BBM eNews

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

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

Import totals for June 2020 were up in five of the finished goods categories outlined: brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents, brooms and brushes of vegetable material, shaving brushes, paint rollers and paintbrushes, compared to June 2019. During the first half of 2020, import totals were down in seven categories outlined: brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents, brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, paint rollers, paintbrushes and upright brooms, compared to the first half of 2019.

Hog Bristle

The United States imported 14,339 kilograms of hog bristle in June 2020,
down 41 percent from 24,353 kilograms imported in June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 88,454 kilograms of hog bristle were imported, down 15 percent from 103,613 kilograms for the first half of 2019.

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

The average price per kilogram for June 2020 was $47.33, up 77 percent from the average price per kilogram for June 2019 of $26.68. During the first half of 2020, the average price per kilogram was $24.63, down 31 percent from $35.94 for the first half of 2019.

Broom And Mop Handles

The import total of broom and mop handles during June 2020 was 1.1 million, down 39 percent from 1.8 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020,
5.8 million broom and mop handles were imported, down 38 percent from
9.4 million for the first half of 2019.

During the first half of 2020, the United States received 2.5 million broom and mop handles from Honduras, 1.8 million from Brazil and 1.1 million from China.

The average price per handle for June 2020 was 61 cents, down 12 percent from 69 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per handle was 75 cents, up 4 percent from 72 cents for the first half of 2019.

Brush Backs

June 2020 imports of brush backs totaled 71,412, down 77 percent from 307,255 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 1.2 million brush backs were imported, down 45 percent from 2.2 million for the first half of 2019.

Indonesia shipped 456,846 brush backs to the United States during the first half 2020, while Canada exported 373,887 and Sri Lanka sent 372,787.

The average price per brush back was 35 cents during June 2020, down 40 percent from 58 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price was 51 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for the first half of 2019.

Metal Handles

The import total of metal handles during June 2020 was 1.8 million, up 6 percent from 1.7 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 8.7 million metal handles were imported, up 10 percent from 7.9 million for the first half of 2019.

During the first half of 2020, China sent 3.7 million metal handles to the United States, while Italy exported 2.7 million and Spain sent 1.4 million.

The average price per handle for June 2020 was $1.01, up 29 percent from 78 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per handle was 93 cents, down 17 percent from $1.12 for the first half of 2019.

– FINISHED GOODS IMPORTS –

Brooms Of Broom Corn Valued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 516,949 brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents per broom during June 2020, up 5 percent from 491,201 for June 2019.

During the first half of 2020, 2.7 million brooms were imported, down 10 percent from 3 million for the first half of 2019.

Mexico sent nearly all the brooms to the United States during the first half of 2020.
The average price per broom for June 2020 was $2.44, up 9 percent from $2.24 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per broom was $2.34, up 1 cent from the average price for the first half of 2019.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Material

The import total of brooms and brushes of vegetable material during June 2020 was 255,442, up 56 percent from 163,996 brooms and brushes imported during June 2019. For the first half of 2020, 991,429 brooms and brushes were imported, down 59 percent from 2.4 million for the first half of 2019.

During the first half of 2020, Sri Lanka exported 355,284 brooms and brushes to the United States, while China sent 315,572 brooms and brushes.

The average price per unit for June 2020 was 74 cents, down 28 percent from $1.03 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per unit was $1.03, up 49 percent from 69 cents for the first half of 2019.

Toothbrushes

The United States imported 87.4 million toothbrushes in June 2020, down
4 percent from 91.1 million imported in June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 497.2 million toothbrushes were imported, down 15 percent from 583.8 million for the first half of 2019.

China sent 362.8 million toothbrushes to the United States during the first
half of 2020.

The average price per toothbrush for June 2020 was 23 cents, the same as for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per toothbrush was 24 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for the first half of 2019.

Hairbrushes

June 2020 imports of hairbrushes totaled 3.8 million, down 17 percent from
4.6 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 19.6 million hairbrushes were imported, down 27 percent from 27 million for the first half of 2019.

