2019 Brushware November-December Magazine

brushware

november/december 2019 the voice of our industry

61St FEIBP COVERAGE

St Louis: National Broom, Mop & Brush Meeting

PLUS: Expanded Suppliers’ Edition (pg . 28)

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from the PUBLISHER

brushware Issue #19-06

New Launch: Brushware Digest eNewsletter

T

he last couple of months since the last issue have been super active and that has given us the opportunity to pack a lot of content into this end-ofthe-year Expanded Suppliers’ Edition. As a centerpiece, we have coverage from Katharina Goldbeck-Hörz on the 61st FEIBP Congress held in Lucerne, Switzerland, at the end of September. In addition to that, I had the opportunity in October to travel to St. Louis for the National Broom, Mop and Brush Meeting. It was my second year to attend and it was wonderful to once again get the pulse from key company contacts and owners for the brushware industry. In short, most noted that business is still going strong, but everyone is vigilantly looking ahead for signs of a slowdown. With that in mind, we have a piece from Phillip M. Perry on how to best approach a potential slowdown.

And of course, this is the Expanded Suppliers’ Edition, which gives our advertisers the unique chance to provide an in-depth narrative on what sets their companies apart. We hope this provides a nice overview to readers, and for further information on the companies included, I remind everyone to also visit the online directory at www.brushwaremag.com.

Our biggest development, though, is on the digital front as we have recently launched the Brushware Digest eNewsletter. This weekly newsletter offers first access to the digital editions for each issue of Brushware magazine and also gives a concise weekly rundown of industry headlines. We encourage everyone in the industry to subscribe and join us as we work to further develop the newsletter and more online content overall.

To subscribe for digital edition access and your weekly industry news:

Visit www.brushwaremag.com/enewsletter/

To close, we wish everyone a happy holiday season and look forward to another great year in 2020!

Dylan Goodwin | Publisher

ON THE COVER

Top left: Arndt W. Stollberg – Wistoba Pinselfabrik.

Top Right: Keynote speake Rudolf Greger Bottom: Alphorn reception at the Hotel Vitznau Photos by Katharina Goldbeck-Hörz

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Brushware – a bi-monthly publication edited for key personnel in the brush, roller, broom, mop and applicator industry. Published continuously through the years, the one publication that is the spokesman for the brush and allied industries: 1898-1923, called Brooms, Brushes, & Handles; 1924-1947, called Brooms, Brushes, & Mops, 1948-today, called Brushware.

PUBLICATION OFFICE Brushware Magazine Goodwin World Media LLC P.O. Box 7093 Overland Park, KS 66207 Tel: 913-636-7231 GENERAL MANAGER Susan Goodwin PUBLISHER Dylan Goodwin goodwinworldmedia@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Julie Jantzer-Ward editors@brushwaremag.com CORRESPONDENTS Bob Lawrence Meg Cooper Katharina Goldbeck-Hörz Mark E. Battersby Phil Perry Brushware (ISSN 00072710) (Canadian Sales Agreement Number 0650153) is published bi-monthly by Goodwin World Media LLC, P.O. Box 7093, Overland Park, KS 66207 USA. Periodical postage paid at Overland Park, KS 66207 and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the USA. Subscription: $65/year, Canada and Mexico $80/year, all other countries $100/year.

POSTMASTER – Send address changes to Brushware Magazine, P.O. Box 7093, Overland Park, KS 66207. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Requests for permission should be addressed to: Brushware Magazine, P.O. Box 7093, Overland Park, KS 66207.

Black Forest Originals

Passion and Perfection in Molds, Machinery and Automation.

Black Forest Quality by ZAHORANSKY

zahoransky.com

www.brushwaremag.com | 3

Cost-effiCient trimming of roll and disC brushes with synthetiC or natural fill TU 900 www.wohlerbrushtech.com

the World of BrushtrimmingMachines

Wöhler Brush Tech GmbH | Wöhler-Platz 2 | 33181 Bad Wünnenberg | GERMANY | Tel: +49 2953 73 300 | bt@woehler.com

brushware

november/december 2019

the voice of our industry

FEATURES

07 St. Louis Tradition: 2019 National Broom,

Mop and Brush Meeting 14 Coverage: 61 FEIBP Congress in Lucerne

By Katharina Goldbeck-Hörz st

22 How to Recession Proof Your Business

By Phillip Perry 28 Expanded Suppliers’ Edition

DEPARTMENTS 02 from the PUBLISHER 06 industry NEWS 62 economic DASHBOARD 64 advertiser INDEX Above: FEIBP’s Fons Ceelaert and Andrew McIllroy from Perlon-Hahl show off the Brushware FEIBP Preview issue in Lucerne. Photo by Katharina Goldbeck-Hörz.

www.brushwaremag.com | 5

industry NEWS

Rakusin Honored at Made in America Convention Ken Rakusin, President and CEO of Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., was the recipient of the Patriot Award at the 2019 Made In America Convention, which was held at the Indianapolis, Ind., convention center October 3-6, 2019. “This award was presented to Ken for his proud-to-be-an-American attitude and his unwavering commitment to manufacturing in the United States, in spite of the infiltration of low cost, inferior Chinese goods,” says Don Buckner, founder, www.madeinamerica.com.

In addition, Buckner presented Gordon Brush® with the Armed Forces Award and commented, “On behalf of MadeInAmerica.com we commend you for your patriotism and extraordinary efforts in developing the ‘Chamber’ brush for the Abrams tank that saved the United States Army $1.5 billion.”

“I am overwhelmed, honored and deeply humbled to receive these two prestigious awards. My goal was to make a difference for our employees, our customers and our country. I guess we achieved that,” says Rakusin. “I want to thank Don and his team for recognizing our accomplishments. Gordon Brush is proud to be an American manufacturer and a gold sponsor of the 2019 Made In America convention.”

Brad Winnings, COO of Made In America, and Kenneth Rakusin, President and CEO of Gordon Brush, receiving the Made In America 2019 American Patriot Award from Don Buckner, CEO and Founder of Made In America.

Roth Company Celebrates 100 Year th

Kaposplast Celebrates 70th

Kaposplast Plastic Industrial Ltd. has released a redesigned logo to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the company. The logo redesign respects the tradition of Kaposplast with a refined design that ignores all unnecessary graphical elements and redundant creative solutions. The redesign is modern and energetic and aligns with the future pursuits of the company.

Roth Composite Machinery Management from left: Alfred Kajewski, Christin Roth-Jäger, Heike Roth, Manfred Roth, Dr. Anne-Kathrin Roth, Claus-Hinrich Roth and Dr. Andreas Reimann.

Roth Composite Machinery in Burgwald, Germany, is looking back on its company history of 100 years. The subsidiary of Roth Industries, Dautphetal, paid tribute to the milestone with an anniversary celebration. Business partners, current and former employees with their families, members of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce as well as political representatives participated in the celebration event on September 13, 2019, in Burgwald.

Manfred Roth welcomed the guests and expressed his gratitude to the employees for their engagement on behalf of the Roth family. “Our traditional company in Burgwald is known as Schlesinger Maschinenbau GmbH,” says Roth. “Since 1977, it belongs to the familyowned company Roth. The takeover was the first step into the sector of capital goods for us.

Today, we can look back on a success story of 100 years. This is owed to our employees. On behalf of the management of Roth Industries and my family, I would like to thank the entire workforce for the tremendous commitment and loyalty.”

Learn more about Roth Composite Machinery at www.roth-industries.de.

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As the only manufacturer of plastic fibers for the brush and broom industry in Hungary, Kaposplast Ltd. has been operating as a Hungarian family business since 1949.

“Traditions are really important for us.

However, we are aware that we have to keep up with trends as a producer that serves the plastic industry worldwide, and that is the reason we have made the decision about the redesign of our 15-year-long, unchanged visual appearance,” says Tamás Palócz, director of Kaposplast. “Our aim wasn’t the total transformation, but the creation of an image that adapts to our position in the plastic industrial sector and meets the expectations of the modern era, but seems familiar to our old partners.”

Learn more about www.kaposplast.hu/en.

Kaposplast

at

2019 St. Louis NBMB Meeting Held in October

T

he 2019 National Broom, Mop and Brush (NBMB) Meeting hit the calendar much earlier this year as the event looked to avoid a conflict with the ISSA North America Show (November 18-21).

The event shifted to October 10-11, 2019, and was held again in St. Louis, Mo., near the airport for attendee convenience. The switch to October did affect overall attendance, but it also offered the advantage of a much earlier look at key industry forecasts.

Fiberglass Handle Report

Kevin Monahan | Monahan Partners

For our industry, we are seeing an increased use (for fiberglass handles) in correctional facilities due to the way it breaks – it does not make for a good weapon. Food service continues to grow as a market for fiberglass handles due to its reluctance and opposition to bacteria growth and its inability to conduct electricity. It is more expensive than wood and metal but has health and safety advantages.

Fiberglass is made from three key components: rovings, matte and resin. Rovings and matte make up about 60 percent of the handle, the resin fills out the rest … and is susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil.

Fiberglass handles are made in the USA and China. Those imported from China are now subject to a 15-percent tariff. They are also made in Europe, but are generally more expensive there. Some US suppliers are using rovings from China, so that caused a small increase at the end of 2018. Overall, the protrusion industry is stable and healthy for the foreseeable future.

Fiberglass handles are healthy and stable for the foreseeable future ...

I do not see any increases in the near future.

HOLLOW TUBE VS HONEYCOMB: The perception is that honeycomb is stronger than hollow tube, but in any sort of testing we’ve done, we haven’t seen anything conclusive. Both are more than strong enough. Honeycomb would be more expense because of weight alone.

Wood Handle Report

Jim Monahan | Whitley Monahan Handle Company

We buy from Indonesia, Mexico, Honduras, Brazil and the United States. Probably the biggest question now is Brazil, which historically has been a major supplier of hardwoods to our market.

www.brushwaremag.com | 7

YOUR BRUSH DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS DUPONT FILAMENTS CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS For more than 70 years, DuPont Filaments has been recognized as a leader in innovative synthetic filaments that enable brush manufacturers to address emerging trends and meet evolving consumer expectations.

HEALTH DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS - TOOTHBRUSH FILAMENTS The most important component of a toothbrush lies in the bristle.

With outstanding industry expertise accumulated over the years, coupled with our proven technologies, DuPont Filaments is dedicated to the oral care brush industry with our nylon solutions under the brand names of DuPont™ Tynex®(nylon 612) and DuPont™ Herox®(nylon 610) . Leading toothbrush brands and manufacturers are able to produce very high quality brushes with a balance of consistent quality, wear performance and unmatched productivities in tufting and end-rounding by using DuPont filaments. As consumer trends in toothbrush are increasingly focused on the six major areas of 1) Visual Attractiveness, 2) Interdental Cleaning, 3) Plaque Removal, 4) Gum Comfort, 5) Gingival Cleaning and 6) Anti-microbial within the filaments, DuPont Filaments has been working closely with the leading global brands in oral care as well as toothbrush manufacturers by fulfilling these needs with our broad range of innovative products in the portfolio BEAUTY DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS - FINE FILAMENTS DuPont™ Natrafil® filaments, a pioneering filament from DuPont’s unique polyester based material, contain proprietary texturizing additives that create a structured surface that mimics animal hair.

Natrafil® filaments offer a synthetic alternative to animal hair in premium cosmetic powder brushes with more consistency in the bristle while maintaining the touch-and-feel of premium animal hair. Studies have shown that brushes made with Natrafil® filaments have equal to superior pickup and release performance versus brushes made with animal hair.

EFFICIENCY DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS – ABRASIVE FILAMENTS Like most industries, steel manufacturers are always looking for

ways to increase productivity. The emphasis is on getting more square feet of metal through the mill, cleaned and coated faster than ever before. To accomplish this, steel mills are using more aggressive cleaning solutions. The problem is that the cleaning brushes typically used were quickly degrading because many plastics used in the brush filaments can’t handle the solutions of the extremes of the PH scale. The technical resources at DuPont Filaments were able to help solve the problem by adding stabilizers to one of our nylon polymer formulations, effectively extending the pH range that these filaments can be used in. Brushes made with these filaments deliver cleaning performance over an improved service life, helping steel manufactures to achieve higher productivity.

Another need voiced by customers is higher aggressiveness in metal finishing applications. DuPont™ Tynex® A filaments, a family of ceramic grit-containing filaments, was developed to meet this need.

CREATIVITY DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS – PAINTBRUSH FILAMENTS When manufacturers began changing their paints to water-based formulations, more people began using paintbrushes made with synthetic bristles because the hog bristles traditionally used in paintbrushes lost stiffness in water-based paints. Synthetics such as DuPont™ Tynex®, DuPont™ Chinex® and DuPont™ Orel® brand filaments quickly became popular choices. As paint manufacturers continue to improve their water-based formulations by reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) content, increasing solid loadings and decreasing drying times, there is an ongoing need for increasingly higher performing brushes. To meet this need, DuPont Filaments continues to innovate and help customize solutions. For example, we developed filaments with stiffer cross-section that can push higher viscosity paints more efficiently. We also changed the shapes of the filaments so that they not only pick up more paint from the can for faster application, but are easier to clean.

YOUR BRUSH DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS

Recognition for being the global leader in filaments comes from our customers. You inspire us to make a difference in the world. We will continue to advance our innovations because we believe your BRUSH deserves the best FILAMENTS. filaments.dupont.com

industry NEWS

With environmental concerns related to the burning of the Amazon forests, a lot of major retailers are moving away from Brazilian hardwoods. We have seen this trend for about a year now and if it continues, Brazil will decline as a major supplier to the US. Indonesia supplies a minimal amount and that is mostly to the western US, due to the advantage in freight. Mexico has come on to be a good supplier. It has excellent pine and softwoods that are very nice for the broom and mop handles in 42- and 48-inch lengths.

Honduras is also historically a major supplier of soft woods. Suppliers there always fight issues with the rainy season, which coincides with the hurricane season. The production drops, but the suppliers there have done a lot better job in the last year to plan ahead by cutting more timber and putting it under roofs so the rain doesn’t affect it so much. Their production naturally slows down in November and December, which corresponds with the slowdown in the US market.

