Brushware 2025 November-December: Machinery Showcase & Supplier-Manufacturer Spotlight

We look at brushes differently.

We make the world’s smallest brushes.

We’re the largest manufacturer of the world’s smallest brushes. Mill-Rose miniature brushes are available in a variety of styles and configurations as small as 0.014” in diameter to deburr, clean and ream very small holes and cavities.

We look at brushes differently, analyzing them from every perspective to insure optimum performance. From miniature brushes as small as 0.014” in diameter to large, wire wheel brushes that perform long after other brushes fail. Mill-Rose has set the standard for quality, performance, and innovation in brush technology for the past 100 years.

We also make large brushes and custom-designed brushes. Mill-Rose has set the standard for quality, performance, and innovation in brush technology for the past 100+ years. Choose from thousands of standard and not so standard sizes and shapes. Call or visit MillRose.com.

We’re the largest U.S. manufacturer of twisted-wire brushes. Mill-Rose designs, engineers and manufactures standard and custom brushes in any quantity. Choose from thousands of standard and not-so-standard sizes and shapes. Call or visit MillRose.com.

Celebrating with the Brush Industry

Happy Holidays from the team at Brushware! This massive combo edition features the Machinery Showcase and the Supplier/Manufacturer Spotlight to serve as one of the industry’s most valuable resources. The edition highlights the remarkable companies that keep our industry moving forward with state-of-the-art machinery, in addition to a wide range of suppliers across the globe that provide the raw materials and components that drive brush industry manufacturing.

But that’s just the headliner — this issue also includes comprehensive coverage of the 65th FEIBP Congress, held in October in Ischia, Italy, with reporting by Alice Castle from Brush Expert. Her feature captures the atmosphere of collaboration and innovation that defines this annual European gathering, along with insights from member companies and the association’s leadership.

Rounding out the issue, we are also pleased to present an in-depth profile of Jaroslav Markvart from Wöhler Bohemia based in the Czech Republic and the Annual Economic Forecast from Phillip M. Perry as he offers an analytical look at global manufacturing trends, inflation pressures and what brush manufacturers can expect heading into 2026.

I am amazed that we are now finishing our seventh year with Brushware. It's been quite an adventure and I continue to be inspired by the tremendous support and kind words we receive from readers and contacts across the industry. It’s a privilege to serve as the publisher of a legacy magazine founded in 1898, and we take great pride in being a trusted resource and touchstone for this global community.

One small but meaningful way you can help sustain Brushware’s legacy is by letting suppliers know when our publication has played a role in your business decisions, whether the magazine or website has helped you discover a new brand or just reinforced your choice to reach out. Those mentions go a long way in showing that our platform continues to help build valuable connections.

Looking ahead, our January/February issue will mark the return of the Second Annual Photo Issue, and we’re once again inviting readers to share their creativity. If you have an interesting product photo or industry-related image that deserves the spotlight, please send it to news.brushware@goodwinworldmedia.com. It’s a great way to showcase your company’s work — and earn a well-deserved shoutout in the new year.

Dylan Goodwin | Publisher

dylan.goodwin@goodwinworldmedia.com

Issue #25-06

Brushware is 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 provides a voice and community for the brush and allied industries: 1898-1923, called Brooms, Brushes & Handles; 19241947, 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 info.brushware@goodwinworldmedia.com

PUBLISHER

Dylan Goodwin dylan.goodwin@goodwinworldmedia.com

CHIEF OF STAFF

Lisa Ray news.brushware@goodwinworldmedia.com

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Gwyneth Bowen

WEB EDITOR

Linda Blachly

CORRESPONDENTS

Bob Lawrence

Phillip M. Perry

Katharina Goldbeck-Hörz

Mark E. Battersby

Lisa Anderson

Marion Keller

Brushware Magazine (ISSN 00072710) is published bi-monthly by Goodwin World Media LLC, P.O. Box 7093, Overland Park, KS 66207 USA. Printed in the USA. Subscription: $95/year for US, Canada and Mexico. All other countries $210/year.

POSTMASTER – Send address changes to Brushware Magazine, P.O. Box 7093, Overland Park, KS 66207. Copyright 2025. 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.

7901

785

Cover: Production line at the Wöhler Bohemia plant in Pelhřimov, Czech Republic. Photo provided by Wöhler Bohemia.

Above: FEIBP delegates had the opportunity to visit the iconic Argonese Castle for a tour.

Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

The Pulse

Nexstep Has New Representation in Four Markets

Nexstep Commercial Products (Exclusive Licensee of O-Cedar) has announced that Everest Reps, of Austin, TX, will now be representing the company in the Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana markets. Everest Reps has merged with Swatzell Sales Company, who previously represented Nexstep Commercial Products in the territory.

“Everest Reps is a sales agency committed to delivering exceptional products and services in the jan/san markets with a focus on driving sales growth while building long-term relationships with customers,” according to the statement from Nexstep. “They have a dedicated team of experienced manufacturers’ representatives who manage sales territories and support both manufacturers and distributors. They achieve this through hands-on sales management, detailed communication and a commitment to excellent service.”

Regarding the transition, Everest Reps President James Ammons said, “We are honored to partner with Nexstep Commercial Products and represent the O-Cedar brand in these markets. Together, we look forward to driving growth and strengthening support for our distributor partners and customers.”

Marcegaglia Oskar Commits to SA8000 Certification, Social Responsibility

Marcegaglia Oskar, a company specializing in the production of metal broom handles, has launched a structured process aimed at obtaining SA8000 certification, one of the world’s most recognized standards in the field of corporate social responsibility. In a press release, the company pointed out that this commitment is in line with the broader vision of the Marcegaglia Group.

According to Marcegaglia Oskar, the initiative builds upon a strong platform of quality and sustainability. “The company already holds ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 certifications, which testify to our long-standing dedication to operational excellence, workplace safety, energy efficiency and environmental stewardship,” Marcegaglia Oskar said in a statement, adding this commitment is “anchored in policies and practices that serve as the cultural and operational backbone of this journey,” including:

• SA8000 Social Responsibility Policy — defining clear principles for worker protection, while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as systems for whistleblowing and monitoring.

• Responsible Procurement Policy — extending ethical standards throughout the supply chain by requiring suppliers to uphold human rights, fight corruption, protect the environment and guarantee safe working conditions.

The company said these are not just aspirations, but a practical framework that guides its everyday operations. “Moving forward, our work on SA8000 involves a range of ongoing initiatives,” including:

• Supplier mapping and involvement — helping partners align with ethical, environmental and social values to create a transparent and resilient supply chain.

• Process improvements — enhancing compliance, strengthening reporting channels and preventing risks across operations.

• Training and awareness — delivering educational programs to employees and collaborators to nurture a culture grounded in human rights, safety and shared responsibility.

• Environmental and energy stewardship — taking action to cut emissions, manage resources responsibly, and pursue continuous improvement in environmental performance.

“For us,” the company added, “SA8000 is not a mere certification exercise but a valuecreating step that strengthens trust with customers, employees and stakeholders. It reflects our determination to embed social responsibility into our business model and to view it not as a constraint, but as a growth opportunity towards a more sustainable, competitive and inclusive future.”

Learn more about Marcegaglia Oskar at www.oskaritalia.it.

Clean-Fit Products Introduces Blue Monster SLASH

Professional Strength Blue Monster® SLASH Cleans and Degreases in a convenient spray format

Blue Monster SLASH, a heavy-duty cleaner and degreaser that works on a wide range of surfaces, is now available from Clean-Fit Products, a division of The MillRose Company.

Blue Monster SLASH’s citrus-based formula loosens and dissolves dirt and grease with minimum effort. Applications include cleaning and degreasing black iron pipe, appliances, countertops, hydraulics, automotive parts and industrial jobs. Simply spray smooth and irregular surfaces with SLASH and wipe clean.

“Save the elbow grease for other jobs. SLASH delivers the power of Blue Monster Citrus Scrubbing towels in a convenient spray format,” said John Kirkland, National Sales Manager for Clean-Fit Products. SLASH utilizes the same cleaning formula used in Blue Monster Citrus scrubbing towels. The spray action allows for cleaning/degreasing in hard-to-reach areas.

SLASH is a safe, effective cleaning solution free of harsh solvents and chemicals. It is environmentally friendly (VOC compliant), water soluble, and meets Southern California air quality management district regulations on volatile organic compounds (VOC) – privacy.ca.gov.

SLASH complements other Blue Monster cleaning products, including Blue Monster citrus towels and Blue Monster Wipes industrial dry towels. Blue Monster® SLASH is available in a 26-ounce spray bottle and sold at leading PHC supply houses. Blue Monster Products are offered exclusively by Clean-Fit Products, a division of The Mill-Rose Company. Mill-Rose is the world’s leading supplier of PTFE thread sealants and the largest manufacturer of twisted-in-wire brushes in the U.S.A.

Learn more about Clean-Fit Products at www.cleanfit.com

Industry Events

November 11-13, 2025

ISSA Show North America | Las Vegas, Nevada www.issashow.com

November 12-13, 2025

PARTS FINISHING | Karlsruhe, Germany www.parts-finishing.de

November 18-19, 2025

National Painting/Decorating Show | Coventry, UK www.paintshow.co.uk

December 9-11, 2025

CIBRUSH | Shanghai, China www.cibrush.com

December 11-13, 2025

International Hardware Fair India

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi www.hardwarefair-india.com

2026

February 6-9, 2026

Creativeworld | Frankfurt, Germany www.creativeworld.messefrankfurt.com

March 8-10, 2026

IBS New York | New York, New York www.ibsnewyork.com

March 10-12, 2026

The Inspired Home Show | Chicago, Illinois www.theinspiredhomeshow.com

March 24-27, 2026

ABMA Annual Convention | Rio Grande, Puerto Rico www.abma.org/convention/

March 26-29, 2026

Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna | Bologna, Italy www.cosmoprof.com

April 14-17, 2026

Interclean Amsterdam | Amsterdam, The Netherlands www.intercleanshow.com/amsterdam

April 20-22, 2026

ISA26 | Cleveland, Ohio www.isapartners.org

May 17-19, 2026

Creativation by NAMTA 2026 www.namta.org/creativation-by-namta

September 14-19, 2026

IMTS | Chicago, Illinois www.imts.com

October 12-16, 2026

Fakuma | Friedrichshafen, Germany www.fakuma-messe.de

2027

May 5-6, 2027

International Hardware Fair Italy | Milan, Bergamo www.hardwarefair-italy.com

2028

May 16-18, 2028

World Brush Expo | Ghent, Belgium www.worldbrushexpo.com

CIBRUSH 2025

The Pulse Assospazzole Holds 2025 Members’ Meeting at Borghi SpA Headquarters

Welcomes ZAHORANSKY

ZAHORANSKY will showcase its latest innovations at CIBRUSH 2025, taking place December 9–11, 2025, at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center (SNIEC). With more than 700 patents and operations across seven countries, ZAHORANSKY continues to set the standard in brush machinery for broom, PersonalCare and HealthCare production. The company will present several of its latest solutions, including:

Z.AERO — A fully automatic 3D tufting line for finished toothbrushes, offering up to 3,000 brushes/hour and multicolor filament capability.

Z.SAILFIN + Z.IDP — Compact, fully automatic systems for producing interdental and mascara brushes with 24-hour operation and camera inspection.

Z.ORCA — An all-in-one anchor toothbrush machine featuring tufting, trimming and finishing with up to 3,600 brushes/hour and rapid changeover design.

Z.TIGER MT — A 5-axis household and technical brush machine with robotic handle feeding, optional filament automation and a 30-second quick-change tool system.

ZAHORANSKY’s display will demonstrate its continued commitment to automation, precision and efficiency for the global brush manufacturing industry.

The 2025 Assospazzole Members’ Meeting and 35th Industry Gathering took place on September 27 in Castelfranco Emilia, hosted by Borghi SpA, one of Italy’s leading brush machinery manufacturers. The association expressed its gratitude to Borghi for its hospitality and excellent organization, as well as to Wöhler for its ongoing support as event sponsor.

The formal shareholders’ session included the presentation of the association’s annual activity report and the approval of the financial budget. Following the official proceedings, the open industry meeting welcomed both member and non-member companies from across the brush sector. During the technical segment, Dr. Laura De Carli of ZPC Milan delivered an insightful presentation on upcoming European sustainability initiatives and the implications for manufacturers. Her overview provided valuable context for how the industry can prepare for new environmental standards and compliance measures.

Assospazzole President Paolo Spinelli followed with a discussion on staff training and professional development, encouraging feedback from attendees. The session sparked strong engagement, with participants showing enthusiasm for potential training programs and collaborative initiatives aimed at upskilling the workforce.

Additional discussions covered key topics impacting the brush manufacturing industry, including product labeling regulations, market volatility, and generational transitions within family-run businesses. The day concluded with a guided tour of Borghi SpA’s production facilities, followed by a convivial lunch at a local restaurant. Attendees then visited the Righini private car collection, a renowned showcase of historic automobiles, rounding out the event on a cultural note.

For information about Assospazzole, visit www.assospazzole.it.

Ebnat Unveils Modern Brand Identity

Ebnat AG, a leading European manufacturer of household brushes and cleaning products, has announced a comprehensive rebrand featuring a modernized logo, visual identity, and digital presence. The initiative reflects the Swiss company's commitment to balancing its century-long heritage with forward-looking innovation.

The rebrand aligns Ebnat's external appearance with its core values of reliability, holistic thinking and sustainability. "Our values have grown over the years—now they are reflected in our appearance," the company stated. "Modern, clear and forward-looking—without forgetting our roots."

Key elements of the rebrand include an updated vision ("Inspire sustainably!"), refined mission statement emphasizing customized, quality-focused solutions and a refreshed digital presence. The company maintains that quality standards, team structure and customer service remain unchanged.

The transition will be gradual, with the new identity appearing progressively on communications, packaging, and invoices. Article numbers remain consistent, and a new online product catalogue is forthcoming. Ebnat invites customers to join the company on this evolutionary path.

Aim For Extraordinary

Extraordinary brushes start with innovative filaments by Celanese. Explore the unparalleled quality, versatility, and innovation that defines Celanese Filaments. We have been developing and refining our extensive line of monofilaments for over 80 years.

Paintbrushes: Tynex® and Chinex® brand tapered nylon monofilaments, Orel® brand tapered polyester monofilaments, and Kulex® brand level polyester monofilaments

Industrial/Abrasive Brushes: Tynex® A, Tynex® AD and Herox® A brand nylon monofilaments containing abrasive grits

Toothbrushes: Celanese Tynex®, Tynex® RS, Tynex® Eco, Herox® brand nylon monofilaments, Kulex®, and Kulex® RS brand polyester monofilaments

Cosmetic Brushes: Tynex® and Natrafil™ brand fine filaments

Contact Celanese Filaments to create your Extraordinary Brush! 1-304-409-9584 | celanese.com/products/filaments

The Pulse

Mike Otterman

Elected IHA Chairman

Three industry veterans were elected to the International Housewares Association’s (IHA) Board of Directors at IHA’s fall Board meeting. In addition, three continuing Board members were appointed to officer positions for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. New Board members are Mark Adkison, president, Kuhn Rikon Corporation; Cze-Chao (Sue) Tam, CEO, TRINITY International Industries and David Zrike, president, R Squared/Zrike Brands.

The current directors appointed to officer positions (one-year terms) are Chairman – Mike Otterman, President & CEO, Lodge Cast Iron; Vice Chairman/ Chairman Elect – Tom McMahon, President, Jura Inc. and Treasurer – Sal Gabbay, CEO, Gibson Homewares.

ABMA Invites 2026 William A. Cordes Innovation Excellence Award Entries

The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the prestigious William A. Cordes Innovation Excellence Award. The Cordes Award is a unique opportunity for visionary creators and forward-thinkers to showcase their groundbreaking products. From advancements in technology and design to breakthroughs in sustainability and user experience, the award highlights innovations that push boundaries and redefine industry standards. It is not only about honoring great ideas, but also about inspiring the entire industry to aim higher and think bigger.

The ABMA strongly encourages companies and individuals across all segments of the industry to take part in this celebration of innovation. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to shine a spotlight on your exceptional work and be recognized among the leaders of innovation in our industry.

For more details on eligibility and entry guidelines, please visit www.abma.org/about/innovation-excellence-award/.