China sent 19.3 million hairbrushes to the United States during the first
half of 2020.

The average price per hairbrush was 26 cents during June 2020, up 24 percent from 21 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per hairbrush was 25 cents, up 9 percent from 23 cents for the first half of 2019.

Shaving Brushes

The United States imported 11.9 million shaving brushes in June 2020,
up 297 percent from 3 million imported in June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 40.8 million shaving brushes were imported, up 55 percent from 26.3 million for
the first half of 2019.

China sent 31.3 million shaving brushes to the United States during the first
half of 2020.

The average price per shaving brush for June 2020 was 6 cents, down 63 percent from 16 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per brush was 8 cents, down 38 percent from 13 cents for the first half of 2019.

Paint Rollers

The import total of paint rollers during June 2020 was 7.9 million, up 14 percent from 6.9 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 36 million paint rollers were imported, down 3 percent from 37.2 million for the first half of 2019.

China sent 26.9 million paint rollers to the United States during the first
half of 2020.

The average price per paint roller for June 2020 was 48 cents, down 4 percent from 50 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per paint roller was 45 cents, down 6 percent from 48 cents for the first half of 2019.

Paintbrushes

U.S. companies imported 25.8 million paintbrushes during June 2020,
up 4 percent from 24.7 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020,
122.3 million paintbrushes were imported, down 14 percent from 142.1 million
for the first half of 2019.

China shipped 114 million paintbrushes to the United States during the
first half of 2020.

The average price per paintbrush for June 2020 was 39 cents, up 44 percent from 27 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per paintbrush was 33 cents, up 18 percent from 28 cents for the first half of 2019.

Upright Brooms

The total import of upright brooms for June 2020 was 1.5 million, down 6 percent from 1.6 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 8.8 million upright brooms were imported, down 21 percent from 11.1 million for the first half of 2019.

China sent 8.1 million upright brooms to the United States during the first
half of 2020.

The average price per broom for June 2020 was $1.61, up 10 percent from $1.47 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per broom was $1.28, down 16 percent from $1.52 for the first half of 2019.

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

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Materials

The United States exported 6,253 dozen brooms and brushes of vegetable materials during June 2020, down 7 percent from 6,752 dozen for June 2019.
For the first half of 2020, 31,571 dozen brooms and brushes were exported, down 20 percent from 39,550 dozen for the first half of 2019.

The United States sent 17,311 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada during the first half of 2020.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $42.51 in June 2020, down 1 percent from $42.90 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $40.56, up 7 percent from $37.95 per dozen for the first half of 2019.

Toothbrushes

During June 2020, the United States exported 6.9 million toothbrushes,
down 49 percent from 13.6 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020,
58.6 million toothbrushes were exported, down 31 percent from 85.2 million for the first half of 2019.

The United States exported 17.1 million toothbrushes to Canada, 7.2 million
to Belgium, 6.4 million to Mexico and 5.5 million to Hong Kong, during the
first half of 2020.

The average price per toothbrush for June 2020 was 82 cents, up 110 percent from 39 cents for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per brush was 74 cents, up 54 percent from 48 cents for the first half of 2019.

Shaving Brushes

The United States exported 2.1 million shaving brushes during June 2020,
up 75 percent from 1.2 million for June 2019. During the first half of 2020,
8 million shaving brushes were exported, up 10 percent from 7.3 million for the
first half of 2019.

During the first half of 2020, the United States exported 4 million shaving brushes to Mexico, 1.6 million to Canada and 1 million to Brazil.

The average price per shaving brush for June 2020 was 55 cents, down 51 percent from $1.13 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per shaving brush was 93 cents, down 24 percent from $1.23 for the first half of 2019.

Artist Brushes

June 2020 exports of artist brushes totaled 654,413, down 26 percent from 881,976 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 3.8 million artist brushes
were exported, down 12 percent from 4.3 million for the first half of 2019.

Canada received 2.9 million artist brushes from the United States during the first half of 2020.