Lastly, we are seeing increases in the domestic use of handles from poplar and southern yellow pine – all of which are reforestated under strict government programs here in the US. Overall, the availability of raw materials for wood handles has been excellent and will continue to be excellent.

Andrew Dailey, Jones Family of Companies

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Mop Yarn Report

Andrew Daily | Jones Family of Companies

Because of the tariff war, the amount of consumption of US textile products, yarn, cotton, etc. by China has been depressed. The year’s crop and harvest has been pretty significant. This year’s crop is going to be 21.7 million bales – that’s an increase over last year of more than 18 percent, so it’s pretty easy to see where the market is for mop yarn and other textiles. There’s not a market to trade into, so everyone is watching for good news on a trade agreement.

Broomcorn Report

Bart Pelton | Pelray International Company

The new crop this year is a little smaller than a year before, but the demand is off, so the decline in supply is matching the demand. Plus, we still have carryover from the 2018 crop and even the 2017 crop, so there is plenty of leftover broomcorn. Even with a small crop, it’s not putting any upward pressure on price. Broomcorn prices are actually off slightly.

The prices would be off more, but the major processors have higher cost broomcorn leftover from 2017, so they are kind of trying to average their costs with the lower prices from the newer crop and the higher prices from the older crops.

Aphids are still a problem, but it hasn’t impacted the crop much this year because most of the farmers know they have to spray for aphids or they’re going to lose their crops. But they are reducing the crop size some – not because of the aphids, but because the farmers would rather produce something they don’t have to spray.

MEXICO DEMAND: There is still quite a bit of demand for broomcorn in Mexico with more than 100 broom winders operating … so, the corn broom business may have shrunk, but it’s still around.

SEED IMPROVEMENT: We’ve been getting some broomcorn seed from the University of Illinois that we’ve been exporting or donating to the Mexican growers to use for seed crops to improve the quality of the seed. We are being told that the University of Illinois seed has superior yields and better fiber than the Mexican seed that they have been using year after year.

Tampico Report

Bart Pelton | Pelray International Company

No market fluctuates quite like tampico as far as supply and demand.

We’ve gotten to a period where demand has tailed off some. China is not importing as much tampico as it was. I think it is more of an inventory adjustment, but lead times on tampico are down and there is a little bit of softness in the tampico market. But it continues to be plenty available.

Metal Handle Report

Mark Maninfior | American Select Tubing

Delivered by Joel Hastings – Mills are going into their shutdown periods for maintenance, so you are going to see some idle capacity that could potentially drive up the price. As a final note, trade uncertainty could increase interest in sourcing domestically. Steel prices should be stable to possibly softening over the next year provided a trade bill does not further limit offerings.

industry NEWS Foreign Exchange Report

Bart Pelton | Pelray International Company

EURO:The Euro has been on a slow decline – 4-5 percent from a year ago. We import metal handles from Italy, plastic fiber from Italy, brush making machines from Italy and elsewhere. This is helping to bring down the cost of items we import from Europe. It’s also making products we export to Europe more expensive, but I don’t think we are exporting that much to Europe... not in our industry.

The main reasons for the slow decline in the Euro is that the European economy hasn’t been as strong as ours and there are a lot of issues with Brexit. Even though the UK isn’t part of the EuroZone, it still has an impact. And with negative interest rates, it makes it more attractive for companies, individuals and countries to keep their money in other currencies that have positive interest rates like the US dollar.

PESO: The peso has been fluctuating in a pretty wild range: A 10-15-percent range from top to bottom. So that can impact costs. Overall, it has been stable enough though, that it hasn’t caused any extra inflation in Mexico.

CANADIEN DOLLAR: It is in a tight range, but fluctuating and fairly predictable. More expensive for exports to Canada and for the Bart Pelton from Pelray International Company Canadian members of our industry for having to deal with raw material imports. One advantage Canadians do have is they are not involved in any tariff wars with SOUTH AFRICAN RAND: Mexico imports several containers of African grass a month as a broomcorn substitute. This currency goes China. They can import more items duty-free than we can. all over the place. It is surprising that it hasn’t strengthened as it BRAZILIAN REAL: Currently, the US dollar is buying more than usually follows the price of gold, but that hasn’t worked out the four reals. This is the first time in a long time the real has been that past year. weak. Compared to a year ago, that is a 15-percent depreciation. The DOW JONES: This is a leading economic indicator … when your weaker real has taken the cost pressure off imports from Brazil. stock portfolio is worth more you feel more prosperous. When the INDIAN RUPEE: Fluctuating, but in a pretty tight range. market goes down, you tend to tighten up. Back in December of CHINESE YUAN: For years, the yuan was very stable against the US 2018, the Federal Reserve was raising interest rates and shrinking dollar. And for a number of years it was actually appreciating against the money supply. President Trump convinced the Federal Reserve the dollar. For the last two years, the Chinese have been letting to reverse course and start cutting interest rates. That was the main their currency depreciate against the US dollar. Around 5-6 percent reason for the big recovery since last Christmas through this year. depreciation in one year and about 12-15 percent over two years, Now, the market is pretty highly valued and more in a trading range, which offsets a lot of the impact of the import tariffs. It is difficult to rather than an uptrend. This is worth watching, because if the market buy from China in yuan as the country prefers US dollars. There are sells off, it usually means the economy is going to cool. exchange controls on moving capital in and out of the country. We YIELD CURVE: When short-term interest rates are higher than don’t do a lot of trade with China, but we are seeing some discounts longer interests rates, that is an inverted yield curve and typically (with Chinese exporters) to offset the tariffs. And ocean freight that is associated with recessions. Currently, we are just right on pricing is down, because freight has decreased. that level. But, how good is it at predicting something if everyone is watching it? If the Fed will keep cutting rates that will keep it from getting too negative.

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GOLD: Gold is often considered an indicator of future inflation. However, the current price is more likely related to low and negative interest rates rather than a fear of inflation.

Gold prices have had a nice rally this year.

CRUDE OIL: Freight is in everything we use. If you have higher prices for oil, you have higher prices for freight. The attack on an oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia caused a spike in September. It’s amazing, though, because if an attack on Saudi Arabia had happened 10 years ago, that price would be off the charts. There’s so much US domestic production that even the fear of the supply of interruptions in the Middle East won’t push the price up. Or if it does, it’s just temporary.

NATURAL GAS: Currently, natural gas is around $2 per barrel. The amount of drilling in the US is off some and they’re cutting back a little bit on drilling in the Permian Basin and elsewhere. Oil is still $50 a barrel. When they are drilling for oil, they are producing gas as a byproduct and they are not getting much money for this gas … and we’re exporting a lot more gas through LNG and we thought that would help pump up the market. But what we’ve done now is crashed the price of natural gas throughout the world, not just in the US. Natural gas is a feedstock for a lot of resins and plastics, so it is going to be good news as far as stability on those prices.

CORN: A proxy for all agricultural crops, corn has fared better than some crops because a lot of it is used domestically for ethanol instead of exported. It had a spike a few months ago but otherwise it has been pretty flat. And that is true of a lot of agricultural products – either flat or down.

COPPER: When copper is strong, it’s an indication that the worldwide economy is strong. Right now it is flat to down and the current price is an indication of a slow economy.

OCEAN FREIGHT: Most of the ships are using bunker fuel oil, which is the bottom of the barrel and dirtiest part of the barrel. Environmentalists in some of the port cities are pushing to require diesel, which is a lot cleaner, but it is more expensive. Right now, what really drives ocean freight is the supply and demand of vessels. At the moment, the amount of world trade is off some, so there’s a little extra shipping capacity, and we’re seeing ocean freight is stable or declining.

MEXICO: President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) is one year into his term. He has scaled back reforms in the energy sector. He initially had some progress against violence in Mexico, but it’s creeping back up again.

He’s reversed some reforms in education.

For the products that we import from Mexico, prices are fairly stable on corn brooms, mop yarn, metal handles, wood handles. They fluctuate with exchange rates, but at the moment, the availability is pretty good.

2020 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Bart Pelton wrapped up his Foreign Exchange at the segment with a candid look at important issues for the industry in 2020: IMPEACHMENT: Congress will be focused on impeachment, which means no significant legislation is likely to go through.

That could be a good thing for our industry.

NORTH AMERICAN TRADE DEAL: USMCA is still not approved … it will be a disaster if not approved or if President Trump withdraws from NAFTA. Congress doesn’t seem interested in doing anything because of the focus on impeachment. So it is doubtful that anything will happen until the next congress.

INTEREST RATES: They are already low and they’re going to get even lower, which will reduce your financing costs And maybe help the housing market a little bit.

IMPORT TARIFFS SLOW WORLD TRADE: There are winners in a trade war and, in this case, it’s Australia and Mexico, not the United States. The news seems to vary with tweets andreates a lot of uncertainty when it comes to businesses making invests. That alone slows growth.

ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN: Sooner or later there will be another recession. It doesn’t mean it will be next year, but we’ve been in an expansion mode for 10 years, so I don’t think the business cycle has been repealed. It’s something that we all have to be looking at on the horizon. On the other hand, when businesses worry about a slowdown, they borrow less money, they pay down debt, they’re careful on expansion plans and they don’t get overleveraged. Those are the things that make a recession a lot worse. The fact that people are worried about an economic slowdown is going to make one less likely or softer.

KEYNOTE

Dr. Sean Siebert was the keynote speaker for the third year in a row and his talk focused on the results his Adopt an Innovator and Rehab Through Innovation programs have had in Cuba, Mo. He had several charts on hand showing Cuba at the top in many economic categories.

He also spoke about being innovative in dealing with the current shortage of skilled workers and shared his experience of taking an eight player Little League team from a 0-21 opening loss to third place in the league.

With five players that “couldn’t catch or hit,” he had to get innovative a did just that by playing four players at shortstop and having the pitcher run down anything hit to right field.

On the offensive side, he made sure his youngest players understood that they didn’t have to swing at every pitch -- particularly any pitch that would bounce before getting to home plate!

2020 MEETING

Next year the NMBM meeting has targeted a move back to November and ideally the week prior to Thanksgiving if the venue and other details fit the schedule. www.brushwaremag.com | 13

61st FEIBP Congress Report From Lucerne, Switzerland

Swiss Retreat September 26-28, 2019

By Katharina Goldbeck-Hörz

T

he Swiss mountains welcomed visitors with light autumn weather and wonderfully warm temperatures. At the Hotel Astoria in Lucerne, FEIBP President Peter Langenegger and Peter Brunner, the reception committee, awaited each guest personally and gave a warm welcome to the visitors from Switzerland, the European countries and the USA on the first evening. The 61st FEIBP Congress was attended by more than 100 people, including numerous participants who, as representatives of their companies, took part for the first time in this popular annual meeting of the brush industry. To sum up, one can look back on a successful congress and event in every respect. It was supported by a benevolent and sympathetic cooperation of the organizers and congress participants, by motivating guest speakers, by commitment during spontaneous group work and by a demanding supporting programme. Musicians and charming yodellers spread a good mood in the evening. The romantic boat trip over Lake Lucerne during sunset with deep sounds of Swiss alphorn, exquisite food and best wines, forming the glamorous conclusion during the gala dinner in the Park Hotel Vitznau.

Official Opening and Working Groups As a prelude to the plenary session, Langenegger welcomed all members of the Congress and the surprisingly large number of new participants who attended the Congress for the first time. ABMA President D. Scott Enchelmaier delivered friendly greetings from the USA. FEIBP board member Fons Ceelaert reflected on the results of last year’s congress and chaired the entire meeting.

The topic “together we are stronger” ran like a red thread through the congress. This was already evident at the beginning of the conference within the various working groups. They presented the results of their meetings, which they now hold regularly throughout the year. Divided into the areas “Personal Care,” “Professional Hygiene Brushware,” “Technical Brushes” and “Paintbrushes,” important and comprehensive topics for the industry to be discussed.

The Working Group “Personal Care” headed by Chairman Christopher Boomer from Ireland. He gave an overview of the results of the meetings and the development of the members as well as an overall view of the economic development of the past year in this sector. The results of the group “Professional Hygiene Brushware” were presented by Chairman Philipp Coward from England. The different statutory hygiene standards of the individual countries were interesting.

Alessandro Acquaderni from Italy was responsible for “Technical Brushes” and gave an overview of changes in the market from the point of view of European manufacturers. The results from the “Paint Brushes” group were presented by Piet van Erp, representing Chairman Alessandro Civiero. Within this group the topic “further education” was discussed along with the different possibilities offered by secondary schools in the sector of brush production.

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TOP: Christopher Boomer (Denroy Plastics) and working group.

LEFT MIDDLE: Ian Moss – Brush Fibers, Reinhold Hörz – DKSH Switzerland, Sandro Meier and Chris Monahan – Brush Fibers RIGHT: ABMA President D. Scott Enchelmaier and FEIBP President Peter Langenegger BOTTOM: Jürgen Tabert – Wöhler Brush Tech and Andrea Acquaderni – S.I.T. Soc.It. Tecnospazzole S.p.A.

www.brushwaremag.com | 15

In the past year, interest increased in all groups, which was positively noted by all the chairmen. The growing participation of the working groups and the openness with which the topics were discussed together demonstrated the recognition that the results of the industry collaboration have now received.

Keynote Speakers Sita Mazumder and Rudolf Greger’s exciting keynote presentations focused mainly on the challenges of the future: How do we reach young, talented and motivated employees? How do we find company successors? How do we secure the future of our industry together?

How can we successfully integrate Generations Y and Z into our teams? How can we combine the synergies of the older and newer generations in our industry? What role does the complexity of design play with regard to the future development of products and corporate development in conjunction with sustainability? How can we also make the congress interesting for young successors in the future, and what should be done to make the congress format of the FEIBP future-proof?

“We are working in a time of unprecedented generational change and challenge,” says Mazumder. “For the first time in history, there are now five generations in the workforce and on the market. This opens up great opportunities, but the companies are also very challenged with this generation management. Sita Mazumder recalls the American journalist Marie Steinem with the quote: “We must remember over generations that there is as much to learn as there is to teach.”

