BBM eNews

Hog Bristle

The United States imported 11,342 kilograms of hog bristle in April 2019, up 210 percent from 3,660 kilograms imported in April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 72,630 kilograms of hog bristle were imported, up 26 percent from 57,789 for the first four months of 2018.

China sent all the hog bristle to the United States during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per kilogram for April 2019 was $26.93, down 17 percent from the average price per kilogram for April 2018 of $32.44. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per kilogram was $38.48, up 29 percent from $29.74 for the first four months of 2018.

Broom And Mop Handles

The import total of broom and mop handles during April 2019 was 1.2 million, down 25 percent from 1.6 million for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 5.8 million broom and mop handles were imported, down 6 percent from
6.2 million for the first four months of 2018.

During the first four months of 2019, the United States received 2.9 million broom and mop handles from Honduras and 1.7 million from Brazil.

The average price per handle for April 2019 was 75 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per handle was 72 cents, down 3 percent from 74 cents for 2018.

Brush Backs

April 2019 imports of brush backs totaled 454,918, down 7 percent from 491,727 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 1.8 million brush backs were imported, the same as for 2018.

Indonesia shipped 634,778 brush backs to the United States during the first
four months 2019, while Sri Lanka sent 624,700 brush backs and Canada
exported 507,710.

The average price per brush back was 42 cents during April 2019, down 5 percent from 44 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price was 50 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for the first four months of 2018.

Metal Handles

The import total of metal handles during April 2019 was 1.2 million, down
48 percent from 2.3 million for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019,
4.8 million metal handles were imported, down 36 percent from 7.5 million for the first four months of 2018.

During the first four months of 2019, Italy sent 1.9 million metal handles to the United States, while China exported 1.7 million.

The average price per handle for April 2019 was $1.26, up 66 percent from 76 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per handle was $1.24, up 28 percent from 97 cents for the first four months of 2018.

– FINISHED GOODS IMPORTS –

Brooms Of Broom Corn Valued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 425,711 brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents per broom during April 2019, down 24 percent from 561,715 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 2 million brooms were imported, the same as for the first four months of 2018.

Mexico sent nearly all the brooms to the United States during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per broom for April 2019 was $2.34, down 2 percent from $2.39 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per broom was $2.35, down 4 percent from $2.45 for the first four months of 2018.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Material

The import total of brooms and brushes of vegetable material during April 2019 was 379,367, up 149 percent from 152,167 brooms and brushes imported during April 2018. For the first four months of 2019, 1.8 million brooms and brushes were imported, up 103 percent from 888,229 for the first four months of 2018.

During the first four months of 2019, Sri Lanka exported 892,529 brooms and brushes to the United States, while China sent 485,186.

The average price per unit for April 2019 was 85 cents, down 11 percent from the average price for April 2018 of 95 cents. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per unit was 70 cents, down 37 percent from $1.11 for the first four months of 2018.

Toothbrushes

The United States imported 93.5 million toothbrushes in April 2019, up 9 percent from 85.4 million imported in April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 385.9 million toothbrushes were imported, up 5 percent from 366.6 million for the first four months of 2018.

China sent 305.3 million toothbrushes to the United States during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per toothbrush for April 2019 was 26 cents, up 8 percent
from 24 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average
price per toothbrush was also 26 cents, up 8 percent from 24 cents for the first
four months of 2018.

Hairbrushes

April 2019 imports of hairbrushes totaled 3.1 million, down 9 percent from 3.4 million for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 16.4 million hairbrushes were imported, up 1 percent from 16.2 million for the first four months of 2018.

China sent 16 million hairbrushes to the United States during the first four
months of 2019.

The average price per hairbrush was 25 cents during April 2019, up 9 percent
from 23 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average
price per hairbrush was 24 cents, the same as the average price for the first four months of 2018.

Shaving Brushes

The United States imported 5.9 million shaving brushes in April 2019, up 40 percent from 4.2 million imported in April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 20.3 million shaving brushes were imported, up 25 percent from 16.2 million for the first four months of 2018.

