Mill-Rose specializes in making custom brushes used in new and unique applications. This may require modifying one of the thousands of standard and not-so-standard brushes we manufacture on a regular basis. If your custom brush requirement calls for a completely new design, we can take your idea and turn it into reality, making it from any material the job calls for.
We design, engineer and manufacture standard and custom brushes in any quantity. Mill-Rose has set the standard for quality, performance, and innovation in brush technology for the past 100 years. Call or visit MillRose.com.
Bologna Delivers
What an amazing show! We want to start by commending the ABMA, the FEIBP, BolognaFiere and all of the individuals in those organizations that worked to launch the World Brush Expo on such a short timeline. In particular, I do want to especially thank Beatrice Monetti and Giulia Notari from BolognaFiere for their pre-show assistance in assuring that our magazines actually made it to the show floor and our booth was set up properly.
The city of Bologna was fantastic. Italy was wonderful to visit and the show itself was well beyond expectations. Congratulations and thank you for getting this new global event launched — providing connection and inspiration to everyone across the brushware industry!
Susan and I both found the Expo to be an absolute eye-opener. For the first time, we saw the industry as I expected it back when we were exploring the purchase of the magazine in 2018. We certainly knew the machine companies would have a big presence, but I was truly surprised at how many of the filament and component suppliers had professional top-of-the-line booths, covering way more square footage than I predicted. The show significantly adjusted my perspective on the scale of the brush industry. And despite concerns about the world economy, the enthusiasm and optimism we saw from both exhibitors and attendees was uplifting, creating a sense of opportunity and growth ahead.
Issue #24-04
Brushware – a bi-monthly publication edited for key personnel in the brush, roller, broom, mop and applicator industry. Published continuously through the years, the one publication that is the spokesman for the brush and allied industries: 1898-1923, called Brooms, Brushes & Handles; 1924-1947, called Brooms, Brushes & Mops, 1948-today, called Brushware.
PUBLICATION OFFICE
Brushware Magazine
Goodwin World Media LLC
P.O. Box 7093
Overland Park, KS 66207
Tel: 913-636-7231
GENERAL MANAGER
Susan Goodwin info.brushware@goodwinworldmedia.com
PUBLISHER
Dylan Goodwin dylan.goodwin@goodwinworldmedia.com
MANAGING EDITOR
From the magazine perspective, we were extremely grateful to have the chance to connect with so many brushware manufacturers. It was awesome to hear firsthand feedback about what we’ve been doing with the magazine, e-newsletter, online directory and social channels and how the industry has embraced the changes we’ve made. We were particularly surprised to run out of magazines along with all of our rate cards, media kits and business cards. For everyone that we were able to see at the event, it was a pleasure to meet you and I greatly appreciate learning about your expectations, business goals and the industry in general. Please know that I’m still working through our show follow-ups as we had to jump into production of this issue straight away after our return. If I haven’t followed up yet, you can be confident that I will … and feel free to email me at the address below.
Outside of the show, I will note that the short trip to Venice on our first day in Italy was wonderful and the experience of a lifetime. We followed that by exploring Bologna on the second day and Mama Mia! We were blown away … what a beautiful city! The Quadrilatero lived up to the billing as a top destination for foodies. Our time visiting the district and restaurants across the entire Bologna downtown even converted this lifetime beer drinker to become a Prosecco fan for the week. Learning about the history of the city and taking in the magnificent architecture with the 28 towers was unforgettable. If the World Brush Expo returns to Bologna in 2028, we will definitely be happy to return and explore more of the region. Ciao!
Brushware (ISSN 00072710) (Canadian Sales Agreement Number 0650153) is published bimonthly 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 2024. 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 Mill-Rose Company Breaks Ground on New Expansion
The Mill-Rose Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of twisted-wire brushes, recently broke ground on an expansion project that will add 32,000 sq. ft. of warehouse and production space to its 70,000 sq. ft. Clean-Fit Products’ facility in Mentor, Ohio. The groundbreaking follows a recent 5,000 sq. ft. expansion of the company’s production facility in 2023, and it will increase overall production/warehousing space to 105,000 sq. ft., creating a state-ofthe-art distribution center. The expansion is scheduled for completion in late fall of 2024 and will be fully operational in 2025.
“Expanding our operations allows us to make necessary investments in equipment and warehousing technologies that translate to MillRose better servicing our loyal customer base,” says Greg Miller. “With Mill-Rose Laboratories and Clean-Fit under one roof, Mill-Rose Industrial just down the road, plus our Mexico and Texas facilities, we have more than 200,000 square feet of production space.”
Mill-Rose has experienced significant growth from its humble beginnings in 1919, and today operates manufacturing and warehouse facilities throughout the United States and Mexico. Strong demand for Mill-Rose brushes, abrasives, PTFE sealants and specialty tools, including Blue Monster® professional-grade products, has fostered the company’s expansion. In recent years, Clean-Fit Products has experienced explosive growth with its Blue Monster® product line, demonstrating the need for high-quality chemical products, brushes and accessories with a unique and trusted brand name.
Visit www.millrose.com. to learn more about the Mill-Rose Company.
