Mill-Rose brushes set the standard for quality and are trusted by more professionals. From surgeons using our medical brushes to machinists using industrial brushes, Mill-Rose brushes perform long after other brushes fail.
Experience
We’ve been making brushes since 1919. Millions of them. That’s over a century of brush manufacturing experience!
Selection
Mill-Rose makes brushes in every size, shape and material imaginable. From miniature brushes as small as 0.014” in diameter to 48” diameter brushes for industrial applications.
Custom Brushes
If we don’t have a stock brush for you, we’ll design your brush and make it from any material the job calls for.
Competitive Prices
Mill-Rose prices typically meet or beat cheaper-quality brushes, but our mission is to always deliver the bestquality brushes. Period.
FEIBP On Deck:
Charting A New Course
Welcome to the September/October issue of Brushware. As summer winds down, we’re turning our attention to one of the brush industry’s most anticipated international gatherings — the 2025 FEIBP Congress in beautiful Ischia, Italy. Our preview from Marion Keller offers a first-hand look at what attendees can expect, from the networking opportunities to the stunning island backdrop. Whether you’re making the trip or following from afar, this event promises to deliver valuable connections and a truly memorable experience.
In this issue, we also take a close look at the changing landscape for U.S. economic policy. Veteran tax expert Mark Battersby examines the impact of the Trump Administration’s Budget Reconciliation Act on brush manufacturers, breaking down the potential benefits, challenges and strategic considerations for your business. In addition, we also have the first-half 2025 U.S. import/ export data for the brush sector, giving you hard numbers to help assess the early effects of new tariffs and economic policies on both domestic operations and global trade.
BRUSHWARE DIGEST
Following the release of our July/August Annual Buyers’ Guide, we’ve heard from several companies eager to be included and that is a common trend each year. The good news is, you can join our online directory anytime. Simply fill out our quick form at brushwaremag.com/directoryform to receive a free company listing online right away, while ensuring your spot in the 2026 Print Buyers’ Guide next summer. It’s never too early to get in and we also offer several paid options that can boost your ranking in our search results for your key categories, giving you even more visibility. If you have any questions about getting signed up, feel free to contact me directly.
We hope you find this issue both informative and inspiring and thank you for reading Brushware and for being an integral part of the global brush community. As always, we encourage you to reach us at news.brushware@goodwinworldmedia.com with any company news, announcements or feedback that you would like to share.
Dylan Goodwin | Publisher
dylan.goodwin@goodwinworldmedia.com
Issue #25-05
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.
The Pulse
Draper Knitting Names Bethany Pollack as VP
The American Brush Manufacturers Association has reported on the promotion of Bethany Pollack to the position of Vice President of Draper Knitting Company. Pollack joined Draper Knitting six years ago and has worked in sales, product development and marketing.
Pollack received her degree in Textiles Marketing from the University of Rhode Island. Since then, she has worked in various aspects of the textiles industry, including retail management, sales, marketing and product development. In her previous employment, Pollack and Draper had worked together, so her addition to Draper was seamless.
She also serves as the Secretary for the New England section of AATCC and is currently the chair of the Flammability Technology Committee.
Brush Industry Leaders Tee Off for 65th Annual Victor F. Miller Event
Brush manufacturers and suppliers from around the world recently gathered for the annual Victor F. Miller Golf Tournament held at Sand Ridge Golf Club in Chardon, Ohio. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the event, an impressive milestone for this gathering of the brush industry’s key players, hosted by The Mill-Rose Company in honor of the company’s past president, Victor F. Miller.
The golf tournament was mired by rain delays, which provided opportunities for old and new friends to share stories, business insights and lots of laughs. While no official prizes were awarded to winners, “Golfers should have received awards for playing through some of the most horrendous golf conditions anyone has experienced,” noted Greg Miller, president of The MillRose Company.
The Victor F. Miller golf tournament serves as the culmination of activities the week before where brush company representatives renew alliances, discuss business trends and opportunities for the brush manufacturing industry. Brushes manufactured by these companies are used in virtually every type of industry around the world. Applications include makeup/mascara brushes, hair brushes, floor sweeping and polishing brushes, gun cleaning brushes, car wash brushes, copier toner brushes, brooms, paint brushes and special brushes used in the medical field.
A dinner followed the golfing event with speakers including ABMA President R.J. Lindstrom, who provided information on upcoming industry events, including the 65th FEIBP Congress taking place from October 8-11, 2025 in Ischia, Italy at Continental Ischia Hotel. The 2026 American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) convention will be held in Puerto Rico, March 24-27 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve.
Terry Malish of the Malish Corporation and Ian Moss, formerly of Brush Fibers, addressed the dinner group with heartfelt comments about their deep appreciation for everything that the brush industry has done for them in their lives. This year’s golf outing and dinner included a record number of attendees. Next year’s 66th annual Victor F. Miller event will take place on June 18, 2026.
Learn more about The Mill-Rose Company at www.MillRose.com
Ian Moss and Greg Miller.
Jim Benjamin, Gary Townes, Greg Miller and Terry Malish (L to R)
Bethany Pollack with her daughter
Precision Brush Now Accepts Stablecoin via Coinbase
Precision Brush Company has become the first industrial brush company in the world to accept stablecoin payments through Coinbase Payments, offering a seamless, secure and modern checkout experience for its customers.
Precision Brush, a trailblazer in industrial brush manufacturing since 1951, is known for innovation and manufacturing custom-made metal channel for almost all industries. As a manufacturer of Metal Channel Strip Brushes, Coil Brush, Open Wound Coil Brushes, Disk Brushes and other formed shapes, they have been providing brushes made quickly on custom-made state-of-the-art machinery since 1951. Just months ago, they pioneered crypto-friendly payments by accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Now, the company is raising the bar again by integrating Coinbase Payments, enabling customers to pay in stablecoins, specifically USDC, directly and instantly.
Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, stablecoins such as USDC maintain a 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar, offering predictable value and minimizing transaction risk. Through Coinbase Payments, merchants can now accept USDC, providing customers with fast, cross-border payments and lower transaction fees compared to traditional wire or credit card payments.
Benefits for Clients and the Company
• Near-instant settlement in a stable digital asset
• Low fees vs. bank wires or credit cards
• Global access without forex complications
• Transparency and security via blockchain verification
• Accounting efficiency—digital recordkeeping with USD 11equivalent value Precision Brush President Jim Benjamin, who previously championed cryptocurrency acceptance in their operations, emphasizes the company’s commitment to secure, inclusive, and frictionless payment options. This move underscores Precision Brush’s forward-thinking ethos and focus on customer convenience.
As the first industrial brush manufacturer to embrace stablecoins, Precision Brush sets a precedent for payment innovation in the brush industry. Precision Brush is positioning itself not just as a leader in the brush industry, but also as a digital finance pioneer in the industry.
Learn more about Precision Brush at www.precisionbrush.com.
Industry Events
September 8-11, 2025
FABTECH | Chicago, Illinois www.fabtechexpo.com
September 29-October 2, 2025
CMTS | Toronto, Ontario www.cmts.ca
October 8-10, 2025
65th FEIBP Annual Congress | Ischia, Italy www.eurobrush.com
October 19-23, 2025
West Coast Brush Manufacturers Association Meeting Kamuela, Hawaii
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
World Brush Expo | Ghent, Belgium www.worldbrushexpo.com
The Pulse
ABMA Opens Room Block for 2026 Convention in Puerto Rico
The ABMA has officially opened the room block for its 109th Annual Convention, set for March 24-27, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico. The four-day event will combine industry-focused meetings, educational sessions and valuable networking opportunities, all set against the backdrop of one of the Caribbean’s premier resorts.
ABMA has secured an exclusive rate of $369 per night plus a $35 daily resort fee—well below the standard seasonal rates of over $600 per night with a $108 daily fee. The discounted rate also extends for up to three additional nights before or after the convention (subject to availability) by calling the hotel’s reservations department at 787-657-1234, extension 4340, and referencing event code G-ABMA.
For U.S. citizens, no passport is required to travel to Puerto Rico. Most attendees will fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, which is served by all major airlines with direct flights from numerous U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Washington D.C. The hotel is located about 30 minutes from SJU, with transportation options including taxis, shuttles, ride-share services or car rentals.
Registration for the convention will open January 1, 2026. More details on the program and accommodations are available at www.abma.org/convention
ABMA Names Donald Cooper as Keynote Speaker for 2026 Annual Convention
The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) has officially announced that internationally recognized business coach and management expert Donald Cooper will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 ABMA Annual Convention, set to take place March 24-27 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico.
With over three decades of experience advising leaders across more than 40 industries, Cooper brings a powerful message of transformation and actionable insight to this year’s ABMA Educational Institute. His session will focus on helping brush industry professionals rethink and refine their approach to five critical areas of business success:
• Developing a clear competitive advantage that drives growth, enhancing sales and marketing effectiveness in a saturated market
• Building and leading high-performance teams
• Improving management practices for better clarity, accountability and profitability
• Establishing a strategic direction and executable roadmap for long-term success
As part of his hands-on approach, all attendees will receive an exclusive Implementation Guide along with complimentary access to Cooper’s full suite of Business Assessment & Management Implementation Tools—resources that have helped thousands of companies around the world gain clarity on their current position, define their long-term goals and map a clear path forward.
Adding even greater value to the program, Cooper will be available throughout the event for one-on-one and small group coaching, providing ABMA members with opportunities for personalized feedback and confidential strategy discussions.
Overall, the 2026 ABMA Convention program will include three days of meetings, education, networking and social activities to help build your relationships and business. Enjoy this first-class resort at a significant savings off their seasonal rates. The 2026 convention makes for an excellent opportunity to get some work done while setting aside some time to enjoy the area’s amazing weather, beauty and attractions. Attendance at the ABMA convention will yield results that more than cover your investment!
Registration opens January 1, 2-26, but you can act now to save the dates and start planning your travel and hotel arrangements. Additional program details are available online at www.abma.org/convention/
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Z-Group Passes the Torch to the Fourth Generation
Zeintra has announced that after over four decades in company management, owner Max Zeintl is handing over operational responsibility of the company to the fourth generation. Starting in 2025, Salome Zeintl and Simon Zeintl, the fourth generation of Max Zeintl’s family, have taken over leadership. Salome Zeintl will head the group and focus on technical brushes at zeintra AG and filaments at smartfilaments AG.
“It is a great pleasure to continue our family’s legacy – with a focus on continuity, quality, and future viability,” she says.
Her brother, Simon Zeintl, is concentrating on dry ice solutions with polarjet AG and cleaning technologies with electroclean AG, aiming to further expand this business area.
The roots of the Z-Group go back to the founding of zeintra AG – the oldest company in the current group with a history of 112 years. For decades, zeintra AG has been a reliable partner in Wil for high-quality technical brush solutions. From zeintra, the current Z-Group gradually emerged through continuous innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and visionary leadership. The establishment of additional companies like smartfilaments, electroclean and polarjet AG expanded the range of services and continuously strengthened the group’s market position.
“I look back proudly on what we’ve achieved and am pleased to see the next generation taking the lead,” Max Zeintl says. Together
with his wife Mirjam Zeintl, he developed zeintra AG and founded and built up the sister companies. Alongside Jürg Solenthaler, the technical director, they continue to shape the companies to this day.
