Broom, Brush & Mop December 2009

December 2009

Broom, Brush & Mop MagazineS E R V I N G T H E I N D U S T R Y S I N C E 1 9 1 2

CompanyInterviews:

Paintbrush Makers/SuppliersHelp CustomersPremier Paint Roller

Corona BrushesDynamic Paint Products

Toothbrush Technology

Keeps ImprovingTess Corporation

Benedent CorporationProphy Perfect

Imports, ExportsShow Declines

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:34 AM Page 1

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:34 AM Page 2

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Broom, Brush & MopA RANKIN PUBLISHING PUBLICATION December 2009 Volume 99, Number 12

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CALENDAR

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FEATURES

CO-PUBLISHERS

Don Rankin [email protected]

Linda [email protected]

EDITOR

Harrell [email protected]

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Rick [email protected]

GRAPHIC/PRODUCTION

Jennie GraceDavid OpdykeRECEPTION

Sandy Pierce

STAFF

Toothbrushes: Technology Keeps Improving,Re-designing Products _________________________6

Paintbrush Companies Helping CustomersThrough Difficult Climate_______________________16

Import/Export Overview________________________24

August Imports & Exports ______________________26

Broom Corn Dealer Survey _____________________36

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MAY 22-25, 2010National Restaurant Association Annual Show, Chicago, ILInformation: 312-853-2525

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BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:34 AM Page 5

By Harrell KerkhoffBroom, Brush & Mop Editor

After browsing Web sites of different companies that man-ufacture and/or supply oral care products, it quicklybecomes evident that today’s toothbrushes are not what

they used to be. There are now toothbrushes that light up, toothbrushes where

toothpaste is stored in the handle and can be squeezed out throughthe brush, three-headed toothbrushes and toothbrushes with care-fully engineered handles.

Due to the latest in innovations with this time-tested product,one gets a feeling that there may be as many different types oftoothbrushes on the market today as there are types of con-sumers who use them. The days of simply distinguishing atoothbrush with a different color handle are over. Many oftoday’s products are designed and marketed for individualgroups, such as children, senior citizens, those with disabilities,etc. There are now even toothbrushes made for the pet careindustry.

Broom, Brush & Mop Magazine talked with three toothbrushcompany representatives to learn more about the state of thisimportant industry and what trends are driving the market.Although all three companies are somewhat different in theirapproach to business, one thing is in agreement — competition isfierce when it comes to getting that brush into the hand of a cus-tomer.

Focusing on manufacturing quality standard toothbrush-es to meet the needs of various market segments hashelped the Tess Corporation prosper during its 20-year

history.Located in Eau Claire, WI, the company was founded in

1989 by Dr. John Tessendor, D.D.S. In the beginning, tooth-brushes were made by another company using Tess’ toolingand molds. John Wenum, current owner/operator ofTess Corporation, purchased the business in 1996 andhad a manufacturing plant built in Eau Claire. Thus,the company soon became a full-fledged toothbrushmanufacturer.

Early on, Tess’ toothbrushes were sold in several chain

retail stores, but the company found its most profitable niche wasthat of serving the professional marketplace.

Wenum explained that it’s very difficult to maintain a presencein the retail marketplace as a single product line supplier. Thus, thecompany has found greater success selling its line of toothbrush-es strictly to dentists and distributors.

Tess Corporation produces toothbrushes for adults, children andfor special applications, such as oncology, post-surgery and periobrushes. The company's adult toothbrushes come either with a full

or compacted head. Bristles are end-rounded and polished for gen-tle brushing. All Tess’ bristles are nylon. The company’s brushesfor children also feature end-rounded and polished bristles for asoft feel on teeth and gums.

“Our product line ranges from soft to extra soft bristles. Theextra soft toothbrushes are primarily designed for post-surgicaland/or oncology patients,” Wenum explained.

Tess Corporation also offers imprinting options for the tooth-brushes it produces and sells, utilizing the company’s state-of-the-art pad printing system.

“We can print such things on a toothbrush as a dentist’s name,Web site, telephone number, logo — whatever that customerwants. This is all done for the benefit of a dentist’s practice,”Wenum said.

When interviewed in early November, Wenum added that froma sales standpoint, business at hiscompany was basically flat formost of 2009. However, he ishopeful orders will pick up by

the end of the year.

“Machinery manufacturers continueto change the capabilities of their

equipment and, thus, we are seeingan explosion of toothbrush features

in the marketplace.”

-John Wenum, Tess Corporation


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He explained that during tough economic times, many people,especially those who lose their jobs, put off scheduled trips to thedentist.

“There is a strong correlation between dental cleanings and hand-ing out a toothbrush during the visit. Many people have gone fromtwo cleanings a year to one or no cleanings. Many also postpone den-tal work as they try to save money during a bad economy,” Wenumsaid.

He added that the habit by some of putting off trips to the dentist isnot a new phenomenon during hard economic periods.

“Dental offices start experiencing a softness in business when timesget tough. I know a couple of cities where several dental offices havecut the number of days per week that they are operating,” Wenum said.“As a company, however, one positive aspect that has remained truefor us is that we are considered a local business by many. There seemsto be a negative feeling by some people toward brushes not made in

the United States. This has helped us since our brushes are made inAmerica.