The European Brushware Federation (FEIBP) has transitioned its Secretariat operations to SEC Newgate EU, based in Brussels, initiating a new phase of collaboration as of January 2024. SEC Newgate EU is a consultancy based in Brussels, Belgium, providing integrated association management, public affairs and public relations services since 2001. This collaboration marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership with SEC Newgate EU as they work together to advance the interests of the brushware industry, pursue strategic development and ensure member engagement and satisfaction.
Recently, the FEIBP, together with the American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) in partnership with BolognaFiere organized the World Brush Expo and is currently preparing for the upcoming FEIBP Congress taking place October 9-12, 2024 in Ibiza, Spain. This Congress is set to be an excellent occasion for the brush industry to gather and engage in interactive discussions on market insights and innovations, networking opportunities and the latest industry trends.
For more information on the FEIBP, visit www.eurobrush.org.
YOUR BRUSH DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS CELANESE FILAMENTS CONTINUES TO L EAD THE WAY IN INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
For more than 80 years, Celanese Filaments, formerly owned by Dupont, has been recognized as a leader in innovative synthetic filaments that enable brush manufacturers to address emerging trends and meet evolving consumer expectations.
HEALTH DESERVES THE BEST
FILAMENTS
- TOOTHBRUSH FILAMENTS
The most important component of a toothbrush lies in the bristle. With outstanding industry expertise accumulated over the years, coupled with our proven technologies, Celanese Filaments is dedicated to the oral care brush industry with our nylon solutions under the brand names of Celanese Tynex®(nylon 612) and Celanese Herox®(nylon 610). Leading toothbrush brands and manufacturers are able to produce very high quality brushes with a balance of consistent quality, wear performance and unmatched productivities in tufting and end-rounding by using Celanese filaments. As consumer trends in toothbrush are increasingly focused on the six major areas of 1) Visual Attractiveness, 2) Interdental Cleaning, 3) Plaque Removal, 4) Gum Comfort, 5) Gingival Cleaning and 6) Anti-microbial within the filaments, Celanese Filaments has been working closely with the leading global brands in oral care as well as toothbrush manufacturers by fulfilling these needs with our broad range of innovative products in the portfolio
BEAUTY DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS - FINE FILAMENTS
Celanese Natrafil® filaments, a pioneering filament from Celanese’ s unique polyester based material, contain proprietary texturizing additives that create a structured surface that mimics animal hair. Natrafil® filaments offer a synthetic alternative to animal hair in premium cosmetic powder brushes with more consistency in the bristle while maintaining the touch-and-feel of premium animal hair. Studies have shown that brushes made with Natrafil® filaments have equal to superior pickup and release performance versus brushes made with animal hair.
EFFICIENCY DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS – ABRASIVE FILAMENTS
Like most industries, steel manufacturers are always looking forsquare feet of metal through the mill, cleaned and coated faster
than ever before. To accomplish this, steel mills are using more aggressive cleaning solutions. The problem is that the cleaning brushes typically used were quickly degrading because many plastics used in the brush filaments can’t handle the solutions of the extreme PH. The technical resources at Celanese Filaments were able to help solve the problem by adding stabilizers to one of our nylon polymer formulations, effectively extending the pH range where these filaments can be used. Brushes made with our filaments deliver cleaning performance for a longer life, helping over an improved service life, helping steel manufactures to achieve higher productivity.
Another need voiced by customers is higher aggressiveness in metal finishing applications. Celanese Tynex® A filaments, a family of ceramic grit-containing filaments, was developed to meet this need.
CREATIVITY DESERVES THE BEST FILAMENTS – PAINTBRUSH FILAMENTS
When manufacturers began changing their paints to water-based formulations, more people began using paintbrushes made with synthetic bristles because the hog bristles traditionally used in paintbrushes lost stiffness in water-based paints. Synthetics such as Celanese Tynex®, Celanese Chinex® and Celanese Orel® brand filaments quickly became popular choices. As paint manufacturers continue to improve their water-based formulations by reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) content, increasing solid loadings and decreasing drying times, there is an ongoing need for increasingly higher performing brushes. To meet this need, Celanese Filaments continues to innovate and help customize solutions. For example, we developed filaments with stiffer crosssection that can push higher viscosity paints more efficiently. We also changed the shapes of the filaments so that they not only pick up more paint from the can for faster application, but are easier to clean.
Pat Monahan Celebrates 50th Year on the Job
Pat Monahan has come a long way from storing and shipping broomcorn bales in the hot Texas sun like he did every summer of high school and college from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s. After graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in Chemical Engineering, receiving his master’s in business from the University of Chicago, a stint at Sandia Corp in Albuquerque, New Mexico and IBM in Chicago, Illinois, he eventually returned to work in the family business. Fifty years ago in June of 1974, he started his run that continues today.
“When you are the last to join the company, you get all the jobs no one else wants. Collecting receivables, inventory controls, advertising,” says Monahan.
Eventually, he found himself selling broom and mop supplies. In the 1980s, a good friend of his father and mentor, Fred Leventhal, steered him into the mop hardware business. In doing so, he developed a source for the hardware overseas that remains today. Monahan attributes the longevity and success of that partnership to a “lack of greed on both sides and total honesty.”
