first three months of 2019.

China sent 12.5 million shaving brushes to the United States during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per shaving brush for March 2020 was 17 cents, down 15 percent from 20 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per brush was 9 cents, down 18 percent from 11 cents for the first three months of 2019.

Paint Rollers

The import total of paint rollers during March 2020 was 4.2 million, up 17 percent from 3.6 million for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 16.3 million paint rollers were imported, up 2 percent from 16 million for the first three months of 2019.

China sent 12.2 million paint rollers to the United States during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per paint roller for March 2020 was 40 cents, down 30 percent from 57 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per paint roller was 44 cents, down 15 percent from 52 cents for the first three months of 2019.

Paintbrushes

U.S. companies imported 10.2 million paintbrushes during March 2020,
down 45 percent from 18.4 million for March 2019. During the first three months
of 2020, 48.8 million paintbrushes were imported, down 29 percent from
68.3 million for the first three months of 2019.

China shipped 44 million paintbrushes to the United States during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per paintbrush for March 2020 was 42 cents, up 50 percent
from 28 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per paintbrush was 34 cents, up 21 percent from 28 cents for the first three months of 2019.

Upright Brooms

The total import of upright brooms for March 2020 was 419,706, down 65 percent from 1.2 million for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 4.4 million upright brooms were imported, down 19 percent from 5.4 million for the first three months of 2019.

China sent 3.9 million upright brooms to the United States during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per broom for March 2020 was $1.87, up 9 percent from $1.71 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per broom was $1.28, down 24 percent from $1.69 for the first three months of 2019.


– EXPORTS –
Export totals for March 2020 were down in four categories outlined: brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, artist brushes and paintbrushes, compared to March 2019. For the first three months of 2020, export totals were also down in four categories outlined: brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, artist brushes and paintbrushes, compared to the first three months of 2019.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Materials

The United States exported 4,857 dozen brooms and brushes of vegetable materials during March 2020, down 9 percent from 5,322 dozen for March 2019. For the first three months of 2020, 17,028 dozen brooms and brushes were exported, down 36 percent from 26,672 dozen for the first three months of 2019.

The United States sent 7,575 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $41.31 in March 2020, up 10 percent from $37.59 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $41.97, up 25 percent from $33.54 per dozen for the first three months of 2019.

Toothbrushes

During March 2020, the United States exported 11.1 million toothbrushes, down 40 percent from 18.5 million for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 37.4 million toothbrushes were exported, down 18 percent from 45.5 million for the first three months of 2019.

The United States exported 12.3 million toothbrushes to Canada during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per toothbrush for March 2020 was 79 cents, up 65 percent
from 48 cents for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per brush was 73 cents, up 49 percent from 49 cents for the first three months of 2019.

Shaving Brushes

The United States exported 1.3 million shaving brushes during March 2020, up 57 percent from 827,720 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 4.3 million shaving brushes were exported, up 26 percent from 3.4 million for the first three months of 2019.

During the first three months of 2020, the United States exported 2.2 million shaving brushes to Mexico.

The average price per shaving brush for March 2020 was $1.10, down 37 percent from $1.74 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per shaving brush was $1.01, down 23 percent from $1.31 for the first three months of 2019.

Artist Brushes

March 2020 exports of artist brushes totaled 682,036, down 38 percent from 1.1 million for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 1.9 million artist brushes were exported, down 17 percent from 2.3 million for the first three months of 2019.

Canada received 1.4 million artist brushes from the United States during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per artist brush was $3.43 during March 2020, up 7 percent
from $3.20 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average
price per artist brush was $3.76, also up 7 percent from $3.52 for the first three months of 2019.

Paintbrushes

The export total of paintbrushes during March 2020 was 138,987, down 38 percent from 224,877 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, 426,960 paintbrushes were exported, down 32 percent from 629,591 for the first three months of 2019.

Canada imported 177,785 paintbrushes from the United States during the first three months of 2020.

The average price per paintbrush for March 2020 was $8.02, up 52 percent from $5.29 for March 2019. During the first three months of 2020, the average price per paintbrush was $7.80, up 36 percent from $5.74 for the first three months of 2019.

March 2020

 

Click here for the entire March 2020
Import/Export Statistics.

The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) hosted its weekly video
networking session on June 11. The sessions are designed to help the ABMA community share experiences and information as it pertains to operating businesses during the
COVID-19 pandemic. That includes how to make best use of the U.S. government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the CARES Act.

Information discussed during the June 11 session included:
■ ABMA Executive Director David Parr said the Small Business Administration
(SBA) has issued updated PPP guidance and loan application forms, following
passage of the PPP Flexibility Act, in early June.

According to an ABMA press release, “While the new rule does not address the
reforms to loan forgiveness included in the PPP Flexibility Act, it does implement the
bill’s change to allow businesses more flexibility in how they allocate PPP expenses
between payroll and nonpayroll costs.”

View the application revised on June 16, 2020:

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/PPP%20Loan%20Forgiveness%20Application%20%-
28Revised%206.16.2020%29.pdf

Instructions:

https://content.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/PPP%20Loan%20Forgiveness%20Application%20-Instructions%20%28Revised%206.16.2020%29.pdf

The release added: “Under the new standard, PPP borrowers must use at least
60 percent of their loan proceeds on payroll costs, a decrease from 75 percent. The
new rule also extends the maturity period for PPP loans made on, or after June 5, to
five years; for loans made prior to June 5, the rule allows borrowers and lenders to
mutually agree to extend loan maturity to five years.

“Going forward, NAM (National Association of Manufacturers) and ABMA will
continue to press the SBA to provide more clarity our members need on PPP
loan forgiveness, including timely implementation of the forgiveness reforms included
in the PPP Flexibility Act.”