“Also, the speed of which we turn around orders has helped quite abit. The time it takes from when we receive an order to when we deliv-er that order is short, even with customized products. The majority ofour products are imprinted, and yet we are still turning around orders intwo to three days.”

The company’s Web site, meanwhile, features an easy-to-use andsecure online ordering system.

While being in the toothbrush business for a number of years, Wenumhas seen many styles of products come and go.

“There is a lot of gimmickry involved by some who are trying to stayahead of the curve. It’s like a car manufacturer working to stay in styleand look for people who want an upgrade,” Wenum said. “I believe thesame thing happens in the toothbrush industry.”

He added that with increased machinery automation as it pertains totoothbrush production, more manufacturers have the ability today toproduce many types of products.

“Capabilities are being added to toothbrush machinery that have notbe present in the past. For example, bristles can now be inserted into thetoothbrush head at an angle. There is also three dimensional insertion ofbristles to handles as well as anchor-set and fused features,” Wenumsaid. “Machinery manufacturers continue to change the capabilities oftheir equipment and, thus, we are seeing an explosion of toothbrush fea-tures in the marketplace.”

Despite often changing toothbrush features, providing quality cus-tomer service never goes out of style for successful domestic manufac-turers such as Tess Corporation. Wenum said this focus on service

“It’s extremely important our customers cantalk with the same people each and every

day. It’s also good that these customers areable to meet our representatives at varioustrade shows — the same people they ofteninteract with over the telephone. We take

pride in being able to provide a local service to all of our customers.”

-John Wenum, Tess Corporation

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remains vital, allowing his company to not only survive today, butthrive in the coming years.

“I feel that in our case, it’s extremely important our customerscan talk with the same people (at Tess Corporation) each and everyday. It’s also good that these customers are able to meet our repre-sentatives at various trade shows — the same people they ofteninteract with over the telephone,” Wenum explained. “We takepride in being able to provide a local service to all of our cus-tomers.”

As for the future, Wenum said the challenge remains of findingthe proper amount of funds to invest in additional equipment as itpertains to product molds and tooling. This is key when offering afresh looking product line.

“It’s also important to be able to compete on a cost levelbasis with toothbrushes coming from China and India,” Wenumsaid.

Despite these challenges, Wenum is optimistic about his compa-ny and the U.S. toothbrush marketplace as a whole.

“As the population of the United States continues to grow,more people will need to brush their teeth,” he said. “Our busi-ness is not going away. We, as a company, continue to find nich-es and grow within them. Therefore, I’m looking at the futurewith optimism.”

Contact: Tess Corporation, 1226 International Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Phone: 800-762-1765; Fax: 715-832-0093. Web site: www.tesscorp.com.

Meeting the changing needs of customers and workingwith a quality toothbrush supplier have been twokeys to success for Prophy Perfect, of Osseo, WI.

Starting in 1988 by offering disposable prophy angles that areused by dental hygienists to polish teeth, the company hasgrown over the years by also offering different types of tooth-brushes.

“Getting into the toothbrush side of the oral care business was a

natural transition based on the fact that hygienists use prophyangles and they are also the ones who dispense toothbrushes,”Prophy Perfect President Susan Ferro explained. “Offeringrationally-priced toothbrushes that also look good and work well,so our customers are proud to give them out at their dental prac-tices, is the direction we have taken.”

The primary manufacturer of Prophy Perfect’s toothbrushes is


“Offering rationally-priced toothbrushesthat also look good and work well, soour customers are proud to give them

out at their dental practices, is thedirection we have taken.”

-Susan Ferro, Prophy Perfect

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:35 AM Page 10

Team Technologies, Inc., of Morristown, TN, which Ferro said isvery involved with introducing new and innovative products.Prophy Perfect can ship its toothbrushes to customers from thecompany's Wisconsin office, or have them drop shipped by TeamTechnologies.

“I feel they (Team Technologies) have responded well to marketchanges,” she said. “We (Prophy Perfect), therefore, can provideseveral different kinds of products. This includes toothbrusheswith extremely soft bristles designed for use by post-surgicalpatients undergoing chemotherapy or any kind of condition thatattacks the oral cavity.

“This type of toothbrush has been a good product for us in a lotof different ways. Basically, my goal is to provide customers withgood products at a reasonable price.”

According to Ferro, Prophy Perfect offers toothbrushes whichcome in various head sizes as it remains important to provide fea-tures that satisfy the different wants and needs of customers. Thecompany keeps up with changing times and demands throughinnovation. A current trend within the industry has to do with larg-er toothbrush handles.

“Improving ergonomics is vital as our society becomes older.

Having a (toothbrush)that is ergonomicallycorrect, with a little fat-ter handle, is impor-tant,” Ferro said. “Wedo this as well for ourdenture brushes. Theyfeature a nice curve and

a component to help the user better hold on to the brush.” She added that the toothbrush marketplace is often driven by

marketing. Although Prophy Perfect cannot compete against thelarger budgets of international conglomerates, it does find successat trade shows and through direct mailings. Trade shows are par-ticularly important because a company can show off its productsin front of the person who is looking to purchase. In other words,this person can actually touch and feel the toothbrush.