Max Zeintl will remain closely connected to the business as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
“We are writing the next chapter – together with our team, our customers, and our partners,” says Simon Zeintl.
The Z-Group has always emphasized long-term relationships, quality, and innovation. The Wil location has played – and continues to play – a central role in this. The companies are not only economically anchored here but are also socially engaged. Strong ties to the region, the trust of employees, and the collaborative exchange with customers form the foundation for sustainable success.
Z-Group Companies include:
• zeintra AG
• smartfilaments AG
• electroclean AG
• polarjet AG
With this generational change, a new chapter begins in the long and rich history of a company deeply rooted in Wil. “I look back proudly on what we’ve achieved and am pleased to see the next generation taking the lead,” says Max Zeintl.
From left: Simon Zeintl, Max Zeintl and Salome Zeintl.
Boucherie Unveils Aeola-T: A New Era for Street Broom Production
High-Productivity Machine Handles Diverse Fibers; Offers Advanced Automation for Brush Manufacturers
Boucherie has introduced the Aeola-T, a high-performance broom manufacturing machine designed to elevate productivity for street brooms and other long-fiber applications. This innovative system is engineered to handle a wide array of natural or synthetic filaments, offering brush manufacturers enhanced versatility and efficiency.
The Aeola-T has a continuous, single-filling tool operation, optimizing production flow. Its design incorporates an ergonomic loading height for both brush blocks and fibers, aiming to improve operator comfort and streamline the manufacturing process. The machine’s adaptability extends to processing various vegetable fibers, making it a robust solution for diverse brushware needs.
Driving its user-friendliness is the intuitive WINBRUSH programming software, which simplifies operation and allows for efficient job setup. The Aeola-T accommodates brooms up to 24 inches in length and offers several degrees of automation. Manufacturers can choose between manual or automatic loading, with the option for an integrated finishing machine to further enhance output.
Key Specifications and Capabilities
The Aeola-T’s design prioritizes high productivity, especially when working with long fibers. Its extended tool stroke enables the processing of even very stiff filaments in tufts up to 11 mm. When equipped with optional features such as trimming, cleaning, block loading and labeling, the machine’s overall productivity sees a significant boost.
Technical Data Highlights:
• Axes of Movement: 5
• Maximum Product Size: 620 mm (approximately 24 inches)
• Maximum Unfolded Material Length: 400 mm
• Maximum Drilled Hole Size: 11 mm
Compatibility: Suitable for all types of brushes and brooms up to 62 cm long, including full round brushes, hygienic brushware and tank cleaning brushes.
The Aeola-T is poised to be a significant asset for brush manufacturers seeking to enhance their capabilities in producing street brooms and other long-fiber brush products with increased efficiency and automation.
To learn more about Boucherie’s Aeola-T, visit www.boucherie.com.
da Vinci Künstlerpinselfabrik Opens Expansion Building in Nuremberg
da Vinci Künstlerpinselfabrik DEFET GmbH, a leading manufacturer of premium artist, cosmetic, nail and dental brushes, has officially opened its new state-of-the-art expansion building at its headquarters in Nuremberg. The €12 million project represents a major milestone in the company’s growth, combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology and sustainable construction.
Built on previously unused brownfield land, the expansion increases total operational space to 10,041.60 m² and was completed 18 months after breaking ground in November 2023. In line with da Vinci’s guiding principles of tradition, innovation and sustainable action, the facility is designed for maximum efficiency, environmental responsibility and futureready production and logistics.
Key sustainability features include 45 geothermal probes for heating and cooling, an on-site photovoltaic system, a green roof and multiple EV charging stations. Approximately 95 percent of suppliers are located within the EU, minimizing transportation impact, and employees benefit from eco-friendly commuting incentives such as 50% reimbursement for public transport tickets.
The decision to expand at the existing location underscores the company’s commitment to “Made in Germany” quality and to supporting the local community. The site’s excellent public transport access, including proximity to the Gustav-Adolf-Straße subway station, was a key factor in the decision to stay in Nuremberg.
“This new building allows us to honor the centuries-old art of brushmaking while embracing the most advanced manufacturing methods available,” says Julian Rottner Defet, Managing Director for Production, Product Development and Quality Assurance. “It’s an investment in our people, our craft and our planet.”
Founded in Nuremberg in the late 19th century and known under the “Leonardo da Vinci” trademark since 1952, da Vinci produces around six million brushes annually, exporting to more than 80 countries. Now in its fifth generation as a family business with 130 employees, the company continues to blend premium materials, traditional skills and modern innovation to deliver uncompromising quality.
Upgrading Manufacturing Planning to Reduce Costs and Inventory
By Lisa Anderson
As companies navigate tariffs, geopolitical risks and high interest rates, there is an emphasis on reducing costs and inventory levels to free up cash and maintain profit levels while successfully serving customers’ ever-changing needs. The most successful companies are upgrading their planning processes and rolling out automation and advanced technologies not just to improve margins and cash flow, but also to scale successfully to meet customer growth plans. It is no longer enough to be resilient and reactive; successful companies must upgrade processes and technologies.
Upgrading Planning Processes
Forward-thinking executives are looking ahead and upgrading manufacturing planning processes to better support maximizing margins, cash flow and customer service. As volatility and input costs have increased, companies are looking for supply chain planning solutions to better predict what’s coming down the pike, reallocate and/or prepare in advance for changing conditions and optimize production schedules for maximum operational performance. Thus, they are rolling out SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning) processes to gain insight and visibility into the future and upgrade demand and supply planning processes to ensure seamless execution with the least number of resources.
