BBM eNews

Imports, Exports Down For The First Four Months Of 2020, Compared To The First Four Months Of 2019

U.S. government trade figures for April 2020 indicated raw material imports were up in two categories outlined: hog bristle and metal handles, compared to April 2019. For the first four months of 2020, raw material imports were down in three categories outlined: hog bristle, broom and mop handles and brush backs, compared to the first four months of 2019.

Import totals for April 2020 were down in five of the finished goods categories outlined: brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents, brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, paint rollers and upright brooms, compared to April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, import totals were down in seven categories outlined: brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents, brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, paint rollers, paintbrushes and upright brooms, compared to the first four months of 2019.

Hog Bristle

The United States imported 22,874 kilograms of hog bristle in April 2020, up
102 percent from 11,342 kilograms imported in April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 53,922 kilograms of hog bristle were imported, down 26 percent from 72,630 kilograms for the first four months of 2019.

China sent all of hog bristle to the United States during the first four
months of 2020.

The average price per kilogram for April 2020 was $8.76, down 67 percent from the average price per kilogram for April 2019 of $26.93. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per kilogram was $17.94, down 53 percent from $38.48 for the first four months of 2019.

Broom And Mop Handles

The import total of broom and mop handles during April 2020 was 528,671, down 56 percent from 1.2 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 3.8 million broom and mop handles were imported, down 34 percent from 5.8 million for the first four months of 2019.

During the first four months of 2020, the United States received 1.5 million broom and mop handles from Honduras and 1.2 million from Brazil.

The average price per handle for April 2020 was 94 cents, up 25 percent from 75 cents for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per handle was 76 cents, up 6 percent from 72 cents for the first four months of 2019.

Brush Backs

April 2020 imports of brush backs totaled 145,383, down 68 percent from 454,918 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 971,098 brush backs were imported, down 46 percent from 1.8 million for the first four months of 2019.

Indonesia shipped 387,938 brush backs to the United States during the first four months 2020, while Sri Lanka sent 342,963 and Canada exported 240,197.

The average price per brush back was 62 cents during April 2020, up 48 percent from 42 cents for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price was 53 cents, up 6 percent from 50 cents for the first four months of 2019.

Metal Handles

The import total of metal handles during April 2020 was 1.4 million, up
17 percent from 1.2 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020,
5 million metal handles were imported, up 4 percent from 4.8 million for the first four months of 2019.

During the first four months of 2020, China sent 1.9 million metal handles to the United States, while Italy exported 1.7 million.

The average price per handle for April 2020 was 80 cents, down 37 percent from $1.26 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per handle was 93 cents, down 25 percent from $1.24 for the first four months of 2019.

– FINISHED GOODS IMPORTS –

Brooms Of Broom Corn Valued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 415,848 brooms of broom corn valued at more than 96 cents per broom during April 2020, down 2 percent from 425,711 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 1.7 million brooms were imported, down 15 percent from 2 million for the first four months of 2019.

Mexico sent all the brooms to the United States during the first four
months of 2020.

The average price per broom for April 2020 was $2.35, up 1 cent from the
average price for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average
price per broom was $2.34, down 1 cent from the average price for the first
four months of 2019.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Material

The import total of brooms and brushes of vegetable material during April 2020 was 38,348, down 90 percent from 379,367 brooms and brushes imported during April 2019. For the first four months of 2020, 624,046 brooms and brushes were imported, down 65 percent from 1.8 million for the first four months of 2019.

During the first four months of 2020, Sri Lanka exported 319,368 brooms and brushes to the United States, while China sent 159,245 brooms and brushes.

The average price per unit for April 2020 was $1.49, up 75 percent from 85 cents for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per unit was $1.14, up 63 percent from 70 cents for the first four months of 2019.

Toothbrushes

The United States imported 80.4 million toothbrushes in April 2020, down 14 percent from 93.5 million imported in April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 301.4 million toothbrushes were imported, down 22 percent from 385.9 million for the first four months of 2019.

China sent 211.6 million toothbrushes to the United States during the
first four months of 2020.

The average price per toothbrush for April 2020 was 25 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per toothbrush was 26 cents, the same as the average price for the first four months of 2019.

Hairbrushes

April 2020 imports of hairbrushes totaled 3.2 million, up 3 percent from 3.1 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 11.8 million hairbrushes were imported, down 28 percent from 16.4 million for the first four months of 2019.

China sent 11.6 million hairbrushes to the United States during the first
four months of 2020.