Your next level of production performance

> 45% increase in productivity

> High level automation

> Maximum flexibility

> Super fast product change over

> High tufting speed – up to 1200/min

> Low TCO

> Easy accessibility

Weiler Abrasives Appoints New VP of Technology & Product Development

Weiler Abrasives, a global leader in surface conditioning solutions, announced the appointment of Dr. Ingo Kuhl as Vice President of Technology and Product Development. In this role, Kuhl will lead Weiler’s global efforts to design and deliver the next generation of valueadded products that help customers improve productivity, safety and performance across essential industries.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ingo to the Weiler team,” said AJ Roshan, President and CEO of Weiler Abrasives. “He brings a unique blend of technical depth, customer awareness and strategic vision that aligns perfectly with our mission. As we look to the future, we see increasing demand for solutions tailored to the specific challenges of our customers.

Ingo’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to expand our investment in product development and customer support worldwide.”

In a statement, Weiler Abrasives said the company “continues to advance its mission of creating distinctive value through collaboration and innovation. Guided by its strategic plan, the company is expanding its product portfolio and developing solutions that address the most demanding applications in critical industries — from metal fabrication to engineered surface management.”

Kuhl brings over 20 years of global experience in the abrasives and materials industry. Most recently, he served as Managing Director at Krebs & Riedel, where he oversaw R&D, production, quality and international expansion initiatives in China and India. Previously, he led research groups at RWTH Aachen University and held senior technical and production roles at Rüggeberg and Alfons Schmeier. Kuhl holds a Doctorate in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering from RWTH Aachen University and has led numerous research collaborations with academic and industrial partners.

With Kuhl’s appointment, Weiler said it “strengthens its commitment to innovation and reinforces its position as a trusted partner for surface conditioning excellence worldwide.”

AI and Advanced Technologies for Manufacturing Scalability and Success

By Lisa Anderson

During volatile times of heightened uncertainty, companies typically batten down the hatches to save money and avoid rocking the boat. As the business outlook pivots to the positive within the next several months, demand will be stimulated, providing huge opportunities for those companies prepared to scale rapidly and serve customer needs. To take advantage of the opportunities to come, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are required to scale up rapidly, maximize EBITDA and ensure customer success.

US manufacturing has officially been in a recession for about 18 months — briefly going into expansion in January and February earlier this year, but quickly returning to contraction. It started with heightened inflation and a steep rise in interest rates that dampened demand, which then saw a decline in backlogs for companies across most industries. Three key factors are in play as firms look to a path forward.

First, US firms need tax rates that remain competitive across the globe. When the tax law passed, it secured competitive tax rates and offered several advantages to manufacturers to encourage investments. Second, tariffs caused business instability when announced based on inflation concerns. However, as fears didn’t materialize and valueadded trade deals resulted, business stabilized. Third, companies must have access to capital. With high interest rates, access to affordable capital is limited, further dampening demand. Interest rates are expected to decline in the next few months, putting the third leg of the stool in place, thereby creating a positive business outlook. When combined with substantial investments in manufacturing coming down the pike, manufacturers will go from bust to boom.

Prepare for Success

Companies that are prepared for success will be ready to take advantage of the opportunities as the three legs of the stool come into place. If you wait for certainty or your sales funnel to fill before moving, you will be left in the dust. As Newton’s law states, an object at rest stays at rest, whereas an object in motion stays in motion. Thus, smart companies will be upskilling their people, upgrading their processes and rolling out AI and advanced technologies to not only prepare for success but also to increase their productivity, financial performance and value to their customers in the interim.

Start by rolling out the appropriate AI and advanced technologies that will support customer needs and help your company successfully deliver customer orders on time and efficiently. A modern ERP system is a must to support the basics and automate manual tasks. Beyond that, review what will best support your business. AI has been incorporated into most Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and sales forecasting systems to help increase your revenue, expand your customer base, and create predictable revenue. Advanced planning systems (APS) utilize AI to model constraints, optimize production plans and automatically incorporate real-time visibility. When combining SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning)

processes and supply chain visibility capabilities with APS systems, companies benefit with predictive ETAs (estimated time of arrival), insight into potential disruptions coming down the pike, and their AI-powered systems will automatically re-route and optimize customer performance while minimizing costs.

From a manufacturing process perspective, companies can get in front of machine breakdowns with predictive maintenance programs. AI-powered robotics systems can help companies scale rapidly with around-the-clock production without additional employees. However, these systems do not just start up and work on the first try. Companies must test, pilot, roll out, tweak and optimize systems so that they are ready to perform. In addition, companies can install automation and autonomous systems to scale up without adding resources. Simple camera systems can catch quality defects upfront, thereby minimizing waste and increasing output. MES (manufacturing execution systems) can optimize runtime and enhance your ability to scale

Case Study for Success

An industrial products manufacturer was under pressure to meet volume commitments to meet revenue goals, but they struggled to find talent and the training curve required 6-9 months to achieve the appropriate skills to contribute meaningfully. Thus, they installed automation systems and robotics to allow their bottleneck operation to run around-the-clock without a third shift crew. These AI-enabled systems allowed them to scale production and meet their revenue objectives. In addition, their margins increased as production increased without a commensurate increase in cost.

The Bottom Line

As business growth is on the horizon, forward-thinking executives are embracing AI and advanced technologies to get ready to scale and support customer growth. There are several AI-powered options to automate, digitize and rapidly scale operations. Select a value-added priority and embrace the journey to utilize advanced technologies to support and ensure manufacturing success.

Lisa Anderson is the founder and president of LMA Consulting Group, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation that maximizes the customer experience and enables profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth. She recently released “SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning): Creating Predictable Revenue and EBITDA Growth,” an e-book on how to better navigate supply chain chaos and ensure profitable, scalable business growth. A complimentary download can be found at www.lma-consultinggroup.com/siop-book/

CIBRUSH 2025 | SHANGHAI, CHINA

DECEMBER 9-11, 2025

CIBRUSH 2025

Returning to Shanghai in December, CIBRUSH 2025 expands its reach with new product zones and a virtual expo designed to link the world’s brush manufacturers across every segment of the industry.

DATES: December 9-11, 2025

VISITORS: 2500

EXHIBITORS: 120

EXPO AREA

12000 m2

VENUE

SNIEC China, No. 2345, Longyang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

EXPO HOURS: December 9-10, 2025 | 09:00-18:00 December 11, 2025 | 09:00-16:00

WEBSITE: www.cibrush.com/en/

CIBRUSH was founded in 2015. It is organized every two years by Beijing HJT International Exhibition Co., Ltd. CIBBRUSH is an international and professional exhibition for brush industry and one of the largest brush industry exhibitions in the world. Over the years, CIBRUSH has focused on brush making technology and served the upstream and downstream sectors of the brush industry, enjoying a strong brand reputation worldwide.

CIBRUSH 2025 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the brand’s establishment and will return to Shanghai on December 9-11, 2025 with the theme “Welcome Global Brush Makers.” This time, the exhibition will extend a new “Semi-Finished and Finished Products Area” aiming to create a platform that covers the entire industrial chain of brush industry. A “Virtual Expo” platform focusing on online supply and demand matching of international trade will also be launched, along with continued digital marketing promotion in overseas markets, to deepen the connection between China’s brush industry and the global market.

Key Exhibits and Product Areas

Visitors to CIBRUSH 2025 can expect a comprehensive display of machinery and materials covering every facet of brush production. Exhibitors will showcase fully automatic brush-making lines, tufting and trimming systems, paint brush and roller processing equipment and integrated automation solutions designed to enhance productivity. Supporting technologies such as packaging, cutting, handle processing, filament extrusion and injection molding will also be featured, providing attendees with a full view of the industry’s supply chain. The exhibition will also spotlight advancements in polymer, natural and metal filaments, alongside a growing presence of OEM and ODM manufacturers offering private-label production capabilities.

New Features for 2025

To mark its 10th anniversary, CIBRUSH is expanding its scope with a new Semi-Finished and Finished Products Area, designed to connect producers more directly with end-use manufacturers and brand owners. In addition, a Virtual Expo platform will enhance global engagement through real-time digital matchmaking, allowing buyers and suppliers to connect before, during and after the show.

Exhibition Highlights

CIBRUSH 2025 emphasizes connection and innovation under the themes “Create Opportunity Face to Face,” “Link to the Global Brush Making Industry,” and “Brush Making is Getting Smarter.” The show continues to attract professionals across the full spectrum of the industry, from toothbrush and cosmetic brush manufacturers to industrial and paint tool producers.

Visitor Information

Admission to CIBRUSH 2025 is free, and international guests will have access to a VIP rest area along with complimentary digital editions of the conference catalogue.

CIBRUSH 2025 | SHANGHAI, CHINA

DECEMBER 9-11, 2025

CIBRUSH 2025

EXHIBITOR LIST

COMPANY (YEARS AS EXHIBITOR)

BOOTH #

ALLJOY TAICANG INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) F02

ANHUI HUIDATONG NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) F07

ANPING COUNTY HONGXING BRUSH CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) C13

ANPING COUNTY SHUANGMA MANE TAIL PRODUCTS CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) B15

A-ONE PAINTING TOOLS (NEW) D41

APEX FILAMENTS PVTLTD (2018/2023/2025) D38

BAODING YINGTESHENG BRISTLE AND BRUSH MAKING CO., LTD. (2016/2023/2025) B01

BBC CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) D30

BORGHI (2016/2018/2023/2025) ......................................... E33 www.borghi.com

CALA BRUSH SUPPLY (2016/2018/2025)

CHANGSHA YONCOL TRADING CO., LTD. (2023/2025) B05

CHANGZHOU AOTENG ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (NEW) G08

CHANGZHOU KUANGYUE MACHINERY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) D19

CHANGZHOU XIANGYANG TOOLS CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) B02

CHARMINAR POLYMERS (NEW) C32

CIXI JIEDA NANOMETER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) E25

CIXI JINGCHENG MOLD CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) E28

CRAFTLON FILAMENTS LLP (NEW) D40

DONGGUAN DATANG PLASTIC & RUBBER CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) F32

DONGGUAN GUOSHENG AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) F28

DONGGUAN NEW SUPER MICRO INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (NEW) E37

DONGGUAN SANMA PRECISION BRUSH CO., LTD (2023/2025) D29

DONGGUAN XINSHENG HARDWARE MACHINERY CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) D13

DONGGUAN YALAN PACKAGING MATERIAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD. (2023/2025) G09

FEM METAL PRODUCTS (KUNSHAN) CO., LTD (NEW) B12

COMPANY (YEARS AS EXHIBITOR)

BOOTH #

FOSHAN CHAOSHENG AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) E03

FOSHAN HUITAI PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO., LTD (NEW) H09

FUJIAN SHUANGYAN XINGYE TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2023/2025) B17

GAOZHOU GUANYU NEW MATERIAL WEAVING CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) C01

GUANGDONG CHUANGYAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) D12

GUANGDONG MEIBANG DAILY CHEMICAL CO., LTD (NEW) E50

GUANGLING ZHIGAO ELECTRIC PACKAGING MACHINERY FACTORY (2018/2025) A06

GUANGZHOU NANFANG PLASTIC CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) G01

GUANGZHOU NANSHA MINGWANG SYNTHETIC FIBER FACTORY (2016/2018/2023/2025) D25

GUANGZHOU TAIBO AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) C01

GUANGZHOU YUANHUI BRUSH-MAKING CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) B09

HENAN HUAZE NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (NEW) C19

HESHAN SENHE PLUSH CO., LTD (NEW) C23

HUAI’AN WEIYE BRUSH CO., LTD (NEW) C02

JIANGSU JINHE HIGH TECH CO., LTD (NEW) B19

JIANGSU TAIBO STEEL WIRE PRODUCTS CO., LTD. (2023/2025) C21

JIANGSU YIMEISI NEW MATERIALS CO., LTD (NEW) C03

JINGXIANG BRISTLE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) F13

JUSOU NYLON TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) E18

KUNSHAN QIANLI PACKAGING MATERIALS CO., LTD (NEW) H03

LINYI XINDA HARDWARE TOOLS CO., LTD. (NEW) H12

LONGHAI SENMAO PLASTIC CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) G06

LUYI COUNTY HEZHISHENG BEAUTY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (2016/2018/2023/2025) A08

MARCO KRACHT COMPANY (NEW) H01

MIANYANG NENGHE BRISTLES PROCESSING PLANT (NEW) B18

NANYUE HUANLEI FILAMENT INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) B08

NINGBO HAOYU AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. (2023/2025) D36

COMPANY (YEARS AS EXHIBITOR)

BOOTH #

NINGBO JINGLUN NEW MATERIALS CO., LTD (2018/2025) D32

NINGBO KEYING NEW MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2023/2025) F12

NINGBO YINZHOU WENGUJIE MACHINERY FACTORY (2016/2018/2023/2025) D20

QINGDAO BYRICHER AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) A03

QINGDAO JIAYIJIE COMMODITY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) G11

QINGDAO JINFUXIN PLASTIC MACHINERY CO., LTD (NEW) C09

SHANDONG CHAOYA BRUSHING WIRE CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) A01

SHANDONG HENGTAI TEXTILE CO., LTD (2016/2018/2025) D22

SHANGHAI WENDU TRADING CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2025) B17

SHENZHEN DONGGANG NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) E30

SHENZHEN FIRMFAITH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) E35

SHENZHEN HONGDAWEI PLASTIC CO., LTD. (2023/2025) C25

SHENZHEN KANGDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (NEW) C20

SHENZHEN KANGPUTE CNC EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) E39

SHENZHEN

TIDE FILAMENTS CO., LTD.

(2018/2023/2025) F33 http://en.tidesz.com/

SHENZHEN XINBU INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD (NEW) G17

SHENZHEN YONGHONGDA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2023/2025) E34

SICHUAN CHUANHU BRISTLE CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) B06

SUZHOU SHENGGUANG PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) G15

TAIZHOU DAIFEILE FILAMENT CO., LTD. (NEW) G08

TAIZHOU VASTSKY INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) F07

TIANCHANG SANHE RAYON CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) F18

TIANJIN FEIYI WOOL PRODUCTS CO., LTD. (2023/2025) G07

TONGCHENG BAIMA FLANNELETTE CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) D31

TONGCHENG SHENGFENG MACHINERY FACTORY (NEW) G12

TONGCHENG ZHONGMAO PLASTIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) B03

TONGXIANG HONGYE AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD (2018/2025) F33

WENZHOU ANCHUANG MACHINERY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) F01

WENZHOU DANAN ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) G01

WÖHLER BRUSH TECH GMBH (2023/2025) ...........................C14

WUJIANG J&D I/E CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) G07

WUXI XINGDA NYLON CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) D18

XINGTAI FUYI BRUSH MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) H10

YANGZHOU BAOTIAN MOULD CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) C15

YANGZHOU CHENHONG BRUSH INDUSTRY EQUIPMENT CO., LTD (2016/2018/2023/2025) E01

YANGZHOU HAIXING CNC BRUSH MACHINE CO., LTD.. (2016/2018/2023/2025) D01

YANGZHOU HANDE AUTOMATION CONTROL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. (2023/2025) C07

YANGZHOU JIAMEI BRUSH MACHINERY CO., LTD (NEW) E15

YANGZHOU JINGDU BRUSH CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) G18

YANGZHOU JUNDONG AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINERY CO., LTD (NEW) E02

YANGZHOU JUNRONG PRECISION MACHINERY CO., LTD (NEW) E19

YANGZHOU KAIYUE BRUSHING MACHINERY CO., LTD (2016/2018/2025) E12

YANGZHOU MEIYOU PLASTIC MOLD CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) E02

YANGZHOU MINGTU BRUSHING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD (2018/2025) D28

YANGZHOU MINGXING BRUSH MACHINE CO., LTD. (2023/2025) G09

YANGZHOU PUSLUO AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (2018/2025) F09

YANGZHOU RONGCHUANG BRUSH CO., LTD (NEW) B07

YANGZHOU SHENGLONG PLASTIC PRODUCTS FACTORY (NEW) B11

YANGZHOU TONGTU PRECISION BRUSH MAKING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. (2018/2023/2025) D18

YANGZHOU YANRUN MACHINERY AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD (NEW) H07

YANGZHOU YIMEISI BRUSH WIRE CO., LTD (2018/2025) B16

YIXING HUAXING BRUSH CO., LTD (NEW) C12

ZAHORANSKY AG (NEW) D43

ZHANGZHOU HENGYU AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (2016/2018/2023/2025) G05

Information from October 16, 2025. Booth #s are subject to change.