At a minimum, companies are utilizing a simple statistical formula to create a baseline sales forecast and roll out collaborative processes with customers to gain insight and input into the forecast. Most custom product companies utilize quotes, which can add significant value to the demand planning process, whereas most high-volume product companies benefit from a focus on customer and product trends and promotions. Planners transform these forecasts into capacity and operational plans. At a minimum, they should upgrade their production planning and scheduling processes to better sequence and optimize their production and material plans. SIOP aligns these demand and supply plans so that companies can minimize their resources and reduce waste and inventory levels while proactively addressing customer needs.
Rolling Out Automation and Advanced Technologies
Beyond process upgrades, proactive companies are upgrading their use of their ERP system and rolling out advanced technologies. For example, in the SIOP process, they are upgrading their CRM (customer relationship management) and quoting systems to gain better insights into customer needs and trends while rolling out sales forecasting systems in situations that require artificial intelligence capabilities to track volatility and changing customer demand patterns. From the capacity and supply standpoint, advanced planning systems will provide predictive recommendations to proactively address changing business conditions.
For example, an aerospace and defense manufacturer suffered with low service levels and higher costs as their end customer (Boeing) prepared to scale up production. Thus, they rolled out commonsense demand planning processes by reviewing history, gaining insights from customer service and sales, following up with customers to ask about exceptions and upcoming order timing and incorporating this feedback into forecasted orders. They gained several months of visibility with high accuracy levels. They upgraded their use of MRP and production planning processes and improved service by 30 points while increasing margins by 5 percent and reducing inventories over time as process improvements gained traction.
In addition, manufacturers are connecting real-time information from IoT devices to their ERP and planning systems. For example, cameras can detect quality issues, and manufacturing execution systems (MES) will capture real-time progress in the manufacturing process. As these types of advanced technologies are used, errors are caught sooner in the process and incorporated into production plans to optimize schedules, increase output and reduce scrap. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) and digital twins are also utilized to produce rapid prototypes, analyze and optimize layouts and improve workflows.
The Bottom Line
Manufacturers are carefully navigating volatile and uncertain market conditions by upgrading manufacturing planning processes and better leveraging advanced systems and technologies. These improvements are required not just to survive but to take a leap forward and scale up to take advantage of customer opportunities. Successful companies will prioritize supply chain planning and advanced technology improvements to stay ahead of changing conditions and fund growth by freeing up cash and reducing costs.
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/
FEIBP 65th Congress Preview:
Guide to Ischia
By Marion Keller
There’s nothing quite like a trilogy to tell a story, be it with movies, books, or now, brushware conferences. The 2025 FEIBP Congress in Ischia, Italy, this October will tell the final chapter of how “no man is an island,” and the audience is expected to be very interested.
Starting in 2023, “No man is an island” – taken from Devotions upon Emergent Occasions by the British cleric and poet John Donne – has served as the theme for FEIBP’s annual meetings (also, not coincidentally, held on islands). Belfast, Ireland, served as the setting for “No Company Leader Is an Island.” Last year, Ibiza, Spain, was the locale for “No Company Is an Island.” Now, the volcanic island of Ischia, located in Italy’s Bay of Naples, will focus on a discussion of how “No Federation Is an Island.”
“We gave food for thought for two Congresses, and now everyone can give back and start actively building the federation for the future,” says outgoing FEIBP President Alessandro Acquaderni. “We have been working hard so that people will have a complete experience in this Congress.”
Taking place from October 8th to 11th, the Congress will be held at the Continental Ischia Hotel. “The fact that we selected an Italian location is not random,” Acquaderni mentions. “Italy is the most biodiverse country in the world in terms of the number of animal and vegetable species present, and we will invite people to reflect how many different types of unique members can flourish even in a tiny space.”
Castello Aragonese d’Ischia istock.com/alxpin
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6. IVM/AM10 Automatic feeder for handle
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8. IVM/CON Conveyor belt
9. IVM/MC12 Loading manipulator
10. IVM/12AE Nailing machine
11. IVM/AM12 Automatic feeder for handle
12. IVM/PA10.27 Cleaning machine
13. IVM/9L Trimming machine
14. IVM/7AVL Wrapping machine
15. IVM/6SP Printing machine
16. IVM/MP18 Boxing machine
17. PALLETIZER
Lego My Keynote
The 2025 Congress will differ in at least one notable way from Parts I and II of the trilogy – it will not feature a keynote speaker. Instead, attendees will be asked to brainstorm new ideas for collaboration themselves through the format of … play! Specifically, LEGO® Serious Play® — a workshop approach that incorporates the iconic LEGO® bricks as a method for communication, creative thinking, problem-solving and teambuilding.
The concept of LEGO® Serious Play® was first developed in 1996 when the LEGO Group and two professors in Switzerland were looking into alternative methods for strategic planning. LEGO components were used to create 3D models of business challenges and solutions. Now, the LEGO Group provides LEGO® Serious Play® as a community-based model with an open-source document to allow for further innovation and flexibility.
“With LEGO® Serious Play®, each participant will be required to contribute playfully to the reshaping of the Federation for the future,” Acquaderni says. “We want to delve into how the federations, including both the FEIBP and the ABMA, can be less like islands and work together effectively.”
Working Hard
The Congress will begin on Wednesday, October 8th, with registration and a kickoff cocktail party for attendees to catch up. The official opening will take place the morning of Thursday, October 9th,
when Acquaderni, along with ABMA President R.J. Lindstrom, will greet delegates, introduce first-time attendees and present the 17th annual Innovation Awards.
For those interested in spotlighting new innovations introduced after September 2024, products can be submitted for consideration until September 19, 2025 — although, as per Acquaderni, there is some flexibility in the process. “We’ll be accepting submissions until a few days before the Congress. We want to encourage as many entries as possible,” he says.