In 2010, he formed Monahan Partners, Inc., which derived from the Thomas Monahan Company, the company his grandfather started in 1922. The company
ABOVE: Pat Monahan (right) with brothers Jim and Tim at the 100-year celebration of the Monahan Company in 2022.
BELOW: Pat Monahan and son Kevin Monahan in 2016.
now specializes in light assembly of mopsticks of wood, metal and fiberglass handles or selling the components separately for self-assembly.
For the majority of his years in the industry, Pat has worked alongside two of his brothers, Tim and Jim. Since 2013, he has worked with his
son Kevin who is currently serving as the company’s President. “I love working with my son and spending time with my brothers.”
At 83 years young, he says, “One of the great things about owning your own company is that you don’t have to retire.”
His current title at the company is “Ambassador,” a role that comes naturally to him. He owns nine patents in the cleaning industry and the ever-civic-minded man is currently working on bringing a “Broom Palace” to Arcola to commemorate the town’s rich history in brooms. It will be similar to a castle that was built downtown in the late 1800s.
The Pulse
Access Partners Is Nexstep’s 2023 Sales Rep Agency of the Year
Nexstep Commercial Products (Exclusive Licensee of O-Cedar) is proud to announce Access Partners of Rancho Cucamonga, California, as their “2023 Sales Rep Agency of the Year” for their outstanding coverage in California, Nevada and Arizona for Nexstep’s innovative commercial-grade cleaning tools.
Access Partners has represented Nexstep Commercial Products since 2012. The original company, established in 1969 by Tony Orfila and Rod Colato, is now Access Partners with Todd Haven, currently Executive Advisor, at the helm since 2009. Having celebrated its 50th anniversary with current President Scott Duke in 2019, Access Partners is currently the industry’s leading independent sales resource bringing together suppliers, distributors and end users. Access is client-driven with devoted sales personnel, customer service and marketing services for each of its industries. This has allowed them to help grow their partners from non-food segments of Food Service to JanSan in the western USA and nationally. Most importantly, their expertise and relationships make them a trusted source in changing times.
When asked about being named Nexstep’s 2023 Sales Rep Agency of the Year, Executive Vice President Mark Presho says, “It’s an honor to win the award. We have really grown this since we started with Nexstep. First with Bill Bouras and now with Bill Speck. This is a great team win.”
A well-known Arcola photograph of the ‘Biggest Broom Contest’ sponsored by the Monahan Company in 1950. Pat (far right) at age 10.
Pat (second from left) with brother Joe, father Tom, brothers Tim and Jim, 1968.
PEOPLE Borghi USA, Inc. Welcomes Alyssa Morris
Borghi USA, Inc., is delighted to announce the addition of Alyssa Morris as the company’s newest head of accounting. In her role, Morris assumes responsibility for the efficient and well-organized resolution of customer needs and concerns, fostering enduring relationships with our valued business partners. Collaborating with various departments, she meticulously manages client records, spare parts and oversees technical and sales contract updates and renewals.
Morris brings a wealth of experience to her new role with her background in AR/AP bank reconciliation, managing vendors’ accounts on proposals, invoicing and payments, etc.
Outside of her professional commitments at Borghi USA, she is a devoted wife and mother of two. Balancing a dynamic personal life, her leisure pursuits include gardening, reading, hiking and solving puzzles.
Carlos Petzold, President of Borghi USA, Inc., expressed his satisfaction saying, “We are pleased to welcome Alyssa Morris to our team and confident in her ability to contribute valuable skills and experience that will enhance our operations. Her presence will play an important role in achieving customer satisfaction objectives.”
Morris has been an integral part of our team since May 2023. If you have not had the opportunity to connect with her, she can be reached at 410-272-9797 or via email at Accounting@borghiusa.com. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Alyssa Morris, our latest addition to the Borghi USA, Inc. family, as we continue our commitment to provide high-quality products and services for the brush industry.
Nexstep Commercial Products Adds New Marketing Specialist
Nexstep Commercial Products (Exclusive Licensee of O-Cedar) is pleased to announce that Elliot Leventhal has joined our corporate office as a Marketing Specialist. Leventhal grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in business administration. Prior to joining Nexstep, he worked for eight years at NetJets in customer service and operations.
Leventhal is a lifelong Ohio resident who just moved to Cincinnati. Outside of work, he loves to play soccer, travel, walk and spend time with his girlfriend and family.
Leventhal is very excited about starting with Nexstep and promoting our trusted products on the marketing side of the business. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Erin E. Busch, says, “Elliot’s experience, creativity and enthusiasm make him a valuable member of the Nexstep team. We look forward to the great things that he will accomplish!”
Ilya Dynkin Celebrates 25 Years with Global Shop Solutions
Working at the same company for 25 years is a rare occurrence these days. Global Shop Solutions, a leading provider of ERP software for manufacturers around the globe, is proud to announce the latest addition to the quarter-century club — Ilya Dynkin, VP of Sales. When Dynkin joined Global Shop Solutions early in his career, he had no experience with ERP or manufacturing software. What he did have was enthusiasm, motivation and the ability to find and win new opportunities, bringing in new customers. The love and care he shows to each person he works with isn’t just in the sale — it’s in the long-term relationships he builds.