China sent 13.2 million shaving brushes to the United States during the first four months of 2019, while South Korea shipped 4.8 million.

The average price per shaving brush for April 2019 was 15 cents, up 36 percent from 11 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average
price per brush was 12 cents, down 20 percent from 15 cents for the first four months of 2018.

Paint Rollers

The import total of paint rollers during April 2019 was 7 million, up 37 percent
from 5.1 million for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 23 million
paint rollers were imported, down 17 percent from 27.6 million for the first four months of 2018.

China sent 17.6 million paint rollers to the United States during the first four
months of 2019.

The average price per paint roller for April 2019 was 43 cents, down 22 percent from 55 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per paint roller was 49 cents, up 11 percent from 44 cents for the first four months of 2018.

Paintbrushes

U.S. companies imported 21.8 million paintbrushes during April 2019, up 10 percent from 19.9 million for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 90.1 million paintbrushes were imported, down 12 percent from 102.8 million for the first four months of 2018.

China shipped 79.8 million paintbrushes to the United States during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per paintbrush for April 2019 was 29 cents, down 6 percent from 31 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per paintbrush was 28 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for the first four months of 2018.

Upright Brooms

The total import of upright brooms for April 2019 was 1.9 million, up 58 percent from 1.2 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 7.2 million upright brooms were imported, up 29 percent from 5.6 million for the first four months
of 2018.

China sent 6.5 million upright brooms to the United States during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per broom for April 2019 was $1.39, down 3 percent from $1.43 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per broom was $1.61, up 14 percent from $1.41 for the first four months of 2018.

– EXPORTS –
Export totals for April 2019 were down in four categories outlined: brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, shaving brushes and artist brushes, compared to April 2018. For the first four months of 2019, export totals were down in three categories outlined, compared to the first four months of 2018: brooms and brushes of vegetable material, shaving brushes and artist brushes.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Materials

The United States exported 5,611 dozen brooms and brushes of vegetable materials during April 2019, down 34 percent from the April 2018 total of 8,462 dozen. For the first four months of 2019, 28,283 dozen brooms and brushes were exported, down 5 percent from 29,631 dozen for the first four months of 2018.

The United States sent 11,938 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $50.29 in April 2019,
up 21 percent from $41.63 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019,
the average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $36.86, up less than
1 percent from $36.81 per dozen for the first four months of 2018.

Toothbrushes

During April 2019, the United States exported 12.6 million toothbrushes, down 8 percent from 13.7 million for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019,
58.1 million toothbrushes were exported, up 13 percent from 51.6 million for the first four months of 2018.

The United States exported 13 million toothbrushes to Canada and 12.9 million to Germany during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per toothbrush for April 2019 was 51 cents, down 6 percent from 54 cents for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per brush was 50 cents, down 7 percent from 54 cents for the first four months of 2018.

Shaving Brushes

The United States exported 1.4 million shaving brushes during April 2019, down
22 percent from 1.8 million for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019,
4.7 million shaving brushes were exported, down 25 percent from 6.3 million for
the first four months of 2018.

During the first four months of 2019, the United States exported 1.4 million shaving brushes to Brazil and 1.3 million to Canada.

The average price per shaving brush for April 2019 was $1.12, up 4 percent
from $1.08 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average
price per shaving brush was $1.26, down 2 percent from $1.28 for the first four months of 2018.

Artist Brushes

April 2019 exports of artist brushes totaled 525,632, down 33 percent from 790,415 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 2.8 million artist brushes were exported, down 22 percent from 3.6 million for the first four months of 2018.

Canada received 1.7 million artist brushes from the United States during the first four months of 2019.

The average price per artist brush was $3.97 during April 2019, up 9 percent from the average price for April 2018 of $3.63. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per artist brush was $3.61, down 13 percent from $4.16 for the first four months of 2018.

Paintbrushes

The export total of paintbrushes during April 2019 was 256,103, up 6 percent from 241,128 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, 885,694 paintbrushes were exported, up 20 percent from 738,944 for the first four months of 2018.