After some very Italian coffee breaks and a meeting of the general assembly, attendees will split into working groups. Those involved in technical brushes and paintbrushes will meet for discussions until lunchtime, with personal care and professional hygiene brushware representatives gathering in their respective groups in the afternoon.
“Collaboration will be the key topic and the role of the federation as an ensemble for the industry working on common goals and the activities will reflect this idea,” says FEIBP Association Manager Giacomo Lazzaro. “The idea is to bond and to develop interpersonal relationships. Knowing individuals better can lead to stronger business relationships as well.”
Those planning to attend the Congress are expecting tariffs on trade to be a major focus of discussion. While the tariff policy of the Trump administration appears to change by the day, the current expectations are that the 15% general tariff rate discussed for the European Union will be the most significant factor affecting the brushware industry.
Natural tuff sculpture from the top of Mount Epomeo istock.com/lucamato
“At FEIBP Congresses, we have frank and open dialogue with pretty much every topic open for discussion, but I would definitely expect to hear many comments about the global economic situation and its effect on our industry,” says Andrew McIIroy, director of sales and marketing for Perlon® – The Filament Company. “Tariffs will mean higher costs for almost everything sold to U.S. customers. All of the major brushware machine manufacturers are in the EU, and 15 percent is a hefty sum to bear.”
Following the working group meetings, attendees can enjoy teambuilding activities that will include pizza-making and pasta-making before dinner Thursday night. Friday’s main event on October 10th will be a brush forum with suppliers, followed by a trip to the historic city and then a gala dinner. Saturday, October 11th, will conclude with a meeting for FEIBP board members and an optional activity and dinner for all attendees.
Hot Hot Hot
Congress participants looking for a fascinating cultural experience to take their minds off of tariffs and costs will have plenty of material in Ischia. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, Ischia is composed almost entirely of volcanic rock, though, fortunately, from an extinct rather than an active volcano (Mount Epomeo). Thanks to this
geographically violent past, Ischia boasts fertile soil that is known for its wine, olive oil and fruit – and much more.
Those looking for safe heat sources are in luck – Ischia’s thermal springs draw numerous visitors seeking a distinctive spa experience. The geothermal activity connected to the volcanic system known as the Phlegraean Fields helps to provide countless options for attendees to relax and rejuvenate in warm waters (and mud baths).
“Our hotel for the Congress has a large spa with many thermal pools,” Acquaderni points out. “It will be very beneficial for guests who want to have thermal treatments. On Saturday, we will have an organized tour to the Negombo national park, which has more than 30 thermal pools and caves surrounded by astonishing works of nature and distinctive pieces of contemporary art. It will be a unique experience of health and beauty.”
Those looking for a drier pastime will get their chance on Friday when the Congress will offer a trip to the Castello Aragonese d’Ischia. First built by Hiero I of Syracuse in 474 BC on a small tidal island to the east of Ischia, the castle was connected to the main island in 1441 with a stone bridge.
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Since its inception, the castle has seen countless struggles for supremacy throughout various wars, interspersed with volcanic eruptions to complicate matters further. Fortunately for Congress attendees, the last battles in the area took place more than two centuries ago, and the castle is now a cultural site perfect for a guided tour.
Ischia also offers an old town, shops and beaches for tourists (though with an average high of 71°F/22C in the month of October, those looking for a watery experience may wish to stick to the heated springs). Movie fans are in luck – notable works filmed on the island include “Cleopatra” (the highest-grossing movie in 1963) and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” along with certain scenes from 2019’s “Men In Black: International.” The annual Ischia Film Festival takes place at the castle in late June to early July.
Participants in the Congress will have a singular culinary experience at the Lisola restaurant. Described as one of “the Mediterranean’s gourmet destinations,” Lisola will host the gala dinner on Friday, including a DJ set for the post-meal celebrations.
“The owners of the restaurant are deeply involved in our event,” Acquaderni says. “One co-founder is a Michelin three-star chef in another restaurant, and the cook just won a prize as one of the top 50 pizza makers in the world.”
Acquaderni recalls that, on his first visit to Ischia, he dug into the sand on a beach only to feel burning heat just a few inches down – a sign of the geothermal underpinnings that make the island such an interesting place to experience. He urges conference participants and their families to truly enjoy all Ischia has to offer.
“You can really plant anything, and the soil allows every fruit and vegetable to grow with a unique taste and flavor,” he says. “Given the nature, the history, the food and the warmth of the people, those traveling to Ischia are in for a marvelous experience.”
Off the Island
At the 2025 Congress, attendees will find out the location and theme of the 2026 Congress, with the trilogy of island-focused meetings concluding. Incoming FEIBP President Simon Lorillere will make the announcement as part of the transition to new leadership of the organization.
“Whatever I accomplished as President, it was actually through the group work of a very active board of directors along with input from the ABMA and former board members,” Acquaderni says. “I believe we brought about a big change in the way that the FEIBP sees itself. Going forward, I hope people will realize how cooperation between companies and federations can be not only possible, but a key to success.”