Ing. Jaroslav Markvart

Blending Tradition with Technology at Wöhler Bohemia

Now leading Wöhler Bohemia and HTFilament, Jaroslav Markvart continues the family tradition of excellence with a focus on automation, efficiency and developing the next generation of engineers.

What year did you start in the industry and how did you get started?

COMPANY: Wöhler Bohemia s.r.o.

LOCATION: Pelhřimov, Czech Republic

TITLE: CEO

My professional journey with Wöhler Bohemia can be traced back to my childhood. The company was founded in Pelhřimov in 1994 by my father together with Mr. Wöhler, so it naturally became a part of my life. Business challenges and opportunities were often discussed at home, so I was familiar with the industry from an early age.

I gained my first professional experience directly in the workshop, where I worked parttime during my studies. This hands-on work gave me valuable insight into the practical side of production and allowed me to get to know our products “from the ground up.” Later, while studying at university, I began helping in the design department, where I spent about five years contributing to the development of new products.

After that, I took a break from the family business to pursue a new challenge. I joined another company in the field of heating systems controlled by alternative energy sources. It was an invaluable experience that gave me the opportunity to see how processes function in a different environment. Thirteen years later, I returned to Wöhler Bohemia. For the last five years, I had the honor of working side by side with my father, learning from his experience.

Two years ago, my father retired, and I took over the leadership of both our companies — Wöhler Bohemia and HTFilament. I am proud to continue what my father and Mr. Wöhler started and to carry forward our family tradition.

What is your proudest career or company accomplishment?

When I think about our greatest accomplishment, I view it through the lens of the company’s entire portfolio. Today, Wöhler Bohemia operates in four distinct production and business areas: the manufacture of technical and craft brushes, our own metalworking, the sale of measuring instruments and the production of fully automated lines for brush and roller manufacturing.

The last of these — automated production lines — is probably the most prestigious but also the most challenging part of our business. I’m extremely proud that in recent years we have not only entered this highly specialized segment but also managed to succeed in it.

However, the greatest achievement for me is not the machines themselves, but the people behind them. I am proud that we have managed to stabilize and build a team of true professionals who make these complex machines possible. Our colleagues in R&D, design, programming and electrical engineering, as well as our production managers, are the reason we can push boundaries and remain competitive. It’s a team effort — and that is our biggest success.

What is you favorite part of working in the brushware industry?

To be honest, my favorite part of this job is the moment we commission and hand over a machine to a customer. That moment closes a long and demanding process that begins with initial discussions with the client, continues through design and engineering, and culminates in production. These steps are often stressful and challenging, but seeing our work come to life and help a customer in their operations is the most rewarding feeling for me.

What are the key challenges you are facing right now at Wöhler Bohemia and how are you solving those challenges?

Every new order is a challenge for us, because every customer requires a machine customized to their specific needs. We have never produced two identical machines. Although this is our greatest advantage, it also has a significant disadvantage. Each machine is essentially unique, which has a direct impact on price — our machines can be more expensive than those of our competitors, who focus on mass production.

Our strategic goal and greatest challenge is therefore production efficiency. We are working to streamline processes while maintaining the flexibility needed to manufacture unique machines. It is a constant and demanding task, but we believe that striking this balance is the key to our future success.

Are there any new products or initiatives for Wöhler Bohemia that you would like to share?

Yes, we are currently working on several exciting projects in close cooperation with our customers. A few highlights:

Finishing machine for long rollers: This machine can cut rollers up to 750 mm in length, clean them with a brush, and bevel the edges.

Ferrule manufacturing machine: Another significant development is a machine that produces metal ferrules for larger brushes (1/2” to 4”).

High-speed roller cutting machine with robot: This fully automated line uses two cutting units to keep up with the upstream roller winding (thermo-fusion) process. A robot is placed between the two machines to ensure full automation without the need for human intervention.

Production line in progress at the Wöhler Bohemia plant in Pelhřimov, Czech Republic

Recruiting skilled workers overall and also young workers has been stated as a concern in the industry. How do you think that is best addressed?

Recruiting skilled workers is indeed a major challenge in our industry, and I believe it’s not just an issue in our country. We actively address this in several ways. A key step is our cooperation with universities, where we participate in the development of new technologies. This allows us to show students during their studies that engineering is not just a traditional field, but also a field full of innovation and modern solutions. We believe that this approach helps build long-term partnerships with future experts and generates their interest in our work.

We are also involved in our local community in Pelhřimov and support young people. For example, we provide financial support to the local floorball club to show that we really care about the next generation. For us, this is an important part of our social responsibility.

What do you like to do outside of work?

With my busy work schedule, I don’t have much free time. The time I do have, I dedicate to my family. I have two young sons, and we spend a lot of time doing sports together. They play floorball and soccer, and I often join them — sharing tips and advice from my younger days when sports were my life. Outside of sports, we enjoy spending time outdoors at our family’s cottage.

What is one thing about you that people might find surprising?

People might be surprised that although I work with automated and precision machines every day, in my free time, I enjoy spending time on DIY projects and repairs at our cottage. This work has taught me that planning and systematic procedures are essential for achieving good results. As in engineering, if you want everything to work perfectly, every detail matters.

What have you learned in life or in the industry?

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that every barrier is an opportunity for growth. I have faced many challenges throughout my career, but I have always found that perseverance leads to creative solutions. This experience has taught me that determination and persistence always pay off.

CEO/President: Ing. Jaroslav Markvart, Ing. Jiří Vondrák

Headquarters Location: Pelhřimov, Czech Republic

Founded: 1994

Ownership Structure: Holding Company Member/LLC

Number of Employees: 57

Manufacturing Plants: One

Total Facility Square Footage: 4000 m2

Primary Product Categories: Machinery / Tools / Brushes

Key Industries Served: Manufacturers of machines of paint brushes and rollers

Major Markets: International

Sustainability Initiatives: Recycling/use of solar energy etc.

An Island of Ideas

FEIBP 2025 Inspires in Ischia

By Alice Castle, Brush Expert Ltd | Photos by Brush Expert Ltd

Situated in the tranquil waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, just a short distance from the vibrant southern Italian city of Naples, the island of Ischia represents one of Italy’s most cherished destinations. Renowned for its therapeutic thermal springs, dramatic landscapes and striking coastal panoramas, Ischia combines natural beauty with a rich history and culture. The vista that greeted attendees of the 65th Annual Congress of the European Brushware Federation (FEIBP), held from October 8-11, 2025, was nothing short of breathtaking.

Described as “an island within an island,” the elegant Hotel Continental welcomed guests to its fine establishment, nestled within lush Mediterranean gardens. With spacious rooms, excellent conference facilities, a spa and wellness center and no fewer than five thermal pools, it provided the perfect setting for a Congress whose theme — No Federation is an Island — could not have been more fitting.

After registration, the first night’s reception was held on the terrace of the hotel’s Olympic-sized pool. Under glittering warm lights, guests were served canapés, traditional Italian dishes and regional wines and aperitifs — the perfect start to the Congress, offering the chance to reconnect with colleagues and welcome new members of the association.

Opening Session: No Federation is an Island Thursday, October 9, 2025

FEIBP President Alessandro Acquaderni formally opened the Congress, expressing his immense pleasure in welcoming delegates and their families to Ischia and thanking them for their attendance.

The 2025 meeting — the third and final chapter in the “island trilogy” following 2023’s No Man is an Island (Belfast) and 2024’s No Company is an Island (Ibiza) — marked a pivotal moment for the Federation. It was a time to transform the insights gained over the past two years into a foundation for the future, shaping the direction of both the Federation and the wider sector. Every participant was encouraged to contribute actively to this shared vision for progress.

Strengthening Transatlantic Ties

As a testament to the strong alliance between the FEIBP and the American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA), ABMA President RJ Lindstrom attended the Congress and shared his greetings. Lindstrom expressed his pleasure in seeing many new attendees, describing it as a sign of FEIBP’s growth. Reflecting on the ABMA’s 2025 Convention in Austin, Texas, he noted that 150 members and partners gathered for three days of meetings, education, and networking — highlighting the association’s international reach.

Looking ahead, he announced that the 109th ABMA Annual Convention will take place in Puerto Rico (March 24-27, 2026) and extended an open invitation to FEIBP members. He also commented on the impact of recent U.S. import tariffs and outlined the ABMA’s Monthly Economic Indicators Report, which tracks key market data to help members monitor trends.

Gala Dinner at the Lisola Restaurant.

Photo by Matt Piper, Hillbrush.

View from the Aragonese Castle.

Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

65th FEIBP CONGRESS ISCHIA, ITALY | OCTOBER 8-11, 2025

Attendee Feedback

Alessandro Acquaderni, FEIBP President

“Ischia offered the perfect setting for this third chapter of our journey — No Federation Is an Island. Over 120 participants from 14 nations across and beyond Europe brought energy, ideas, and that unmistakable volcanic spirit of renewal that only Ischia could inspire. The Congress marked a true milestone: the incorporation of FEIBP, the adoption of new statutes, and the transition from European to EMEA — opening our federation to a wider horizon. With 16 first-time attendees, a record number of Innovation Award candidates, and a full programme from LEGO Serious Play workshops to the Dolce Vita gala, the atmosphere was both creative and deeply human.”

R.J. Lindstrom (Zephyr Mfg), ABMA President

“My first FEIBP Congress as a representative from ABMA was a truly fantastic experience! The location was fantastic - it is easy to see why Ischia was voted one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Of course, the food in Italy is second to none, so we were treated to lots of great meals! As an American it was very helpful to get updates on the brush market from the European perspective. The strong relationship between ABMA and FEIBP will continue to benefit members of both organizations as we share information. The ABMA was lucky enough to be able to bring two additional representatives from the U.S., and we were all made to feel welcome and included in all conversations. I can’t wait to attend the FEIBP congress again in Lyon, France”

Acquaderni Family,

SITBRUSH-Societa Italiana Tecnospazzole

“At SIT, we have always believed in the power of coming together — meeting suppliers, customers, competitors, and above all, people. Because it is people who shape our industry. Our strong participation in the FEIBP Congress, and often in its organization, has always been viewed as an investment: an investment in knowledge, relationships, and the shared future of our sector. The Congress offers priceless insights, opportunities to meet customers and suppliers, and moments to strengthen personal relationships, all while contributing actively to the evolution and growth of our industry. We look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration and innovation. Count on SIT for the 66th FEIBP Congress in Lyon (France)!”

Caroline L. Schroth, Rothlaender & Co. GmbH

“When ideas meet action and teamwork meets trust, real impact follows. I am deeply grateful for the inspiring exchanges, the memorable sailing experience and the trust placed in me as Chair of the Paint Brush Working Group.”

In a gesture of friendship, Lindstrom presented Alessandro Acquaderni with two symbolic gifts: a hand-crafted compass representing guidance in global business, and a Kansas City BBQ apron, a nod to the city’s heritage and the Kansas City Chiefs. Acquaderni reaffirmed the value of the partnership, noting that the exchange of insights between the two associations remains truly invaluable.

Introduction of First-Time Attendees

This year’s Congress attracted a record 120 participants from 14 countries. First-time attendees introduced themselves and their companies, receiving a warm welcome from all. These included:

René Madsen – Stoddard Manufacturing Co Ltd

Jerome Polene – LTA Medical-Getinge Infection Control SAS

Herman Meyer – da Vinci Kunstlerpinselfabrik DEFET GmbH

Sören Homberg – Wöhler Brush Tech GmbH

Tamara Kenny – HATHO GmbH

Bas Wardeneaar – Sprenger en Brommer B.V. (Will also be President of the Dutch Brush Association from November 2025 and an FEIBP Board member.)

Matthew Piper – The Hill Brush Co Ltd

James Samuel – Mark Samuel Trading Ltd

Philippa Peat – Trades Tools Ltd

Luke Handley – Trades Tools Ltd

Bastien Fauvernier – Cardotech

Silena Fattori – Marcegalia Oskar Srl

Robin Haas – Gerhard Haas GmbH & Co. KG

Federation Highlights

Representing the FEIBP Secretariat, Feriel Saouli of SEC Newgate Group reflected on key achievements over the past 12 months:

Incorporation of the FEIBP: Now formally established under Belgian law, aligning its statutes with non-profit legislation to strengthen governance and clarify responsibilities.

Expanding Geographical Scope: Now encompassing the wider EMEA region, broadening reach and amplifying the Federation’s voice.

Transition of the Secretariat: The move to SEC Newgate Group marks a step toward a more professional and strategically focused organization.

World Brush Expo 2024: Delivered in partnership with the ABMA, achieving record participation, strong financial results and progress on sustainability initiatives.

Where to Next?

Simon Lorillière, current Vice President and incoming President for 2026, announced that the 66th FEIBP Congress will be held in Lyon, France (September 23-24, 2026). Focusing on environmental transition and policy protection, the two-day mid-week format aims to encourage wider participation. Activities will include “Climate Fresk: All the Cards are in Your Hands” — a collaborative workshop designed to foster awareness and dialogue on climate issues. The Gala Dinner will take place at the Musée des Confluences, a museum exploring the relationship between humanity and the natural world — a setting that perfectly echoes the Congress theme.

Jaroslav Marvart from Wöhler Bohemia shows off product during the Brush Forum.

Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

Gernot Müller from Roth Composite Machinery with Robin Haas of Gerhard Haas GmbH. Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

Klaus Van Cauwenberghe, i-One / World Brush Expo and Andrew McIlroy, Perlon. Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

Caroline Schroth, Rothlaender & Co. GmbH, Youcef Baslimane, MINIROS Sarl and Urte Rietdorf, Friedrich Platt. Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

Borghi’s Paolo Roversi presents during the Brush Forum. Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

Michela Balducci, FASS SpA with Alessandro Acquaderni, SITBRUSH-Societa Italiana Tecnospazzole. Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

Attendee Feedback

Carlos Petzold, Borghi USA

Having participated in this year’s FEIBP Congress on the island of Ischia in Italy, I can say that I was very pleased to have attended. Why would an American attend the European Brushware annual Congress? It’s all about global networking, connecting to people in person, and sharing our challenges, views, and values between ABMA members and FEIBP members. If we don’t attend each other’s Congresses (conventions), it’s not as easy to understand each other and forge solutions to common problems and issues. Furthermore, as a past ABMA President as well as being an ABMA member for 41 years, I have seen a visit such as attending FEIBP, bring together like-minded brush manufacturers and suppliers that work in a spirit of fairtrade, open up business opportunities that pay for decades to come for trips to Europe. Time is precious, travel can be expensive, but networking and potential opportunities can be profitable. Hoping to see many of the FEIBP brush manufacturers at the ABMA convention in Puerto Rico March 24-26, 2026, for the same reasons I attended FEIBP. A special thank you to the Acquaderni family for their incredible hospitality!

Kris Geldof, GB Boucherie n.v.

“This year’s FEIBP Congress, which took place on the beautiful island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples, was a well-organized and interesting event. The work invested by the (now) past-President Alessandro Acquaderni is coming more and more to fruition, and the hands-on and professional secretariat made it all run like clockwork. This year again, the number of manufacturers present was higher than it was in a while, and the FEIBP is clearly dedicated to further improving the participation in the coming years. There are sectors of the brush industry that are still under-represented right now, so there is still room for growth once these branches of the industry realize what the FEIBP can do for them. With the enthusiasm and energy of the new president, Simon Lorrillière, which can be seen in the way he is approaching the members, we have very good hopes for a bright future. Up to the next one!”

Hermann Meyer, da Vinci Künstlerfabrik DEFET GmbH

“What a wonderful event! Beautiful surroundings, great organization and, above all, an invaluable opportunity to exchange feedback with partner companies from our industry and discuss ideas and strategies for a successful future in our complex business environment.”

Jürgen Lessmann, Lessmann GmbH

“The congress in Ishia was another great opportunity for us to exchange ideas with other manufacturers in the industry. One highlight for us was, of course, winning first place in the Innovation Award! This is fantastic confirmation of our work and shows that we made right decisions in selecting and developing our products.”

World Brush Expo 2028

After the success of the inaugural event in 2024, preparations are underway for World Brush Expo 2028 in Ghent, Belgium (May 16-18). Klaus Van Cauwenberghe of i-One outlined ambitions for a sold-out exhibition exceeding 10,000 m², enhanced visitor engagement and a unified layout bringing all exhibitors together under one roof. A direct shuttle service from Brussels Airport (approx. 40 minutes) will provide convenient access for delegates.

