BBM eNews

Imports And Exports Up, For The First Half Of 2022, Compared To The First Half Of 2021

U.S. government trade figures for June 2022 indicated raw material
imports were up in two categories outlined: broom and mop handles and metal handles, compared to June 2021. For the first half of 2022, raw
material imports were up in all four categories outlined, compared to the
first half of 2021.

Import totals for June 2022 were down in six of the finished goods categories outlined: brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents, brooms and brushes of vegetable material, hairbrushes, paint rollers, paintbrushes and upright brooms, compared to June 2021. During the first half of 2022, import totals were up in four categories outlined: toothbrushes, hairbrushes, shaving brushes and upright brooms, compared to the first half of 2021.

Hog Bristle

The United States imported 12,165 kilograms of hog bristle in June 2022, down 26 percent from 16,525 kilograms imported in June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 94,565 kilograms of hog bristle were imported, up 47 percent from 64,522 kilograms for the first half of 2021.

China sent all the hog bristle to the United States during the first half of 2022.

The average price per kilogram for June 2022 was $27.54, down 40 percent from $46.08 per kilogram for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per kilogram was $33.21, down 32 percent from $49.03 for the first half of 2021.

Broom And Mop Handles

The import total of broom and mop handles during June 2022 was 1.9 million, up 103 percent from 933,804 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 9.7 million broom and mop handles were imported, up 37 percent from 7.1 million for the first half of 2021.

During the first half of 2022, the United States received 4.5 million broom and mop handles from Honduras, 2.6 million from Brazil and 1.5 million from China.

The average price per handle for June 2022 was 66 cents, down 14 percent from 77 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per handle was 72 cents, up 6 percent from 68 cents for the first half of 2021.

Brush Backs

June 2022 imports of brush backs totaled 288,279, down 25 percent from 381,854 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 3 million brush backs were imported, up 25 percent from 2.4 million for the first half of 2021.

During the first half of 2022, the United States imported 989,872 from Indonesia, 867,361 from Sri Lanka and 817,293 from Canada.

The average price per brush back was 54 cents during June 2022, up 8 percent from 50 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price was 56 cents, up 17 percent from 48 cents for the first half of 2021.

Metal Handles

The import total of metal handles during June 2022 was 2.8 million, up 17 percent from 2.4 million for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 14.1 million metal handles were imported, up 18 percent from 11.9 million for the first half of 2021.

During the first half of 2022, China sent 8.7 million metal handles to the United States, while Spain and Italy each exported 2.6 million.

The average price per handle for June 2022 was $1.09, up 27 percent from 86 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per handle was $1.06, up 18 percent from 90 cents for the first half of 2021.

– FINISHED GOODS IMPORTS –

Brooms Of Broom Corn Valued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 328,146 brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents per broom during June 2022, down 23 percent from 425,084 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 2 million brooms were imported, down 13 percent from 2.3 million for the first half of 2021.

Mexico sent nearly all the brooms to the United States during the first half of 2022.

The average price per broom for June 2022 was $2.52, up 15 percent from $2.20 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per broom was $2.50, up 13 percent from $2.22 for the first half of 2021.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Material

The import total of brooms and brushes of vegetable material during June 2022 was 79,006, down 53 percent from 169,010 brooms and brushes imported during June 2021. For the first half of 2022, 1.1 million brooms and brushes were imported, the same as for the first half of 2021.

During the first half of 2022, Sri Lanka exported 427,371 brooms and brushes to the United States, while China sent 216,119.

The average price per unit for June 2022 was $2.35, up 48 percent from $1.59 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per unit was $1.45, up 22 percent from $1.19 for the first half of 2021.

Toothbrushes

The United States imported 112.2 million toothbrushes in June 2022, up 34 percent from 83.6 million imported in June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 654.2 million toothbrushes were imported, up 48 percent from 441.3 million for the first half of 2021.

China sent 470.7 million toothbrushes to the United States during the first half of 2022.

The average price per toothbrush for June 2022 was 25 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per toothbrush was also 25 cents, down 11 percent from 28 cents for the first half of 2021.

Hairbrushes

June 2022 imports of hairbrushes totaled 5.1 million, down 6 percent from 5.4 million for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 37.3 million hairbrushes were imported, up 28 percent from 29.2 million for the first half of 2021.

China sent 28.9 million hairbrushes to the United States during the first
half of 2022.

The average price per hairbrush was 18 cents during June 2022, down 25 percent from 24 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per hairbrush was 19 cents, down 14 percent from 22 cents for the first half of 2021.

Shaving Brushes

The United States imported 5.2 million shaving brushes in June 2022, the same as for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 46.9 million shaving brushes were imported, up 76 percent from 26.7 million for the first half of 2021.

China sent 41.4 million shaving brushes to the United States during the
first half of 2022.