“We no longer live in the industrial age. We are already aware of this because we have more than everything we need and can imagine,” says Austrian designer Rudolf Greger. “We are not experiencing scarcity in our part of the world. The values are shifting and are no longer the same within the current generations as they were at the time of our parents. In addition, the artefacts that surround us are increasingly becoming symbols of services. And all this will affect future generations even more.”

Following on from their current and presentations, the two speakers challenged the congress participants with an interactive approach.

They encouraged the auditorium to deal with these forward-looking topics in spontaneously-formed working groups and to present the results and findings to the other participants immediately after a 10-minute brainstorming session. The good-humoured results of the group work from the eight teams could be reduced to a common denominator: Only together and with transparent and trusting communication at eye level with the young generation we will be successful in the future.

Brush Forum and 12th Innovation Award Numerous representatives of companies were available in the Brush Forum with a small booth where contacts could be reached. This presentation is much appreciated in the context of the congress to lead business-oriented discussions and to maintain the personal exchange among each other.

TOP: Dr. Zita Mazumder MIDDLE: Rudolf Greger BOTTOM: Lisa Boucherie – GB Boucherie and Lorenzo Ghindini – BORGHI S.p.A.

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The Brush Forum is also a suitable platform to present the nominees of the 12th Innovation Award. All innovations were already presented during the opening session of the congress. Four companies or product lines were nominated.

For the first time in the history of the Innovation Award Competition, two first-place prizes were awarded along with one second-place winner.

First Place Winner: Wistoba Pinselfabrik GmbH & Co. KG “V12 brush concept––optimized manufacturing process for painters’ brushes”

The V12 Concept is a variable, thoroughly environmentally friendly range of brushes. At the heart of Arndt W. Stollberg’s development concept was the goal of creating a system from sustainable materials.

The V12 Concept offers both environmentally friendly and functional properties as well as all the advantages of the head punching process for the production of paint brushes. Wistoba extended a FSCcertified wooden handle with a functional click contact for the brush head. This innovative joining technique means that no solventbased adhesives or staples are used. In this process, the brush head is equipped with PET/PBT filaments made of re-granulate. The newly developed bristle carrier is made of recycled plastic.

The V12-Concept was awarded first place in the innovation prize because the focus of development is on sustainability and responsibility and the brushes can be manufactured without epoxy adhesive, integrated in a new brush head system with synthetic filaments. “We can imagine expanding this system with specific color codes to make it much easier to use different materials, such as water-based or solvent-based paints, acrylic paints, pigment paints and varnishes,” explains Arndt W. Stollberg. “We see many possibilities with which we can expand our new, innovative system for the future in a beneficial and advantageous way.”

TOP LEFT: Arndt W. Stollberg – Wistoba Pinselfabrik TOP RIGHT: Alessandro Poncioni – Ebnat AG MIDDLE: Arndt W. Stollberg, Fons Ceelaert, Bé Bols and Peter Langenegger BOTTOM: Piet van ErpVan Dam’s Kwastenfabriek BV

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FEIBP FEEDBACK

First Place Winner: Van Dam’s Kwastenfabriek BV (Netherlands) The “duo brush for the professional house painter” by Van Dam’s Kwastenfabriek was also awarded first place. This brush has an integrated small brush (Fitchbürste) in the larger brush, which is shown by a sliding movement upward. With this Duo Brush, the painter always has his brush at hand for the fine work and can use it immediately. After use, this smaller Fitch brush can be pushed back into the brush. It cannot dry out because it is inside the brush.

Second Place Winner: Ebnat AG (Switzerland) “Baby bottle brush.” This cleaning brush was developed by Ebnat AG especially for the baby bottle manufacturer Medela. The starting point for this development was the search for a solution to clean differently shaped baby bottles and bottle nipples simply and hygienically after use. With the Medela bottle brush, Ebnat has succeeded in perfectly combining a unique look with solid functionality. This brush is easy to use and eye-catching.

With its futuristic tufting balls, it differs clearly from any other brush on the market. And yet nothing about this brush is just marketing. The customers will experience a perfect cleaning result.

From left: Gerhard, Steinbrunner, Ulrich Zahoransky and Robert Dous

Robert Dous, Director Sales & Marketing ZAHORANSKY AG FEIBP is dedicated to its own future and that of its member companies. Successors, Gen Z, young employees on the agenda … great!

Everywhere we are facing big changes and it is good to talk about it with other companies from the same industry at eye level.

The events on the subject of younger generations and design thinking have given important impulses for all of us and for the association.

Obviously FEIBP is facing generational changes soon as well.

I am looking forward to Prague 2020, the birthplace of the ZAHORANSKY company.

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Fourth Place Winner: Smartfilaments AG (Switzerland) “Cellulose fibers with incorporated additives for high-performance ski wax brushes.”

The manufacturer describes its innovation as “A secret functional additive is incorporated into the bristles. The latter consist of 100 percent biological cellulose fibres. When brushing and polishing ski surfaces, the additive is released in small doses and leads to faster skiing. An innovation for the ski sports industry with competitive advantages in ski racing; measurable results in the laboratory, but also in the Alpine and Nordic Ski World Cup and at the 2019 World Championships in Sweden and Austria.”

General Assembly As in every year, Fons Ceelaert welcomed the speakers during the general assembly, who addressed the interested audience with their annual reports on the procurement of raw materials from the various markets.

Dr. Urte Rietdorf (Friedrich Platt GmbH), speaker for the procurement of vegetable fiber, clearly presented the situation in the countries of origin. In her report, she dealt with the changes in the world market and the resulting

dependence of raw materials in quality and quantity due to regional and worldwide climate influences in the procurement countries.

Reinhold Hörz (DKSH Switzerland) spoke about the procurement of raw materials, in particular pig bristles from China. His presentation focused on the current environmental policy in China, which is having an increasingly positive effect on this country. The number of pig bristle producers has been declining significantly in recent years, as these rural areas are increasingly being developed for tourist purposes.

The procurement of high-quality raw materials remains a challenge.

FEIBP FEEDBACK

Mark Samuel (Mark Samuel Trading Co. Ltd.) presented his report on the increasingly difficult procurement of high-quality fine hair to the auditorium.

Vegetable Fibers Report:

Dr. Urte Rietdorf (Friedrich Platt GmbH) To sum up, I would say that the procurement situation is currently broadly stable. Although some countries are already struggling massively with the consequences of global warming (in the last two-three years especially in the Southeast Asian part), this does not affect the export of the fibers too much or can be compensated well. While Bahia Piassava is currently in strong demand as a vegan natural product, the demand for Sherbro Piassava has fallen sharply following the economic collapse of Sierra Leone, which could lead to a sharp reduction in stock goods. In several areas, quality is highly dependent on manufacturers. In some regions, attempts are being made to reduce prices by dyeing goods, treating them with polluted water or producing them without respecting labour rights. Longstanding reputable suppliers, however, pay close attention to the quality and production conditions of their products and can thus also offer safe goods. Prices did not fluctuate enormously last year, and at present there are no foreseeable fluctuations. Price increases in individual areas are mainly due to currency fluctuations, with rising wages and often also minimum wages being announced in almost all countries of origin.

Andrew McIlroy, Sales & Marketing Director PERLON Hahl Filaments GmbH I thought the quality of the congress was excellent this year. Very well organised both on a business and social level. The content of the working groups I attended (PHB, and in particular Technical Brushes) was highly relevant and these remain a big reason why people attend the congress. We had the chance to speak to several customers during the brush forum, which for us as a company is well worth the entry fee. FEIBP is getting more well known in the industry and as a board we are doing our best to attract new members and, of course, delegates to future congresses. I cannot imagine that a single delegate could say that there was no ‘take home value‘ for them or their company from this year’s event.

OPPOSITE PAGE (from left): Andrew McIllroy – Perlon-Hahl, Bé Bols – Jobo Borstelfabriek BV, Phillip Coward – The Hill Brush Company and Mark Samuel – Mark Samuel Trading Co. (photo provided by Andrew McIllroy) THIS PAGE: Dr. Urte Rietdorf – Friedrich Platt GmbH

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FEIBP FEEDBACK Thomas Halbrucker, Sales Manager ROTH COMPOSITE MACHINERY GMBH For me, the congress in Lucerne was one of the most active so far. It was also very informative due to the close exchange with market participants and the results obtained in the working groups.

One noticed at this year’s congress that the participants, triggered by the guest contributions, thought intensively about the future approach.

The congress in Lucerne was under the star: How do we want to remain strong in the future when a new generation, with new technologies in particular, knocks on the door?

This constructive discussion began in Lucerne and I am sure that many more will follow.”

Synthetic Fibers Report:

Andrew McIlroy (Perlon GmbH) Despite a fall in the price of crude oil over the past 12 months, this has had very little effect on plastic raw materials, even those closest linked to the oil price. The peak prices of 2018 in particular for PA 66 and PA 612, due to shortages in supply and high demand, have subsided recently and availability is back to normal. Low demand typically leads to a softening of prices, but we are yet to see this to much extent. Manufacturers of granulate will do their best to retain their margins despite the lack of demand.

Outlook for 2020 Finally, Fons Geelaert thanked Peter Langenegger and his team for the successful organization of the congress and his successful presidency. He will be followed by Andrew McIlroy as the next presenter in 2021 and 2022. The 62nd FEIBP Congress is set for Prague, Czech Republic, September 23-26, 2020.

–brm

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How to Recession-Proof Your Business Plan Now to Survive and Thrive in a Downturn Businesses can survive and thrive in a recession if they retool operations well in advance of the economic downturn. Critical steps include eliminating operational inefficiencies, leveraging technology for increased productivity, paying off credit lines, securing sufficient working capital and diversifying funding sources.

Above all, managers should plan for continued growth rather than resort to undisciplined cost cutting.

By Phillip M. Perry

W

hen will the next recession hit? No one knows, but business leaders are aware that the nation’s decade-long run of good times can’t last forever. Two-thirds of the nation’s chief financial officers expect the United States to tip into an economic downturn by the third quarter of 2020, according to a Duke University/CFO Global Business Outlook survey.

Reasons? Experts cite potential triggers as disparate as a serious US-China rift, an interest rate misstep by the Federal Reserve, the growing levels of corporate debt and the ballooning federal deficit. Any one factor might tip the economy into a recession—loosely defined as a significant drop in economic activity lasting more than a few months.

Lemons to Lemonade Whatever its cause, a recession is bound to pose bottom-line challenges.

Can the pain be lessened? Yes, if certain steps are taken to retool operations in advance of the slowdown. And the time to start those steps, say the experts, is now.

“Churchill said ‘never waste a crisis,’” says John McQuaig, managing partner of McQuaig & Welk, a management consulting firm based out of Wenatchee, Wash. (www.mcqw.com). “His advice is just as relevant when it comes to preparing for one. Don’t waste the time that still remains before the arrival of the next recession.”

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Synthetic filaments brought to you by DKSH Switzerland Ltd. US Distributor: Brush Fibers Arcola Please contact us for further information, specifications and offers: Reinhold Hoerz Senior Sales Manager, Brush Industry Phone +41 44 386 7901 Mobile +41 79 785 4657 reinhold.hoerz@dksh.com www.dksh.ch/brush

Think Asia. Think DKSH.

Waiting too long is risky. “Shooting from the hip in a downturn often leads to business decisions that are compromises or worse,” says Michael Asbury, founder of Elevate Coaching and Consulting, Trinity, N.C. (www.elevate-outcomes.com). “Unprepared businesses are left with fewer options when tough times arrive, and those options are usually bad ones.”

Early steps to retool one’s business can return rich dividends in the form of a stronger bottom line long before the recession actually hits.

And once the economic downturn does begin, this lean and mean machine can beat the competition.

“With the right preparation, an economic downturn can be more of an opportunity than a problem,” says Lisa Anderson, president of LMA Consulting Group, Claremont, Calif. (www.lma-consultinggroup.com).

“While less capable businesses fall by the wayside, your own business can expand its customer base.”

Bonus tip: Businesses that prepare for a recession tend to pull ahead during and after a slowdown, says Harvard Business Review.

Plan for growth So what do you do, exactly? Above all, avoid the common mistake of undisciplined cost-cutting. Businesses can’t save their ways out of a crisis.

“Focus on expanding your business—not on just cutting back,” says Cliff Ennico, an attorney and business consultant in Fairfield, Conn. (www.cliffennico.com). As a recession approaches, strengthen the market position by developing initiatives to win new customers.

Selling more to the existing market—and expanding it—need not be expensive. Business leaders can likely ferret out new ways to get more from the current organizational structure. Further, rationalizing current resources often translates into a reduction of expenses.

“Every business suffers from costly fat that tends to grow over the years, especially during long periods of growth,” says McQuaig. “Now is the time to identify where your people are wasting their efforts and how your operations can be made more efficient. Is an entrenched bureaucracy, for example, slowing your customer response time?”

Rationalizing your operations can unleash hitherto unrealized potential. “Most businesses have a lot more capacity than they realize,” says Asbury. Unlocking efficiencies will help shorten backlog and allow orders to be processed more quickly. At the same time, he says, the business can become a more reliable supplier: “A shorter lead time can land more initial orders. Then, your on-time delivery and quality can cultivate loyal repeat customers.”

Here’s another way to increase capacity: Leverage the digital revolution. A recent Harvard Business Review study found that

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successful companies tend to use funds from reduced operating budgets to invest in productivity-boosting technology.

But wait: Isn’t a recession on-ramp the wrong place to increase spending? Not if it results in a more profitable operation, says McQuaig. “Doubling down may seem counterintuitive, but it can be the best way to prepare for a recession.”

Bonus tip: Remember the adage, “You can’t cut your way out of a recession.”

Control Cash Flow A recession can send a company’s normal revenue rhythms into a tailspin. “My first concern for any business anticipating a downturn is the smart management of cash flow,” says Daniel Feiman, Managing Director of Built it Backwards, a consulting firm in Redondo Beach, Calif. (www.builditbackwards.com). “Start to monitor more closely what is coming in and going out. Are turns slowing? Is your cash being locked up for longer periods?”