Social Media and Digital Marketing

Simon Lorillière presented findings from a survey of member companies, showing increased use of LinkedIn (+8 percent) and Instagram (+18 percent), while Facebook declined slightly (–4.6 percent). YouTube and Xing saw modest growth; Twitter and Pinterest continued to decrease.

General Assembly

The General Assembly followed the Opening Session, beginning with confirmation of the Board of Directors (2026-27). New members Bas Wardenaar and Caroline Schroth (Rothlaender) were welcomed, and outgoing members were thanked for their service. Caroline Schroth will chair the Paint Brushes Working Group and Karsten Skov (FBK) the PHB Working Group. With the Federation seeking candidates for Vice President, Alessandro Acquaderni stressed the importance of renewal and encouraged younger delegates to step into leadership roles.

Raw Materials Market Reports

Delegates received updates on key raw-material markets affecting the brush industry. Each report covered availability, pricing dynamics and supply developments across principal materials, offering insight into trends shaping procurement and manufacturing. The reports were:

• Steel Market Report 2025: Holger Kruse, Künne Gruppe

• Bristle Market Report 2025: Reinhold Hörz, DKSH

• Synthetic Filaments Market Report 2025: Andrew McIlroy, Perlon

• Vegetable Fibres Market Report 2025: Dr. Urte Rietdorf, Friedrich Platt

• Fine Hair Market Report 2025: Mark Samuel, Mark Samuel Trading

Annual Report

Feriel Saouli summarized the past year’s activities, highlighting the success of World Brush Expo 2024, the smooth transition of the Secretariat and the incorporation process. She noted that the Federation remains on a sound financial footing. The session closed with Alessandro Acquaderni thanking delegates for their collaboration before Working Groups convened for sector-specific discussions.

Teambuilding Activities

As in 2024, delegates attending the FEIBP 2025 Congress were invited to take part in one of two engaging team-building activities, each inspired by the island’s unique character and charm.

Pizza Making: With Ischia’s close proximity to Naples, the birthplace of the world-famous pizza, delegates choosing this option gathered in the hotel’s garden restaurant kitchen, guided by expert pizzaioli in crafting their own creations.

Participants learned the secrets of shaping traditional dough — from letting it overhang the work surface so gravity aids in forming the perfect base, to dusting with semola flour to prevent sticking. A wide selection of toppings and sauces allowed everyone to personalise their pizza before sliding it into the searing oven. Once baked to perfection, the tasting began — arguably the highlight of the experience!

Sailing: Taking advantage of the calm, crystalline waters surrounding Ischia, delegates and partners who opted for sailing set out under clear skies to take part in a lively regatta. Split into teams of four to six across six boats, each with an experienced skipper, participants took on different roles, working together to bring their craft across the finish line first. Described by many as an unforgettable experience, it proved a wonderful way to spend an afternoon on the water — combining teamwork, friendly competition the relaxed spirit of the island.

Evening Reception

Dinner was hosted in the hotel’s elegant marquee-style Garden Restaurant, where guests enjoyed live music, appetizers and aperitifs outdoors before moving inside for a buffet of traditional Italian dishes. As the evening progressed, the “through the ages” disco playlist filled the dance floor — a lively finale to a wonderful day.

Brush Forum

Friday, October 10, 2025

This year’s Brush Forum provided suppliers, machine manufacturers and Innovation Award nominees the opportunity to showcase their products in an engaging tabletop display format.

Thirteen companies — Fass, Borghi, HT Filaments/Woehler Bohemia/Woehler Brush Tech, Zahoransky, Künne Group, Rothlaender, Roth, Marcegaglia Oskar, Loewert, Pogliani, Perlon, Boucherie and the World Brush Expo Organiser — joined the four Innovation Award nominees (Ebnat, da Vinci, Lessmann, and Zahn Pinsel) and presented their innovations to delegates in what proved to be one of the most popular Forums to date — encouraging lively discussion and inspiration.

Paolo Acquaderni with Raimon Nosas, Perlon. Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

Kris Geldoff and Lisa Boucherie of Boucherie with Franck Thomas, Brosserie Thomas SA.

Photo by Brush Expert Ltd.

LEGO Serious Play Workshop

In a departure from the traditional “speaker slot,” this year’s programme introduced an engaging, hands-on workshop facilitated by LEGO Serious Play.

Participants were invited to form small groups with people they knew least, sparking fresh connections and new perspectives from the very start.

Armed with the colourful LEGO bricks we all know and love, the workshop encouraged everyone to:

Build connections: Through play and storytelling, LEGO Serious Play helped everyone connect, share experiences and spark meaningful conversations in an open and inclusive space.

Think outside the brick: By building with purpose and using metaphor, participants found new ways of thinking, tapping into fresh ideas and leaving old mindsets behind.

Tackle challenges together: LEGO offered a fun and practical way to test out ideas, experiment freely and cocreate imaginative solutions as a team.

Over the course of an hour, groups worked together to bring their ideas to life, building imaginative responses to questions such as what members can expect from the FEIBP, how to picture the “ideal FEIBP island” and how future congresses (both FEIBP and ABMA) can help shape this shared vision.

The workshop wrapped up with participants moving around the room, exploring and learning about each other’s LEGO® creations. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive— what began as a fun and unexpected activity turned out to be both thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable.

LEGO Serious Play

Replacing the traditional speaker slot, this interactive workshop used LEGO Serious Play to explore members’ ideas about the FEIBP’s role, the “ideal FEIBP island,” and the future of its Congresses. The session was imaginative, collaborative, and widely praised by participants.

Aragonese Castle Cultural Visit

On Friday afternoon, delegates explored the Aragonese Castle, one of Ischia’s most iconic landmarks. Built on a rocky islet and linked to the main island by a causeway, the fortress has stood for centuries as a symbol of resilience and unity. Walking through its ancient corridors and panoramic terraces offered delegates both historical insight and a moment to reflect on the enduring spirit of collaboration that defines the Federation.

Gala Dinner: Lisola Restaurant

To close the Congress, delegates gathered at Lisola Restaurant, perched above the shimmering bay of Forio, for the finale Gala Dinner. Timed perfectly with the sunset, guests enjoyed cocktails and canapés against a spectacular backdrop before moving indoors to savour the restaurant’s renowned Mediterranean-style cuisine.

During the evening, the FEIBP Innovation Award winner was announced — Lessmann’s Knotted Conical Brushes for Battery-Powered Brush Cutters — presented to Jürgen and Johannes Lessmann by Alessandro Acquaderni and Simon Lorillière.

As Acquaderni’s term as President concluded, he expressed gratitude to the Board and partners, including the ABMA, for their unwavering support, and extended best wishes to incoming President Simon Lorillière (Brosserie Brenet).

In a warm gesture, Lorillière, joined by Andrew McIlroy (Perlon GmbH), presented Acquaderni with gifts in recognition of his exemplary service and leadership.

With its relaxed atmosphere, warm hospitality and awe-inspiring views, the evening provided a fitting conclusion to an inspiring few days on Ischia.

Optional Experience Saturday, October 11, 2025

On Saturday, the optional group tour visited Negombo Thermal Park, one of the island’s most iconic wellness destinations. Set in the beautiful Bay of San Montano, Negombo offers a full sensory experience: thermal baths, Mediterranean gardens, sea views and serenity.

“20 people attended the Negombo thermal park experience, enjoying a very relaxing and healthy break, as well as the very nice lunch at the Al Fugà Restaurant inside the park,” said Acquaderni. “We particularly enjoyed the carrot cake, shaped as a lemon, with lemon sorbet and crumble with sesame seeds – unforgettable! Many people toured almost all of the 20 different thermal pools, while others enjoyed the beach or simply relaxed after the enriching Congress we had, eventually indulging themselves with a face mask based on the unique park’s thermal waters.”

Closing Remarks

As the 65th Annual FEIBP Congress drew to a close, delegates departed Ischia with renewed energy, strengthened connections and shared optimism for the year ahead. The Federation’s commitment to collaboration, innovation and growth remains steadfast, proving once again that no federation is an island.

—Photos by Brush Expert Ltd.

2025 FEIBP Innovation Award

In line with the FEIBP’s commitment to progress, four companies earned nominations for this year’s Innovation Award. A representative from each company was invited to share details of their revolutionary products that have been developed over the last 12-month period. Each company was also allocated a display space within the Brush Forum, enabling delegates to find out more about each product or concept ahead of the ballot to find a winner. Once all votes were counted, the winner was announced during the Gala Dinner that was held on the last night of the Congress. We are pleased to reveal that the winner of the FEIBP Innovation Award for 2025 was Lessmann’s Knotted Conical Brushes for Battery-Powered Brush Cutters.

WINNER: Knotted Conical Brushes for Battery-Powered Brush Cutters from Lessmann GmbH

Wheel brushes and conical brushes on motorized and battery-powered brush cutters are ideal for removing weeds and wild plants from lawn pavers, curbs, paved areas, or other hard-to-reach places.

Lighter brush models are ideal for cordless brush cutters. These brushes have a smaller cup and fewer bristles, which means they can be operated effortlessly by battery-powered brush cutters and still achieve excellent cleaning results.

Lessmann brushes for batterypowered brush cutters are available with 12 or 22 knots. The high-quality steel wire works extremely effectively on many surfaces. Plastic bristles (PBT or PP) are ideal for working on sensitive surfaces. The special feature of Lessmann brushes for battery-powered brush cutters is that they have standard mounts. This means that the products fit all common battery-powered brush cutters that are designed for tool changes without the need for an additional adapter. This technical feature is unique and is protected by a utility model. www.brushexpert.com/news/product/article/FEIBP-Innovation-WinnerLessmann-brush-cutter

Nail Design Brush Configurator – Zahn Pinsel, Germany

The NEW Nail Design Brush Configurator from Zahn Pinsel is the brand new, web-based configurator which allows the user to design their very individual nail design brush in just 4 steps. With over 300 possible combinations of head shape, hair quality, handle shape, ferrule colour and logo print options, this flexible, modular system offers maximum customization with a low minimum order quantity of 120 pieces. This allows you to successfully stand out from the market with unique brushes and boost your brand!

www.brushexpert.com/news/product/article/zahn-nail-design-brushconfigurator-feibp-2025-inn

Paddle Brush – da Vinci Künstlerpinselfabrik DEFET GmbH

The new “Paddle Brush” from da Vinci Künstlerpinselfabrik DEFET of Germany are distinguished by their elegant, innovative design featuring a specially shaped, extra-short handle that allows you to work directly from the wrist.

There are three different bristle types to choose from: the soft FIT variant, the extra-strong IMPASTO bristle configuration and the versatile SYNTHETIC BRISTLE version, which is suitable for various painting techniques.

All brushes are equipped with the DUROPLUS-System, which includes a specially moulded grip tooth that penetrates deeply into the adhesive layer, securing the bristles and ensuring a long brush life.

Wide brushes are exposed to particularly high stress, which is why the connection between the handle and brush head is designed to be especially sturdy. The brushes feature stainless steel ferrules and have a laser-cut grip zone that ensures a secure hold.

The wood used comes from sustainable European forestry, highlighting the environmentally friendly aspect of the brush production.

www.brushexpert.com/news/product/article/paddle-brush-da-vinci-defetFEIBP-innovation-2025

Dishwash Brush “Gap” – Ebnat, Switzerland

This elegant dishwashing brush impresses not only with its dynamic design but also with its numerous inner qualities. This brush has a real punch, despite, or perhaps precisely because of, its hollow construction.

The “Gap” is committed to sustainability from head to handle and still offers all the advantages of wet use: It is truly lightweight. Compared to a conventional dishwashing brush, material savings of 30% were achieved.

The already slim body is also made of 95% PCR-PP, and the bristles are made of 100% recycled plastic (PIR). Despite the minimal use of material, the ergonomic and voluminous handle with its soft-touch surface fits perfectly in the hand. Material was also saved in the hanging hole, as it is significantly larger. Fits all conventional hooks.

Durability also entails sustainability. For long-lasting hygiene, the brush can be cleaned in the dishwasher. www.brushexpert.com/news/product/article/ Dishwashing-brush-Gap-Ebnat-FEIBP-Innovation-2025

2025 FEIBP Congress

Market Reports

By Alice Castle, Brush Expert Ltd | Photos by Brush Expert Ltd

Delegates received updates on key raw material markets affecting the brush industry. Each report covered availability, pricing dynamics and supply developments across principal materials, offering insight into trends shaping procurement and manufacturing.

Synthetic Filaments Market Report 2025: Andrew McIlroy, Perlon

Andrew McIlroy of Perlon GmbH, leading German manufacturer of filaments from all the main polymer groups required for use in a wide variety of brush and tool applications, opened his report by remarking upon the stability in plastics pricing over the past 3 years. He had the following to say about factors affecting the end-pricing of synthetic filaments:

Oil

Oil prices have been subject to a decrease of around 8% in the past 12 months, although this has had a minimal effect as a feedstock for polyolefins.

The projected demand for oil for the coming months remains low and, despite interest rate cuts and a recent decision by the OPEC+ group to increase production, prices should remain stable, helping to keep the pricing for PP and LDPE stable at a low level

Electricity

Good news does seem to be on the horizon for larger industrial users of electricity. Despite an EU-wide plan to subsidise pricing until 2027 which will bring costs down to support manufacturing in the EU, no current plans for assistance are in place beyond this date. The current €90 MwH could half but would still leave prices higher than before the Ukraine war with no long-term plan for lower costs.

Polymer price development

For all the polymers used in the brush industry, the price development is almost identical, with very little change for almost 3 years now. Most raw materials are priced on a monthly basis, and although prices do go up and down in small increments, there has been no sustainable increases or decreases of note.

The reason for this remains the lack of overall demand globally – for oil and other feedstocks – which helps to keep pricing stable. We remain of the opinion, that the large chemical companies making raw materials are far from happy with the prices they are able to charge. There have been several rounds of plant closures and site consolidations over the past two years and the general consensus amongst European manufacturers is that local production is becoming unsustainable.

Whilst we can’t predict the future, common opinion is that this situation is likely to remain unchanged in the coming months.

Vegetable Fibers Market Report 2025:

Dr.

Urte Rietdorf, Friedrich Platt

Dr. Urte Rietdorf of Friedrich Platt GmbH, suppliers of filling materials for brooms and brushes, provided an update on the vegetable fiber market over the last 12 months.

Tampico

Whilst producers are doing their best to keep prices stable, they have been hampered by unpredictable economic situations, with shortages of raw fiber, inflation and transportation costs being the main difficulties. Drought is still affecting availability and quality of supply and harvest is inconsistent due to a lack of workforce, with the extraction of long fibers proving particularly challenging.

Bahia Piassava

Prices of Bahia Piassava are rising due to various economic pressures and a shrinking workforce. This leads to an increase in production costs and, consequently, raises prices.

Harvested in rural, deep-forest areas, extraction methods can be arduous and, whilst quality maintained constant levels, harvesting and processing times have become longer. Unpredictable weather has also hampered the drying process.

Sherbro

Prices remain at a very low level compared to other fibers and are only rising moderately at most, as production and transport costs are increasing. In the near future, only slight price adjustments are expected as the markets continue to be volatile.

The quality remains constant despite difficult circumstances and production remains at a low level, with restricted raw material supply and a generally uncertain economic situation.

Palmyra

Prices have largely remained stable and for the near future will presumably remain consistent. However, unpredictable, small price pressures on the raw fibers can lead to difficulties. Trade uncertainties, rising transport costs and increasing labour costs can affect the production costs at any time. Climate changes can also lead to price increases.

Experienced producers are able to keep the quality consistent and ensure a sufficient supply of high-grade materials. The availability of a skilled workforce is also essential and production and supply are now operating more efficiently and harvesting conditions have improved.

To eliminate varieties in fibers, investments in mechanical cleaning and grading are planned, however large-scale mechanization is improbable at present.

Precarious climatic periods can affect fiber characteristics also.

In summary, the present situation is stable, with supply and demand balanced. However, demand is slowly rising and cultivation is increasing which could lead to challenges when demand outstrips the plants’ growth.

Coconut

For coconut, prices have been relatively stable, with 2024 demand reaching fairly high levels. There has been a significant increase in whole coconut market with continued growth potential. Supply

is steady and a shortage is not expected at a normal harvest level, although increased demand for other coconut products such as husk chips means less available material for coconut fiber production.

Arenga

There are sufficient Arenga trees in terms of the whole of Indonesia. However, Java is the main processing region and, for harvest regions located too far away, the challenges are workforce recruitment and the high transportation costs to Java.