“We knew from the start we had a special person in Ilya because of the way he connects with manufacturers on a personal basis, understands their problems and demonstrates how ERP software can correct them,” says Dusty Alexander, President and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. “He truly enjoys his work, and his spirit and enthusiasm for helping our customers simplify their manufacturing rubs off on all who work with him.”
Dynkin prides himself on demonstrating how ERP software can help transform manufacturing companies and improve their processes. What he finds most rewarding is when customers have enough faith in him and trust in the company to want to become a lifetime partner.
“At Global Shop Solutions our customers are buying software that will run their entire company from quote to cash, and I want to make sure they understand the importance of partnering with the right company,” says Dynkin. “Telling them who we are, the type of relationship they can expect and the lifelong partner we want to be is an integral part of the process.”
Dynkin believes that when a company shows loyalty to its employees, values and mission, it will keep its people engaged and performing their best.
“I am proud of the growth Global Shop Solutions has achieved, but even more so the fact that we haven’t become corporatized,” says Dynkin. “The company’s principles and family atmosphere haven’t changed since I first came here 25 years ago. It continues
Managing Inventory and Costs to Navigate Economic Turbulence
By Lisa Anderson
The world faces economic headwinds. According to the Economist, Europe’s economy only grew at four percent this decade as compared with eight percent growth in the United States and is struggling with a triple shock of the energy crisis, surging Chinese imports and the threat of tariffs from the U.S. On the other hand, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate the fastest in four decades from March 2022 to June 2023 and has remained steady at higher rates since then. Thus, proactive companies are managing cost and inventory to improve margins and cash flow to navigate economic turbulence.
Energy has a profound impact on any economy. It not only is required for day-to-day fundamentals such as food, shelter and public services, but it also powers the future. For example, according to Scientific American and Joule, artificial intelligence (AI) has a hefty energy requirement. A continuation of the current trends in AI capacity and adoption will lead to NVIDIA shipping 1.5 million AI server units by 2027, and these units will consume more than 85 terawatt hours of electricity annually which is more than many small countries use in a year. If the production of electricity is stifled due to regulations and wars, prices will continue to increase.
Inflation is also having a significant impact on the economy. In essence, prices continue to rise at a fast pace. For example, since 2020, inflation has increased almost 20 percent in the U.S., and so even though it is trending closer to the target level, it remains high. Thus, businesses are paying higher prices for materials, components, labor, equipment and interest rates. Since carrying high debt levels increases the cost burden, companies have to consider the option of reducing inventory levels to reduce carrying costs and increase cash flow.
Smart companies are proactively managing costs and inventory. There are several strategies to successfully reduce cost and inventory levels while keeping service levels intact. One of the best strategies is to utilize an SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning) process to align demand and supply while optimizing customer service, operational efficiencies and inventory levels. In essence, by better forecasting future demand, operations can proactively allocate production to maximize service and operational efficiencies
and supply chain managers can work with suppliers to plan ahead, reduce costs and roll out collaborative inventory programs, thereby achieving the win-win-win of service, profitability and cash flow.
Implementing best practices for planning and inventory management will also deliver bottom-line results. These programs include providing the forward view with master planning, optimally sequencing production lines with production scheduling and saving logistics costs with replenishment/distribution planning. For example, in an industrial manufacturer, the team brought inventory levels down by over 20 percent by focusing on translating demand into product types or models with SIOP, projecting key raw materials and commodities, partnering with suppliers on collaborative programs, adjusting inventory policies and better utilizing their ERP system to optimize the process. In addition, they analyzed capacity and determined what to offload vs bring in-house to maximize margins while meeting customer growth plans.
Successful companies will proactively manage inventory levels, plan production, collaborate with suppliers, adjust sourcing and upgrade their ERP systems and supply chain technologies. Improved margins and working capital will not happen by default; instead, only those companies willing to invest in talent, technologies and process upgrades will achieve these benefits. In the next few years, the winners will separate from the pack as they right-size inventory yet prepare to scale up rapidly when competitors struggle to fulfill demand. These winners will dominate their industries for decades to come.
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/.
World Brush Celebration
Industry Professionals Embrace the Chance to Meet Again at the New World Brush Expo
If you missed it, then you really missed it. The inaugural World Brush Expo was electric from day one as professionals across the brushware industry embraced the opportunity to once again meet in person.
Held at the BolognaFiere venue in Bologna, Italy, from May 2224, 2024, the new tradeshow came together as a joint partnership between the ABMA, the FEIBP and event organizer BolognaFiere to fill the gap left by the demise of Interbrush in September of 2022. Last held in 2016, Interbrush served as the premier industry event every four years in Freiburg, Germany.
The eight-year absence of an industry tradeshow left many wondering whether or not a new event could be successful. Any doubts were cleared early on day one as the new Expo got off to a blazing start with a steady stream of attendees passing through the event doors at 9:00 a.m. For the full three days, organizers reported the event attracted more than 3,000 attendees and over 200 companies as exhibitors. Notably, the Expo lived up to the name as the show attracted a wide range of global attendees with visitors attending from 76 countries.