Make accounts receivable top of mind. “Use your aging reports proactively, not reactively,” says Feiman. “When receivables start to become stale, communicate early with customers. If there’s an issue, resolve it.”

When good customers start slowing their payments, respond in a way that avoids alienating them. Keeping on top of the problem will require good communication skills. “Call and ask the customer if there is any problem,” suggests Ennico. “You might say something like ‘I know times are tough. Are you hurting?’” If the customer is experiencing a temporary problem, loyalty to them can pay off down the line, he says.

“If you help customers now, they will stick with you forever.”

Cash is a two-way street. Monitor how quickly the cash is flowing out as well as coming in. The goal is to stay liquid. “If you have cash, you have options,” says Feiman. “If you run out of cash, you are out of business.” Don’t just rely on financial statements that look backward, says Feiman. “Design and access cash budgets that look forward.”

Bonus tip: Remember Feiman’s basic rule: “Collect an old receivable before making a new one.”

Trim Fixed Costs While monitoring those cash currents, consider the variable and fixed costs. The former tend to be related directly to production and often little fat is available to be trimmed. It’s the second that often holds the most promise. Identify discretionary expenses that can be cut.

“You really have to watch fixed costs, such as lease payments, depreciation and building related expenses,” says McQuaig. Many

companies over the past decade have succumbed to the temptation to increase fixed costs in anticipation of higher revenues. “The problem is that those costs will not change very fast as your income starts to go down.” In a declining market, fixed costs tend to eat into the bottom line.

Cutting fixed costs can spark dramatic increases in profit, says Asbury.

“If you can increase your sales while holding fixed expenses constant, a good portion of the increased revenues will flow straight to the bottom line.”

Even if certain fixed costs can’t be cut overnight, starting the thinking process early can pay off down the road. “You might not be able to shrink your physical space this month,” notes McQuaig, giving one example. “But now might be a good time to plan a possible reduction two years down the road.”

about anything can be worked out. But if you run into the bank at the last minute for financing, the story is far different.”

No matter how secure you are with your main bank, have a Plan B ready to go. “You want to cultivate a secondary financing relationship,” says Feiman. “Tell the institution you will not be making them your primary source today, but you want to start a relationship that leads to their stepping up to the plate if and when they are needed. Consider starting a small account to encourage their commitment.”

Trimming unproductive fixed costs and wasteful expenses are both great ideas. But avoid the common temptation to short-change marketing.

Bonus tip: Cut variable costs by retooling your procedures to more closely meet customer needs.

Secure Working Capital If cash is King, working capital is the heir apparent. The business needs enough reserve financial capability to tide it over during a cash flow squeeze. One way to do that is to trim outstanding debt. “The best thing you can do now is pay off your credit lines,” says Ennico.

“Have them ready as cash reserves in case you need them down the road.”

Again, an early start pays rich dividends. Arrange for any additional credit lines while the economy and the business are still in good shape. “The time to negotiate with banks is when you don’t need them,” says Ennico.

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If having sufficient reserve capital is a requisite for success, so is an appropriate debt structure. “If you have expensive short-term borrowings against long-term assets, you might want to negotiate longer-term debt,” says McQuaig. “The lower payments will help you work your way through softening revenues if operations shrink.

You can always accelerate payments down the road, but you cannot decelerate them.”

•

Cut to 1.73” up to 55.3” or on spools

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Level or crimped finishing

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Other steps to clean your balance sheet exist. Examples: Can a significant portion of short-term debt be restructured through a 10-year Small Business Administration-backed loan, resulting in smaller monthly payments? Can a straight line of credit be made less expensive by turning it into one secured by accounts receivable?

We also provide our experrse and lab resources to help with your individual needs and applicaaons.

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Bonus tip: Postpone major initiatives unless they promise to generate timely significant revenue.

Diversify Funding Sources Time is also of the essence when it comes to long-term debt. Banks hold their cash tighter when recessions begin. “It is easier to borrow now, when banks can see you have healthy cash flows,” says McQuaig.

“The situation is far different when your income starts to drop.

Waiting too long to apply for loans gets a lot of businesses in trouble.”

Make sure the business is on solid ground with its primary funding source. “Now is a good time to have a conversation with your banker,” says Feiman. “Ask questions such as, ‘What if a recession hits? What if I need a little more working capital? What do you need from me today to pre-approve that?’ If you give your banker enough time, just www.brushwaremag.com | 25

“While you need to be careful and strategic in what you spend, promotion and advertising and growth-related initiatives are mandatory, even before and during a recession,” says Joel G. Block, president of Bullseye Capital, a management consultancy in Agoura Hills, Calif. (www.bullseyecap.com). “If you neglect them, your business will not continue to grow. You will potentially shrink into oblivion.”

Bonus tip: Sell unneeded assets now, using the cash to pay down debt and reduce leverage.

Enlist Your Employees Make the recession a team effort. Push the business into third gear by enlisting the energies and ideas of the employees.

“When it comes to personnel, the biggest downside is a lack of communication,” says Anderson. “Keep your employees in the loop by letting them know that economists are predicting a recession. But rather than causing panic by casting the economic downturn as a bad thing, present it as an opportunity to gain market share by spending more time with customers, solving their problems and convincing them that your firm will be around while competing suppliers fall by the wayside.”

Brainstorming with the staff can uncover hidden treasures.

“Employees have a vital perspective on the market because they are so close to customers,” says Feiman. “Encourage them to speak up with their ideas.”

This is also a good time to build flexibility and agility into the workforce. “Cross-train skills so you can move people around in response to unanticipated shifts in the workload when the recession arrives,” says Anderson. “And also consider utilizing temporary labor

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to fill in the gaps, performing any work duties you are not sure will carry into the future.”

Resist the temptation to trim the workforce too deeply when hard times arrive. “While cost cutting can be important when preparing for a recession, try to keep your trained workforce in place,” says McQuaig. “Many times companies cut their staffs too deeply, then cannot recover after a recession because skilled workers are not in place to regenerate revenue.”

Bonus tip: When a recession hits, eschew morale-busting layoffs in favor of more productive labor-saving adjustments such as hour reductions, furloughs, part time positions and performance pay.

Retool and Recharge While no one is happy when the economy softens, a downturn can serve to reveal opportunities for making the business stronger and more profitable. Turn hard times into an advantage.

“View the recession as an opportunity, not a threat,” says Ennico.

“Take the time now to ask how you can expand your business when the downturn arrives, even though you will not be making as fat a margin. What are the services and businesses you can get into without too much change? How can you show current and new customers you are willing to better meet their needs?”

Above all, be flexible. “Good businesses make money in good times and bad,” says Ennico. “While there is no recession-proof business, the winners are those who adapt best to challenging conditions.”

–brm

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2019 Brushware Expanded Suppliers’ Edition Arroworthy.................................................28 Bizzoto Giovanni Automation SRL...............30 Bodam International LTD...........................32 Borghi USA.................................................33 Boucherie Borghi Group.............................34 Carnevali Dino...........................................41 DKSH.........................................................41 DuPont......................................................42 E. Gornell & Sons.......................................43

FM Brush...................................................44 Gordon Brush.............................................46 Hahl/Perlon...............................................47 Ixtlera........................................................48 MFC LTD....................................................49 Mill-Rose...................................................50 Monahan Filaments...................................51 Paggin.......................................................52 PelRay.......................................................53

ARROWORTHY

248 WYANDANCH AVE WEST BABYLON, NY 11704 Tel: 888-444-4949 Fax: 631-253-9428 Email: rolandk@arroworthy.com Website: www.arroworthy.com Contact: Roland Kolilias, Vice-President

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products: Brushes, Rollers

New Materials, Machines, Products: Microfiber roller covers, Rembrandt paint brushes

Company Philosophy:

Always use the very best materials to make a quality product.

Future Plans or Goals for Company:

Continue to expand, improve, service and provide the best line of professional tools

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Proveedora Mexicana.................................55 Royal Paint Roller.......................................56 Stainless Steel...........................................57 Wohler Brush Tech GmbH...........................58 Zahoransky Group .....................................60 Zelazoski Wood Products, Inc....................61

the power of connection www.abma.org

Bizzotto Giovanni Automation SRL

Via M. Buonarroti, 67 35010 PAVIOLA DI SAN GIORGIO IN BOSCO (PD) - ITALY Tel: +39 049 9451067 Fax: +39 049 9451068 Contact: Marco Bizzotto, General Manager

Handle Machinery Sector: Sanders, chucking machinery (i.e. doming, tapering, tenoning, threading, end boring, cross boring, etc.), painting machinery (lacquering), labeling systems and packing machinery for the production of wooden handles; Complete machinery lines for the production of metal handles, starting from the flat steel or aluminum band coil and including painting lines, machines for assembling various plastic inserts (hanger tips, thread inserts, mop nserts, tapered inserts, etc.), boring, deforming and cutting equipment, as well as labeling systems and machines for packaging with the use of different systems including robotized.

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Woodworking Machinery Sector: Profiling and shaping machines, boring and tapping machines, sanders for the production of broom and brush blocks, paintbrush handles and similar items.

Industrial Automation Sector: Customized machinery for the preparation, positioning and assembly of particular products and accessories for the cleaning industry (mops, floor scrubbers, detergent dispensers, velvet lint brushes and adhesive lint brushes for clothes cleaning, toothbrush/accessories, etc.), automotive industry and kitchen appliance industry.

Company Philosophy: Understanding customers specific needs and providing state-of-the art solutions

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Bodam International Ltd. 903 Cirelli Court Aberdeen, MD 21001 USA Tel. +1-410-272-9797 Fax +1-410-272-0799 E-mail: cp@bodam.com Website: www.bodam.com Contact: Carlos Petzold

BODAM, Delivering Advanced Machinery to the Broom, Brush and Mop Industry!

Bodam has been providing manufacturing solutions to the Broom, Brush & Mop Industry for over 30 years.

Founded by Carlos Petzold in 1986, Bodam represents the very best machinery and technology suppliers, representing them for the following countries: USA, Canada, Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.

Key Products: Borghi s.p.a., broom, brush and mop manufacturing equipment: Staple-set brush, Anchor-set brush, Twistedin-wire brush, Strip Brush and Mop manufacturing MACHINERY to produce almost any kind of broom or brush imaginable. Also injection molds for producing your own plastic parts (one component or two component injection). Borghi is part of the Boucherie Borghi Group. For more information, visit: www.borghi.com BOUCHERIE, BRUSH AND BROOM MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT: Staple-set brush, Anchor-set brush, Twisted-in-wire brush manufacturing MACHINERY, including toothbrush, interdental, cosmetic and many more. Also, Hi-Tech, multi-component Injection Molds and staple-less and anchor-less brush manufacturing machines. Boucherie is part of the Boucherie Borghi Group. For more information, visit: www.boucherie.com

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UNIMAC POWER BRUSH MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT AND METAL HANDLE PRODUCTION MACHINERY AND MORE: Twisted-Knot Brush, Segment Brush, End Brush and many other Power Brush manufacturing and testing machines, wire bundling and wire crimping technology, all made by Unimac. Also produced by Unimac, they offer metal handle manufacturing machinery such as tube mills, assemblers, telescopic handle production machines, and many specialty assembly machines as well as custom automation equipment. Unimac is part of the Boucherie Borghi Group. For more information, visit: www.unimac.it SIMA MONOFILAMENT EXTRUSION LINES AND STRAPPING BAND EXTRUSION LINES: All equipment and know-how to produce broom and brush monofilament made of a variety of polymers, such as: PET, PP, PS, PBT, SAN. Also available are extrusion lines and manufacturing systems for concrete reinforcement fibers. For more information, visit: www.sima-ds.com CARNEVALI DINO TRIMMING UNITS: Motorized clipper heads, monofilament hank cutters, steel wire hank cutters, rotary mill trimmer heads and many types of trimming devices for the Brush Industry. Carnevali Dino is especially known for their cutting heads for abrasive monofilaments (grit hanks or grit brushes). For more information, visit: www.carnevalidino.com

Borghi USA, Inc.

903 Cirelli Court Aberdeen, MD 21001 USA Tel. +1-410-272-9797 Fax +1-410-272-0799 Spare Parts E-mail: USAparts@borghiusa.com Technical Support E-mail: USAtec@borghiusa.com Website: www.borghiusa.com Borghi USA provides technical support and spare parts support for Borghi machinery and Unimac machines, in the USA, Canada and Caribbean. With over 20,000 spare parts in stock in Aberdeen, Maryland – USA, Borghi USA is able to provide prompt and reliable service. Another service offered is in-house rebuilding of Borghi machinery. Borghi USA supports their customers by being able to provide in-house training as well as on-site technical support and repairs when required, or help with moving Borghi machinery.

Borghi USA also carries a stock of spare parts and provides technical support for Dal Maschio brand broomcorn broom manufacturing machinery. Also, Borghi USA has a huge stock of carbide drill bits (spoon bits, singlepoint/2 flute bits, spur-point bits) ready for immediate shipment and available in a large variety of sizes. With very competitive prices and a significant inventory, Borghi USA is able to help their customers reduce costs with quality drill bits for all brands of drilling/filling machines.

Customer Service is what Borghi USA is all about.

Please contact us so we can show you how we can be of service to you. www.brushwaremag.com | 33

The Boucherie Borghi Group offers technology for every brush maker, in any part of the world, for all kinds of projects, for all budgets. We provide all the brush manufacturers with the right solution for their needs, helping steady growth, offering safe investments and providing reliable support. Meeting customers’ requests is a beginning, giving more to them is our promise for the future.

Household brush manufacturing NEW vertical tufting machines!