Negombo Beach, Ischia istock.com/Mada_cris
65th FEIBP CONGRESS ISCHIA, ITALY | OCTOBER 8-11, 2025
FEIBP Congress Agenda
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
ALL
16.30 – 18.30 Registration desk BOARD
17.00 – 18.30 Board Meeting (only for Board members) ALL 19.00 – 22.00 Welcome Cocktail
Thursday, October 9, 2025
ALL
08.00 – 08.30 Registration DELEGATES
08.30 – 09.15
Official Opening 65th FEIBP Congress –Welcome by the President Alessandro Acquaderni; Greetings from the President of ABMA; FEIBP & ABMA MoU signing ceremony; Introduction of all first-time attendees; Presentation of the 15th Innovation Awards
09.15 – 09.30 Coffee Break
09.30 – 11.30 General Assembly 11.30 – 11.40 Coffee Break
11.40 – 13.00 Working Group Technical Brushes
11.40 – 13.00 Working Group Paint Brushes PARTNERS
09.30 – 13.00 tbc ALL
13.00 – 13.50 Lunch
14.00 – 15.30 Working Group Personal Care
14.00 – 15.30 Working Group PHB
16.00 – 18.45 (tbc) Team building 1 – Pizza makinG
16.00 – 18.45 (tbc) Team building 2 – Activity by the pool
18.45 – 20.00 Free time
20.00 – 22.00 Dinner
Friday, October 10, 2025
SPONSORS/SUPPLIERS
09.00 – 09.30 Brush forum setup DELEGATES
09.30 – 11.00 Brush forum 11.00 – 13.00 Workshop PARTNERS
08.30 – 13.00 tbc ALL
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.30 – 16.45 City Trip
19.00 Transfer to Gala Dinner 19.30 – 00.00 Gala Dinner
Saturday, October 11, 2025
BOARD
09.00 – 10.00 Board Meeting (only for Board members)
ALL (optional)
TBA Information about the optional activity and the dinner will be announced soon
istock.com/PeterHermesFurian
Please contact us for further information, specifications and offers: Reinhold Hoerz
Senior Sales Manager, Brush Industry Phone +41 44 386 7901 Mobile +41 79 785 4657 reinhold.hoerz@dksh.com www.dksh.ch/brush
Think Asia. Think DKSH.
Inside the “One Big Beautiful Bill”
How the 2025 Reconciliation Act Impacts the Brush Industry
By Mark E. Battersby
The new budget reconciliation law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), prevents an over $4 trillion tax hike from occurring at the end of this year by extending and making permanent the temporary tax cuts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). For suppliers, manufacturers and retailers in the brush industry, the 2025 reconciliation act created new incentives and a few potential pitfalls that will impact their tax strategies and long-term planning. A good example of the changes likely to help the bottom lines of many manufacturers and suppliers are the extended tax cuts and, in one case, new write-offs.
Depreciation Write-offs
One of the key elements of the 2017 TCJA was a 100 percent bonus depreciation write-off that allowed businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of business equipment. When created, however, that write-off was scheduled to equal only 40 percent in 2025, 20 percent in 2026, and 0 percent in the 2027 tax year and beyond.
Today, bonus depreciation is back, and the original, full 100 percent deduction will apply through 2029 for qualified property acquired after January 19, 2025. In addition to bonus depreciation, the reconciliation act doubled the current Section 179 first-year expensing deduction from $1,250,000 to $2,500,000 and increased the amount of assets that could be acquired before the write-off was phased out from the current $3,130,0000 to $4,000,000. The increases will take effect for the 2025 tax year.
New Deduction For Manufacturing Facilities
Although the bonus depreciation and Section 179 first-year expensing write-offs allowed partial expensing of equipment purchases, the new law extended immediate expensing to include physical structures, a category traditionally subject to longer depreciable lives.
A new tax incentive was included in the reconciliation act for businesses that invest in new domestic manufacturing and production facilities. That incentive created a 100 percent deduction for qualified production property (QPP).
The new write-off will allow any manufacturer investing in certain depreciable real property that is used in qualified production activities to immediately deduct 100 percent of the cost. To qualify, construction must have begun after January 19, 2025, and before January 1, 2029, and the property must be placed in service before January 1, 2033.
Additionally, the property must be used as an integral part of a qualified production activity such as developing, improving, installing (if combined with other activities), growing, extracting or creating. Lessors cannot qualify since they do not use facilities in their own QPP activities.
Although the QPP includes land and buildings, it doesn’t include property used for offices, parking, administrative services, sales activities or any other non-QPP activity. If used for something other than a QPP activity in the 10 years following the initial deduction, any deduction will be recaptured.
Pass-through Brush Businesses
The 2017 TCJA was created to reduce taxes, simplify the tax code and stimulate growth. The TCJA did lower income tax rates, and it also increased deductions for pass-through business entities. Under the TCJA, there was a favorable tax rate for the income of passthrough businesses such as sole proprietorships, partnerships and S corporations that is now in effect permanently.
That new legislation also created an inflation-adjusted minimum deduction of $400 for taxpayers with at least $1,000 in qualified business income to ensure that eligible small business owners can access an enhanced baseline deduction.
Overtime Reporting
While the new legislation doesn’t completely eliminate federal income taxes on tips and overtime as promised before the election, it does provide a new deduction for some workers and a reporting headache for their employers.
Unless exempt, employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and a half their regular rates of pay.
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The reconciliation act makes permanent this deduction for businesses operating as pass-through entities, allowing a deduction of up to 20 percent of their qualified business income (plus 20 percent of qualified real estate investment trust [REIT] dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership [PTP] income).
All workers who can’t be labeled as executive, administrative or professional employees are considered “exempt employees” and must be paid overtime. There is also an exemption for workers with income above $35,568 per year ($484 per week).
Now, however, the reconciliation act has created a new tax deduction for workers making less than $150,000, allowing them to deduct as much as $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for those filing jointly. Unfortunately, this deduction begins to phase out for single filers earning $150,000 or more, and for joint filers earning $300,000 or more and will expire in 2029.
For the brush manufacturer or supplier, the employer, overtime is still considered as wages for FICA tax purposes, and is still subject to Social Security and the Medicare tax. Since workers can only deduct overtime that is reported on their employer’s information returns, such as Form W-2, employers will have to adjust.
This year, 2025, will serve as a “transition year” with employers permitted to approximate overtime using a “reasonable method.” While more guidance and more inclusive information returns are likely, every brush manufacturer and supplier paying qualified overtime should ensure they are prepared for separate W-2 reporting next year.