“As BolognaFiere, we are proud to have been able to host for the first time in our quarter an event dedicated to the world of brushes, and we particularly want to emphasize in terms of the percentage of international visitors that it has recorded, World Brush Expo 2024 is probably among the top events not only among those held in our quarter but also at the Italian and European level,” says Antonio Bruzzone CEO of BolognaFiere Spa.
ABOVE: Wöhler DSA 500 Automatic wire feeder.
LEFT: Wöhler’s Matthias Peveling and Daniel Horencamp.
RIGHT: Frank Kygios and Jarda Markvart in the Wöhler booth in Hall 30.
2024 World Brush Expo Bologna, Italy | May 22-24, 2024
Official post-event reports showcase the level of global reach as the World Brush Expo was one of BolognaFiere’s most internationally attended events with more than 75 percent of the attendees visiting from countries outside of Italy. “That’s really something uncommon for tradeshows in Italy,” says Marco Momoli of BolognaFiere. “As far as I know, no other tradeshow in Italy has such a huge percentage of the international business — equally balanced between European and non-European. In addition to Europe, we had a lot of visitors come from the U.S., the Far East and from China as well.”
That global sentiment was supported by exhibitors as well, with Thomas Morrissey of Celanese, saying, “We were very impressed. We had really good worldwide coverage … customers from every continent have been through our booth. We’ve had the time to sit down and talk with them. It’s been very well organized. Overall, we are very pleased with the whole setup, it’s a nice area and easy to get around town.”
Beyond the international diversity of the show attendees, exhibitors and organizers also commented on the volume and quality of visitors as well.
“It’s really amazing that we have had so many customers and other companies come to us in the first two days,” says Maggie Yinghong Gu, Celanese. “We were kind of running out of resources here because so many people have been coming to the booth. I was a little nervous ahead of the show because I didn’t have that many appointments booked. But the first two days were crazy. We started at 9:00 a.m. and finished at 6:00, but in between we almost didn’t have time to have a drink or time for lunch. And the people visiting our booth weren’t just coming by to say ‘hello’ or stopping by as a courtesy. They were coming in to take a serious look at our product. And they were asking very pointed questions. We have a lot of follow-up actions and meetings once we get back.”
Antonio Bruzzone, CEO of BolognaFiere.
Along those lines, Gu also emphasized the benefits of having a booth and the opportunity for in-person meetings. “For the existing customers, it’s quite different because we have a global presence. But over eight years, customers visit us and we visit them, and we focus on the U.S. But (in this booth) we have everything here, we have all of the products on display.”
She expanded on that by emphasizing that Celanese has products from the U.S. and products from China that are produced at different manufacturing sites that each specialize in specific products.
“A lot of our customers might not be aware of the variety we can provide,” she says. “We do presentations, we do Teams meetings and we do face-to-face visits, but it is not really feasible to have so many products right in front of them in a professional, convenient display like we have here in this booth.”
From Edward Jackson Engineer Limited, Rachel Jackson emphasized the importance of reconnecting with customers in person. She says, “Because a lot has changed in eight years, it’s been really good to get back to face-to-face contact with people. A lot of our customers that we know very well have stopped in and we’ve been able to have conversations with them. And then lots of other people have been to the stand as well. We hope in the future that they might become customers.”
FEIBP President Alessandro Acquaderni was also pleased to hear positive feedback from exhibitors, saying, “Every exhibitor I’ve spoken to has been super happy with the show … machinery manufacturers, the filament manufacturers, the component makers … literally everyone. In the beginning, we all had some doubts. But everyone is so satisfied. I heard someone say, ‘It is as if brush makers were in prison for eight years and then suddenly they opened up the gates.’ Everyone here is so happy to meet and greet and discuss business opportunities.”
From the ABMA perspective, Chris Monahan says, “I consider the World Brush Expo to be a tremendous success and a testament to the great partnership between ABMA and FEIBP. Seeing how engaged and receptive the visitors and exhibitors were to showcase what is best about our industry, we are eager to start working on the next edition of the event right away.”
Based on the success of the Expo, Acquaderni and Momoli also agree that another edition in four years makes sense. With a follow-up event seemingly very likely, attendees and exhibitors were all curious as to whether the event will stay in Bologna or visit other locations. Acquaderni says that decision will be based on results from the post-show surveys which will provide feedback from visitors, non-visitors and from the exhibitors. He says the FEIBP and ABMA will make a decision based on the preferences of those who supported the event either as exhibitors or attendees, but also by reaching out for feedback from companies and industry professionals who did not attend.
Chris Monahan, ABMA President.
Alessandro Acquaderni, FEIBP President.
Vincenzo Colla, Councilor for Economic Development, Emilia-Romagna.
Once a location is chosen Acquaderni noted that there will be a lot more time for preparations for 2028 and hopes that will improve the Expo even further. This inaugural edition was announced in December of 2022, so that was a tight window to launch an event of this scale. The FEIBP and ABMA hope to announce the next event location in time for the 2025 ABMA Convention, and perhaps as early as December this year.