Vertical tufting machines are the best compromise between productivity, ease of use and maintenance and versatility. The SMART V2 is a double-head machine driven by 4 or 5 axes of movement and running in a continuous work-cycle. The SMART V2 is ideal to produce flat brushes, brooms and round head toilet brushes, at a reduced investment cost. The STAR V2 (2 filling tools, 3 drills, continuous work-cycle, 5 axes) is the top of the range for performance and flexibility. The STAR

V2 can cover the whole range of products from banisters to clothes brushes, from tank brushes to toilet brushes, and at the same time delivers a very high production output at the maximum level in versatility. The SMART V2 and STAR V2 have been recently redesigned and the new versions will feature improved performance and wider range of options. The machines will run at higher speed, also thank to the new electronic architecture. The range of filling tools has now a new anchor set filling tool with mobile jaws that will allow greater flare angles of the tufts even with anchor bars. Some operating and maintenance aspects have been simplified: for example, all the models will be equipped with pneumatic lifting system for the fiber stock boxes, double belt filling head, direct-drive drill spindles, air conditioning for the electrical panel and router for remote assistance. In the reengineering of vertical tufting machines, we have also given particular attention to improved safety, developing a specific system to enhance the safety of the operator.

Additionally, a great evolution of the hardware and software has taken place to highly improve the equipment.

More information will be available at InterBrush 2020.

The SMART V2 equipped with doubleclamping system for higher productivity.

STAR V2 – 6 clamping stations for a continuous operation of the machine

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ORAL CARE

This technology was presented at InterBrush 2016.

Four years of developments has brought this technology to a superior level of stability and efficiency.

HEPTA The HEPTA is a basic, high-speed tufting machine for toothbrushes. Its filling tool is completely new and redesigned, with an absolute minimum number of parts and adjustments. This allows maintenance to be minimized and setup to be quick. All movements are controlled by servomotors.

The touchscreen interface is easy to use with clear messages, and the controller can hold plenty of different programs. As a standard, the machine is equipped with a triple-fiber box, so that brushes with three different types of filaments can be made. The Hepta is available with a manually loaded stack-hopper for the toothbrush handles or with a simple automatic handle feeder to reduce labor.

PTt Technology PTt technology provides the new way to produce anchorless toothbrushes, offering extremely important benefits pertaining to manufacturing, design and quality.

The new technology simplifies the manufacturing process, allowing the use of conventional standard toothbrush handles with pre-cored holes. This means only the mold and only one handle component to process. There is no welding, no clicking and no assembly. The output can reach up to 48 brushes per minute. Furthermore, PTt enables entirely new toothbrush designs to be made, due to the very narrow space between the tufts and the edge of the head, allowing the possibility to use TPE (rubber) cleaning elements and a wide range of handle materials, including transparent materials.

The product quality advantages are convincing.

This includes excellent and consistent tuft retention, and no voids in the head.

Also, all bristles of the same type are end-rounded in the same condition, so that all bristles tips will later show an identical end-rounding quality, no matter where they are inserted in the brush. The PTt technology won the Innovation Award at the 58th FEIBP Congress, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

High production Flexi lines With the introduction of the Flexi line concept, Boucherie has taken one more step ahead of the competition.

The Flexi machines are built up in modules that are connected with a pallet-style transport system. There can be a variable number of tufting heads, depending on the product and the output that is required. There are machines with 2 Hepta tufting units integrated, giving up to 2000 tufts per minute, but some machines have been built with 3, 4 and even 5 tufting units (as desired by the customer).

The modular design of the machine has many advantages: first, the tufting machines can have several axes of movement, such as CNC controlled tuft pickereye opening, CNC controlled depth movement, CNC controlled anchor insertion angle, etc. This makes it possible to tuft the most exotic designs. However, the machine remains perfectly accessible. On top of that, the side-by side placement of tufting modules allows for a single fiber loading system to keep the fiber-boxes topped up, which means there is a substantial savings both in investment as well as floor space. Furthermore, the transport system can be shaped in such a way that the layout of the machine fits the available space on the factory floor, and that the throughput of raw materials and finished products is optimal.

Flexi line: modular design for floor space savings and high accessibility.

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Technical & Industrial Brushes GULLIVER HD The GULLIVER HD is the most reliable and efficient way for manufacturing Road Sweeper Brushes and, in general, very large disc brushes up to 950 mm diameter combining synthetic fiber and/or steel flat wire.

The GULLIVER HD is the result from the orientation this segment seems be taking and the efforts Borghi has put in order to achieve customers’ demands in terms of quality, reliability and cost efficiency of these very heavy-duty brushes.

The GULLIVER HD is an automatic machine with 1 filling tool and 1 drill. The machine is equipped with 2 feeding systems: 1 fiber stock box for the synthetic filament and 1 spool-fed system with double unwinder for the steel flat wire. The GULLIVER HD can tuft the disc brushes with synthetic fiber only in each hole, with steel fiber only (up to 8 pieces per hole) or mixed bristles with steel and synthetic fiber in the same tuft hole. The GULLIVER HD enables the brush manufacturer to deliver a complete range of disc brushes of various sizes, manufactured to the highest standards, with a firm sweeping action and increased sweeping width, meeting the needs of several technical and industrial applications.

GIOTTO: high volume production of industrial floor scrubbers and other kinds disc brushes.

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GULLIVER HD: wide range of higher tenacity brushes for road-sweepers.

GIOTTO Who said technical brush makers don’t appreciate better efficiency in their production flow?

The GIOTTO machine is meant for high volume production of industrial floor scrubbers and other kinds disc brushes. Over the recent years, we saw from technical brush makers a constantly growing demand for solutions to reduce their production costs, not only by increasing the flexibility of their machines (less machines on their factory floor, but more versatile ones), but also by using more automated processes to reduce the costs of rehandling the same products through the several production processes involved. The GIOTTO machine features continuous operations along its 3 stations. The first station allows the operator to load the virgin discs while the machine is drilling and filling them in the other two positions. Every time the drilling/filling operation is completed, the machine indexes bringing the brush automatically to the next station. When the working cycle is completed, the disc brush returns to the first station where a CNC controlled trimmer acts accurately finishing the brush, which is ready now to be taken off by the operator and replaced with a new virgin block. GIOTTO is available with a standard mechanical filling head or e-STROKE technology, Borghi’s patented electronic filling head.

Personal Care Brushes AMR-Facial

The DMU: efficient, simple and flexible

Facial brushes are quickly gaining popularity and are now a substantial part of the personal brush segment market. The AMR-Facial is a high-speed, spool-fed tufting machine for anchorless face cleaning brushes.

The DMU-1 machine is aimed at the manufacturers of smaller quantities of high-quality brushes and “fine brushware�, such as hairbrushes and other personal brushes. This machine has a short-stroke filling tool and a high-precision picking system. High quality small brushware of the most various configurations can be manufactured with high efficiency: round, half-round and flat hairbrushes, rubber pads, bath brushes and single- or double-sided nailbrushes. In its basic configuration, this is the most versatile and practical machine possible for this segment of the market, and some automation is also available for longer runs.

The spool-fed filling tools, which allow the use of very small diameter filaments, tuft the fine material directly into the head plate of the brush, eliminating any issues related to the handling and picking of fine filaments.

After tufting, the filaments are melted together, and the head plates can subsequently be assembled with the rest of the brush, or over-molded.

The AMR-Facial is available as a manually loaded machine to make the tufted head plates only, or optional automation, including assembly of the brush, it can keep operator labor to a minimum.

DMU: high accuracy for high-quality brushes and fine brushware.

AMR-Facial: is a high-speed machine for high output of anchorless face cleaning brushes.

IDM: IDM is a compact, high output machine to produce small, twistedin-wire brushes, such as mascara brushes. There are variants available with spool feed as well as with puck feed of the bristles.

www.brushwaremag.com | 37

Trimmers SHARP 2L The SHARP 2L is specifically designed for the finishing of push brooms and multi-level brushes. The SHARP 2L is an automatic trimming machine for flat brooms and brushes up to 900 mm (36�) in length. The machine is equipped with 2 clamping stations that carry simultaneously 2 (or 4 shorter) brushes. Loading and unloading are performed manually. The workstations consist of rotary-blade trimmers, flagging units, cleaners and beaters, available in different configurations according to the type of brush to be trimmed. Each brush passes in correspondence of each workstation 2 times (once in each direction of motion), ensuring uniform trimming and high degree of finishing over the entire surface of the brush.

SHARP 2L

Twisting machines U TWIST The U TWIST is the ultimate solution for the production of twisted brushes with loop end or closed end. The machine consists of 2 working stations: one station carries out the first twisting while the other one does the final twisting and finishing of the brush. Working simultaneously on 2 brushes at the same time, the 2 stations ensure a tremendous output and a perfect finishing of the brushes.

The U TWIST can manufacture an extremely wide range of brushes with different materials: synthetic, metal, and natural fibers. The machine can produce brushes up to 1220 mm in length and work with most stem-wire materials, with a diameter range of 0.7 mm to 3.2 mm.

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U TWIST: tremendous output of a wide range of special twisted-in wire brushes.

www.boucherieborghigroup.com

Mop machines OCTOPUS PACK The OCTOPUS PACK is a fully automatic machine for manufacturing mops for the household industry. The machine carries out automatically all the steps for manufacturing a finished and packed mop, feeding the material, assembling the mop and packing the final product. The machine can be completely handled by only one operator. OCTOPUS PACK can process cotton yarns, spun-lace and non-woven material spools and use them to assemble mops with plastic sockets and forks, which are fed by vibrating feeders. The mops manufactured by the OCTOPUS PACK offer superior quality thanks to the even distribution of the material, placed in a radial pattern 360° by an innovative, mechanical system.

OCTOPUS PACK: fully automatic machine delivering finished and packed mops for the household industry.

You can count on the Boucherie Borghi Group’s expertise, experience and dedication to fulfil your machinery requirements as well as post-sales customer service and support.

With so many innovative product offerings available, now is the time to invest into updating old, outdated equipment for your brush manufacturing needs with cutting-edge technology from the Boucherie Borghi Group. Visit our websites for more information. www.boucherieborghigroup.com

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Carnevali Dino S.A.S.

DKSH Switzerland LTD.

Tel. +39-0375-59527 Fax +39-0375-59650 Contact: Wilma Carnevali E-mail: info@carnevalidino.com

Phone: +41 44 3867901• Mobile: +41 79 7854657 • Fax: +41 44 386 7911 Email: Reinhold.hoerz@dksh.com Website: www.dksh.ch/brush Contact Name: Reinhold Hoerz

Via Federici, 120 26040 Casalbellotto (CR) ITALY

Products: Carnevali Dino manufactures a variety of Quality Brush Trimming Tools and Equipment for the Broom, Brush and Paintbrush Industry: • Rotary Mill trimmers for all types of fibers (including silicone carbide!)

• Rotary Drum trimmers • Paint Brush Clipper units • Clippers of all types • Hank cutters for synthetic or metal fibers • Custom made knives and blades • Custom made trimming devices

In North America, contact our sales agent: Bodam International Ltd. • 903 Cirelli Court Aberdeen, MD 21001 USA Tel. +1.410.272.9797 • Fax +1.410.272.0799 E-mail: cp@bodam.com • Contact: Mr. Carlos Petzold

Wiesenstrasse 8 CH-8034 Zurich

Brush Fibers, Inc. has been partners with DKSH in the sale of Hog Bristle in the North American market since 2012, and during that time the business has grown steadily.

DKSH are the most important Bristle traders in the world.

They are headquartered in Switzerland, but maintain a dedicated staff in China, who are constantly monitoring the supply situation in the ever changing landscape of Chinese bristle processors.

Reinhold Hoerz, the Bristle trading manager for DKSH, visits China regularly. This requires experience, expertise and energy, as China really is no country for old menRegular visits are essential as the much stricter enforcement of Environmental laws in China has led to factory closures and defaults as the cost of compliance can be high and beyond the means of some of the processors.

The tightening of the “Shadow Banking” system has also led to more difficult credit conditions. The underlying imperative is that frequent visits by a team on the spot is essential, and all our shipments receive a pre-shipment QC inspection.

Brush Fibers, Inc. maintains a substantial inventory of Bristle from all origins in a full range of White, Bleached white, Black and grey in all popular lengths.

We are always looking at least 6 months ahead to anticipate customer needs, as lead times in China are an ongoing problem.

We also offer many of the other animal hairs, such as OxEar, Goat, Horse hair and Horse hair Mixtures.

Our plan is to continue to grow the business, and offer the best customer service in the industry.

We promise a culture of integrity, reliability and unmatched quality control.

www.brushwaremag.com | 41

DuPont Filaments- Americas, LLC Washington Works Plant 8480 DuPont Rd., Building 158 Washington, WV 26161 Tel: 304-863-4908

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products: DuPont Filaments is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of brush manufacturers and others around the world for high-quality, application-tailored polymerbased filaments.

Production plants in Asia, the United States and Europe turn out an extensive range of filaments based on nylon, polyester and fluoropolymers. Each global region has locally based technical support and sales service capabilities to serve customers making various kinds of brushes and industrial products.

The company’s filament brands include: DuPont™ Tynex® filaments and Tynex® A abrasive filaments, both based on long-wearing nylon 612 polymer; DuPont™ Herox® filaments made of nylon 610; DuPont™ Orel® tapered filaments, based on polyester; DuPont™ Chinex® modified nylon filaments; and DuPont™ Natrafil® fine nylon filaments.

New Materials, Machines, Products: DuPont Filaments is continuing to innovate with new products for industrial finishing and cleaning.

Newly developed Tynex® A filaments with ceramic and Herox® A filaments with diamond grits can sharply improve finishing or polishing efficiency and reduce costs with extended brush life and/or faster production rates.

Another recent innovation is proving its value in cleaning glass panels for LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and other delicate items. Asian manufacturers are using brushes made with Tynex® fine filaments for gentle, effective removal of foreign particles from LCD panels without damaging their sensitive surfaces. Filaments developed for this application measure only 0.05 to 0.10 mm in diameter and range from 17 to 20 mm in length.

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Industrial applications outside the brush field are also opening up for DuPont filaments. Demisting filters and cable jacketing benefit from the unique properties of monofilaments made of FEP and PFA fluoropolymers.

Want a cosmetic brush combining the touch and feel of natural bristle with the consistency associated with controlled, state-of-the-art production technology? Brushes made DuPont™ Natrafil® filaments do just that, and they are gaining rapid acceptance in applying facial cosmetics such as blush or liquid makeup.

