3 minute read
Making Connections In Texas
From the Publisher
As we gear up for the 108th ABMA Convention in Austin, Texas this March, I’m excited to share our convention preview edition — your go-to guide for all the essential details about this year’s event. Last year’s bustling convention in Florida, followed by the high-energy World Brush Expo, brought a surge of momentum to the brush industry. However, those events now feel like distant memories, and I am thrilled at the prospect of reconnecting in person once again with colleagues and friends from across the sector.
Having navigated another U.S. election cycle, our industry finds itself at a fascinating crossroads. Trade uncertainty is a hot topic, and many in our community are closely watching the evolving landscape. At the time of this writing, a new 10 percent U.S. tariff increase on China has already gone into effect, while the proposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports have been paused pending ongoing negotiations. The potential for a full-on trade war is on everyone’s mind, adding an extra layer of complexity and opportunity for strategic planning within our industry.
This evolving scenario provides a unique backdrop for our new year-end 2024 U.S. Import/Export Statistics report, featured on page 34. Aiming to “connect more dots,” we have upgraded our five-year charts to now display both the dollar values and the quantities of imports and exports, offering a clearer perspective on market trends and helping readers better understand shifts in trade dynamics. Alongside these enhanced visuals, you will find an in-depth introduction to this year’s results and a detailed summary of the HS codes Brushware tracks through the U.S. Census Bureau. We have included practical definitions and helpful notes to ensure clarity and ease of reference. In total, we’ve dedicated 22 pages to this comprehensive section, designed to serve as an invaluable resource for all industry leaders as they refine their strategies in response to global trade developments.
Additionally, our 2025 Global Brush Company Locator now features over 450 companies from around the world. This project is one of our proudest achievements, as it clearly reflects the global scale and interconnectedness of our industry. We are continually working to improve the quality and scope of this list. If your company isn’t yet included, I encourage you to visit our website and claim your listing at www.brushwaremag.com/claim-listing/.
I invite you to dive into this 64-page issue and explore the strategic insights and data-driven analysis it offers. Thank you for your continued readership and support. I look forward to seeing many of you in Austin!