Interest Expense Caps
For years, tax law has capped the amount of business interest that can be deducted to 30 percent of a company’s adjusted gross income. Most small businesses, defined as businesses whose average annual gross receipts for a three-year period do not exceed $27 million (the inflation-adjusted amount for tax years beginning in 2022), were exempt and could continue deducting the full amount of their business interest.
The new reconciliation act restores the interest expense limitation under Section 163(j) to its initial form. Since 2022, the limitation has been calculated after allowing deductions for depreciation, amortization and depletion. That form has reduced adjusted taxable income (ATI), the base upon which the limit is applied, thereby reducing annual business interest expense deductions for many taxpayers. The new act will restore the add-backs for depreciation, amortization and depletion deductions.
While the new legislation doesn’t completely eliminate federal income taxes on tips and overtime as promised before the election, it does provide a new deduction for some workers and a reporting headache for their employers.
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Those businesses with gross receipts under $31 million will be permitted to amend previously filed tax returns from 2022 through 2024 to remove the capitalization of domestic R&D. Software development expenses will be permanently treated as research expenses under Section 174.
Excess Business Losses
The owners of unprofitable brush manufacturing operations will, thanks to the new bill, face continued restrictions on the amount of business losses they can write off. The limit on excess business losses (EBLs) for noncorporate taxpayers, originally set to expire after 2028, is now permanent. That means individuals, trusts and estates will continue to face limits on the deduction of business losses from non-business income.
While the threshold remains at $313,000 in 2025 ($626,000 for married couples filing jointly), the reconciliation act does clarify the existing guidance and now requires income and deductions from all of a taxpayer’s businesses to be aggregated.
International Changes
Brush manufacturers and suppliers active internationally should be aware of several “tweaks” that impact how so-called “Global Intangible Low Taxes Income” (GILTI) and foreign-derived tangible income (FDII) are calculated. Eliminated, for example, is the 10 percent qualified business asset investment (QBAI) base for both the GLTI and the FDII.
For manufacturers, the change is expected to raise GILTI inclusions while boosting FDII deductions. The revised expense allocation rules eliminate the allocation of interest, research and other costs to GILTI income, instead treating them as U.S.-sourced. These changes take effect in 2026.”
The reconciliation act also modifies the rates computed for GILTI and FDII. The Section 250 deduction rate for GILTI will be reduced from 50 percent to 40 percent. The Section 250 deduction rate for FDII will be reduced from 37.5 percent to 33.334%. The adjustments to the Section 250 deduction rates are intended to produce an effective tax rate of 14 percent for both pools of income. These changes also take effect in 2026.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 reconciliation act makes significant changes to business taxes, extending, modifying and, in many cases, making them permanent. The TCJA created a tax credit for compensating employees while they are on family or medical leave, as long as the business had a qualified plan for those payments. The reconciliation act permanently extended this credit while expanding it.
The reconciliation act also permanently increased the estate, gift and generation skipping transfer tax (GSTT) exemption to $15 million. This change will allow greater amounts to be passed as gifts or inheritances, beginning in 2026 when the new exemption kicks in.
Under the new rules, the charitable donations of incorporated businesses will have a new 1 percent floor (beginning in 2026), with only contribution amounts above that amount deductible. The 10 percent ceiling for total annual contributions remains. Fortunately, the contributions exceeding the 10 percent limit can be carried forward for up to five years.
It should also be noted that the new federal law increases the cap on the deduction for state and local taxes to $40,000 (reverting to $10,000 after five years) for taxpayers making less than $500,000.
Other provisions — ranging from new deductions to technical adjustments — will require every brush manufacturer, supplier and retailer to track developments at both the federal and state levels. Engaging a tax professional is strongly advised to help plan for and maximize the potential savings under the 2025 reconciliation act.
9603908030 – Push Brooms (41 cm or Less in Width) (no)
Tracks narrow push brooms used for small spaces.
9603908040 – Other Brooms (no)
Covers brooms not classified elsewhere.
9603908050 – Brooms, Brushes and Squeegees (no)
Encompasses various cleaning tools that don’t fit into other categories.
US IMPORTS
9603302000
9603904000 Feather Dusters (no)
STATS 2025 First Half US EXPORTS
9603290000 Shaving Brushes, Hairbrushes, Etc For Person (no) (continued)
Or Similr Brushes,ex
America’s Premier Artist Brush Manufacturer
US Manufacturing Activity Slows Further in July
Declines in employment and supplier deliveries drive deeper contraction
U.S. manufacturing conditions deteriorated in July, marking the fifth consecutive month of contraction, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. After a short-lived rebound earlier in the year, the sector remains under pressure from policy uncertainty, shifting global supply chains and cautious hiring.
The Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.0 percent, dropping 1 point from June’s 49.0 percent. While the broader U.S. economy continued its expansion streak to 63 months (excluding the brief dip in April 2020), the manufacturing sector saw renewed weakness driven by softer demand and slower deliveries.
The New Orders Index posted its sixth straight month of contraction but improved slightly to 47.1 percent. Backlogs also showed signs of stabilization, rising 2.5 points to 46.8 percent. Meanwhile, the Production Index climbed to 51.4 percent, marking a second month of growth, though manufacturers remain cautious in workforce planning.
Labor conditions worsened, with the Employment Index falling to 43.4 percent, off 1.6 percentage points from June as companies reduced headcount. According to panelists, most firms are still in workforce management mode rather than hiring, despite modest production gains.
On the supply side, delivery performance improved. The Supplier Deliveries Index fell to 49.3 percent after seven consecutive months in expansion territory, signaling faster turnaround times as demand
cooled and logistics bottlenecks eased. Inventories dipped to 48.9 percent, reflecting more strategic stock management as firms adjust to shifting conditions.