In addition, climatic conditions continue to be difficult. The fiber cannot be harvested during rainy periods and the drying is considerably slower as sunlight is needed for proper drying.

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Pricing is stable, but the current situation is critical. Exports in 20245 have been under pressure which has affected the Arenga price. The domestic Indonesian Arenga price has attained now nearly an equal level compared to export prices.

Fine Hair Market Report 2025:

Mark Samuel, Mark Samuel Trading

Mark Samuel of Mark Samuel Trading Ltd reported no significant change in terms of raw material prices over the last 3 years, as demand for most types of fine hair continues to remain weak.

The demand for high-value hairs, including kolinsky, weasel and squirrel has been low, despite a decline in prices since their peak 2 to 3 years ago. Prices were expected to fall further, but with low stock levels, there hasn’t been too much pressure to slash prices. This is further exacerbated by the fur industry, which, in general, has seen an overall decline in demand which impacts the availability of the tails from which the hair is sourced.

Chinese governmental restrictions on wild animal trade have enhanced trading difficulties, which has prevented prices for dropping even lower. Recent reports from Russia reflect a similar situation, with kolinsky prices remaining high and the supply of tails and skins limited. The price of red and black Kazan squirrel sourced from Siberia remains high with no foreseeable downward trend.

The price for both farmed and wild badger hair remains stable with a marginal downward trend as more manufacturers move towards the use of synthetic filaments. However, high-quality traditional shaving brushes are still sought after.

With the demand for goat and pony hair having seen a dramatic decline, it is difficult to determine prices; for stock items, it is certainly down, but for fresh goods, it is unclear due to the closure of many dressing factories.

Ox ear hair sourced from China has remained stable in price for the last 8 to 10 years and demand for the shorter 35 to 55mm sizes is constant. Longer sizes may see a fall in prices as its traditional market of varnish brush manufacturers in the US moves increasingly towards the use of synthetic alternatives.

Bristle Market Report 2025

Reinhold Hörz, DKSH

Reinhold Hörz of DKSH, suppliers of top-quality bristles to the brush industry, reported on the trend towards the industrialisation of pig production in China, which continues to have a major impact on sourcing. It has become obvious that the traditional source of stiff-haired, mountain-reared Meishan pig is now in short supply, with prices for such hair rising. Market tendencies towards a readyprepared bundle of natural bristle have forced suppliers to blend with “slaughterhouse quality” bristle to prevent prohibitive pricing.

Price development of natural bristle

Taking into consideration the above-mentioned point, the raw hair market prices should rise, but in a rather competitive environment, it’s impossible to increase. As a consequence, prices are stable for black bristle between 51mm and 57mm, whilst prices are rising for 89mm and upwards. Middle sizes are rather under pressure due to a declining demand.

For white bristle of 51-70 mm, prices are stable, whereas 76mm and up are under pressure.

Demand vs Availability

Black:

38 to 44mm - Strong demand from Inland China

51 to 64mm - Strong demand from Europe and the US vs. lack of raw material

64 to 83mm - Rather under pressure

>102mm - Strong demand from Korea, Europe & Japan vs. lack of raw material

White:

38 to 57mm - Demand from Inland China

64 to 89 mm - Rather under pressure

>102mm - Constant demand

Currency

With currency playing an important role in the sourcing of bristle, with the Chinese government’s intentional shift away from reliance foreign currencies, it is becoming more costly, or in some cases impossible, to source in CHF or EUR.

Steel Market Report 2025:

Holger Kruse, Künne Gruppe

Holger Kruse of wire specialists Künne Gruppe of Germany gave the annual update on the steel market, noting that steel production has stabilized recently following the big increases over the period 2000 to 2020. Current annual global steel production remains at a constant, high level of 1.885m tonnes.

The largest regional producer of steel is Asia, with China the biggest single country supplier, whilst European steel production is stable. India and the rest of Asia are ever-increasing.

Different methods of steel production result in different levels of CO₂: traditional BOF (Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace) steel produced using coke produces far more CO₂ than EAF (Electric Arc Furnace), which primarily uses recycled scrap steel and electricity. The ratio of the processes used by region differs greatly. Asia, for example, uses 81% BOF vs 19% DRI-EAF/Scrap-EAF, whereas in Europe, the production methods are more evenly distributed.

The EU exported 1.67m tonnes of finished steel products in 2024, whereas imports (coming mainly from Asia) of the same reached 27.4m tonnes. The EU is therefore increasingly becoming a net importer of steel.

Aeola-T

Automatic single header for street brooms

The Aeola-T is a highly productive broom machine, capable of working with long fibres of natural or synthetic origin. Thanks to its long tool stroke even very stiff filaments in tufts up to 11 mm can be processed. With optional trimming and cleaning, and loading and labeling, productivity is even higher. www.boucherie.com

Economic Forecast 2026

Rising Costs, Sluggish Consumers

By Phillip M. Perry

istock.com/Unya-MT

A modest uptick in economic growth, beneficial legislation from Washington and lower interest rates will help manufacturers boost profitability in 2026. The increasing costs of doing business, though, combined with uncertainty and consumer malaise, will reduce the number of business initiatives that make it off the drawing board. Companies need to double down on smart tactics to boost productivity in the face of a decelerating population.

Manufacturers can look forward to a gradually improving, if challenging, operating environment in 2026. “The US economy is holding up admirably well despite a major trade shock caused by tariffs,” said Bernard Yaros Jr., Lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics (oxfordeconomics.com). “We look for an acceleration in growth next year as stimulus from the One Big Beautiful Bill gets underway.”

Oxford Economics expects real GDP to grow by 2 percent in 2026, up a bit from the 1.7 percent expected when 2025 numbers are finally tallied. Both years, among the most sluggish growth environments of the past decade, are underperforming the 2.8 percent increase of 2024. (Gross Domestic Product, the total value of the nation’s goods and services, is the most commonly utilized measure of economic growth. “Real” GDP subtracts the effects of inflation.)

Higher Profits

The nation’s economic growth depends largely on the launch of new business initiatives. Unfortunately, manufacturers are holding back for several reasons. Interest rates, while declining, are still at the highest levels since 2022. Costs for materials and supplies are increasing.

There is uncertainty about the nation’s future trade policy. Lower and middle-income consumers, nervous about inflation, are tapped out and closing their wallets. Against such headwinds, a host of otherwise attractive projects can look less promising.

One might also expect business profitability to suffer. Yet Oxford Economics expects it to follow the same general pattern as the GDP. “We look for corporate profits to rise by 4.9 percent in 2026,” said Yaros. “That’s up substantially from the 0.5 percent expected when 2025 numbers are finalized.” Even so, the 2026 pace remains slower than the 7.9 percent clocked in 2024.

The expected 2026 rebound in profitability stems from a belief that stimulus from Washington will lift all boats. “We believe the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, with its tax cuts for businesses and households, should help the economy regain some steam in early 2026,” said Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group (sagepolicy.com). The legislation’s 100 percent bonus depreciation should help fuel business investment, while large tax refunds should invigorate consumer spending. Both activities are important drivers of the nation’s economy.

This stimulus from Washington is arriving at the same time manufacturers are getting a more solid footing on the nation’s shifting trade policy. “There has been a bit of a shock to the system in and around tariffs over the past year, and it is taking some time for many companies to understand their impact,” noted Andrew Petryk, Head of Industrials at Brown, Gibbons Lang & Company, an investment banker (bglco.com)

Specifically, companies have responded to China tariffs by sourcing imports from other countries — a move which has also lent succor to the nation’s recent supply chain ills. “Lead times have diminished as companies have found alternative or additional suppliers,” said Petryk. “Those that relied on one or two vendors now have three, four or five.”

Manufacturers should also benefit from a decline in the cost of money over the coming months, as the Federal Reserve shifts its focus from fighting inflation to bolstering employment. “We look for inflation to peak at just above 3 percent when 2025 numbers are finalized, and for the Fed to cut interest rates into 2026 until the federal funds rate falls to about 3 percent,” said Yaros. That rate, while much higher than the rates of early 2022, is a considerable improvement over the 4.3 percent of mid-2025.

Declining interest rates, which encourage businesses to launch new initiatives, are also a reflection of looser pockets on the part of the nation’s lenders. “Credit conditions have improved significantly for businesses,” said Basu. “Companies with strong balance sheets will find bankers very willing to supply debt. We also know that equity investors, including private equity, remain quite aggressive in supplying capital.”

Housing Doldrums

Speaking of lower interest rates, they can’t come soon enough for a major driver of the nation’s economic activity: the housing sector. “Housing is in a funk,” said Yaros. “Single-family homebuilders are contending with a growing supply of unsold, completed new homes, as well as greater competition from the resale market and falling home prices in a rising number of regions.”

The high cost of money is not helping matters. “A significant increase in interest rates since the summer of 2022 has increased the monthly payments required from buyers of new or existing homes,” said Petryk. “They have also led to a significant market shortage because families who bought homes three to five-plus years ago are loath to surrender their sub-3 percent mortgages.”

Mortgage rates have an important impact on consumer attitudes that are vital drivers of the economy. While lower short-term rates may be coming from the Federal Reserve, it’s unclear how much effect they will have on the longer-term ones that apply to the funding of new homes. “I do not forecast mortgage rates coming down enough to make a big difference in single-family construction,” said Bill Conerly, Principal of his own consulting firm in Lake Oswego, Oregon (conerlyconsulting.com)

Wary builders. Reluctant sellers. Sluggish buyers. It’s all affecting the housing market. Oxford Economics expects housing starts to fall by 4.3 percent in 2025 and decline by another 2.3 percent in 2026 after dropping by 3.5 percent in 2024. Prices for existing homes are expected to increase only 1.5 percent in 2025 and 2.3 percent in 2026 after rising by 4.4 percent in 2024.

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Concerned about the rising cost of living, consumers are cutting back on spending of all kinds. Their hesitancy affects the retail sector, which is an important driver and bellwether of the economy. “Our forecast for year-over-year retail sales growth is 3.8 percent for 2026, down from the 4.5 percent of 2025,” said Scott Hoyt, Senior Director of Consumer Economics for Moody’s Analytics (economy.com). Much of the increase in both years is due to inflation. “High prices are a bit of a mixed bag,” said Hoyt. “They undermine consumer purchasing power and confidence, but they also support nominal sales by lifting the prices of the goods retailers are selling.”

Construction Woes

Outside of the single-family home market, contractors are having problems of their own. Multifamily builders, working through a backlog of units under construction, are hesitant to break ground on new ones. “I think we’ll see less multifamily construction in 2026,” said Conerly. “Vacancy rates are going up and rents have been coming down at the rate of about one percent a year.”

Meanwhile, contractors attached to the commercial, office and hotel markets are feeling the sting of a slowing economy, high interest rates, and an environment rife with uncertainty. “Many areas of non-residential are trending flat or edging down,” said Conerly. “Even the chip fabs, while still strong, are tapering down.”

The one bright construction sector: data centers. They show no signs of diminishing and are big customers for electricians, plumbers, and suppliers of scaffolding and manufactured products of all kinds. “When I look at the detail and the economic statistics of what kind of capital equipment is being bought, I am seeing a lot of data centerrelated equipment in there,” said Conerly. “Data centers also require a lot of garden-variety wiring, connectors, and plumbing for cooling.”

Builders in all sectors share a common challenge: labor availability. Oxford Economics forecasts an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent and 4.3 percent at the end of 2025 and 2026, respectively. That’s not much higher than the 4.1 percent clocked at the end of 2024. Low unemployment, largely due to slowing growth in the nation’s working-age population and aggressive immigration policy from Washington, can result in rising labor costs.

Poised for a Modest Rebound

Business Confidence

For all business sectors, money and labor are not the only production factors on the rise. “The real problem is the world has become much more expensive in the last few years,” noted Basu. “Construction materials are more expensive. And of course, there are tariffs on items like steel, aluminum and copper.”

Little wonder the high cost of doing business is top of mind for many operators. “As we head into 2026, the area of most concern for manufacturers is profit margin,” said Basu. “Many operators are simultaneously experiencing an increase in costs of delivering services while demand fades.”

Given the variety of business concerns, it’s little wonder many projects are being put on hold. “It’s hard to engage in cost savings when both materials and labor are becoming more expensive,” said Basu. “Too often, the pro formas don’t pencil out. Many manufacturers are responding by not expanding their operations and trying to trim expenditures at the margins. They are focusing more on cash flow preservation by slowing hiring, and being less aggressive in leasing and purchasing equipment, particularly equipment impacted by tariff pricing.”

This generalized business hesitation is evidenced in the numbers. “We look for business investment to increase by only 1.6 percent in 2026, after rising by 3 percent in 2025, 3.6 percent in 2024,” said Yaros.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the early months of 2026, economists suggest that manufacturers watch these key economic indicators for an idea of how the year will turn out:

Employment: “I would pay close attention to the unemployment rate,” said Yaros. An unexpected decline in employment would spur faster interest rate cuts as the Fed seeks to reinforce economic expansion.

Consumer Spending: “How is the consumer faring?” poses Basu. “Bear in mind that many low and middle-income people are exhausted financially. Indebtedness and delinquencies are up for credit cards, mortgages and loans.”

Inflation: “If we get stubbornly high inflation, that will prevent further progress on interest rates,” said Basu.

Oxford Economics still expects the nation to avoid a recession, and the expected 2 percent GDP growth is right around the level economists peg as the nation’s “natural growth rate” — one that supports business activity, maintains full employment and avoids triggering inflation. Perhaps of even greater importance, though, is a little heralded threat to productivity. “One thing that sort of permeates the whole economic picture right now is the nation’s low population growth rate,” said Conerly. “Immigration is down, due to the Trump administration policy. The next generation entering their working years is about the same size as the retiring boomers, so there will be no net growth in the labor force.”

Responding to this trend, successful manufacturing companies will look for ways to maximize their return on labor by increasing output per worker, noted Conerly. “The focus of businesses in 2026 will be increasing productivity — not by whipping people harder, but by providing them with better tools, better training and better firstlevel managers.”

2025 MACHINERY SHOWCASE

AUTOMATION S.r.l.

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 inserts, tapered inserts, etc.), boring, deforming and cutting equipment, as well as labeling systems and machines for packaging with the use of different systems even robotized.

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, etc.), oral hygiene industry (toothbrushes, accessories, etc.), automotive industry and kitchen appliance industry.

Company Philosophy:

Your Automation, Our Mission

Understanding customers specific needs and providing state-of-the-art solutions.

Bodam International Ltd.

903 Cirelli Court

Aberdeen, MD 21001 USA

Tel. +1-410-272-9797

E-mail: cp@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 35 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). For more information, visit: www.borghi.com

Borghi s.p.a also manufactures 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 now made

by Borghi. Also produced by Borghi, 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. For more information, visit: www.borghi.com

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

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 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. 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.

Also, Borghi USA has a huge stock of carbide drill bits (spoon bits, single-point/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.

Borghi USA - More than just a service company!

Borghi’s Technological Innovation

Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovative solutions tailored to market demands, Borghi continues to pioneer new machinery and enhancements to existing equipment. This commitment ensures a constant stream of technological advancements aimed at meeting customers’ needs.

From brooms to dishwashing brushes, mops to cylinder brushes, and catering to small batches or large-scale production, Borghi offers solutions across the spectrum of brush manufacturing needs.

Household Brushes

Recognizing the varied needs of different companies—from high output demands to budget constraints—Borghi prioritizes offering a tailored approach to customers. Therefore, two things are extremely important: having the right solutions for the diverse needs and helping the customers to find the machine that best suits them.

For those requiring frequent production changes, single headers such as the STAR V1 or the enhanced SPRINT PLUS are ideal, minimizing changeover times. Furthermore, the SPRINT PLUS is perfect for both beginners, who can start manufacturing brushes with a limited investment, and experts, who will find the most efficient way to make specialty brushes in small series. SPRINT PLUS can produce wide and diversified variety of brushes, thanks to the 5 axes of movement and can be equipped with double clamping system.

Figure 1 - SPRINT PLUS - Indian double hockey carriage

Vertical tufting machines like the STAR V2 strike a balance between productivity and ease of use, catering to products ranging from banisters to cloth brushes, from tank brushes to Indian toilet brushes double hockey.