The average price per shaving brush for June 2022 was 12 cents, down 14 percent from 14 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per brush was 9 cents, down 36 percent from 14 cents for the first half of 2021.

Paint Rollers

The import total of paint rollers during May 2022 was 9.1 million, up 26 percent from 7.2 million for May 2021. During the first five months of 2022, 39.7 million paint rollers were imported, down 9 percent from 43.6 million for the first five months of 2021.

China sent 26.7 million paint rollers to the United States during the first
five months of 2022.

The average price per paint roller for May 2022 was 40 cents, down 22 percent from 51 cents for May 2021. During the first five months of 2022, the average price per paint roller was 43 cents, down 4 percent from 45 cents for the first five months of 2021.

Paintbrushes

The import total of paint rollers during June 2022 was 6.2 million, down 10 percent from 6.9 million for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 46 million paint rollers were imported, down 9 percent from 50.5 million for the first half of 2021.

China sent 31.9 million paint rollers to the United States during the
first half of 2022.

The average price per paint roller for June 2022 was 54 cents, up 35 percent from 40 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per paint roller was 45 cents, up 1 cent from the average price for the first half of 2021.

Upright Brooms

The total import of upright brooms for June 2022 was 1.7 million, down 11 percent from 1.9 million for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 11.1 million upright brooms were imported, up 4 percent from 10.7 million for the first half of 2021.

China sent 9 million upright brooms to the United States during the
first half of 2022.

The average price per broom for June 2022 was $1.58, the same as for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per broom was $1.48, up 8 percent from $1.37 for the first half of 2021.

– EXPORTS –
Export totals for June 2022 were up in three categories outlined: shaving brushes, artist brushes and paintbrushes, compared to June 2021. For the first half of 2022, export totals were also up in three categories outlined: shaving brushes, artist brushes and paintbrushes compared to the first half of 2021.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Materials

The United States exported 6,945 dozen brooms and brushes of vegetable materials during June 2022, down 45 percent from 12,698 dozen for June 2021. For the first half of 2022, 43,652 dozen brooms and brushes were exported, down 16 percent from 51,664 dozen for the first half of 2021.

The United States sent 15,677 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada during the first half of 2022.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $54.62 in June 2022, up 183 percent from $19.29 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $41.16, up 27 percent from $32.45 per dozen for the first half of 2021.

Toothbrushes

During June 2022, the United States exported 6.7 million toothbrushes,
down 25 percent from 8.9 million for June 2021. During the first half of 2022,
40.8 million toothbrushes were exported, down 14 percent from 47.3 million for the first half of 2021.

The United States exported 13.2 million toothbrushes to Canada and 10.8 million to Poland.

The average price per toothbrush for June 2022 was $1.25, up 29 percent from 97 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per brush was 99 cents, up 24 percent from 80 cents for the first half of 2021.

Shaving Brushes

The United States exported 2.1 million shaving brushes during June 2022,
up 17 percent from 1.8 million for June 2021. During the first half of 2022,
9.6 million shaving brushes were exported, up 1 percent from 9.5 million for the
first half of 2021.

During the first half of 2022, the United States exported 5.3 million shaving brushes to Mexico.

The average price per shaving brush for June 2022 was 63 cents, down 16 percent from 75 cents for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per shaving brush was 88 cents, the same as for the first half of 2021.

Artist Brushes

June 2022 exports of artist brushes totaled 409,752, up 10 percent from 371,698 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 3.6 million artist brushes were exported, up 29 percent from 2.8 million for the first half of 2021.

Canada received 2.1 million artist brushes from the United States during the first half of 2022.

The average price per artist brush was $3.81 during June 2022, down 1 percent from $3.86 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per artist brush was $3.01, down 17 percent from $3.63 for the first half of 2021.

Paintbrushes

The export total of paintbrushes during June 2022 was 311,518, up 5 percent from 296,719 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, 1.4 million paintbrushes were exported, up 8 percent from 1.3 million for the first half of 2021.

Canada imported 539,116 paintbrushes from the United States during the first half of 2022.

The average price per paintbrush for June 2022 was $4.24, up 15 percent from $3.69 for June 2021. During the first half of 2022, the average price per paintbrush was $6.07, down 12 percent from $6.91 for the first half of 2021.

June 2022

Click here for the entire June 2022
Import/Export Statistics.

Freiburg Interbrush Trade Fair
To Be Discontinued After 45 Years

The following letter was received on September 8, 2022, from FWTM
Managing Director Daniel Strowitzki regarding the discontinuation of the
Freiburg, Germany, Interbrush trade fair.

Representatives of the American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) and European Brushware Federation (FEIBP) will make a formal announcement during the FEIBP Congress, scheduled for September 21-23 in Prague, the Czech Republic.