DuPont™ Natrafil® patented technology is the result of two unique processes. Texturing creates a soft but structured surface, enabling powder pickup. The tipping process alters the end filament giving it soft feel and optimizes the release performance, enabling pickup and precise deposit of the most difficult powders.

Company Philosophy: For more than 70 years, DuPont Filaments has proven its ability to supply premium-quality products and first-class service to brush manufacturers around the globe. The ultimate validation of their success comes from customers: their supplier decisions have made DuPont Filaments the global leader in the field.

DuPont Filaments is uniquely positioned to deliver locally based technical support, sales service and products from its locally based resources in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Manufacturing plants are located in Wuxi and Shenzhen, China; Madurai, India; Landgraaf, Netherlands; and Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.A. Each location is third-partycertified as meeting requirements of IS0 9001:2000.

E.Gornell & Sons, Inc. 2241 N. Knox Avenue Chicago, IL 60639 USA

phone: 773-489-2330 fax: 773-489-1102 E-Mail: sales@gornellbrush.com Website: www.gornellbrush.com

Key Products: E. Gornell & Sons, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of brushes for industry and maintenance. We have a broad line of standard brushes. This includes plasters, graphic arts, wire scratch, paint, detail, general cleaning, power, and many others.

We can meet all of your brush needs. Whether you need a rotary disc brush, wheels, twisted in wire, brooms, scrub, strip, channel set, assorted welders, custom brushes, graphic arts brushes, industrial brushes, maintenance, scratch brushes, staple set, plater, detail, cylinders, golf, mirror, specialty, stainless steel wire brush, nylon brushes, cleaning household, wire drawn, food service, paint, pizza oven, automotive, goblet style, static, power, tire, textile, polishing, anilox roll brushes, acid, past, etc… our company can furnish all of your requirements.

E. Gornell & Sons, Inc. is also a private label manufacturer. We work with the automotive industry, janitorial services, specialty companies, and individual entrepreneurs. We are suppliers of a variety of products for the golf industry.

E. Gornell & Sons, Inc. also does in house special printing, labeling, and packaging to suit your particular requirements.

Our Modern CNC equipment allows us to manufacture custom brushes. Our state-of-the-art machinery gives us the capability to do small orders for specialized jobs, as well as running large quantity production orders.

Over 100 Years of: Quality, Service & Excellence • • • • • • • • •

Standard Line of Scratch & Plater Brushes Standard Line of Miniature Scratch/Detail Brushes Standard Line of Printers/Graphic Art Co-Manufacture Pricing Custom Designed Brushes & Specials Private labeling and Imprinting Stock Items - Prompt Shipment Samples to Production Runs Freight Prepaid in Quantities

2241 N. Knox ave.

Chicago, IL 60639 Web Address: www.gornellbrush.com E-Mail: sales@gornellbrush.com

U.S. manufacturing in America's Heartland!

ask about our

Nylon Stocking Program!

call 888.833.1097

info@monahanfilaments.com

Company Philosophy: E. Gornell & Sons, Inc. has been in the brush manufacturing business, since 1892. We are large enough to handle any size job. However, our goal is not necessarily to be the largest brush manufacturing company, but to be the best in service and quality. We pride ourselves in achieving both of these for over 100 years. We are one of the most respected companies in the industry.

E. GORNELL & SONS, INC. Engineers and Manufacturers of Industrial Brushes since 1892

Tel (773) 489-2330 Fax (773) 489-1102

www.brushwaremag.com | 43

F.M.Brush

70-02 72nd Place Glendale, New York  11385 phone: 718-821-5939 fax: 718-821-2385 email: info@fmbrush.com website: www.fmbrush.com contact: Jeff Mink, Vice President

Key Products: FM Brush manufacturers thousands of brushes in our house brands, as well as for private-label and custom-order clients.Our main industries include: artist, cosmetic, theatrical, medical, industrial, and craft.

Innovations: FM Brush holds 19 US and International patents for brush performance and design innovation.

FM Brush specializes in the development of the highest

quality synthetic fibers. We are leveraging our expertise, along with new technological innovations, to expand and grow our presence.

Philosophy: The FM Brush Company is celebrating its 90th year in business. We are particularly proud of this accomplishment because the company remains under private family ownership. The factory and office headquarters are still located in Glendale, NY, where they were established in 1929. Our commitment to American manufacturing is without equal in this industry. We are proud to share our heritage and expertise as we celebrate nine decades of American brushmaking.

Goals: Our goal is to continue to make the highest-quality brushes possible.

America’s Premier Artist Brush Manufacturer Sinc

e 1929

90 YEARS OF T R A D I T I O N

Maker of handcrafted quality brushes since 1929 Producer of private label and branded brushes Two custom manufacturing facilities Family owned and operated FM Brush Company, Inc.

70-02 72nd Place . Glendale . New York . 11385 Ph: 718.821.5939 Fax: 718-821-2385 www.fmbrush.com . email: info@fmbrush.com

44 | www.brushwaremag.com

P r o u d M e m b e r f o r 7 0 + Ye a r s .

KNOT EB

UNIMAC

Giving More

RELIABILITY

AUTOMATIC

TWISTED-KNOT

BRUSH

MANUFACTURING MACHINE, WITH PC CONTROL. Extremely wide range of twisted-knot brushes can be manufactured.

“Straight & Rose End” knot with only one tooling.

Spinning system for radial knot orientation.

www.unimac.it

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc. 3737 Capitol Avenue City of Industry, CA 90601-1732

phone: (323) 450-2748 email: ASchechter@gordonbrush.com website: www.gordonbrush.com contact: Alan Schechter, Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products: Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc., has a rich history as an American brush manufacturer. Founded in 1951, Gordon Brush® includes two brands whose origin dates to 1855 and 1897.The Company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a leading manufacturer of specialty, custom and standard brushes for industrial and consumer uses. Gordon Brush® manufactures the very popular FootMate® System, as well as over 17,000 standard and custom brushes at its state-of-the-art 183,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in City of Industry, California. Gordon Brush® stocks over 3,500 different brushes for same day shipment, selling to a variety of industries including medical, electronics, manufacturing, military, aerospace, janitorial, automotive, bakery, restaurant, and pharmaceutical. Gordon Brush’s recently acquired: Spectrum Pait Applicators; Kirschner Brush; J.B. Ward & Sons; StaticFaction; Easy Reach, Inc.; and Spectrum Brush. Gordon Brush® has been featured on the ION Network, Discovery Channel, Bloomberg News, The Real Talk Show, The Today Show, and in the Los Angeles Times. The Company has received numerous awards and accolades including being the recipient of the 2018 Made: In America award.

This award was presented to the Company at a ceremony in that was held in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. Gordon Brush is an ardent supporter of organizations promoting American made manufacturing and American made products. In 2016, Gordon Brush® hosted Democratic Congressman and House Whip Steny Hoyer and local Congresswoman, Grace Napolitano. Gordon Brush® served as the “poster child” for the “Make It In America” platform sponsored in Congress by Democratic House Majority Leader Hoyer. Gordon Brush® is a Gold sponsor of the 2019, inaugural Made in America Convention.

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New Materials, Machines, Products: The patents pending Seat SweepR broom is a unique janitorial cleaning tool that allows the user to easily get underneath seats and maneuver down aisles in movie theaters, stadiums, arenas, grocery stores, and other venues. The product comes in 21 different configurations: 2-different trim lengths; 3-different overall lengths; straight or curved; and a choice of either a fixed socket or our unique, patented, Flip-Flop socket.This product is current in use in major movie chains across the country and several major league baseball parks.

We have added a Rejuvenating CreamT to our FootMateR System line. This product has the same ingredients as our Rejuvenating GelT which comes in every FootMateR box. Specially formulated for feet, The FootMateR System’s unique Rejuvenating CreamT is a natural antiseptic, moisturizer, and conditioner all in one. The Rejuvenating CreamT will leave your feet soft and supple. Your Feet Will Love You!...R The product has NO: Parabens, SLS, Petrolatum, Synthetic Fragrances, EDTA, Artificial Colors or Phthalates.

Company Philosophy: Gordon Brush’s philosophy is to improve the quality of your products through excellence in design, functionality, and customer service. Because we are based in the United States, we can offer same-day shipping on over 2,000 standard brushes and quick turnaround on custom or specialty brushes.

Whatever your application, our engineering team can design and manufacture a custom brush to do the job or can modify any standard brush to your exact specifications: If a brush exists, we have it... if it doesn’t, we’ll make it.

Gordon Brush - Bigger Better Brush Ideas.

Future Plans or Goals for Company: Gordon Brush’s goal is to help its customers improve their productivity and profitability by providing them with high quality brushes which suit their exact requirements.

Gordon Brush and its family of companies pride ourselves in being partners to your success. The Company’s continued growth will occur via both acquisition and organic. By investing in plant expansion, state-of-the-art machinery, and marketing services, Gordon Brush aims to be at the forefront of brush technology and the customer experience.

Hahl inc./Perlon “The Filament Company” 126 Glassmaster Rd. Lexington, S.C. 29072 Tel: 803-359-0079 Fax: 803-359-0554 Website: www.perlon.com E-mail: terry.hogan@perlon.com Contact: Terry P. Hogan, Sales Director, North America

Company Key Material, Machines, Products: SYNTHETIC BRISTLE: Polypropylene, Nylon 6, Nylon 66, Nylon 612, Nylon 610, Polyester-PBT, PE, Technical fibers > Anti-static Nylon 6, Conductive Nylon 6, HT Nylon, PEEK, PPS, UL94V0 Nylon 6, Metal Detectable Polyester-PBT ABRASIVE BRISTLE: Abrafil 612, Abrafil 610, Hahlbrasif Nylon 6 > with Grit (Silicon Carbide, Aluminum Oxide, Ceramic, Diamond) MULTIFILAMENT: Abrasive or Non-Abrasive DENTAL CARE: Toothbrush bristle and Cosmetic bristle

INNOVATIVE PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS MONOFILAMENT: Advanced Technical Textiles segment and PMC segments / Poylpropylene, Nylon 6, Nylon 66, Nylon 612, Nylon 610, Nylon 12, Polyester-PET & PBT, PPS, HDPE, LDPE

New Materials, Machines, Products: Hahl Inc is adding equipment to support Bristle production expansion and PMC Monofilament business for 2019.

Also, to support our expected growth and goal of being more efficient, Hahl Inc. did construct and open a new finished goods warehouse in September 18.

3737 Capitol Avenue • City of Industry, CA 90601 (323) 724-7777 • Fax (323) 724-1111 email: info@gordonbrush.com Web site: http://www.gordonbrush.com

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IXTLERA DE SANTA CATARINA SA DE CV

AVE. MANUEL ORDOÑEZ 405 PTE SANTA CATARINA, N.L. 66350 MEXICO Tel: +52 81 8298 0010 • Fax: +52 81 8124 3021 Email: info@ixtlera.com and jonest@ixtlera.com Website: www.ixtlera.com Contact: Thomas Jones, SALES

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products: Brush fill fibers including, but not limited to: Tampico Fibres (natural, dyed or bleached), Tampico Patent Fibres, Union Fibres, Horsehair, Bristle, and Mixtures different types of synthetic and/or natural fibres.

Company Philosophy: Ixtlera’s most important priority is customer satisfaction.

We are committed to providing the highest standards of quality and service in the industry. Everything we do is focused around meeting or exceeding what the customer expects of us and our representatives.

Future Plans or Goals for Company: To maintain our world leadership supplying high quality Tampico and brush fill fibre mixtures at a competitive price and with excellent service.

Ixtlera de Santa Catarina SA de CV Tampico Fiber Union-Mixtures Horse Hair Pig Bristle

Natural Fiber Mixtures Synthetic Fiber Mixtures Natural and Synthetic Fiber Custom Mixtures

Let us meet your fiber needs today!

With vegetable fibers from Mexico and India, animal hair from China, and South America, and synthetic fibers from the North America, Asia and Europe, Ixtlera can meet your brush fill fiber needs today. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has made us one of the largest suppliers natural fibers and brush fill fiber mixtures in the world.

Phone: +52 81 8298 0010 Phone: +52 8298 0010 info@ixtlera.com info@ixtlera.com www.ixtlera.com

www.ixtlera.com

48 | www.brushwaremag.com

MFC LTD

1904 Freight St. Laredo Texas 78041 Toll free 800 TAMPICO (8267426) Phone 956 724 5191 Fax 956 725 8080 www.mfc-usa.com info@mfc-usa.com Contacts: David Kalisz dkalisz@mfc-usa.com Paty Cavazos paty@mfc-usa.com

Key Products & Services: MFC, with roots in the brush making industry that span for over 150 years, is happy to continue to provide the brush manufacturer with consistently high quality fill fibers and fill fiber mixtures including but not limited to the following: TAMPICO: White (natural), Black, Two Color, Three Color, Bleached, Patent (polished), Semi Patent UNIONS: Mixtures of Palmyra and/or Bassine (dyed Palmyra) & Tampico in many combinations PALMYRA: Oiled or Unoiled, Medium Stiff or Prime Stiff PALMYRA STALKS: Fine, Extra Fine, dyed or undyed HORSEHAIR AND HORSEHAIR MIXTURES: Dressed Black, Mixed, Silver Grey, or white horsehair or Processed (Sterilized, combed & mixed) to attain our customers performance and quality needs. The mixtures can be pure hair or mixed with other synthetic fibers(plastics, wire, etc.) and/or natural fibers (Tampico).

BRISTLE: boar bristle Processed or unprocessed BROOM HAIR: Cattle hair mixtures PAINT BRUSH FILAMENT PROCESSING: Dyeing, tipping, flagging and Mixing or Tapered filaments

SYNTHETIC FIBERS: Nylon, Polystyrene, Polyethelene, Polypropylene, PET CUSTOM MIXTURES: With more mixing machines in one location than any company in the world, MFC will work with the brush manufacturer to develop a mixture that will attain their price, quality and performance aims.

Philosophy: MFC ‘s, its staff, processor and suppliers aim is to consistently provide our customer with good service and high quality material at a fair price. We listen to our customer and work with them to provide them on each and every order a product that will run well on their equipment, giving them high throughput, less waste, less rejects and a brush that will meet their specifications.