From the exhibitor’s perspective on the future location, Jackson says, “I don’t think it makes too much difference for us. The expense for us is loading. You know, having machines and loading them into a lorry and getting them off … once we’re in Europe, it doesn’t make too much difference how far we have to go. Freiberg is a lovely city, but Bologna seems good. We’ve had a couple of nice meals out.”
Morrisey says, “There are pros and cons to moving or keeping it in one location. It’s difficult to move it. It’s difficult to get all that set up and organized. But there are some advantages to moving it around. I think it gives different exposure to different areas.”
The venue space will also likely factor into the decision. From the BolognaFiere perspective, attendees noted the atmosphere of the venue provided a nice surprise. The space offered a lot of natural light which provided a bright and cheerful environment that isn’t common for most events. Tradeshow veterans are used to sterile venues that rely on fluorescent lighting and feel artificial. BolognaFiere as a space stood out nicely from that perspective.
No matter where the event lands in 2028, there was certainly a sense overall from the Expo attendees that a balance had been restored in the brushware industry. The excitement and energy made it clear that a world event is viable and many of the attendees and exhibitors exuded a sense of optimism knowing that the Expo looks to be set for the long term and they will now have opportunities to make those inperson connections and see all of the industry innovations in future editions.
Jorge Pauls from Leistner Drills
Edward Jackon Engineer Limited booth on day one of the Expo.
Rachel Jackson, Judit Vörös and James Sheppard of Edward Jackson Engineer Limited.
ABOVE: Perlon / Hahl team.
BELOW: Perlon booth on day two.
2024 World Brush Expo
ABOVE: A view into Hall 30. BELOW: Jon Monahan and Matt Monahan from Monahan Filaments, Chris Monahan from Brush Fibers. Ron Cherryholmes and Bart Pelton from PelRay International Company.
ABOVE: Dennis Bierbaum of Wohler stopped by the Brushware magazine booth. LEFT: Bizzotto Giovanni Automation.
ABOVE: Celanese Booth in Hall 30.
LEFT: Celanese toothbrush filaments on display
RIGHT: Celanese team with FEIBP Leadership: Thomas Morrisey, Ed van Gulik, Kim te Brinke, Simon Lorillière, Alessandro Acquaderni and Maggie Yinghong Gu (L to R)
ABOVE: Marco Bellini, Yahia Khalfy, Denis Carnevali, Ugo Carnevali, Wilma Carnevali, Denis Gozzi, Lara Gozzi and Silvia Storti (L to R).
LEFT: Machines on display in the Carnevali Dino booth in Hall 29.
Beatrice Marcon, Alberto Voltolina, Gianfranco Marcon and Veronica Marcon from MGG.
MGG’s Carlo Pozzobon, Gianfranco Marcon and Alberto Voltolina.
Francesca Martinotti, Beatrice Marcon and Veronica Marcon from MGG.
Roland Kraut and Reinhold Hoerz from DKSH.
Ron Cherryholmes, Stefano Maffii and Bart Pelton of Pelray International Company.
Andrea Goisa and Reinhold Hoerz of DKSH.
2024 World Brush Expo
ABOVE: FEIBP Board. BELOW: Family legacy: Paolo Acquaderni, Andrea Acquaderni, Marco Acquaderni and Alessandro Acquaderni (L to R).
ABOVE: Wolf Filaments booth in Hall 30.
LEFT: Sally Lee from Wolf Filaments.
ABOVE: Roth Composite Machinery booth in Hall 30.
RIGHT: Thomas Halbrucker and Dr. Andreas Reimann from Roth Composite Machinery
PMM team on both sides of their booth located in Hall 30.
Boucherie booth entrance in Hall 30.
Bart Boucherie Jr, Lisa Boucherie, Kris Geldoff and Bruno Boucherie of Boucherie.
ABOVE: Yue Zhang, Jianhua Huang and Zhimin Zheng from Tai Hing Nylon Filaments (L to R).
LEFT: Marlene Guimarães, Sofia Teles and Tiago Chiquito from Filkemp (L to R).
Borghi Booth Walkthrough
With Miguel Medrano
On Day Two of the 2024 World Brush Expo, Miguel Medrano from Borghi USA was kind enough to give Brushware a personal tour of the expansive Borghi booth to highlight a few machines and innovations. The walkthrough started with a rundown of the two fully automatic MOON machines featured in the center of their exhibition space. The machines were set up with different configurations, one showcasing an automatic fiber feeding system and the other featuring an automated block loading feature with a magazine block feeder.
The innovative MOON features four independent carriages arranged in a circle (hence the name) and according to Medrano, 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.
Showcasing the automatic fiber feeding system, a robotic arm grabs the fiber bundles, removes the plastic wrap and inserts the fibers into the stock-box (Photo 3).
On the second MOON machine, it featured the automatic block loading system, Medrano explained the process saying 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.
PHOTO 1: Borghi USA team members Rob Wilson, Matt Tompkins and Miguel Medrano (L to R).
PHOTO 2: This Borghi MOON machine was set up to showcase automated block loading.
PHOTO 3: Borghi’s automated fiber feeding system with robotic arm showing fiber loading into the MOON.
Medrano noted 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. He noted that customers have different goals and levels of needs for automation, so Borghi specifically set up the two MOON machines to showcase the flexibility of configurations for the specific needs and budgets of each customer.