■ Some participants of the ABMA video networking session on June 11 reported
that a few of their employees have been exposed to, or have come down with,
the COVID-19 virus, but for the most part, there have been no major
issues or outbreaks.

It was also noted during the meeting that some states have opened more public
facilities from initial shutdowns due to the pandemic, while other states have
recently reported a rise in the number of people contracting COVID-19.

■ There were participants who noted that demand for some of their products is
down, which can influence how, and when, they purchase raw materials. It can also
be hard to determine how long to run certain machinery during different
manufacturing processes, as companies try to be as efficient as possible.

■ It was also noted, among several participants of the June 11 video networking
session, how well they felt the online meeting process has worked in the wake of the
COVID-19 pandemic — especially when it comes to discussing general business and association activities.

SENATORS ANNOUNCE PROPOSED P4 ACT TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES

Additional help may be on the way for U.S. small businesses in the wake of continued industry disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several U.S. senators recently acknowledged their intention to introduce the Prioritized Paycheck Protection Program (P4) Act.

The bill — under the guidance of U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Senators
Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), senior members of the
committee — would authorize new lending under the existing Paycheck
Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
It would include sole proprietorships and self-employed individuals.

Under the proposal, P4-eligible businesses would be required to have already
expended an initial PPP loan, or be on pace to exhaust such funding, as well as
demonstrate a revenue loss of 50 percent or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If approved, requirements of P4 would be similar to previous PPP loans. That
includes a $2 million limit. Participants would be able to use as much as 2.5 times
their monthly payroll costs, the same as with initial PPP loans.

Other highlights to the proposed P4 act include:
■ Would allow borrowers to apply for forgiveness as early as eight weeks
after the loan was disbursed;

■ Not available to publicly traded companies;

■ Generally subject to the same terms, conditions and forgiveness
criteria as initial PPP loans;

■ Reserves the lesser of $25 billion, or 20 percent, of PPP funds for
employers with 10 or fewer employees;

■ Priority processing would be in place for underserved and rural borrowers; and,

■ Would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue guidance.

Jones Family Of Companies Hires Matt Buck
As V.P. Of Sales/Business Development

Jones Family of Companies has hired Matt Buck as vice president of sales and business development. Buck is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, and most recently served as director of sales for Performance Materials at Thrace-LINQ. Prior to that, he served as the national accounts manager for Owens Corning.

Buck comes to Jones with more than 15 years of experience in the industrial market sector. He has spent the majority of his career focusing on technical sales and sales leadership with the goal of developing new markets for organizations. While at Thrace-LINQ, he significantly grew sales in autotomotive, construction, and flooring within the industrial sector.

“Matt brings strong leadership to Jones, and he has vast experience in the technical non-wovens space," said CEO and President CP Davis. "We are excited to have Matt join our team with proven experience and effective leadership.”

For more information, visit Jonesfamilyco.com.

Abtex Has Updated Website:
Shows Surface Finishing Capabilities

“Abtex LLC has enhanced and released a new updated website, www.artifexusa.com,
that demonstrates expanded surface-finishing capabilities from its North American distributorship of Artifex polishing and surface-finishing products.

Abtex is a manufacturer of brush/machine deburring solutions for the manufacturing
industry. Artifex is a German company with its manufacturing history beginning in 1924. Abtex is Artifex’s exclusive North American distributor, and has been a strategic partner for metal products since 2005.

The company’s elastic-bonded abrasives, peripheral wheels, polishing and abrasive blocks, mounted points and ring cones, and custom products are widely used in the electronic and precision engineering sectors and many other industrial markets. Its tools are recommended for the finishing of heat-treated, carbon, and hardened steel and carbides; aluminum; non-ferrous and precious metals; sintered metals and cast iron; and plastic and wood.

For more information, visit www.abtex.com.

Dr. Sam Moyer Updates Broom Corn Project

The following updates, containing new information and equipment regarding the planting, harvesting and yields of broom corn comes from Dr. Sam Moyer, who partnered for many years with the late Dr. Henry Hadley to improve seed, yields and equipment.

Broom Corn Planter

According to Dr. Moyer, “This involves machine harvestable broom corn that I
developed with Dr. Henry Hadley, University of Illinois, 1983-2006 (see BBM Feb. 1996, hybrids showed hybrid vigor. Report of Dr. Sam Moyer: multicolor dwarf hybrids)."

“There are now many interbreeding varieties of broom corn with three genetic traits for machine harvest: 1. about 5-foot tall; 2. stem/(peduncle) 10-inches long (for lattitude for cutting machine); 3. 'exserted' (not much leaf covers brush for easy drying)."

“When Bart Pelton arranged to have this seed planted one year in a hot Mexican desert
(with irrigation), 90 percent of the brush was longer than 20 inches. It was bright green in color — when harvested before colors develop,” said Dr. Moyer.

“The three planters were bolted onto the row maker that was bolted onto a front tractor fork. The steel rods on the row maker allow 'no-till' planting with herbicides."

“This video was sent previously to BBM. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZR6BEBcyEo. This was designed for machine harvestable broom corn. Other broom corn harvesting machines have been made, but this is the first one that actually worked —
because the crop was designed specifically for it."

“See ‘Working On Adapting A Mini-Rice-Cutter for cutting broomcorn’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMzjAwkU4tA.

“Now it’s easy to produce broom corn in the U.S., especially in areas with no aphids,
and for craft broom corn. Limiting production is drying capacity
(under cover with no direct sunlight)."

“I would be pleased to tell more.”

Free seed will be available in April of 2021 (just pay postage). It will be cleaned,
screened for use in a radish-planting plate, and will be treated with "seed safner,"
if desired to use pre-emerge herbicide. Please order in August, so enough seed is saved.

Contact moyerbase@aol.com for more information.