Goal: MFC ‘s main goal is to continue to work with our customers so that both will have continued success.

www.brushwaremag.com | 49

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We’ve been setting the standard for quality, performance, and innovation in brush technology for the past 100 years. Mill-Rose brushes are used in virtually every industry around the world, including, but not limited to, aerospace, agriculture, automotive, defense, energy, manufacturing, medical, technology, and telecommunications.

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Mill-Rose is the largest U.S. manufacturer of twisted-wire brushes and the undisputed world market leader for brushes of all uses.

Brushes are what we know; big ones, little ones, produced in large or small volumes. We design, engineer, manufacture and deliver brushes in any quantity, catering to customer’s specific needs.

di

Choose from thousands of “standard” and “not-so-standard” sizes and shapes of brushes that deburr, polish, finish, sort, auger, conduct, dissipate, collect, move and protect materials. Mill-Rose brushes are often used in non-brushing applications to solve engineering, design, and production problems. If you require a special or unique brush, we can design it and make it from any material the job calls for. Mill-Rose has designed more than 100,000 special brushes with unique configurations for unique applications.

...about Clean-Fit Products Strong demand for Mill-Rose brushes by the plumbing, heating and cooling industry led to the formation of Clean-Fit Products, our fast-growing division serving professional contractors, hardware wholesalers and Do-It-Yourself home centers. Clean-Fit Products offers contractors a complete line of brushes, abrasives, PTFE sealants and specialty tools, including our new line of Blue Monster® professional-grade products. Clean-Fit Products has experienced explosive growth with its Blue Monster product line, demonstrating the need for high quality brushes and accessories with a unique and trusted brand name.

A Century of Brushmaking Excellence

...about Mill-Rose Laboratories Mill-Rose Laboratories manufactures a complete line of disposable and reusable brushes used throughout the medical industry. We’re the leading source for laboratory and scientific brushes, biopsy and micro brushes, and stainless steel wire forms used in a broad range of applications. Our commitment to cutting edge technology, product quality and customer satisfaction is second to none.

7995 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, Ohio 44060

| Toll-free 800.321.3533

|

Fax: 440.255.5039

|

MillRose.com

|

info@MillRose.com

Monahan Filaments 215 Egyptian Trail Arcola, IL 61910

Janitorial, Automotive, Construction and Agricultural. A wide range of diameters can be supplied in hanks, cut lengths, and on spools to meet customer requirements.

Known as a developer of synthetic thermoplastic filaments to meet demanding end uses, we are ready to assist in meeting your filament needs.

Tel: 217-268-4957 Fax: 217-268-4965 Website: www.monahanfilaments.com Email: info@monahanfilaments.com Contact Name & Title: Jon Monahan, President

Company Philosophy:

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products: Located in Arcola, Illinois USA, Monahan Filaments manufactures a wide selection of synthetic filaments for the brush and monofilament industry. Markets served include Oral Care and Cosmetic, Paintbrush, Industrial,

Along with our sister company Brush Fibers, Inc. we can provide you with almost every raw material to make a quality brush at competitive pricing and short lead time.

We are here to do everything we can to support brushes being Made in the USA!

MIXING MACHINE FOR BRISTLES AND FILAMENTS ÒM6ALÓ

PAINT BRUSH HEAD ASSEMBLING MACHINE ÒTPB3Ó

RESIN DISPENSING LINE WITH HANDLE ASSEMBLING AND CURING TUNNEL ÒTPP-HÓ

1951 - 2016 1951-PRESENT 65 YEARS SERVICING THE BRUSH OVER 65 YEARS SERVICING THE INDUSTRY BRUSH INDUSTRY

www.brushwaremag.com | 51

Paggin

P.G. Progettazioni Generali S.r.l.

Via G. Matteotti 60 I-30035 Mirano (VE) – Italy tel. +39 041 430770 fax +39 041 430545 e-mail: info@paggin.it www.paggin.it THE COMPANY P.G. PROGETTAZIONI GENERALI S.R.L., ESTABLISHED 1951 BY GIUSEPPE PAGGIN (1923-2011), renews its offer of machines for the paintbrush industry and mixing equipments for paintbrush and brush filling materials, introducing new models and solutions.

The mixing machine type M6AL has been redesigned for improving the production capabilities and reliability. The possibility to install a new MFU layout table and the automatic bundler VILAND makes these lines the best solution for mixing all kind of filaments in a variety of combinations.

The mixing and bundling line MFR200+LANDX is now capable to mix natural hairs (horsehair and cattle hairs), synthetics and vegetable fibers (coco, tampico, arenga, union, etc.) up to the size of 220 mm. The bundling of the mixed material is made with kraft paper of different sizes stapled with single or multiple staples leaving a short free edge which makes the bundles easier to handle and suitable for loading in the automatic trimmer RA1.

Even this machine has been renewed with a conveyor belt loading system. The bundles are handled and cut at both sides automatically.

The head assembling machines for paintbrush heads of the TPB series can now be equipped with automatic ferrule loading system, capable to pick, orient and load the ferrules of each kind in the TPB conveyor.

New design machines are being developed and will be available soon.

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PelRay International A Division of Brush Fibers, Inc. 4712 Macro San Antonio, TX 78218

Tel: 210-757-4640 Fax: 210-650-8103 Email: info@pelray.com, bart@pelray.com Website: www.pelray.com Skype: ron.cherryholmes; david.mcgee; bart.pelton Contact: Bart Pelton, President | Chris Monahan, CEO Now as a division of Brush Fibers, Inc., PelRay International Company in San Antonio, Texas is poised to even better serve manufacturers of mops, brooms and brushes worldwide. Sourcing supplies from more than 10 countries, the company’s product line includes: • MOP YARN – cotton or rayon/poly blend, colored,

multi-end tubes, single end cones, 4 & 8 ply, string

• HANDLES AND DOWELS – Poplar, Pine, Tauari, and

Metal Handles - PelRay can deliver what you need including finishes, end treatments and colors to match your specifications in lengths from 24” to 72” -- We can now offer FSC handles.

• BROOMCORN – Mexican processed and hand selected

craft broomcorn for artisans

• NATURAL FIBERS – Tampico fiber, Palmyra, Beargrass

(yucca fiber), African Grass

• OEM PRODUCTS that are “made in America” or imported

such as angle broom heads, corn brooms and brushes

• BROOM & MOP SUPPLIES such as sewing twine, gal-

vanized wire, ring ball caps, T-bars and more

PelRay specializes in carrying a wide variety of items to cover everything a manufacturer might need. Need your brooms boxed? Labeled with your UPC codes? PelRay can do that and more for you.

Whatever quantity you need – from full truckload to LTL – PelRay will work to get you a reasonable freight quote to get it there when you need it.

PELRAY is your one stop source for supplies and raw materials for mop, broom and brush manufacturers.

Our employees regularly visit and conduct quality control inspections at our suppliers’ locations throughout the world to ensure excellent quality materials.

PelRay’s sales team of Ron Cherryholmes, Kenneth Pelton, David McGee and Bart Pelton has close to 100 years combined experience in the mop, broom and brush industry. Put that experience working for you to get exceptional quality with competitive pricing and outstanding customer service.

www.brushwaremag.com | 53

Precision Brush

6700 Parkland Boulevard Solon, Ohio 44139 Contact: Jim Benjamin Phone: 800-252-4747 Fax: 800-252-0834

A World-Class American Manufacturer of Industrial Brushes: Precision Brush has been providing our customers with custom brush products for many years. From our humble beginnings in a two-car garage in downtown Cleveland Ohio, to our state of the art facility in the manufacturing district of Solon, Ohio—we have carefully and skillfully produced custom-designed brushes that have touched nearly every aspect of our society, both public and private. Our highly trained engineers, friendly custom service representatives and dedicated and loyal manufacturing staff are all committed to providing you

with the best tools to help design and create your own custom brush.

Over time, some things have changed—there have been advancements with our facilities, our automated equipment and even the bristle materials we use. But one thing hasn’t changed: Our commitment to making you the best custom industrial brushes possible.

Each day Precision Brush receives requests for custom brushes. From engineers designing new products or processes to brush users who are looking for custom brushes to help where standard brushes do not work as effectively. We also hear from inventors who require uniquely designed brushes and universities that are experimenting with state-of-the-art brush applications.

We have assisted customers in dozens of countries in designing custom brushes and have garnered a reputation throughout the world as a leading manufacturer of custom designed brushes.

High quality custom metal channel brushes since 1951.

www.precisionbrush.com • brushinfo@precisionbrush.com 6700 Parkland Boulevard • Solon, OH 44139 • 1-800-252-4747

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Proveedora Mexicana de Monofilamentos, S.A. de C.V. (PMM) Oriente 217 No. 190 Agrícola Oriental 08500 México, D.F.

Tel: (52 55) 5763 86 63 Fax: (52 55) 5700 57 69 e-mail: pmm@pmm-mex.com web: www.pmmbrightline.com Contact Persons: Dennise Silva, Sales Manager PMM is a Mexican company located in the heart of Mexico City that specializes in the production of synthetic-engineered plastic monofilaments. These are made of Nylons (Nylon 6.12, Nylon 6.6, Nylon 6 Plus, and Nylon 6), Polyester PBT, Polyethylene and Polypropylene, and are available in a wide range of calipers, profiles and colors.

PMM’s materials are mainly used for toothbrushes, interdental and cosmetic brushes and industrial brush applications.

Dennise Silva, PMM Sales Manager, explained how the product line has grown and developed, mainly because of the flexibility to adapt to the customer’s specifications.

Added to high quality filaments, PMM has a sales policy that enhances its operation. Punctual deliveries and service are key factors to success. PMM’s Sales Account Executives are instructed to provide a 24-hour service guarantee. All customer inquiries will be answered / serviced the same day PMM receive them.

Even though PMM was founded in 1976, the company is full of young people who bring new ideas and have made PMM evolve into an innovation and creativity center, with an impeccable sense of quality and an international perspective. A key element in PMM’s corporate culture is the drive for joint achievement, which is the “secret ingredient” which transforms good into outstanding.

This is the main reason why, despite an uncertain business scenario, Dennise feels confident about PMM’s future.

PMM Team

www.brushwaremag.com | 55

Stainless Steel Products Royal Paint Roller Mfg. Corp.

248 Wyandanch Ave West Babylon, NY 11704

phone: 631-643-8012 • fax: 631-253-9428 email: randyb@linzerproducts.com contact: Randy Boritz, President

Key Materials and Products: We carry a complete line of paintbrushes, roller covers (in all sizes and variety of fabrics, including lambskin, kodel, lambswool, synthetic blends, microfiber and our “lint free”line), painter pads, frames, trays and accessories for the professional and do-it-yourself markets.

New Materials, Machines and Products: For the past several years, we have been featuring our new blue dolphin tape and abrasive products. New to our roller cover line is the europa polymicro roller cover which is made with a high capacity polyamide fabric and is shed free. It has the capacity to hold and release more paint for interior and exterior application. This year, we also announced the acquisition of Allway Tools by our parent company, Linzer Products. Allway Tools is known in the industry for their innovative product line including scrapers, utility knives, blades and floor scrapers.

Company Philosophy: We take pride in the reputation we have established over the years for being more than simply a supplier, but rather a business”partner” to our customers. It is our goal to help our customers compete in today’s marketplace. Our customer’s success means our success. We look forward to our continued growth built on this philosophy, and to providing our customers the top quality products, competitive pricing, and excellent service they have come to expect from Royal Paint Roller.

561-T Acorn Street, Suite T Deer Park, NY 11729

Tel: 888-767-3040 Fax: 631-243-4064 Email: sales@stainlesswires.com Website: www.stainlesswires.com Contact: Ralph Rosenbaum, President

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products: • Key materials are round/flat brush wire made from oil tempered steel, stainless steel, nickel silver, and more.

• Key machines include drawing machines, straightening and respooling, straightening and cutting, and crimping lines • Key products include wire for filaments, staples, twisted-in brushes and retaining wire, in single or multiple strands

New Materials, Machines or Products: • Standard and high fatigue resistant oil tempered wire • We have added 2 new straightening and respooling lines as well as one new crimping line and one new wire cleaning line

Company Philosophy: To provide our customers with high quality, certified material in a timely manner. We strive to achieve and maintain a level of quality which enhances the reputation of our customers, our suppliers, and all of our stakeholders.

Future Plans or Goals for Company: Expansion of machinery, staff, and space We are proud to have made the list of Inc. Magazines list of Fastest Growing Companies in 2019 with an average growth rate of 76% from 2015-2018.

LEISTNER DRILLS FOR THE BRUSH INDUSTRY. MADE OF

TUNGSTEN OR HSS. FOR USE ON HIGH PERFORMANCE CNC MACHINES Leistner Werkzeug GmbH Auerbacher Str. 15 D-08328 Stuetzengruen/Germany www.leistner-gmbh.de info@leistner-gmbh.de Ph: +49-(0)37462-288 150 Fx: +49-(0)37462-288 159 Proud

56 | www.brushwaremag.com

Member of

2019 Inc Magazine Honoree as One of America’s Fastest Growing Companies

An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company

WÖHLER BUD 300

Innovations make it possible Regardless in which sector of the brush industry you are under way, one thing always prevails – the exceptional level of innovation! Whether strip brush, roll brush, power brush or twisted brush – the possibilities are just endless. There is no fear of any challenge in constantly looking for new applications and uses. This driving innovative force has contributed to date in the realisation of visions of progress of entire industrial sectors.

The greatest hurdle in the brush industry, as in other industries too, lies in the development of new, innovative products. Growing demands call not only for inventiveness but also expertise, in turning a good idea into a successful product. Many factors have to be considered in making an item of use or a consumable from a prototype brush: Factors such as automated producibility together with the necessary flexibility.

This point must be part of product development already at an early stage. In WÖHLER the brush industry has a partner from the outset, who accompanies and supports with over 80 years of expertise in brushmaking.