He also says 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.
For our next stop, we visited a STAR R32 (Photo 4) that was set up to demonstrate the new Eco-Fill capability that Borghi can offer. On the back side of the STAR R32, Medrano showed the machine feeding PET ribbon (Photo 5). He explained that it is similar to anchor-setting but with a plastic wedge instead of a metal wedge to secure the tufts into the brush block.
While that anchor set has normally been done with wire, Medrano says that Borghi’s Eco-Fill capability allows for anchoring with PET, which means the whole product itself can be recyclable (subject to individual country regulations) and that is key as consumer markets will continue to increase the demand for sustainable products as demographics change.
He also says it’s useful for food-grade products, cosmetic products and even sanitation purposes like a toilet brush. If you are using wire, it’s going to rust (unless using stainless steel, a more costly solution). Without the wire for an anchor, it’s more hygienic because it’s not going to rust and create that debris.
Beyond that, Medrano also says the innovation has a key benefit in that the retention on the plastic anchor set is much stronger than if you were using wire. Wire on plastic has some slippage, but the plastic-onplastic creates friction that makes it really hard to pull out. To demonstrate the strength, Borghi set up an example of an 8 kg tension test (Photo 6) that had
PHOTO 4: The Borghi STAR-R32 for household brush manufacturing.
PHOTO 5: PET anchor-set being fed into the STAR R32.
been on display all week. Additionally, attendees were encouraged to attempt to pull the tufts out, but it’s too strong to fail.
He says it’s a conversion kit that can be applied to any base machine that was constructed with this capability in mind.
From there, we briefly stopped by another STAR-R31 (Photo 7) set up for hairbrush production (Photo 8) that runs at 900 RPM and noted that visitors had been particularly impressed with the speed of the machine.
For our final stop, we saw the OCTOPUSSTITCH machine (Photo 9) which can produce nine mops per minute. Medrano noted this machine was the higher-end mop production machine of three that Borghi had on display at the Expo. The machine sews with a chain stitch method, and he showed the construction of the mop head that has a mesh band that goes in the middle where you can incorporate a label system for the product with company logo and bar code or QR code. The innovation is that the stitching is secured into the headband by fusing them together via a sonic welder, which allows for continuous production without having to change out a bobbin.
PHOTO 6: Tension test demonstrates the strength of Borghi’s Eco-Fill plastic anchor set process.
PHOTO 8: Hairbrush sample from the STAR-R31.
PHOTO 7: Borghi STAR-R31 running at 900 rpms.
PHOTO 9: The OCTOPUS-STITCH machine with mop heads in production.
Bologna, Italy | May 22-24, 2024
He says the machine 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 (Photo 10). The flaps left over are clamped in use, so they are not visible.
At the end of the tour, we spoke about the World Brush Expo. Medrano was enthusiastic about the show saying, “It’s an amazing event for our industry to showcase technology and materials supply! It’s my first show and I feel it creates enormous value for everyone involved. Overall, for the whole show, we’ve received really positive feedback. From what I’ve heard, the location of being in Italy has been well-received. Having Bologna as the city is good, it has its own historical significance and sightseeing, but it’s also one of the major train stations where the people that want to stay after show can just grab the train and go visit Venice, Florence or Rome or any major city in Italy.”
From the perspective of Borghi and engaging with attendees, Medrano was pleased with the presence saying, “I didn’t know the booth was going to be this large. The fact that we can welcome the attendees that come in our booth, show them the array of technology Borghi can offer, showing them what’s new and we can go to the bar, grab an espresso or glass of prosecco, and then we have tables where we can continue to discuss manufacturing technology and needs in more detail, it’s phenomenal and the attendees really appreciate that. They get to see the technology we have and then have a sit down to just recap and have the opportunity to ask further questions, which is a great way to connect. We also have our private meeting rooms, which have TVs with all the videos of the machines where we can have a private conversation without all of the show noise and get more in-depth into the technology.”
From Borghi’s perspective, the World Brush Expo overall was a major success for the brush industry and based on feedback throughout the show it seems the attendees and exhibitors felt the same. Borghi believes in-person events of this scale are key to the industry and supports the concept of a follow-up edition in four years.
To learn more about Borghi, please visit www.borghi.com.
2024 World Brush Expo
PHOTO 10: A close-up view of the chain stitching and sonic welds on each end of the mop head.
PHOTO 11: The Borghi OCTOPUS-STITCH machine can produce up to nine mops per minute.
The term "INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION" has many definitions, such as "technological and information systems designed to manage material, processes and information flows for the purpose of simplification, optimization, and savings".For us, it means making our vast know-how available to our Italian and international shareholders in order to achieve ever higher goals.
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India and China Continue to Post Strong Manufacturing Numbers
After a brief push into growth territory in March, the ISM® U.S. Manufacturing PMI® slipped to 49.2 percent in April and fell further in May to register a 48.7 percent reading. Despite the disappointing figures for April and May, the report from ISM® indicates the overall economy continued in expansion territory for the 49th straight month.