The average price per hairbrush was 22 cents during April 2020, down 12 percent from 25 cents for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per hairbrush was 24 cents, the same as for the first four months of 2019.

Shaving Brushes

The United States imported 6.7 million shaving brushes in April 2020, up 14 percent from 5.9 million imported in April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 24.2 million shaving brushes were imported, up 19 percent from 20.3 million for first four months of 2019.

China sent 18.1 million shaving brushes to the United States during the first four months of 2020.

The average price per shaving brush for April 2020 was 7 cents, down
53 percent from 15 cents for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per brush was 8 cents, down 33 percent from 12 cents for the first four months of 2019.

Paint Rollers

The import total of paint rollers during April 2020 was 5.7 million, down

19 percent from 7 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020,

21.9 million paint rollers were imported, down 5 percent from 23 million for the

first four months of 2019.

China sent 16 million paint rollers to the United States during the first four
months of 2020.

The average price per paint roller for April 2020 was 43 cents, the same as for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per paint roller was also 43 cents, down 12 percent from 49 cents for the first four months of 2019.

Paintbrushes

U.S. companies imported 23.3 million paintbrushes during April 2020, up
7 percent from 21.8 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020,
72 million paintbrushes were imported, down 20 percent from 90.1 million for
the first four months of 2019.

China shipped 66.3 million paintbrushes to the United States during the first four months of 2020.

The average price per paintbrush for April 2020 was 28 cents, down 1 cent from the average price for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per paintbrush was 32 cents, up 14 percent from 28 cents for the first four months of 2019.

Upright Brooms

The total import of upright brooms for April 2020 was 1.7 million, down
11 percent from 1.9 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020,
6 million upright brooms were imported, down 17 percent from 7.2 million for the first four months of 2019.

China sent 5.5 million upright brooms to the United States during the first four months of 2020.

The average price per broom for April 2020 was $1.01, down 27 percent from $1.39 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per broom was $1.20, down 25 percent from $1.61 for the first four months of 2019.

– EXPORTS –
Export totals for April 2020 were down in four categories outlined: brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, shaving brushes and paintbrushes, compared to April 2019. For the first four months of 2020, export totals were also down in four categories outlined: brooms and brushes of vegetable material, toothbrushes, artist brushes and paintbrushes, compared to the first four months of 2019.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable Materials

The United States exported 5,298 dozen brooms and brushes of vegetable materials during April 2020, down 6 percent from 5,611 dozen for April 2019. For the first four months of 2020, 22,326 dozen brooms and brushes were exported, down 21 percent from 28,283 dozen for the first four months of 2019.

The United States sent 11,702 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada during the first four months of 2020.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $29.10 in April 2020, down 42 percent from $50.29 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $38.91, up 6 percent from $36.86 per dozen for the first four months of 2019.

Toothbrushes

During April 2020, the United States exported 7.6 million toothbrushes, down 40 percent from 12.6 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 44.9 million toothbrushes were exported, down 23 percent from 58.1 million for the first four months of 2019.

The United States exported 14 million toothbrushes to Canada during the first four months of 2020.

The average price per toothbrush for April 2020 was 78 cents, up 53 percent from 51 cents for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per brush was 74 cents, up 48 percent from 50 cents for the first four months of 2019.

Shaving Brushes

The United States exported 893,688 shaving brushes during April 2020,
down 36 percent from 1.4 million for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 5.2 million shaving brushes were exported, up 11 percent from 4.7 million
for the first four months of 2019.

During the first four months of 2020, the United States exported 2.6 million
shaving brushes to Mexico.

The average price per shaving brush for April 2020 was $1.09, down
3 percent from $1.12 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020,
the average price per shaving brush was $1.02, down 19 percent from $1.26
for the first four months of 2019.

Artist Brushes

April 2020 exports of artist brushes totaled 600,298, up 14 percent from 525,632 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 2.5 million artist brushes were exported, down 11 percent from 2.8 million for the first four months of 2019.

Canada received 1.8 million artist brushes from the United States during the first four months of 2020.

The average price per artist brush was $2.06 during April 2020, down
48 percent from $3.97 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per artist brush was $3.35, down 7 percent from $3.61 for the first four months of 2019.

Paintbrushes

The export total of paintbrushes during April 2020 was 147,048, down 43 percent from 256,103 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, 574,008 paintbrushes were exported, down 35 percent from 885,694 for the first four months of 2019.

Canada imported 262,286 paintbrushes from the United States during the first four months of 2020.