Just how successful such cooperation can prove, can be seen on hand of the latest machine developments realised by WÖHLER together with brush producers.

New possibilities in strip brush production Progress does not stand still in the case of proven machinery, like the strip brush machine WÖHLER SBM 92.

This is what made the latest update of the WÖHLER SBM 92 possible. The new automatic bundle feeding consists of the bundle cutter WÖHLER BC 760 and bundle feeding WÖHLER BUD 300. Simpler, faster and more reliable were the demands on the further development of the bundle feeding. The result was not only further increased process reliability – bundle lengths of up to 250 mm are now also possible. This opens new opportunities in expanding product portfolios and maximising the potential of the strip brush machine.

Expanding product portfolios – opening new markets To this end WÖHLER has turned strip brush production literally upside down. This is exactly what the newly developed strip brush finishing station WÖHLER FSA 500 makes possible. The hanging processing of the strip brush allows finishing of short fill up to very long, soft fill in considerably higher quality than was ever possible in standard processing of difficult fill materials to date. The finishing station WÖHLER FSA 500 can be readily integrated in an existing production line, or alternatively be operated in stand-alone mode.

WÖHLER FSA 500

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Winding and trimming of roll brushes on a single machine Winding of a strip brush into a roll brush directly inline is well proven with the winder WÖHLER WIBO. Now trimming is also possible directly on the WÖHLER WIBO. This has been made possible by the innovative combination of winder and the trimmer WÖHLER FS 930, specially developed for the brush industry. Even contour trimming can be realised.

This possibility saves a great deal of handling costs and makes the production of wound roll brushes even more flexible.

Always the right trimming solution The combination of winder WÖHLER WIBO and trimmer WÖHLER FS 930 have led the way and show how many possibilities can be found in the modular construction system of WÖHLER. This is how the concept of the roll and disk brush trimming machine WÖHLER TU 900 was developed.

This trimming machine has a quick ROI and allows trimming of large roll brushes up to 1 m diameter, 5 m long and with a weight up to 1.5 t, as well as disc brushes with a diameter of up to 1 m.

WÖHLER offers a whole range of trimming machines – from manual and semi-automatic right up to fully automatic – in the world of brush trimming machines. There is the right solution for almost every requirement. Here again the modular construction system shows that individual solutions can be developed both quickly and economically.

WÖHLER ZVA 320

Process optimisation is generally always possible An optional change-over magazine, now available as a module for the twist knot brush machine WÖHLER ZVA 320, relieves the operator and ensures an easier process. Optical and acoustic signals help in making daily working life even more efficient.

WÖHLER at Interbrush 2020 When WÖHLER presents itself next year on the Interbrush 2020 in Freiburg, there will be a number of innovative developments. Industry 4.0 will be a big theme. For the first time, Wöhler will also show the “big” machines from the world of street sweeper brush machines.

The WÖHLER Team will be there at your service and is already looking forward to fascinating talks and new challenges for solving together. Be sure to plan a visit to WÖHLER at the Interbrush fair.

WÖHLER TU 200, TU 250, TU 900

www.brushwaremag.com | 59

ZAHORANSKY GROUP ZAHORANSKY AG Anton-Zahoransky Strasse 1 Todtnau, Germany

ZAHORANSKY USA Inc. 1601 Atlantic Drive, Suite 133 West Chicago , IL 60185

Phone: +49 7671 997-0 Fax: +49 7671 997-299 Email: info@zahoransky.com Website: www.zahoransky.com

Phone: +1 630 507-9872 Fax: +1 331 240-2970 Email: steve.bellocchio@zahoransky.com Website: www.zahoransky.com

Products: As an internationally active, full-range provider in engineering, automation, and injection molding technology, ZAHORANSKY constructs machines for four different business areas: automation, mold construction, as well as packaging and brush machines.

MOLDS - From design to production: ZAHORANSKY offers everything from under one roof. This includes technical consulting on usage as well as feasibility analyses.

They round off their range of services with product optimizations that are tailored to the needs of the client. This allows ZAHORANSKY injection molds to reach optimal performance, precision, quality, and reliability.

And these are the vital parameters for seamless production using a ZAHORANSKY injection mold or complete production line.

AUTOMATION - The integration of up and downstream work steps is crucial to improving efficiency in injection mold-related manufacturing processes. Therefore, ZAHORANSKY worked out a very simple success formula: tool plus machine plus control equals greater efficiency.

The intelligent (inter)connection of tools, machines, and control elements is key. With their innovative solutions for the integrated automation of plastic and metalprocessing anufacturing processes, ZAHORANSKY offers you a vital benefit in packaging, medical technology, and personal care.

ORAL CARE - With top innovations for the toothbrush industry. As a full-range provider of all technologies to produce interdental, hand, and electric toothbrushes, ZAHORANSKY assumes a unique, leading position on

60 | www.brushwaremag.com

the global market. From individual machines and tufts to final processing and interlinked production lines. Their range of machines offers a host of different options to produce electric and hand toothbrushes.

TECHNICAL & HOUSEHOLD BRUSHES - As strong as a Z.TIGER, smooth as a Z.PARD, industrious as a Z.WASP, mindful as a Z.LYNX, agile as a Z.SPIDER, fast as a Z.SAILFIN, and brave as a Z.LION. The ZAHORANSKY Broom & Brush machines have the right traits to meet your discerning demands. Whether drilling, tufting, or trimming machine, ZAHORANSKY has the right machine to produce your first-class brushes.

COSMETIC - It’s quite probable that a beautyconscious person from anywhere on the globe embellishes his or her daily life with ZAHORANSKY-related products. Women in particular use many brushes for their daily beauty routines: seven brushes on average. To brush their teeth and hair, or to apply mascara or nail polish. If you manufacture products for them, ZAHORANSKY is your perfect partner. ZAHORANSKY develops and produces beautiful machines and units to manufacture these beauty products – with unbeatable quality and efficiency.

PACKAGING - Whether deep drawing, sealing, or punching out – with their German brand quality and precision, the ZAHORANSKY packaging machines simply offer “more”. More flexibility, more productivity, and more costefficient production. Easy sample changes offer you the versatility you need. Combine this with great output numbers and low tool costs, and the various models guarantee the efficient and safe packaging of your products.

Zelazoski Wood Products, Inc. P O Box 506 835 Ninth Avenue Antigo, WI 54409-0506

Tel: 800-240-0974 Fax: 715-627-2347 Website: www.zwpi.com Contacts: Brett Zelazoski Email: brett@zwpi.com

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products: Brush Backs & Blocks - Wood, Handles - Paint Brush, Wood, Handles - Personal, Wood. Finishing, pad printing, laser engraving and branding available

New Materials, Machines, Products: Provide quality parts, manufactured according to the customer’s specifications, delivered on time, for the best price possible.

www.brushwaremag.com | 61

economic DASHBOARD

Sixth Straight Month of Decline for ISM PMI Fifteen of 18 sectors are now reporting contraction

T

The Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) reported a US PMI number of 47.8 percent for September. The current streak of declining monthly figures started in April. August took a 2.1 percentage point drop and that was followed in September by another 0.4 percentage point reduction. That contrasts with August 2018, which had been at the three-year peak of 60.8 percent.

The report says comments from the panel reflect a continuing decrease in business confidence. September was the second consecutive month of PMI® contraction at a faster rate compared to August. Demand contracted, with the New Orders Index contracting at August levels (see the At A Glance Table), the Customers’ Inventories Index moving toward ‘about right’ territory and the Backlog of Orders Index contracting for the fifth straight month (and at a faster rate).

point decrease) to the PMI® calculation. Inputs—expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories and imports—were again lower in September, due to inventory tightening for the fourth straight month. This resulted in a combined 3.3-percentage point decline in the Supplier Deliveries and Inventories indexes.

Imports contraction slowed. Overall, inputs indicate (1) supply chains are meeting demand and (2) companies are continuing to closely match inventories to new orders. Prices decreased for the fourth consecutive month, but at a slower rate.

GROWTH: Three industries reported growth in September: Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage and Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products.

“Global trade remains the most significant issue, as demonstrated by the contraction in new export orders that began in July 2019. Overall, sentiment this month remains cautious regarding near-term growth,” says Timothy R. Fiore, Chair of the Institute for Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

CONTRACTION: Fifteen industries reported contraction in September: Apparel, Leather and Allied Products; Printing and Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances and Components; Textile Mills; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics and Rubber Products; Petroleum and Coal Products; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Machinery; Furniture and Related Products; and Computer and Electronic Products.

Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) contracted at faster rates, again primarily driven by a lack of demand, contributing negative numbers (a combined 3.3-percentage

Source: Institute for Supply Management®, ISM®, PMI®, Report On Business®. For more information, visit the ISM® website at www.ismrob.org.

In addition, the New Export Orders Index continued to contract strongly, which has a negative impact on the New Orders Index.

ISM® MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE SEPTEMBER 2019

Index PMI® New Orders Production Employment Supplier Deliveries Inventories Customers’ Inventories Prices Backlog of Orders New Export Orders Imports

Series Index Sep

Series Index Aug

PCT PT Change Direction

47.8 49.1 47.3 47.2 47.3 49.5 46.3 47.4 51.1 51.4 46.9 49.9 45.5 44.9 49.7 46.0 45.1 46.3 41.0 43.3 48.1 46.0

Rate of Change

Trend* (Months)

-1.3 Contracting Faster +0.1 Contracting Slower -2.2 Contracting Faster -1.1 Contracting Faster -0.3 Slowing Slower -3.0 Contracting Faster +0.6 Too Low Slower +3.7 Decreasing Slower -1.2 Contracting Faster -2.3 Contracting Faster +2.1 Contracting Slower

OVERALL ECONOMY Growing Manufacturing Sector Contracting

Slower Faster

2 2 2 2 43 4 36 4 5 3 3 125 2

*Number of months moving in current direction.

Source: Institute for Supply Management®, ISM®, PMI®, Report On Business®.

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36-MONTH PMI® HISTORY

63

MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

61

59

57

55

53

51

49

47

GDP BY QUARTER

Aug-19

Sep-19

Jul-19

Jun-19

May-19

Apr-19

Mar-19

Jan-19

Feb-19

Dec-18

Oct-18

Nov-18

Aug-18

Sep-18

Jul-18

Jun-18

May-18

Apr-18

Mar-18

Feb-18

Jan-18

Dec-17

Oct-17

Nov-17

Sep-17

Jul-17

Aug-17

Jun-17

May-17

Apr-17

Feb-17

Mar-17

Jan-17

Dec-16

Nov-16

Oct-16

45

Source: Institute for Supply Management®, ISM®, PMI®, Report On Business®.

4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0

2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 2019 2019 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2

www.brushwaremag.com | 63

advertiser INDEX ABMA..........................................................................29 www.abma.org ArroWorthy .................................................................28 www.arroworthy.com Bizzotto Giovanni Automation.....................................31 www.bizzottoautomation.com Borghi USA..................................................................21 www.borghiusa.com Boucherie Borghi Group..............................................39 www.boucherieborghigroup.com Carnevali Dino............................................................10 www.carnevalidino.it Cesyl Mills, Inc.................................... Inside Front Cover Distribuidora Perfect...................................................20 www.brochasperfect.com.mx DKSH..........................................................................23 www.dksh.ch/brush STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Act of Aug 12, 1970. Section 3685 Title 39 United States Code) Of BRUSHWARE published bi-month at its general business and publication office, P.O. Box 7093, Overland Park, KS 66207.

Name and address of the publisher is Dylan Goodwin; Editor, Dylan Goodwin; Managing Editor, Dylan Goodwin. Known bond holdholders, mortgages and other security holders owning or holding 1% or more of total Amount of Bonds, Mortagages, or Other Securities: US Bank.

No. Of Single

Issue Copies

Average No. Copies Published

During Nearest to

Preceding 12 Months Filing Date A. Total Number of Copies 1,705 1,740 B. Legitimate Paid/Requested Distribution (1) Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions 598 627 (2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions 0 0 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS® 661 771 (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS 0 0 C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation 1,259 1,338 D. Non- requested Distribution 410 433 E. Total Nonrequested Distribution 410 433 F. Total Distribution 1,669 1,771 G. Copies not Distributed 36 24 H. Total 1,705 1,795 I. Percent Paid/Requested Circulation 73.8% 75.6% Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the November/December 2019 issue of this publication. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.

Dylan Goodwin, Publisher

64 | www.brushwaremag.com

DuPont................................................................. 08-09 www.filaments.dupont.com Filkemp......................................................................25 www.filkemp.com FM Brush....................................................................44 www.fmbrush.com Gordon Brush Mfg.......................................................47 www.gordonbrush.com Gornell & Sons, Inc., E................................................43 www.gornellbrush.com Ixtlera.........................................................................48 www.ixtlera.com Leistner Drills.............................................................56 www.leistner-gmbh.de MFC............................................................................27 www.mfc-usa.com Mill-Rose Co., The.......................................................01 www.millrose.com Monahan Filaments....................................................43 www.monahanfilaments.com Paggin........................................................................51 www.paggin.it PelRay.................................................Inside Back Cover www.pelray.com Perlon/Hahl...................................................Back Cover www.perlon.com Proveedora Mexicana..................................................11 www.pmmbrightline.com Royal Paint Roller Mfg. Corp........................................26 St. Nick Brush Co........................................................25 www.stnickbrush.com Stainless Steel............................................................57 www.stainlesswires.com Wöhler........................................................................04 wohlerbrushtech.com Young & Swartz, Inc....................................................41 www.youngandswartz.com Zahoransky AG ...........................................................03 www.zahoransky.com Zelazowski..................................................................61 www.zwpi.com

High-Quality Filaments Engineered in Germany

We are the world’s leading manufacturer of synthetic filaments. We develop customer-oriented products of excellent quality through technical expertise and innovation.

Perlon® – The Filament Company – stems from the merger of PerlonNextrusion and Hahl-Pedex.

We operate from seven locations in Germany, in the USA, in China as well as in Korea.

Our portfolio incorporates an extremely diverse range of products for almost any industrial application. We are constantly creating new solutions for unique products – developed today for the markets of tomorrow.

www.Perlon.com