However, the most innovative solution for vertical machines is STARGATE

STARGATE is Borghi’s first fully automatic vertical machine for brushes and brooms. It is equipped with an automatic feeder with a capacity of 20 virgin blocks that are automatically transferred to the vertical drilling and filling station. At the end the filled brushes are transferred to a rotary trimming machine in order to obtain the finished product.

Thanks to its 5 axes, STARGATE can also be used without the feeder and the trimmer (placing it in park mode), to allow to produce other flat brushes, rounded brushes as well as toilet or dishwashing brushes, exactly like a STAR V2. These systems and configuration make this machine one of the most versatile on the market.

For larger volumes and increased automation, Borghi provides double header carousel machines like the SMART R32 series, offering efficiency and operator comfort.

Figure 2 - STARGATE automatic feeder with a capacity of 20 virgin blocks that are automatically transferred to the vertical drilling and filling station.

The range of carousel machines starts with manually fed machines like the SMART R32 and the STAR R32, which are the first step into this type of machinery, offering maximum tufting efficiency and highest level of comfort for the operator, together with simple manual feeding of the virgin blocks. Going up with the automation level, the SMART R32 MATIC is an intermediate step, combining automatic feeding of the virgin blocks, 3 stations drilling & tufting cycle and automatic transfer of the tufted brushes to the finishing station.

The top of the automation level is made possible with the MOON, Borghi’s first fully versatile and multi-product automated machine: universal with 5 axis CNC control, continuously drilling and filling for higher output with no index time, thanks to the innovative machine design with independent motion carriages.

The machines can set up with different configurations, automatic fiber feeding system or automated block loading feature with a magazine block feeder.

The innovative MOON features four independent carriages arranged in a circle (hence the name) and the machine runs at Zero Index Time when it turns from one carriage to the next. That means when the carriages move from one station to the other, the machine movements don’t stop and so they continue as if still drilling/filling, even though it isn’t, and the result is zero stops and restarts, cutting down indexing time and wear and tear. Upon reaching the next brush block, the cycle resumes drilling and tufting. The automatic fiber feeding system, a robotic arm grabs the fiber bundles, removes the plastic wrap and inserts the fibers into the stock-box.

Figure 3 - SMART R32 MATIC automatic feeder of virgin blocks

On the MOON machine, featured the automatic block loading system, the blocks are loaded into a hopper, then the unit runs it up on a conveyor, almost like a waterfall system, the conveyor then brings the blocks back down, where a vision inspection camera analyzes how each block is laid out on that conveyor. It sends that information to the robot. The robot then decides which angle is best and starts picking up the products according to the vision inspection result and positions them into a temporary holder. From there, the next robot picks up the blocks and automatically loads them into shuttles that carry the blocks to the next station.

The MOON is fully configurable to meet the needs of individual customers going from a standard machine that offers the ability to isolate to specific automation stations — where a customer is comfortable — or utilize the available stations to create a fully automated line. Customers have different goals and levels of needs for automation.

The MOON has the ability to allow operators to manually load blocks, mount a magazine-loading system, or incorporate a fully automated loading unit such as the waterfall system. The machine can also be configured to have a station for adhesive sticker labelling, pad printing or laser marking the customers’ products.

The pinnacle of automation is reached with the MOON, a versatile, multi-product automated machine designed for maximum output and efficiency.

In order to provide all the household brush manufacturers with the right solution, Borghi also offers a complete range of standalone trimming & finishing machines for flat, curved, and round brushes, and twisted-in wire brushes (U TWIST) for the production of twisted-in-wire brushes with loop end or closed end. The new systems to feed cotton and/or steel wire are now available on the U TWIST.

Personal Care Brushes

Borghi extends its expertise to personal care brush manufacturing, offering technology and automation solutions for products including hairbrushes, mascara brushes, and nail polish brushes.

STAR R31 set up for hairbrush production runs at 900 RPM and OBERON is the latest technology to produce twisted-in-wire brushes for cosmetic, dental and medical applications.

Figure 4 - STAR R31 set up for hairbrush production runs at 900 RPM

Figure 5 - OBERON for mascara brushes produces up to 100 brushes/min

Technical & Industrial Brushes

In the realm of technical and industrial brushes, Borghi presents innovations such as the GEMINI machine, featuring e-STROKE technology for enhanced productivity and flexibility. The GEMINI can include as an optional feature, an integrated bridge for tufted strip brushes. The SPECIAL version offers significant advantages for flat brush trimming and tufted strip brushes.

The ARCHIMEDE machine also incorporates e-STROKE technology, offering significant productivity and flexibility advantages.

Looking for a machine for the continuous production of tufted strip brushes? The INFINITY range machinery is able to produce (in a continuous way) brushes filled with vertical tufts or fixed inclined tufts, up to a maximum of 15 rows wide and infinite length. Available for strip brushes or lag brushes.

Mop Production

Borghi offers the OCTOPUS PACK, a fully automatic machine for the assembly and packing of mops made of cotton, non-woven or synthetic material (spun-lace).

The OCTOPUS STITCH machine can produce nine mops per minute. The machine sews with a chain stitch method. The mop head using a head band that in the middle of the product, can automatically incorporate a label stitched into the product with company logo and bar code or QR code. The innovation is that the stitching is secured into the headband by fusing the bands and stitching together via a sonic welder, which allows for continuous production without having to change out a bobbin. OCTOPUS STITCH chain stitches with a threemillimeter step, that way it holds as many strands of mop materials as possible to create more strength. On each end of the band, it is sonic welded to create even more strength for the mop head. The flaps left over are clamped in use, so they are not visible.

Borghi Spa provides you with the best machine solutions for the broom and brush industry, with a high-level service approach. Flexibility and Versatility, combined with Quality and Reliability at your disposal for over 75 years.

To learn more about Borghi, please visit www.borghi.com

Figure 6 - INFINITY PLUS can produce inclined tufts, up to a maximum of 15 rows wide and infinite length

Figure 7 - OCTOPUS STITCH fully automatic machine for the production of narrow-band mops

Carnevali Dino S.A.S.

Via Federici, 120

26040 Casalbellotto (CR)

ITALY

Tel. +39-0375-59527

Fax +39-0375-59650

Contact: Wilma Carnevali

E-mail: info@carnevalidino.com

Website : www.carnevalidino.it

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

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

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

Leistner Werkzeug GmbH

Auerbacher Straße 15

Stützengrün/Erzg.

Germany

Phone: +49-(0)37462-288 150

Fax: +49-(0)37462-288 159

Website: www.leistner-gmbh.de

Email: info@leistner-gmbh.de

Contact: Joerg Pauls

Your specialist for precision tools

Leistner currently produces several different userspecific tool programs for the metal, wood, plastic and especially for the brush industry and exports milling and drilling tools to many countries around the world such as Egypt, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Colombia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Netherlands, Austria, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Tanzania, Czech Republic, Turkey, Hungary, USA and Cyprus.

ENGINEERING

Development and optimization of application-specific cutting tools.

MANUFACTURING

Production of special cutting tools made of tungsten carbide or HSS for the metal, wood and plastics. industries.

CNC GRINDING CENTER

Regrinding of all common cutting tools made of carbide and HSS cutting tools for the metal, wood and plastics industries.

MILLING AND TURNING WORK

Production of individual parts and small series according to customer specifications.

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 Member of

Mgg North America, Inc.

8050 Corporate Center Drive

Suite 100 A

Charlotte, NC 28226

USA

Tel: +1 724 713 2224

cp@mggnacorp.com

www.mggmeccanica.com

Contacts:

Carlo Pozzobon, AFTER SALES SERVICE MANAGER MGG NORTH AMERICA

Gianfranco Marcon, PRESIDENT MGG GROUP

Key Products & Services:

trimming and packaging machines, you will have all the support you need.

Our lines are completed with all the material feeders needed for the production: ferrules, handles, bristle and glue.

Future plans:

MGG is an Italian company for the production technology of paint brush industry. Our knowledge covers the entire production value chain, from basic design and detail engineering, in-house manufacturing and testing and after sale services.

Our customers benefit from our organization by competence, lean processes, fast decision making and reliable service.

Paintbrushes Machinery Sector:

A complete range ready to satisfy all your needs in the field of brush production (Flat, Round and Paintrollers). From the formation, with our assembly, vulcanizing and nailing machines, to the finishing process with cleaners,

With the US branch, the goal is to guarantee our North American customers the utmost quality of our Italian production technology and a dedicated after-sales service.

Company Philosophy:

Constant innovation addressed to the quality and to customer satisfaction.

New products:

The service on site, 24h will allow SERVICE and TRAINING activities to be carried out in complete autonomy by the client/operator thanks to the use of our app installed on your devices (smartphone - tablet).

Roth Composite Machinery GmbH

Steffenberg (Headquarters)

Bauhofstr. 2

D-35239 Steffenberg

Germany

Phone: +49 (0)6451/71918-0

Website: www.roth-composite-machinery.com

Email: info@roth-composite-machinery.com

Professional competence for highest demands and wide-ranging applications

For over 100 years Roth Composite Machinery is delivering production lines for the brush industry in the business area Brushes & Brooms (formerly SCHLESINGER). There hardly is a country in this world where no machine from Burgwald is found. The machines of Roth Composite Machinery are working successfully where high efficiency, minimal maintenance and great versatility are requested –already for a long time. Roth Composite Machinery belongs to the companies combining innovative engineering work, efficient and robust machines with a first-class service.

From the idea to the finished machine

There are many good reasons for our success. One of the most important reasons is the provision of individual, tailor-made solutions always being oriented towards requirement profile of the respective customer, following the maxim of Roth Composite Machinery being valid for decades: “The customer does not get a machine, the customer gets its machine.” Therefore, the exchange with the customers ranks first. Based on this dialogue, machines are developed being advanced,

efficient, long-lasting, wide-ranging and which can be easily operated and maintained.

Quality and attention to detail

Three aspects are the stipulations for that: Requirements of the market, durability as well as an easy and intuitive operation.

From universal to high speed, each machine of Roth Composite Machinery implies professional competence, optimal product quality and worldwide experience. The commitment to highest quality is not an end in itself, it is the foundation for the success of our activities.

Attention to customer needs, easy maintenance, high flexibility and longterm reliability, determines our quality.

Technical quality requirements regarding the product safety as well as quality tests reach far beyond standard demands and norms.

Inventive spirit and visionary acting for tomorrow’s products

As innovative partner in the international Brush Industry, for more than 100 years, Roth Composite Machinery develops creative concepts for individual solutions as well as for complete production processes.

U-BFA21/E5:

Machine for all kind of brushes, the universal-brush making machine U-BFA21/E5

WA-BFA21/E3: Automatic Roller Brush Machine WA-BFA21

Special machines for household or technical brushes, ideally suited for processing from natural fibers to abrasive materials, are innovations from Roth Composite Machinery.

Technological milestones are innovations such as RoAn technology, the Multi- Flexible Filament- Box and the New generation of carousel machines. Machine efficiency increases of up to 25%, compared to comparable products, can be achieved.

Wöhler-Platz 2

Bad Wünnenberg

Germany

Phone: +49 29 53 / 73 300

Fax: +49 29 53 / 73 96 300

Website: www.woehlerbrushtech.com

Email: bt@woehler.com

Contact: Managing Director: Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Peveling; Daniel Horenkamp MBA

No matter which area of the brush industry you are in, one thing is constant - the extraordinary degree of innovation! Whether strip brush, roll brush, power brush or twisted brush - the possibilities are countless. The constant search for new applications and possible uses fears no challenge. This driving innovative force has contributed to the realization of visionary progress in entire industries to this day.

The greatest challenge in the brush industry, as in other industries, is the development of new, innovative products. Increasing demands require not only inventiveness, but also know-how to turn a good idea into a successful product. Many factors have to be considered to turn a brush prototype into a commodity or consumer product: Factors such as automated manufacturability combined with the necessary flexibility. This point should be included at an early stage in product development, in order to an economical production process with the new product.

WÖHLER BRUSH TECH supports the brush industry as a partner with more than 90 years of experience and know-how in brush manufacturing and mechanical engineering.

The latest machine developments WÖHLER has realized together with brush manufacturers show how successful such cooperation can be.

Inside wound strip brushes with cutting on the machine

The MBI 86 is a device for continuous inside winding of strip brush rolls. It can be mounted either directly on a strip brush machine or on a stand-alone drive unit SAE

The outer diameter is set using an adjustable universal bending tool. To achieve minimum tolerances (< 2 mm) and in particular to realize relatively small outside diameters in relation to the profile size, we recommend the use of special shaped pieces optimized for a single outside diameter.

The brush roll is cut to length manually with the strip brush machine stopped. When mounted on an SAE, cutting to length can optionally be performed automatically directly on the unit.

Automatic fill material feeding for WÖHLER SBM 840

The Wöhler SBM 840 strip brush machine can now be optionally equipped with the BUD 300 automatic bundle feeder when fitted with a vertical picker. The bundles are transported to the picker, where they are unpacked and fed fully automatically to the filling magazine of the picker.

In combination with the BC 760 automatic bundle cutter, a fully automatic process is possible. Only the magazine of the bundle cutter has to be filled manually. The BC 760 cuts the bundles reliably and quickly to the set length, including clean cut and residual bundle sorting.

Winding and cutting of roll brushes with WAC 800

The WÖHLER WAC 800 in combination with a strip brush machine allows the outside winding of a strip brush into roll segments with a selectable number of windings.

The particular strength of the WÖHLER WAC 800 is the integrated cutting unit, which cuts off the strip brush without stopping production once the set number of windings has been reached. The number of windings, as well as the number of roll brushes to be produced, is freely selectable and adjustable via a touchscreen panel.

The strip brush produced as an endless brush by a strip brush machine is fed to the WÖHLER WAC 800, wound into a roll brush and automatically cut after the desired number of windings.

As the strip brush machine produces at a continuous speed, the WÖHLER WAC 800 compensates for the length produced during the cutting cycle.

Tool sets consisting of the winding core, a pressure wheel, the strip brush guide, the cutting blade, the driver ring and optionally the counter holder are available for all possible combinations.

Trimming of long roll brushes with WÖHLER MTB 1000

A particularly stable, welded steel frame forms the basic framework of the WÖHLER MTB 1000. The machine concept, which has been optimized for brush manufacturers, includes sliding doors that allow roller brushes to be loaded into the machine both from above with a crane and from the front. However, the 90° swivelling cutter can also be used to trim disc brushes.

The quick-action brush clamping system consists of the chuck on the right on the drive side and the pneumatically actuated tip on the tailstock on the left. The tailstock can be conveniently moved electrically.

All guides are protected against contamination. The cutting is collected in easy-to-empty trays.

Standard programs for rolls with cylindrical, concave and convex contours as well as disc brushes are already pre-installed.

A CNC control with touch screen allows to process CNC data (socalled G-code) and thus to cut any contours. For this purpose, G-code data can be loaded directly from a CAM program.

A large program memory is available for the operator’s own recipe management.

The WÖHLER MTB 1000 is available in two versions with a clamping length of 3.0 m and 5.3 m.

Fully automatic wire tuft brush production with WÖHLER FWB 700 series

The WÖHLER FWB 700 series produces tuft brushes from all flat wires used in the road sweeping sector. Wire quantity and wire length are variably adjustable.

With a WÖHLER FWR 250 flat wire rolling unit, the FWB 700 series can be expanded into a fully automatic machine.

Three variants of the WÖHLER FWB 700 are available: FWB 710 and FWB 720 bend wire bundles and hold them together with push-on elements.

The FWB 710 saws plastic rings directly from the tube. An FWB 720 separates metal sleeves and attaches them to the bundle. When the tufts are later joined into plates, these rings and sleeves slip off. An FWB 730 crimps the metal sleeves to the tuft to form impact sleeves.

A special switch system allows the connection of the WÖHLER FWB 700 series to a WÖHLER FWR 250 or the integration into an existing production line consisting of WÖHLER FWR 250 and a WÖHLER gutter broom machine.

Low-priced automated gutter broom production with WÖHLER GB 50

The WÖHLER gutter broom machine GB 50 is a simple and low-priced entry into the automated production of gutter brooms and segments - and it grows with your market - up to a fully automatic production line with automatic wire and PP bundle production and automatic drilling of filling and fixing holes with angle adjustment. The GB 50 can be configured for all commercially available disc and segment formats with wire, synthetic or mixed fill. New plates as well as recycled plates can be processed.

In the basic configuration, the operator manually inserts individual bundles into the GB 50, which automatically bends and fills the bundles into pre-drilled segments or discs. An industrial robot takes a segment or disc from the magazine, moves the filling holes one after the other into their filling position and places the finished segment/gutter broom stacked on a pallet with the bristles facing upwards.