The average price per paintbrush for April 2020 was $6.91, up 58 percent from $4.36 for April 2019. During the first four months of 2020, the average price per paintbrush was $7.58, up 42 percent from $5.34 for the first four months of 2019.

April 2020

 

Click here for the entire April 2020
Import/Export Statistics

Specific days have been announced for the rescheduled 13th InterBrush. The
international trade fair for machines, materials and accessory equipment — used by
the broom, brush, paint roller and mop industries and held in Freiburg, Germany — will
take place on May 4-6, 2022.

InterBrush is normally held every four years, bringing together approximately 200
exhibitors, from 30 countries, and 7,000 visitors, from over 90 countries. Originally
scheduled for May 6-8, 2020, the event was postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the event’s organizer, Messe Freiburg, days of the rescheduled event were determined in close collaboration with various industry associations and leading InterBrush exhibitors.

American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) Executive Director David Parr said, “The advanced announcement of InterBrush 2022 dates is a welcome sign to everyone who plans to attend. The announcement allows interested stakeholders and exhibitors ample time to make their plans that may include product development and marketing. It also allows attendees time to manage their current machinery needs against the window of new developments, to be unveiled and announced in 2022. Under the current circumstances,
it’s a win for everyone.

“We, at ABMA, very much look forward to InterBrush 2022, and see the announcement of the new dates as the beginning of another very exciting time for the industry.”

Visit www.messe.freiburg.de for more information.

It was recently announced that the ISSA Show North America has been rescheduled.
New days and location are: November 16-19, 2020, at the Mandalay Bay Convention
Center, in Las Vegas, NV.

The event was originally scheduled for October 26-29, at McCormick Place, in Chicago, IL.

“More than 70 percent of the attendees surveyed confirmed that they want to meet safely in person this year and plan to join us in Las Vegas,” according to ISSA. “(Attendees) can be assured their safety is our top priority, and we will take all reasonable precautions to keep them protected while at the ISSA Show North America. As soon as our AllSecure health & safety plan has been vetted and approved by local health authorities, we will make it public to our entire audience.

“We look forward to reuniting with our community to explore the future of how the global cleaning industry can help bring business back to life during this (COVID-19) pandemic.”

The 2020 ISSA Show North America, in Las Vagas, will include co-located partner
events from ARCSI, IEHA and BSCAI.

Visit issa.com/show and issa.com/app to learn more about registration information,
events, list of exhibitors and full activities.

NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW CANCELED FOR 2020

The National Hardware Show (NHS) has announced the cancellation of its September 1-3, 2020 event in Las Vegas, NV, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHS representatives said the association plans to host a virtual trade show later in the year, dedicated to providing education and support that recognizes and addresses the direct and essential needs of the hardware industry.

“Our entire team is dedicated to supporting all of our customers and partners. We are passionate about providing new options, such as NHS Connects, and look forward to continuing business virtually and creating innovative experiences for when we can hold an in-person event in 2021,” NHS Industry Vice President Rich Russo said. “We are re-imagining the entire physical trade show, so look forward to new initiatives, new pavilions and neighborhoods, and a complete transformation of NHS for 2021.”

Visit nationalhardwareshow.com for more information.

New Lines And Improved Machine Controls
Zahoransky Improves Output And Operating Comfort
In Twisted-In-Wire Brushes

“With its new ZMI 4.0 machine controls, ZAHORANSKY AG not only ensures greater
operator efficiency, but also significantly increases the output of twisted-in-wire brushes.
In the production of mascara, medical, and interdental brushes, the Z.SAILFIN, running on new software, now boasts an output increase of 12 percent. Instead of 85 brushes, the machine can now produce up to 95 brushes per minute with more precise controls of the
servo motors. The output of the completely redeveloped Z.LYNX 3 in the production of
twisted-in-wire brushes increases almost two-fold, depending on the brush model – from four to up to 7.5 brushes per minute (an increase of 85 percent).

“The new ZAHORANSKY Machine Intelligence 4.0 (ZMI), which has been reprogrammed from the ground up, also convinces at the operator panel: The modern and intuitive touch control with clear icons reduces training effort all down the line, with programming for specified motion sequences of the machine laid down in predefined building blocks. To name an example, test users managed to program trimming profiles five to up to 10 minutes quicker, with the time required to put the machine into operation reduced accordingly. The control center also benefits from greater transparency: production figures are visualized and can be tracked over set periods of time,” said Zahoransky.