Canada imported 332,968 paintbrushes from the United States during the first four months of 2019, while China received 241,380.

The average price per paintbrush for April 2019 was $4.36, down 21 percent
from $5.51 for April 2018. During the first four months of 2019, the average price per paintbrush was $5.34, down 22 percent from $6.89 for the first four months
of 2018.

April 2019

Click here for the entire April 2019
Import/Export Statistics.

By Harrell Kerkhoff | Broom, Brush & Mop Editor

InterBrush 2020 will take place in 10 months. The event will once again be held in the Messe Freiburg exhibition center, located in Freiburg, Germany. The international brush, broom, mop, paint roller and related industry trade fair is held every four years in Freiburg,
an historic and scenic city located in the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany, not far from France and Switzerland.

InterBrush 2020 is scheduled for three days:
• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6;
• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7; and,
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8.

Originating in 1977, InterBrush has long been known as a major international trade fair designed for manufacturers, suppliers and buyers of machinery, accessories and raw materials. Visitors and exhibitors in 2016 came from all over the world, hailing from such countries as Algeria, Belgium, China, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Turkey, Sri Lanka, India, Lithuania, the Russian Federation, South Korea, Egypt, Brazil, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

InterBrush provides attendees the opportunity to become better acquainted with important trends and the latest innovations found in brush machinery and related fields. In addition, InterBrush visitors have the chance to speak face-to-face with many experts and decision makers from all over the world.

“We expect approximately 200 exhibitors and 7,500 visitors, from nearly 90 countries around the world, will attend InterBrush 2020,” Daniel Strowitzki, Messe Freiburg/InterBrush representative, said. “There are now 5,500 hotel rooms within the city of Freiburg, an increase of 1,500 rooms over the past two years. That increase will help the city meet everyone’s lodging needs. Several price points are available. There shouldn’t be any trouble finding hotel rooms close to the convention center in 2020.”

The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) is a partner with InterBrush. ABMA Executive Director David Parr and ABMA President Scott Enchelmaier, of The Industrial Brush Co., Fairfield, NJ, also spoke highly of attending InterBrush, whether as an exhibitor or attendee.

“InterBrush is the leading worldwide industry exposition. If you are in the market for machinery, InterBrush is the place to be. Attendees can view the newest in equipment and technology, and have the opportunity to critically evaluate machinery from multiple vendors in the same event space, at the same time,” Parr said. “InterBrush creates an environment where worldwide brushmaking networking is available on the grandest scale.”

He added that Freiburg is a friendly city and always welcomes InterBrush and its attendees.

“There are plenty of rooming options available, transportation is seamless from city center to the exhibit halls and there is much to do and see in the area. ABMA has an exhibit booth at InterBrush, and we invite everyone to stop by, drop off your coat, ask us anything, quench your thirst and/or print out documents that you may need,” Parr said. “As ABMA executive director, I always look forward to InterBrush and connecting with so many ABMA members, industry friends and newcomers.



“The networking that takes place during the show is outstanding, and there are plenty of after-show networking events as well to keep attendees busy well into the evening. InterBrush provides an excellent return on your investment.”

Enchelmaier agreed, adding that he feels attending the event is essential to maintaining
a competitive advantage in the brush and related industries.

“It is a cost effective way to see the latest and greatest brush making technologies in a few short days, all in one place. Raw material suppliers also use this trade fair to introduce innovative products,” Enchelmaier said. “I find attending InterBrush is the best way to assess your current brush making methods and raw material options, and to gauge whether you are keeping pace with the rest of the industry.

“It’s also a perfect opportunity to introduce new members of your staff to the global industry, as well as showing them how different products are made.”

InterBrush registration is available online by visiting www.interbrush.de. Inquiries about
the event can also be sent to Daniel Strowitzki at daniel.strowitzki@fwtm.de and
David Parr at dparr@abma.org.