Price pressures remained elevated but softened slightly, with the Prices Index decreasing to 64.8 percent. The Imports Index rose modestly to 47.6 percent, though it remained in contraction, while New Export Orders slipped again to 46.1 percent, continuing a trend of subdued foreign demand.
COMMODITIES
UP IN PRICE: Aluminum (20); Aluminum Products; Brass Products; Copper; Copper Products; Corrugated Boxes (5); Electrical Components (6); Electronic Components (6); Fabricated Metal Components; Freight; Polypropylene; Steel (6); Steel — Stainless (5); Steel Products (5); and Wire Products.— Stainless (3); and Steel Products (3).
DOWN IN PRICE: Corn; Natural Gas; Ocean Freight; and Soybean Meal. IN SHORT SUPPLY: Electrical Components, Electronic Components (5); and Rare Earth Magnets.
Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.
ISM® MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE (US)
U.S. SECTOR REPORT
ISM GROWTH SECTORS (7): Apparel, Leather and Allied Products; Plastics and Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture and Related Products; and Primary Metals.
ISM CONTRACTION SECTORS (10): Printing and Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Machinery; Wood Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer and Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances and Components; and Food, Beverage and Tobacco Products.
Global PMI Notes
EUROZONE: Eurozone manufacturing moved closer to stabilization in July, with the PMI ticking up to 49.8 percent, its best showing since mid-2022. While output continued to grow modestly and job losses slowed, new orders declined again and confidence edged down, with Ireland and several southern economies leading growth.
CANADA: Canada’s manufacturing sector remained under pressure in July, as the PMI rose slightly to 46.1 percent but continued to reflect persistent weakness driven by tariffs from the U.S. and domestic countermeasures. New orders and output contracted again, staffing cuts deepened, and firms remained cautious amid ongoing policy volatility despite easing input inflation.
CHINA: China’s manufacturing activity slipped back into contraction in July, with the PMI falling to 49.5 percent amid a sharper drop in export demand and sluggish new orders. Output and employment declined, while rising raw material costs pushed input prices higher, but competitive pressures forced selling prices lower and kept optimism muted.
FRANCE: France’s manufacturing PMI held steady at 48.2 percent in July, reflecting ongoing softness in both domestic and export demand. New orders dropped at the sharpest rate since January, while production eased more moderately and business confidence fell to a five-month low.
GERMANY: Germany’s PMI was revised to 49.1 percent in July, its highest level in nearly three years, suggesting easing contraction despite continued weak demand. Input costs dropped further, producers cut prices for the third straight month, and optimism stayed positive, though slightly softer than June's peak.
ITALY: Italy’s manufacturing sector edged closer to recovery in July, with the PMI rising to 49.8 percent to register its strongest reading since March 2024. While staffing levels fell again, production and orders showed less decline, and both cost and selling prices increased for the first time in three months amid renewed business optimism.
INDIA: India’s factory activity remained robust in July, as the PMI hit 59.1 percent to reach its highest mark since March 2024. The impressive performance was driven by surging new orders and strong output. Hiring continued, though at a slower pace, and while cost pressures intensified, output charges rose only slightly; sentiment remained upbeat despite slipping to a three-year low.
MEXICO: Mexico’s PMI climbed to 49.1 percent in July, indicating a softer contraction and the mildest downturn in six months. Output and employment fell at a slower pace, while cost pressures mounted and firms remained cautious despite improving sentiment.
UNITED KINGDOM: U.K. manufacturing conditions improved modestly in July, with the PMI rising to 48 percent, which represented the shallowest contraction since January based on gains in consumer and intermediate goods. However, export challenges, persistent domestic weakness and higher labor costs continued to weigh on orders and drive job cuts across the sector.
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.
JULY ISM REPORT COMMENTS
(U.S. Manufacturers)
Computer and Electronic Products: “Fairly flat quarter over quarter, but with us being in the safety and security sector (and with U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a customer), the recent bill that passed should result in an increase in business in the coming months.”
Chemical Products: “Sales continue at unprecedented growth, driven by data-center construction. Customers and the sales team continue to demand lower pricing, which drives down gross margins in the face of input price increases, primarily from aluminum imports.”
Apparel, Leather and Allied Products:
“These tariff wars are beginning to wear us out. It’s been very difficult to forecast what we will pay in duties and calculate any cost savings we’ve had this year. Also, tariffs have disrupted our customs import bond. There is zero clarity about the future, and it’s been a difficult few months trying to figure out where everything is going to land and the impact on our business. So far, tremendous and unexpected costs have been incurred.”
Machinery: “Currently, higher interest rates still depress the construction industry for new construction projects. Tariff policies are uncertain, which slows down (1) our investment in new projects, (2) component sourcing for new products, (3) blanket orders and (4) replenishment of large inventory quantities. Instead, we’re working to shift suppliers to lower political risk countries or develop domestic sources. We are impacted by the higher tariffs on costs of raw materials and components both sourced domestically and from overseas, and we expect expenses will be higher in the third and fourth quarters as we consume the inventory received with new and higher tariffs or update costs from domestic sources in the second quarter.”
Fabricated Metal Products: “Sales softening more than usual during the summer. Negotiations with non-U.S. manufacturers are strained as we are reluctant to issue POs for deliveries three or more months into the future with prices that include current tariffs.”
Nonmetallic Mineral Products: “Sales are about on par with 2024, but nowhere near budget forecast. Tariff concerns seem to be growing as the year progresses.”
ISM US MANUFACTURING PMI
36 MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS
Source data: Institute for Supply Management®, ISM®, PMI®, Report On Business®.