Depending on the budget and the desired degree of automation, the GB 50 can be modularly expanded with a wide range of options – on purchase or at a later date. In this way, the production capacity of the machine simply grows with the increasing order intake.

The extension bundle transport FBT 50 allows the loading of several bundles that are automatically inserted into the bending station. This increases the filling speed and reduces the dependence on the operator.

Fully automatic bundle production on the FWR 250 flat wire rolling machine and the PBT 50 for PP bundles maximises the production output of the GB 50. The optional drilling station enables the use of raw discs.

All holders can be exchanged in a few simple steps. The multifunctional disc fixture also reduces the time required for a product change. The minimised set-up times enable production close to order entry while reducing finished goods inventories.

The clearly designed and intuitive user interface and the fully automatic processes minimise dependence on operator qualifications. All settings can be saved as a recipe in the control system.

2025 SUPPLIER/MANUFACTURER SPOTLIGHT

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, 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.

202 North Oak Street

Arcola, IL 61910, United States

Phone: 217-268-3012

Fax: 217-268-3245

Website: www.brushfibers.com

Email: chris@brushfibers.com

Contact: Chris Monahan

Profile:

Distributors and manufacturers of a full range of vegetable fibers, horse hair, hog hair, plastic blocks, wire, and fiber mixtures. Including the following: Tampico, Palmyra, Horse Hair and Horse Hair mixtures, Foam and Solid Plastic Brush Blocks, and Brush Staple Wire.

Celanese Filaments

Company Key Materials, Machines, Products:

Celanese 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, Europe and India turn out an extensive range of filaments based on nylon 610, nylon 612, and polyester resins. 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:

Celanese Tynex® filaments and Tynex® A abrasive filaments, both based on long-wearing nylon 612 polymer; Celanese Herox® filaments made of nylon 610; Celanese Orel® tapered filaments, based on polyester; and Celanese Chinex® modified nylon filaments.

New

Materials, Machines, Products:

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.

Industrial applications outside the brush field are also opening up for Celanese filaments.

Company Philosophy:

For more than 80 years, Celanese Filaments has proven its ability to supply premium-quality products and firstclass service to brush manufacturers around the globe. The ultimate validation of their success comes from customers: their supplier decisions have made Celanese Filaments the global leader in the field.

Celanese 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, China; Madurai, India; Landgraaf, Netherlands; and Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.A. Each location is thirdparty-certified as meeting requirements of IS0.

DKSH Switzerland LTD.

Wiesenstrasse 8

CH-8034 Zurich

Phone: +41 44 3867901

Mobile: +41 79 7854657

Email: Reinhold.hoerz@dksh.com

Website: www.dksh.ch/brush

Contact Name: Reinhold Hoerz

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 men. Regular 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 Ox-Ear, 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.

Deco Products

506 Sanford Street

Decorah, Iowa 52101, United States

Phone: 563-382-4264

Fax: 563-382-9845

Website: www.decoprod.com

Email: sales@decoprod.com

Contact: Dave Magner

The Deco Advantage and Partnerships

At Deco Products, our mission is clear: to solve problems and ensure success for our customers. Our deep understanding of the zinc die-casting process, coupled with our relentless pursuit of innovation, makes us a trusted partner in delivering solutions to meet modern industry challenges.

With over 60 years of industry expertise, Deco Products has become a leader in zinc die casting, with over 10 million pounds of zinc alloy processed annually at our Decorah, Iowa facility. This scale allows us to achieve efficiencies and synergies that directly benefit our customers, ensuring they receive the most cost-effective and reliable solutions.

Our dedication to zinc die casting means we focus entirely on providing the most advanced and practical solutions for our customers, without the added complexity of casting multiple materials. Since 1960, we have honed our engineering talent and operational excellence to address even the most complex problems, delivering innovations that drive success.

Deco understands that competitiveness and value are essential in today’s global market. We continually invest in new technologies that enhance efficiency, providing

long-term value across the entire product lifecycle. Our commitment doesn’t end at product launch. By focusing on tool longevity and process optimization, we ensure that our solutions remain effective and cost-efficient for years, or even decades, after production begins. This long-term approach has allowed us to build strong, lasting partnerships with our customers.

With over 100 zinc die-casting machines and a 150,000-square-foot facility, we have more production capacity under one roof than anyone else in North America. Our equipment can make diverse parts with locking forces ranging from 3.5 to 500 tons, making us an ideal partner for companies looking for versatility, capacity, and competitive pricing.

In addition to our casting expertise, we offer a range of value-added services such as machining, powder coating, and assembly, providing end-to-end support for our customers. This combination of capabilities, along with our financial stability, places us among the industry’s most reliable and respected manufacturers.

Serving the Broom, Mop and Brush Industries

Our commitment to excellence has made us a supplier of precision zinc die-castings to customers all over the world. With over 60 years of experience, we design and produce the most challenging components. Deco has invested in and been casting tips and other parts for mops, brooms, and brushes longer and more continuously than any other manufacturer in the industry. We have standard molds and tooling for “off the shelf” product solutions, but can also produce custom designed products per customers’ requirements. Our engineering team works diligently with our partners to provide the best product at the most competitive price. We are proud that we manufacture in the United States with our tenured experts in our Decorah Iowa facility.

Future Plans or Goals for Company:

Deco Products remains privately owned and financially strong, allowing us to continuously invest in new technologies and long-term improvements. We are always open to forming new partnerships with companies that share our commitment to excellence and long-term success.

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, President

Key Products:

FM Brush is a leading manufacturer of thousands of brush styles. We specialize in custom manufacturing, private label OEM, and branded brush production. Our diverse range of brushes serves various industries, including artist supplies, industrial applications, medical instruments, sign-writing tools, specialty brushes, craft essentials, and top-quality cosmetic brushes.

Philosophy:

The FM Brush Company is celebrating almost 100 years in business. We are proud of this accomplishment because the company remains under private family ownership. The factory and office headquarters are located in Glendale, New York. Our commitment to American manufacturing is without equal in the industry.

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

We are your continued preferred OEM suppler and are proud to share our heritage and expertise as we celebrate nine decades of American brush making.

Innovation:

Since the 1960s, FM has been at the forefront of working with synthetic materials. With years dedicated to perfecting our blends, we’ve mastered the art of capturing the essence of natural hair. Our vast repertoire of over 40 synthetic materials faithfully replicates the textures of natural bristle, pony, sable, and beyond. Explore limitless possibilities with our proprietary, inhouse-crafted synthetic blends, redefining the standards for artist-quality brushes.

Goals:

Our unwavering commitment to deliver exceptional brushes that surpass expectations, crafted with sustainable innovative materials, and customer-centric excellence which is at the core of our mission.

America’s Premier Artist Brush Manufacturer

Gibbs Interwire

Metals Drive

Southington, Connecticut 06489

United States

Phone: 860-621-0121

Fax: 860-628-7780

Website: www.gibbswire.com

Email: rickw@gibbswire.com

Contact: Rick Wuebbeling, Business Development Wire 616-729-2024

Gibbs Interwire is an ISO 9001:2015 Processor and Distributor of Strip Coil and Wire Products in Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Nickel Alloys, and Red Metals. Our 10 North American Service Centers located in the US, Canada, and Mexico, provide slit-to-width strip coil and a wide range of round, flat, square, and shaped wire products. Our primary focus for strip and slit coil products is narrow, precision-width, tempered products. Our strip and slit coil products also offer the option of custom edging and skiving, as well as, oscillate winding for longer runs. We stock a large inventory of wire products with a special focus on the spring industry; providing stainless steel, carbon, and red metals in various tempers.

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc.

3737 Capitol Avenue

City of Industry, CA 90601-1732

Phone: (323) 450-2740

Email: KRakusin@gordonbrush.com

Website: www.gordonbrush.com

Contact: Kenneth L. Rakusin

President and CEO

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 19,000 standard and custom brushes at its state-of-the-art 183,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in California, 66,000 sq. ft. plant in Mississippi, 47,000 sq. ft. factory in Nebraska and about 50,000 sq. ft. outside Kansas City, Missouri. Gordon Brush® stocks over 3,900 different brushes for

same day shipment, selling to a variety of industries including medical, electronics, manufacturing, military, aerospace, janitorial, automotive, bakery, restaurant, scientific and pharmaceutical. Gordon Brush’s recent acquisitions include Mr. LongArm; Michigan Brush; Dorden & Co.; Justman Brush; Spectrum Paint; Kirschner Brush; J.B. Ward & Sons; StaticFaction; Easy Reach; and Parker 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.

Gornell Brush

1101 S Prairie Avenue

Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186

United States

Phone: 773-489-2330

Fax: 773-489-1102

Email: sales@gornellbrush.com

Website: www.gornellbrush.com

Gornell Brush: A Leading Partner in Precision Brush Manufacturing

As a trusted partner to industry leaders worldwide, Gornell Brush has a proud tradition of innovation and excellence. Since our founding in 1892, we’ve remained dedicated to investing in cutting-edge technology and the continuous development of our team, ensuring that every product we manufacture meets the highest standards of quality and performance.

With a portfolio of millions of brushes produced annually, Gornell Brush serves a broad range of industries, including aerospace, additive manufacturing, food processing, MRO, and power generation. Our advanced production facilities and commitment to modernization allow us to deliver custom-made, technical, and standard brushes efficiently, on time, and to exact specifications. We understand that every customer’s needs are unique. That’s why our team of skilled engineers works closely with you to develop the perfect solution, whether it’s a standard product or a custom design. Our comprehensive services, from CAD/CAM design to private labeling and special packaging, ensure that we can adapt to your specific requirements.

At Gornell Brush, customer satisfaction is our top priority. We are committed to providing high-quality brushes and engineered solutions that help you excel in your business operations, backed by fast, reliable service.

Gornell Brush: Innovation, Quality, and Solutions for Every Industry

Let us help you find the right brush solution. Contact us today for a partner who is as dedicated to your success as you are.

Hahl inc./Perlon The Filament Company

126 Glassmaster Rd.

Lexington, S.C. 29072

Phone: 803-359-0079

Fax: 803-359-0554

Website: www.perlon.com

E-mail: melvin.chavis@perlon.com

Contact: Mel Chavis - Sales Manager

Company Key Materials and Products:

SYNTHETIC FILAMENT: Polypropylene, PA 6, PA 66, PA 612, PA 610, Polyester-PBT, LDPE, PS, SAN

Technical fibers > Anti-static PA 6, Conductive PA 6, HT Polyamide, PEEK, PPS, UL94V0 PA 6, Metal Detectable Polyester-PBT

ABRASIVE FILAMENT: Abrafil® 612, Abrafil® 610, Hahlbrasif® 6, AbraMaXX® > with Grit (Silicon Carbide, Aluminum Oxide, Ceramic, Diamond)

MULTIFILAMENT: Abrasive or Non-Abrasive

DENTAL CARE: Toothbrush Filament and Cosmetic Filament

Innovative Personal Care Filaments

MONOFILAMENT: For Advanced Technical Textiles and PMC / Polypropylene, PA 6, PA 66, PA 612, PA 610, PA 12, Polyester-PET & PBT, PPS, HDPE, LDPE

New Materials and Products:

New abrasive product HB+ : newly developed lower-cost abrasive filament with comparable technical properties to Abrafil®

Marcegaglia Oskar

via Lumaca, 3

40054 Mezzolara di Budrio, Bologna ITALY

Phone: +39 051 804 91 11

Website: www.oskaritalia.it

Email: oskar@marcegaglia.com

Key Materials and Products

Marcegaglia Oskar specializes in the production of fixed and telescopic steel handles for brooms, mops, squeegees, and other household cleaning tools. With more than 60 years of industry experience, the company offers a wide range of high-quality steel tubes designed for durability, strength, and ergonomic comfort. To provide complete and functional solutions for the cleaning industry, Marcegaglia Oskar also offers a selection of complementary plastic components and accessories.

New Materials and Products

In response to market demand for more sustainable and efficient solutions, Marcegaglia Oskar is developing steel handles with optimized thicknesses and reduced diameters to minimize material use while maintaining the same levels of strength and performance. The company has also expanded its range to include handles made with recycled steel and continues to invest in automation and advanced surface treatments that improve corrosion resistance, durability, and visual appearance. These innovations support customers in achieving both technical efficiency and environmental responsibility, while allowing for a high degree of aesthetic and functional customization for private-label projects.

Company Philosophy

As part of the Marcegaglia Group, Europe’s largest independent steel processor, Marcegaglia Oskar benefits from a fully integrated and controlled supply chain — starting from the production of the steel itself and extending through design, prototyping, manufacturing, assembly, and customized packaging. This vertical integration ensures consistent quality, flexibility, and full traceability across every stage of production. The company’s philosophy is rooted in excellence, innovation, and responsibility, combining Italian manufacturing expertise with an ongoing commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction.

Future Plans and Goals

Marcegaglia Oskar is committed to pursuing sustainable and ethical growth, guided by innovation and continuous improvement. The company has initiated the process to achieve SA8000 certification, confirming its dedication to social accountability and responsible business practices. Looking ahead, Oskar will continue to invest in energy-efficient processes, automation, and eco-design, aiming to reduce environmental impact and strengthen its position as a reliable global partner for cleaning tool manufacturers seeking quality, transparency, and longterm value.

MFC LTD

1904 Freight St.

Laredo Texas 78041

Toll Free: 800 TAMPICO (8267426)

Phone 956 724 5191 Fax 956 725 8080

Email: info@mfc-usa.com

Website: www.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

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.

Monahan

Filaments

215 Egyptian Trail

Arcola, IL 61910

Tel: 217-268-4957

Fax: 217-268-4965

Website: www.monahanfilaments.com

Email: info@monahanfilaments.com

Contact Name & Title: Jon Monahan, President

Company Key Materials and 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, 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.

Company Philosophy:

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!

PelRay International A Division of Brush Fibers, Inc.

4712 Macro

San Antonio, TX  78218

Tel: 210-757-4640

Fax: 210-650-8103

Email: sales@pelray.com

Website: www.pelray.com

We are on WhatsApp:

+1-210-862-5731 Ron Cherryholmes

+1-210-846-1840 Bart Pelton

+1-210-772-2237 Kenneth Pelton

+52-811-503-7504 (Español) Robert Sixtos

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, galvanized 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, Robert Sixtos and Bart Pelton has close to 90 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.

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

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

Proveedora Mexicana de Monofilamentos, S.A. de C.V. (PMM)

Oriente 217 No. 190

Agrícola Oriental

08500 Mexico City

Phone: (52 55) 5763 86 63

Fax: (52 55) 5700 57 69

Email: pmm@pmm-mex.com

Web: www.pmmbrightline.com

Contact: 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.

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-ityourself markets.

New Materials 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.

Schaefer Brush

1101 S Prairie Avenue

Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186

United States

Phone: 262-547-3500

Email: sales@schaeferbrush.com

Website: www.schaeferbrush.com

Schaefer Brush: A Tradition of Excellence and Innovation in Twisted-In-Wire and Metal Back Strip Brushes

For over a century, Schaefer Brush has been a leader in precision brush manufacturing, specializing in twistedin-wire, metal back strip brushes, and custom, handdrawn solutions. Our deep expertise and investment in modern technology allow us to deliver highperformance brushes for industries such as aerospace, additive manufacturing, food processing, MRO, and power generation.

Our advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities ensure that every brush is crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and durability. Whether it’s a standard brush or a custom hand-drawn design, Schaefer Brush excels in providing the exact solution for your specific needs. Our metal back strip brushes and twisted-in-wire brushes are known for their precision, resilience, and ability to perform under the toughest conditions.

At Schaefer Brush, we collaborate with our customers to create the perfect brush for any application. Our experienced engineers and in-house design team offer CAD/CAM services, private labeling, and custom packaging to meet your unique requirements. From concept to completion, we are dedicated to delivering brushes that exceed expectations.

Schaefer Brush: Your Partner for Custom and HighPerformance Brush Solutions

With a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, Schaefer

Stainless Steel Products

333 Buttonwood Street

West Reading, PA 19611

United States

Tel: 888-767-3040

Fax: 631-243-4064

Email: sales@stainlesswires.com

Website: www.stainlesswires.com

Contact: Ralph Rosenbaum, President

About Us

Since 1995, STAINLESS STEEL PRODUCTS has distinguished itself with a wide variety of applications, gaining experience and capability in round and flat wire, metal strip, and tubing production and distribution. We pride ourselves on supplying manufacturers of all sizes, including industry leaders and global manufacturers across various industries. We differentiate ourselves with application engineering assistance, attention to detail on all aspects of supply management, and a culture of bringing added value through value-added products and services to our customers experience where possible.