The average price per artist brush was $2.46 during June 2020, down 36 percent from $3.84 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per artist brush was $3.05, down 20 percent from $3.79 for the first half of 2019.

Paintbrushes

The export total of paintbrushes during June 2020 was 116,088, down 31 percent from 168,543 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, 828,853 paintbrushes were exported, down 31 percent from 1.2 million for the first half of 2019.

Canada imported 391,188 paintbrushes from the United States during the
first half of 2020.

The average price per paintbrush for June 2020 was $8.39, up 3 percent from $8.14 for June 2019. During the first half of 2020, the average price per paintbrush was $7.52, up 23 percent from $6.09 for the first half of 2019.

June 2020

 

Click here for the entire June 2020
Import/Export Statistics

From Nexstep
What Is Clean In The Era Of COVID-19

Cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing play an important role in reducing the spread
of coronavirus in public areas. According to the CDC, COVID-19 can stay on some
surfaces for hours or even days. 1

Regular cleaning is required to limit the transmission of the disease in commercial
and public spaces.

Cleaning dislodges and removes dirt and microbes from surfaces. While cleaning does
not always kill germs, it reduces the spread of infection by reducing the bacteria levels
on surfaces. 2

Disinfecting involves the use of chemicals to kill germs and bacteria. While this does
not always remove the germs, it reduces the spread of infection by killing germs on
surfaces after cleaning, and it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. 3

Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on a surface, through the use of either cleaning
or disinfecting. By reducing the amount of bacteria to a safe level, sanitizing plays an
essential role in limiting the spread of infection. 4

1 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
2 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html
3 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html
4 https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/cleaning.htm

How To Clean

Follow these tips for an effective clean:

Start with Low-Touch Surfaces To prevent spreading microbes and infections, wipe down low-touch areas first before moving on to high-touch surfaces.

Clean High Areas and Work Down Bacteria and contaminants removed from high areas often fall to lower surfaces, so make sure to clean high surfaces first.

How To Clean A Floor
Germs and bacteria on the floor easily spread throughout a facility or public space.
Cleaning and disinfecting the floor is key to reducing the spread of COVID-19.

1. Using a dust mop or broom, remove all dirt and large debris from the floor.
2. For wet mopping, remove the previously used mop head and attach a freshly
laundered mop head to the handle.
3. Following the guidelines and specific chemical instructions, fill the mop bucket
with a new cleaning solution.
4. While cleaning the floor, use a “figure 8” motion to prevent the recontamination
of previously cleaned floor surfaces.

Tools For Cleaning In The Era Of COVID-19
“With more emphasis on cleaning than ever before, O-Cedar Commercial® remains
dedicated to provide the most effective tools to clean, disinfect and sanitize. We are committed to supplying the best-quality, innovative cleaning solutions with a brand name
that instills the confidence users are seeking during this trying time.

Microfiber
“By offering a better surface cleaning, microfiber products play an essential role in limiting
the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases. Compared to traditional cotton cleaning products, microfiber products more effectively remove microbes and bacteria from surfaces. Microfiber provides effective cleaning and reduces the need to use stringent chemicals – which makes our environment healthier and safer. Microfiber uses less water than traditional materials, is highly launderable, eliminates waste, reduces chemical use, and reduces
cross-contamination,” said Nexstep.

To see more of Nexstep’s line of products, visit https://ocedarcommercial.com.
Nexstep Commercial Products is the exclusive licensee of O-Cedar®.

New Website For Mill-Rose’s Blue Monster® Products

A new website designed to provide plumbing, heating and cooling contractors and
supply houses with easy access to information on Blue Monster products is now
available at www.BlueMonsterProducts.com from Clean-Fit Products, a division of
The Mill-Rose Company.



The new website features a streamlined navigation menu and more intuitive mobile-friendly architecture for a better user experience. Blue Monster products include professional-grade brushes, abrasives, PTFE sealants and specialty tools available to contractors through
P/H/C supply houses.