Robert Dous, director sales/marketing for ZAHORANSKY AG, said, “After InterBrush was postponed, we are even more delighted to finally present our new machines, systems, and technologies to the market and to our customers. The new ZMI 4.0, reworked Z.LYNX 3, as well as greater output figures of the Z.SAILFIN are only a first taste of what’s to come. We will introduce more innovations in the coming weeks and months.”

ZMI 4.0: Smart machine controls:
The completely reprogrammed ZMI 4.0 is now even smarter. Controls are consistently geared towards the requirements of the operator: Machines running on the new software can be operated without great training, thanks to intuitive touch controls with new icons and wizards. They are programmed based on pre-defined building blocks for certain machine motion sequences. For example, test users managed to program trimming profiles, and start the machine, five to up to 10 minutes quicker. ZMI 4.0 takes processes that logically follow each other into account, minimizing operating errors.

If anything is unclear during operation or if questions arise, “Help me” wizards suggest suitable solutions. The integrated service mode makes it easier to request international support by overcoming language barriers: A unique ID number is stored in every field of the display, for example in the settings of the filament feed. The ID only needs to be mentioned when making an inquiry, for easier identification of faults while speeding up the support process. Besides the new operating concept, the ZMI 4.0 makes it possible to realize quicker and more precise control times of the servo motors of machines such as the Z.SAILFIN and Z.LYNX 3. They run more quietly and quickly, which is reflected in higher outputs.

Z.LYNX 3: Redeveloped for greater performance:
Z.LYNX 3, the specialist in the production of twisted-in-wire brushes, has been redeveloped from the ground up. The machine concept was above all reworked to allow for conversion to parallelized production.

Up to now, one brush was produced completely before producing the next brush. Now, half a brush is produced at one station, and further processing or finishing takes place at the next station. Output increases by up to 85 percent as a result, depending on the brush model, from four to up to 7.5 brushes per minute. This is also largely attributable to the gentler motor controls of the ZMI 4.0. Even with these greater performance specifications, the machine can still process wire core diameters of 1 to up to 4 mm, but much quicker.

For more information, visit zahoransky.com.

Color Coded Foodservice Products From Nexstep

Nexstep has a new Red and Blue foodservice program of cleaning supplies:
• Prevents cross-contamination;
• Differentiates specific tasks;
• Identifies between departments;
• Bridges the language barrier; and,
• Simplifies employee training.

For more information, call 800-252-7666 or
email customerservice@ocedarcommercial.com.

Osborn Parent Company Reaches Restructuring
Support Agreement

Jason Industries, Inc., has entered into a restructuring support agreement with certain of its senior secured lenders. The agreement outlines a comprehensive restructuring plan that will ultimately deleverage the company’s balance sheet by $250 million, and anticipates that the company’s vendors, suppliers, and customers will remain unaffected by the transaction. Upon implementation of certain of the transactions contemplated by the agreement, the company will have the financial foundation necessary to continue to operate in the ordinary course of business, provide its customers innovative seating solutions and industry-leading surface polishing and finishing products, and realize the full benefit of its cost-savings initiatives and strategic investments.

To facilitate these changes, the company and its U.S. subsidiaries will be pursuing protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

“We do not anticipate that the company’s operations outside of the U.S., including Europe and Mexico, will be affected by this process, although they will benefit long-term from the actions Jason is taking to recapitalize and strengthen its financial position. The company is anticipated to emerge as a private enterprise, and equity holders are not anticipated to receive a recovery,” according to the press release.

“The plan is supported by a majority of Jason’s first lien lenders, who have agreed to provide the company with the consensual use of cash collateral to enable Jason to operate its business in the ordinary course and to position Jason for future success. The plan will provide for no impairment of general unsecured trade creditors.”

Brian Kobylinski, CEO, said, “We have worked hard over the past three years to simplify our business, improve operational performance, enhance customer relationships and transform our portfolio. Unfortunately, we were not able to realize the full benefits of these actions, the newly secured platforms and cost-reduction initiatives prior to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic which weakened demand, disrupted our supply chain and forced us to temporarily close many of our plants. We remain confident in the underlying strength and direction of our two businesses, and are taking this step to directly address our balance sheet so that we are positioned to better serve our customers and realize Jason’s full potential,” Kobylinski continued. “We thank our lenders, employees, customers and suppliers for their support and look forward to being an even stronger partner moving forward.”

The agreement can be found on the company’s investor relations website at investors.jasoninc.com/~/media/Files/J/Jason-IR/pdf/toolkit/jason-rsa-execution-version.pdf.