Messe Freiburg press release dated September 8, 2022:

“Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM) will not

continue the Interbrush trade show at Messe Freiburg after around 45 years, meaning there will be no more Interbrush in Freiburg as early as 2024.

“After Zahoransky AG, based in Baden-Württemberg, and the world’s largest and leading exhibitor, changed its corporate orientation last year and announced that it would no longer participate in Interbrush for this reason, an intensive dialog was initiated with the ABMA and FEIBP associations and other leading exhibitors. The FWTM presented various concept ideas for a new content orientation under its own organization, including possible new locations in German-speaking countries. In particular, leading Italian and Belgian companies focused the discussion on the Freiburg location, and questioned this location due to its proximity to Zahoransky AG.

“In further discussions, the companies as well as the two associations, American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) and European Brushware Federation (FEIBP), demanded a rolling system with alternating European locations, for example in Italy and Benelux, combined with the condition that in the future the lead should no longer lie with FWTM/Messe Freiburg, starting with a location in Italy.

“After considering all the points discussed, the FWTM has decided not to continue the format Interbrush in the future — a venue in a non-German speaking country every four years is neither expedient nor feasible for the FWTM for logistical and economic reasons. The lack of support from leading associations for a proposed new location by the FWTM is also a signal from the industry against the FWTM/Messe Freiburg.

“The FWTM also believes that holding on to Interbrush 2024 without the support of the associations and leading companies is neither justifiable in terms of content nor economically for all those involved in this industry.”

“We very much regret this development and the decision of the associations and a few, but in terms of external impact, very important exhibitors. In our opinion, values and competencies such as experience, quality, industry knowledge and also the partnership that has existed for over four decades were not included in the evaluation and result determination — but which are an essential pillar of the event,” said FWTM Managing Director Daniel Strowitzki. “We wish the entire industry, of which we were able to be a part for many years, all the best for the future, and thank everyone who has accompanied the Interbrush format over many decades.”

About Interbrush:
“Originally founded as Interbrossa, the internationally-oriented trade fair Interbrush has been organized by FWTM at the Messe Freiburg since 1977, every four years since 1980. In 2024, the world’s leading trade fair for machinery, materials and accessories for the brush, paintbrush, paint roller and mop industry, would have entered its 13th edition. Most recently, in 2016, more than 7,500 professionals, from around 90 nations, came and were able to see for themselves the latest developments in the international industrial two-way trade from 200 exhibitors, on around 21,500 square meters of exhibition space.”

Meet Borghi USA’s New Spare Parts Manager

Armando Ercole

Borghi USA, of Aberdeen, MD, announces the hiring of a spare parts manager,
Armando Ercole, who recently completed a four-month training program for customer service, inventory control and processing spare parts orders.

"We are excited to have Armando on our team, who is originally from Italy, and has lived in the USA for the past 20 years. Armando is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, and is comfortable in communicating in any of these languages," according to the company.

Monahan Partners Awards Winners
Of 2022 Craft Broom Competition

This year’s competition featured a wide assortment of brooms.

Monahan Partners, of Arcola, IL, has announced the winners of the annual National Craft Broom Competition. The event is held each September during the Arcola Broom Corn Festival. The competition was sponsored by the company, and entries came from craft broom makers across the United States. One entry also came from France.
Brooms were judged on craftsmanship and aesthetics — for uses such as wall hangings, fireplaces, etc. They were required to be made from 100 percent broom corn and to be functional. The choice of handle was at the discretion of each craft broom maker.


Pictured are the winning brooms from the 2022 National Craft Broom Competition.
They are, shown left to right, first place by Marybeth Garmoe;
second place by John Alexander; third place by Chris Robbins;
and honorable mention by Amanda Lazorchack.

Two local artists and a broom maker judged the contest. A total of $1,200 in prize money was awarded to the top three finishers — $600 for first place, $400 for second place, and $200 for third place.

This year’s winning craft broom was made by Marybeth Garmoe, of Grand Marais, MN. The second place winner was John Alexander, of Independence, VA; while the third place winner was Chris Robbins, of Berea, KY. Honorable mention was Amanda Lazorchack, of Kansas City, MO, who provided two entries.

There were 19 entries for this year’s contest. Other participants who provided brooms were: Micah Alexander, Independence, VA; Debbie Lutz, Troy, PA; Sheryl Hartz, Nacogdoches, TX; Bev Larson (two entries), Lafayette, IN; Aaron Alexander, Lynchburt, VA; Susan M. Alexander, Independence, VA; Warren Ainslie, Richfield Springs, NY; Brianna Ward, Berea, KY; Layne Piatt, Berea, KY; Hunter Elliott, Berea, KY; Olivia Marshall, Kingman, IN; Chris Nibbe, Rochester, MN; and Marie-Laure Gabriel, Rainfreville, France.