"Additional features of the new website include videos demonstrating how to fix problems commonly experienced by P/H/C contractors including cleaning fittings and tubing for
proper soldered connections; applying PTFE thread seal tape to effectively seal metal
and plastic threads; using anti-seize tapes and lubricants to prevent seizing, galling and corrosion; plus numerous other applications,” said Tammy Arcaro, customer service
manager of The Mill-Rose Company.

Blue Monster products are offered exclusively by The Mill-Rose Company. Blue Monster®
is the exclusive brand of contractor-grade brushes, abrasives, PTFE thread sealants and specialty tools produced by Clean-Fit Products, a division of The Mill-Rose Company,
serving professional contractors and hardware wholesalers.

Gordon Brush Recognized As A "Featured Business"
In City Of Industry, CA

Gordon Brush was recently recognized as a "Featured Business" by the City of Industry Business Council. The council spotlighted Gordon Brush for its commitment to keeping its manufacturing in the city.

Pictured are Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (CA-32) and Ken Rakusin, president/CEO of
Gordon Brush. Rakusin was presented with a special Congressional Recognition Award for his
commitment to American manufacturing from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and local Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. Rakusin was also the recipient of the 2019 Patriot Award from MadeInAmerica.com, and honored as an American Made Hero by AmericanMadeHeroes.com.

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the City of Industry," said Ken Rakusin, president/CEO of Gordon Brush.

“Gordon Brush is Proud To Be An American Manufacturer™. I made a commitment to build and grow my business in this city because contributing to the American economy is near-and-dear to my heart. Moreover, and perhaps most importantly, are my over 200 valued, long-tenured, skilled employees and their families, most of whom live in, or adjacent to Industry.”

Gordon Brush manufactures over 17,000 different types of stock and custom brushes with over 3,500 ready for same day shipment.

Gordon Brush is the 2018 recipient of the Made In America Award and the 2019 recipient of the Armed Forces Award from MadeInAmerica.com.

The city incorporates an area of approximately 12.5 square miles in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County. It is strategically located within the Los Angeles metropolitan area and is within easy commute of downtown Los Angeles, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Los Angeles and Ontario International Airports.

For more information, visit gordonbrush.com.

Zahoransky Receives Order For Systems
To Process Vaccine Containers

A U.S. company has placed a major order, with a value of 25 million euro, for 11
automation lines and six removal units for vaccine containers (vials) with
ZAHORANSKY AG. With a global research drive for a vaccine against COVID-19,
the preparations to manufacture the ampules with vaccines are in full swing.

Beginning in August, ZAHORANSKY started supplying the manufacturer of coated
COP (cyclo olefin polymer) vaccine containers with the first automation lines required
for production; others will gradually be delivered. The Z.SIROC, Z.MISTRAL, and
Z.LODOS models are used for this purpose.

To guarantee both continuous automation as well as consistent quality in the manufacturing process, a total of 120 cameras and 53 robots will be installed. As soon as the lines are fully assembled and put into operation, they will be able to process 600,000 vials per day.

For more information visit: Zahoransky.com.

Jason Industries (Osborn) Plan For
Reorganization OK’d By Court

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has confirmed the Jason Industries (Osborn) Plan of Reorganization, clearing the way for Jason to successfully complete its Chapter 11 financial restructuring and emerge in the coming days.

"Upon emergence, Jason will be a private company backed by ownership of its existing
senior secured lenders, including Monomoy Capital Partners (“Monomoy”) and Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC, each of whom will appoint representatives to serve on the new board of directors. The company will reduce its debt by approximately $250 million,
ensuring that Jason, and its businesses Osborn and Milsco, will have greater financial flexibility to support ongoing operations and pursue its strategic plan for the benefit of its employees, customers and business partners. As part of the new capital structure and ensuring that the company has sufficient liquidly upon exit from Chapter 11, Jason will
enter into a $30 million ABL credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. Pursuant to the Plan, the company’s common and preferred stock will be canceled, and holders thereof will not receive any recovery," according to a press release.