As Company Celebrates Centennial Anniversary
Brush Manufacturers And Suppliers Attend
Mill-Rose 59th Annual Golf Tournament

Brush manufacturers and suppliers from around the world gathered for the 59th annual Victor F. Miller Golf Tournament recently hosted by The Mill-Rose Company, which is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2019.

“Skills of the golfers ranged from near professional to novice, however, a good time was had by all attendees of the event held at Sandridge Country Club in Chardon, OH," according to a press release.

Prizes were awarded to golfers for outstanding performance. Tony Ponikvar of Felton
Brush won closest to the pin on two par-three holes. Chris Monahan of Brush Fibers
won low-net score, Gary Towns of Magnolia Brush won low-gross score, and Kevin
Lannon (Lanaco Specialty Wire) and Rudy Deligdish (Deligh Wire) were winners of the
long-drive contest holes.

“Over 65 representatives from the United States and countries from around the
world attended the golf tournament, with almost a dozen new attendees adding to the camaraderie and scope of the event. Manufacturers and suppliers gathered during the
week before the golf outing to discuss business trends and opportunities for the brush manufacturing industry.”

Brushes manufactured by these companies are used in virtually every type of industry around the world. Applications include makeup/mascara brushes, hair brushes, floor sweeping and polishing brushes, gun cleaning brushes, car wash brushes, copier toner brushes, brooms, paint brushes, and special brushes used in the medical field.

“The Mill-Rose Company is the largest U.S. manufacturer of twisted-in-wire brushes used in virtually every type of industry throughout the world. Mill-Rose is a family-owned organization, now in its fourth generation. Mill-Rose has experienced significant growth from its humble beginnings in 1919, and now in its 100th year, operates manufacturing and warehouse facilities throughout the United States and Mexico.”

For more information on Mill-Rose, visit www.millrose.com.

The Libman Company’s 4th Annual
‘Embrace Life’s Messes’ Tour Underway

The Libman Company, a manufacturer of household and high-power cleaning products, is taking to the highway for a fourth straight year with its “Embrace Life’s Messes” tour that will travel to over 200 grocery and big-box retail locations throughout the Midwest and West Coast. The tour kicked off in Mattoon, IL, and will end in San Francisco on August 25, 2019.

Over the course of 10 weeks, Libman is giving away products and special prizes during the retail store visits to encourage consumers to embrace life’s messes by letting Libman help do the work. The tour is being documented with blog posts, photos and videos on social media sites and on www.embracelifesmesses.com. The tour visits retail locations in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

At the helm of the tour is a team of two (Yen and Victoria) serving as Libman brand ambassadors who are driving the Libman-branded Ford Transit van to store openings and retail locations. At the retail stops, shoppers have the opportunity to see in-store product demos as well as participate in games to win Libman prizes.

In addition, Libman is concurrently running the Embrace Life’s Messes Sweepstakes where, over the course of the 10 weeks, consumers can spin the online animated wheel every 24 hours for a daily chance to win a Libman Wonder® Mop, or the grand prize, a Libman Move-In Cleaning Kit, which contains essential cleaning products needed by those moving in
(or out) of a house or apartment. The Embrace Life’s Messes Sweepstakes, which began
in June, ends August 19, 2019.

The 10-week tour is an extension of Libman’s television and print ad campaign that reminds consumers to “Remember the Moment and Forget the Mess.” Whether it’s making cupcakes together, playing with the family pet, or dabbling in arts and crafts projects, the message Libman wants to send is that Libman has consumers covered so they can enjoy the moment rather than fret about the mess.

According to a press release, “The Libman Company was founded in 1896 with one mission: to make the finest, most durable wire-wound corn brooms. The family left Lithuania for the United States in the 1890s, landed in Chicago, and started life in the New World by peddling sundries from a pushcart, selling everything from brooms to clothespins. The old-fashioned corn broom was a top seller.

"Today, Libman has a 1.4 million-square-foot facility located in central Illinois. With the fourth generation of Libmans who have come on board, they are as committed as their predecessors to providing high-quality, American-made cleaning products including mops, brushes, cleaning tools, and brooms.”

For more information, visit www.libman.com.