We custom manufacture materials to demanding specifications. In addition, we stock materials for quick shipments, just-in-time delivery, and/or use a kan-ban inventory system when appropriate.

We serve Iron, Nickel, and/or copper based metal consuming manufacturers of all kinds, including: Brushes / Dental Products / Filtration Products / Flexible Metal Hoses / Heating Elements / Jewelry / Medical Products / Reinforcements / Specialty Products /Springs / Staple Products / Wire Braids / OEM / Wire Cloth & Mesh /Wire Forms / Wire Inserted Threads / Wire Inserted Yarns.

Draw Round Wire

Stainless Steel Products has several single and multiple die wire drawing machines. We have some machines dedicated for ironbased alloys, such as steel and stainless steel, and others for copper based alloys, such as brass, phosphor bronze, and nickel silver. Our in-house capabilities include drawing wire from 0.3125” to as small as 0.0080” in both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. We can draw wire to standard tolerances or tight tolerances, if specified. We can package wire on spools, coils, or cores ranging from ¼ lb to over 1,000 lbs in various configurations.

Our specialty is making bright wire. Our testing equipment includes laser micrometers, tensile testers, a fatigue tester, hardness testers, magnetic permeability meter, and microscopes with photo capability for surface evaluations.

Flat Wire Rolling

Stainless Steel Products has several rolling mills and various spooling or coiling equipment to service all of your packaging requirements. These can be as small as 1/4 lb or as large as 1,000 lb reels. Our in-house capabilities include rolling wire with rounded edges between 0.0060” to as wide as 0.250”. Rolling mill thickness capability is from 0.0053” to 0.250”.

Material Warehousing

Stainless Steel Products houses ample quantities of round wire and strip to meet existing customer demands. We can stock round wire in sizes ranging from 0.0010” – 0.375. This

can be in hardness ranging from dead soft annealed to spring temper and anything in between. Strip warehousing is for existing blanket orders only at present.

We offer stocking services of finished materials for just-intime delivery and blanket orders. When customers have tight on going delivery demands, we use a Kan-Ban system which generates internal replacement orders as we ship processed materials from stock. We can also generate reports on existing open orders and inventory for product planning managers and material buyers.

We also maintain adequate raw materials for our further processing. Our processing capabilities include drawing to specific sizes and hardness, wire cut to length, straightened, coiled, spooled, crimped, and/or on specialty packaging. We also offer basic wire forming and assembly services.

Wire Crimping

We crimp wire from prototyping to volume quantities. In the past year, we have added 6 new crimping lines at our facility in Pennsylvania. We can strand wire to your specifications and even assist with creating specifications. Our capabilities include being able to crimp from ultra fine diameters to tire chord in most ferrous and non ferrous alloys. Crimped Wire increases wire column strength and support of adjacent wires. The wire is typically full hard or spring temper. Sizes can range from 0.0030” to 0.035” or larger. This wire can be packaged as multi-stranded ends onto spools or cardboard cores from 10 lbs to 400 lbs or is available in hanks or in cut to length bundles.

Wire Straightening

Straight wire is used to make many types of brushes such as power brushes, scratch brushes, twisted-in brushes, and more. Wire is can be high fatigue resistant or standard quality. We can tailor wire to your fatigue resistance requirements. Round, flat, or shaped wire in any size or dimension. We can package crimped brush wire on spools single end or multiple ends in rope form, hanks, or cut to length bundles. Our inventory is tailored to meet industry requirements. We can offer high temperature resistant alloys and/or high strength alloys to meet the most demanding applications. Our extensive inventory not only covers standard industry sizes, but also those hard to find sizes. We can custom draw wire diameters to high precision if specialty sizes are needed.

Value Added Services

We offer custom made solutions to your hard to figure out material needs. Some examples of what we have successfully resolved include small quantities of simply formed parts, extra large holes on spooling requirements, non magnetic wire, above average fatigue resistance, and much more.

Other

At Stainless Steel Products, we are continuously improving our systems and capabilities for efficiencies and quality control bringing these benefits to all our stakeholders.

Wolf Abrasive

4th Building, Yong Yuanjin Industrial Park

No.8 Jinlong Fourth Road, Baolong, Longgang District Shenzhen, China

Phone: +86 138 2520 3390

Website: http://www.wolfabrasive.com

Email: sallylee@wolfabrasive.com

Contact: Sally Lee

Tidyfeel was established in 2007, which manufactured abrasive filaments in the early stage, and since early 2022, it has developed and produced molded abrasive bristle discs, plastic mandrel and metal clips, which are assembled into standard polishing brushes for general use.

Holding the principle of “High performance, High quality, High value”, we offer superior products and professional services through precision manufacturing and carefullyselected materials.

With “WOLF” as its Logo, Tidyfeel is well-known across China and Southeast Asia, and is exploring international markets such as Europe and the United States. We adhere to the concept of “Share values and satisfy customers” to win our users’ trust.

Together with WOLF, let’s achieve win-win cooperation!

Our Supplies

• “STD” standard abrasive bristle discs, polishing bristle brushes

• “PRO” high-performance bristle discs, polishing brushes

• “DM” diamond bristle disc, diamond polishing brushes

• OEM special abrasive and polishing products

• Development and manufacture of fiber-reinforced injection molding products

Why Choose Us

• WOLF vision: rich experience on materials and applications

• High quality at low costs: comprehensive advantages of quality and price

• Excellent performance: good polishing effect, low costs and high efficiency

• Precision manufacturing for stable quality

• Support from manufacturers: value-oriented and customer-centered marketing concept

• Equipped warehouses for convenient purchase and sale

Wolf Filaments

4th Building, Yong Yuanjin Industrial Park

No.8 Jinlong Fourth Road, Baolong, Longgang District Shenzhen, China

Phone: +86 138 2520 3390

Website: http://www.tidesz.com, http://www.tidyfeel.com

Email: sallylee@tidesz.com

Contact: Sally Lee

Founded in February 2007, “WOLF Abrasive Filaments” is specialized in producing high-quality abrasive filaments. With “WOLF” as LOGO, it has taken the lead in Chinese market and also had good international markets in Asia, Europe and America.

We implement the production policy of “High Quality, High Efficiency, and Low Consumption”, adhere to “Precision Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement”, and carefully and rigorously manage every stage to ensure that the high-quality products and services are delivered to our customers.

We adhere to the market concept of “Value Win-win and Customer Satisfaction”, and win users’ deep trust with our reasonable price, stable quality and professional service.

“WOLF Abrasive Filaments” is your strategic cooperation partner and let us work together to create our win-win future!

WOLF’s Supplies

“SCF” household all-cleaning abrasive filaments: Manufacture household abrasive cleaning brushes featured by rapid friction, rapid dirt removal, polishing, and de-fouling.

“OAF” industrial abrasive filaments: Manufacture finished, polished and de-burred industrial abrasive brushes.

“DAF” diamond abrasive filaments: Manufacture the abrasive filaments added with synthetic diamond to obtain faster and better grinding effects.

“COVER” abrasive filaments: Be suitable for the grinding and de-fouling brushes at tip end to clean and de-foul smooth ground.

WOLF’s Values

Company tenet: Quality first, reputation first; pioneering innovation and customer satisfaction

Corporate culture: Fairness, diligence and cooperation; sharing, integrity and kindness

Core competence: Value, integrity and innovation; high efficiency, low cost, and low consumption

Quality policy: Precision manufacturing, technical innovation; overall quality inspection, and precision management

Why Choose Us?

I. WOLF’s vision: Experience in material and application in this field.

II. Higher cost performance: Comprehensive advantages in quality and price.

III. Excellent quality

• High grinding efficiency, good effects, long service life, and good core functions of brush

• Stable quality: Stable and nearly identical quality of different batches and safe usage

• Beautiful appearance: Uniform filament diameter, uniform buckling, and good brush appearance

• Quality assurance: Ensure identical product quality from small amounts of trial to mass production

IV. Multiple choices: Consider price budgets and operating condition differences, and set high/medium/ low-end products.

V. Cooperative suppliers: Practice the business philosophy of value marketing and customer satisfaction.

VI. Small batch supply: Conventional products are available in stock and easy to purchase.

Young & Swartz, Inc.

39 Cherry St. Buffalo, NY 14204

United States

Phone: (716) 852-2171 / (800) 466-7682

Fax: (716) 852-5652

Website: www.youngandswartz.com

Email: info@youngandswartz.com

Contact: Raphael E. Winzig

We’ve been engineering, manufacturing and supplying brushes and accessories to large and small companies for over 150 years. We’re an American company, familyoperated for four generations. Customers tap our expertise from around the world.

If you don’t know us, you might give us a try. We handle everything from year-long production runs to problemsolving “one-offs.” We’re proud to be the brush experts you can rely on to do your job right every time. Give us a call today at 716-852-2171.

Zelazoski Wood Products, Inc.

P O Box 506

835 Ninth Avenue

Antigo, WI 54409-0506

Phone: 800-240-0974

Fax: 715-627-2347

Website: www.zwpi.com

Contact: 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.

US Manufacturing PMI Inches Up in September

China and US PMI readings move up, as manufacturing softened across the rest of the globe.

U.S. manufacturing continued to contract in September for the seventh consecutive month, according to the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI Report. Despite a slight improvement in the headline index, manufacturers remain under pressure from weak demand, rising costs and tariff-related disruptions.

The Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.1 percent in September, up 0.4 percentage points from August’s 48.7 percent, signaling a slower pace of contraction. While the broader U.S. economy marked its 65th month of growth (excluding April 2020), the factory sector saw mixed results as new orders dropped and inventories thinned.

The New Orders Index fell back into contraction territory at 48.9 percent, down 2.5 points from August. Meanwhile, production strengthened, with the Production Index climbing to 51.0 percent, a 3.2-point improvement. The Backlog of Orders Index also gained 1.5 points to 46.2 percent, suggesting some residual momentum from prior months’ activity.

Labor market conditions improved slightly but remain weak, with the Employment Index rising to 45.3 percent. According to survey comments, most companies continue to manage staffing levels conservatively, prioritizing cost control over new hiring even as production edges higher.

On the input side, the Prices Index remained elevated at 61.9 percent, though up at a slower rate. Supplier deliveries slowed further, with the

index reaching 52.6 percent, indicating lengthening lead times, while inventories declined to 47.7 percent, reflecting ongoing adjustments to match demand. Import activity continued to slide, with the Imports Index dropping to 44.7 percent.

Export performance worsened, with the New Export Orders Index falling to 43.0 percent, representing its lowest reading in several months. With weak foreign demand and uncertainty in global trade policy, firms are struggling to secure international orders.

COMMODITIES

UP IN PRICE: Aluminum (22); Copper (3); Copper Products (3); Corn; Corrugate; Electrical Components (8); Electronic Components; Metal-Based Products; Steel* (8); Steel — Stainless (7); and Steel Products (7).

DOWN IN PRICE: Polypropylene Resin; and Steel* (2).

IN SHORT SUPPLY: Electrical Components (3); Electronic Components (7); Labor; Rare Earth Magnets; and Semiconductors.

Note: The number in parentheses indicates the number of consecutive months the commodity was reported in that condition. An asterisk denotes items reported both up and down in price.

ISM® MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE (US)

Economic Dashboard

U.S. SECTOR REPORT

ISM GROWTH SECTORS (5): Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

ISM CONTRACTION SECTORS (11): Wood Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products.

Global PMI Notes

EUROZONE: Eurozone factory activity slipped back into contraction in September, with the PMI easing to 49.8 percent after briefly crossing the growth line in August. Sluggish export sales led to a decline in new orders, prompting job cuts, ev en as firms raised output slightly and faced falling input costs.

CANADA: Canada’s manufacturing sector contracted for the eighth straight month in September, with the PMI declining to 47.7 percent as U.S. tariffs continued to dampen demand. Job losses persisted but slowed in pace. Cost inflation remained elevated, and selling prices saw their weakest rise in nearly a year.

CHINA: China’s manufacturing activity strengthened in September, as the PMI climbed to 51.2 percent to reach its highest mark since March on the back of improved output and a rebound in export orders. Purchasing activity surged, although firms continued to shed jobs, and input costs rose sharply while competitive pressures kept output prices in check.

FRANCE: French manufacturing faltered in September, with the PMI dropping to 48.2 percent amid a sharp slowdown in new orders and export sales. Political instability and rising costs weighed on business confidence, prompting firms to reduce inventories and cut back on purchasing despite modest job growth.

GERMANY: Germany’s PMI edged down to 49.5 percent in September, signaling flat conditions even as production posted its strongest rise in over three years. However, new order inflows declined, employment weakened and business expectations slipped to a nine-month low due to mounting uncertainty and international competition.

ITALY: Italy’s manufacturing sector contracted more sharply in September, with the PMI falling to 49.0 percent as output and orders declined amid global economic unease. Despite rising cost pressures, employment rebounded modestly, and business sentiment improved on hopes of future expansion and new product launches.

INDIA: India’s factory growth remained solid in September, with the PMI at 57.7 percent, down from August’s multi-year high but still well above trend. Demand stayed strong, yet hiring slowed and cost pressures intensified, pushing selling prices to their fastest rise in nearly 12 years.

MEXICO: Mexico’s manufacturing PMI slipped to 49.6 percent in September, signaling a slight downturn even as new orders continued to improve. Purchasing activity rose for the first time in 2025, but producers struggled with rising input costs, output losses and another round of job cuts.

UNITED KINGDOM: UK manufacturing weakened further in September, with the PMI dropping to 46.2 percent to reach a five-month low as prolonged contraction extended to a full year. Output and export orders fell sharply amid supply chain snags and tariff fears, while firms reduced staffing and input buying to manage cost pressures.

SOURCES: S&P Global, Trading Economics and Institute for Supply Management®, PMI® (Purchasing Manager Index), Report On Business®. For more information, visit the ISM® website at www.ismworld.org.

Sources: S&P Global, Trading Economics and Institute for Supply Management®, PMI® (Purchasing Manager Index), Report On Business®. For more information, visit the ISM® website at www.ismworld.org.

SEPTEMBER ISM REPORT COMMENTS

(U.S. Manufacturers)

Transportation Equipment: “Business continues to be severely depressed. Profits are down, and extreme taxes (tariffs) are being shouldered by all companies in our space. We have increased price pressures both to our inputs and customer outputs as companies are starting to pass on tariffs via surcharges, raising prices up to 20 percent. The addition of the derivative steel and aluminum tariffs in the middle of the month — with no announcement — was devastating. Interest-rate lowering or the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ will not impact our business, as all capital projects are on hold until there is some level of certainty and customers start to place orders for new equipment again. We believe we are in a stagflation period where prices are up but orders are down due to tariff policy, and again, customers are not willing to pay the higher prices, so they are just not buying. Continuing to find ways to reduce overhead, which means letting go of experienced workers.”

Chemical Products: “The tariffs are still causing issues with imported goods into the U.S. In addition to the cost concerns, product is being held up at borders due to documentation issues. The inflation issues continue; low volumes are a constant concern. The European region is not improving as we had expected, causing further concern for long-term business viability.”

Machinery: “Ongoing macroeconomic conditions highlighted by interest-rate management and tariffs continue to impact customer purchasing decisions, resulting in subdued production rates and growing cost concerns on direct material and operations.”

Petroleum and Coal Products: “Lead times have slightly normalized, but tariffs continue to drive additional spend.”

Electrical Equipment, Appliances and Components: “Customer orders are depressed for heavy machinery because tariffs are so impactful to high-end capital equipment. Revenue expectations are flat for the rest of 2025, with no outlook to improve in 2026.”

Plastics and Rubber Products: “Business is slowing down. Order books are softening as customers push orders out. Seems to be stemming from concerns about the direction of the U.S. economy.”

Miscellaneous Manufacturing: “Steel tariffs are killing us.”

ISM US MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

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

EURO AREA MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

Source data: S&P Global

CANADA MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

Source data: S&P Global

CHINA MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

Source data: Caixin Manufacturing PMI

Economic Dashboard

FRANCE MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

Source data: S&P Global

GERMANY MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

INDIA MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

MEXICO MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

ITALY MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

UK MANUFACTURING PMI

36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS

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