“Demand remains elusive as companies demonstrate an unwillingness to invest due to current monetary policy and other conditions,” says Timothy R. Fiore, Chair of the ISM® Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. “These investments include supplier order commitments, inventory building and capital expenditures. Production execution continued to expand but was essentially flat compared to the previous month. Suppliers continue to have capacity, with lead times improving and shortages not as severe.”
The New Orders Index remained in contraction territory, registering 45.4 percent, 3.7 percentage points lower than the 49.1 percent recorded in April. The May reading of the Production Index (50.2 percent) is 1.1 percentage points lower than April’s figure of 51.3 percent. The Prices Index registered
57 percent, down 3.9 percentage points compared to the reading of 60.9 percent in April. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 42.4 percent, down 3 percentage points compared to the 45.4 percent recorded in April. The Employment Index registered 51.1 percent, up 2.5 percentage points from April’s figure of 48.6 percent.
US SECTOR REPORT
ISM® GROWTH SECTORS (7): Printing and Related Support Activities; Petroleum and Coal Products; Paper Products; Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; and Chemical Products.
ISM® CONTRACTION SECTORS (7): Wood Products; Plastics and Rubber Products; Machinery; Computer and Electronic Products; Furniture and Related Products; Transportation Equipment; and Food, Beverage and Tobacco Products.
GLOBAL MANUFACTURING
EUROZONE: The HCOB Eurozone Manufacturing PMI surged to 47.3 percent in May, up 1.6 percent from the April figure of 45.7 percent. It was the highest reading for Euro manufacturers since March of 2023 and also ended a three month downward trend. The improvement was aided by a slowing in declines for new orders, exports and purchasing activity. The business outlook was positive with optimism reaching its highest level since early 2022.
CANADA: The S&P Global Canada Manufacturing PMI slipped to 49.3 in May as the Canadian manufacturing sector continues to hover just below the 50 percent mark. Factory output and new orders declined amid concerns about the economy and the political arena. Purchasing declined, but inventory levels still saw a slight increase. Employment was up and input costs also saw an increase but market competition kept output prices in check. Business confidence was up as Canadian companies are still projecting stability in the economy later this year.
CHINA: The Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI continued to march upward registering a a solid 51.7 percent reading for May to sustain a four-month growth trend. It was also the seventh straight month in growth territory. Purchasing hit a three-year high, but input prices pushed up due to higher energy costs and higher prices for metals and plastics. Employment was down and backlogs of work grew as demand increased. The business outlook was positive as Chinese firms are projecting increased domestic and export activity in the year ahead.
FRANCE: After two months of decline, the S&P Global France Manufacturing PMI moved up to 46.4 percent in May. The reading represented a 1.1 percent increase from the April reading of 45.3 percent. Despite the uptick, it has now been 16 months since French manufacturers saw growth territory. Exports fell sharply and factory activity also declined which led to a decrease in employment. Input prices increased and manufacturers reacted with higher output pricing. Still, the business outlook was positive with manufacturer sentiment hitting its highest level since February of 2022.
GERMANY: The HCOB Germany Manufacturing PMI had a reading of 45.4 percent for May, up 2.9 percent from the April reading of 42.5 percent. The decline in output and new orders slowed while export orders showed stability based on demand from China and the U.S. Market competition resulted in lower input and output prices. Employment also fell, but the business outlook was positive as firms see growth ahead for the second half of the year.
INDIA: The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI registered 57.5 percent in May down from a March high of 59.1 percent. Despite the pullback, manufacturing for the country is still well into growth territory and has now been above the 50-percent line since July of 2021. The new reading was the result of a slight pullback in increases for new orders and factory output. In addition, working hours were reduced based on a heatwave during May. On the upside, export orders surged and that led to record employment growth. Input costs
increased based on freight pricing increases and rising costs for raw materials. The business outlook hit a nine-year high as Indian firms project strong demand and a favorable economic climate in the months ahead.
ITALY: The HCOB Italy Manufacturing PMI dropped sharply in May to 45.6 percent after also seeing a significant decline in April (47.3 percent). The two-month slide followed a brief trip above the 50-percent line in March. The fall was tied to sharply declining order volume based on weaker demand. Export sales also fell due to geopolitical issues. Input costs rose, but output prices were lower as companies looked to drive sales in a competitive environment. The business outlook weakened but was still relatively optimistic for the longer term.
UNITED KINGDOM: The U.K. Manufacturing PMI jumped to 51.2 percent in May, up sharply from 49.1 percent in April. In fact, the April figure appeared to be an aberration as U.K. manufacturing continued on an upward trend that started in September of 2023 with March and May both in growth territory. New orders and good market conditions helped push up the reading despite an enduring decline in export orders. The business outlook was positive, as 63 percent of firms expect to see factory output continue expand going forward.
Credits: Institute for Supply Management®, PMI® (Purchasing Managers' Index), Report On Business®. For more information, visit the ISM® website at www.ismworld.org.
ISM® MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE (US)
MONTHS | MOVING AVERAGE: SIX MONTHS
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OSMAS Filling Machine Model A2E-90-FM610 (New Price)
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Industry Events
2024
September 9-14, 2024
International Manufacturing Technology Show | Chicago, Illinois www.imts.com
October 9-12, 2024
64th FEIBP Congress Ibiza, Spain www.eurobrush.com