Since its beginning in 1988, Prophy Perfect has grown its prod-uct line mainly through trade show attendance and by word-of-mouth. Although the company is primarily geared toward dentalhygienists — those who are with dental patients the most — itdoes sell toothbrushes as well to the general public and to institu-tions.

“People will find our Web site and ask if we can sell products tothem, which we respond, ‘Yes, we will.’ It also helps that our com-pany’s name is on a lot of our products,” Ferro said. “We offer agood manual toothbrush. Of course, it’s all about using the prod-uct properly.”

Although today’s tough economic times have played havocamong many businesses, Ferro said she has no complaints about

December 2009 BROOM, BRUSH & MOP PAGE 11

“Improving ergonomics is vital as our society becomes older. Havinga (toothbrush) that is ergonomically correct, with a little fatter

handle, is important. We do this as well for our denture brushes.”

-Susan Ferro, Prophy Perfect

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:35 AM Page 11


Prophy Perfect’s health. “I had expected a bit of a downturn, but we have basically held

our own with some growth,” she explained. “One advantage iswe don’t have a lot of overhead. As a company, we have alsolearned to conduct business very efficiently. I feel we have thisdown to a science. Rational managing of our assets has alsohelped.”

Keeping a strong focus on personalized customer serviceremains at the top of the list in importance. In Ferro’s words, “Weare good with our customers. Prophy Perfect is a small companylocated in the Midwest where many of our customers have beenworking with us for years. When they call, we know them. Theyalways like to compare their weather with ours in Wisconsin,especially in the winter time. This type of relationship is impor-tant.

“Many of our customers don’t have a lot of time, and it helpsthat we know about their needs. Our success is based on develop-ing relationships with people.”

Going the extra mile is also vital for those involved with ProphyPerfect.

“For example, if we have toothbrushes that have been misprint-ed, rather than throwing them away, we will call a customer andask if they have a favorite charity that can use these brushes. If so,we will send these toothbrushes to that charity in our customer’sname,” Ferro said. “This is completely sponta-neous. Customers don’t expect or ask for thistype of offering, but it's a nice thing to do forpeople.

“It helps that our customers know that weappreciate their loyalty. It is the little thingsthat we can do that really makes the differ-ence.”

Prophy Perfect is very involved in provid-ing toothbrushes that feature custom printing.These brushes are not only desired by dentaloffices, but by individuals as well.

“We have supplied toothbrushes for such events as weddingsand bar mitzvahs. A hygienist who is getting married will oftenwant to give out toothbrushes that highlight the wedding date,”Ferro said.

As for the future, Ferro reported that foreign competitioncontinues to be a top concern for U.S. toothbrush manufactur-ers.

“Competition is mostly coming from Asian countries, whichin the past had troubles with quality. However, their toothbrush-es have become better over the years,” Ferro said. “We (ProphyPerfect) can offer good customer service and the best products,but often the bottom line is all about price. When a dentist isrunning a practice and looking at overhead costs, sometimes ifa toothbrush is made in China that dentist will look the otherway.

“I understand and respect this decision, so what we try to dois provide a product that is comparable in price. This allowsour customers to purchase American-made products at a pricethey can also afford. This gives them the ability to still shoplocally.”

She added that it’s also important for her company to not overcharge customers when it comes out with new and improveditems.

“I do feel the toothbrush industry will be different in thefuture. Everything changes. That is progress. We have to beready. This includes updating our Web site to make orderingeasier, which we recently completed. We run monthly specialson our site and work to evolve as a company,” Ferro said. “I stillhave a really good time at what I’m doing. This includes work-ing with customers. I truly respect what they do (in dentistry).It’s a hard job.

“Staying positive is the most import thing as a company, and Ifeel this shows in our customer service.”

Contact: Prophy Perfect, 14007 10th St.,Osseo, WI 54758. Phone: 800-776-3948.

E-mail: [email protected]. Web Site: www.prophyperfect.com.

While taking a few minutes to look over the three-head-ed toothbrush offered by the Benedent Corporation,of Houston, TX, it soon becomes clear that this isn’t

an ordinary product. The company’s target markets are also quitediverse as Benedent makes toothbrushes and other hygiene prod-ucts for both humans and pets.

The company’s flagship product is its ADA (American DentalAssociation) accepted Benefit toothbrush. The innovative brushis made with three independent heads, each mounted on a stem.

The brush heads wrap around teeth and brush all three sides atonce.

The Benefit toothbrush was developed in the late 1990s byAlfredo Harari, who was in the business of distributing productsto drug stores in Mexico. In the course of his work, Harari cameacross what he considered a poorly made, but interesting brushthat bore some similarities to what was to become the currentBenefit toothbrush. Harari hired an engineer and launched arather lengthy process to develop and test the triple-headed tooth-brush concept. The resulting Benefit brush was patented world-wide.

“The three headed feature of the toothbrush itself is not the mainreason for the product’s success,” according to BenedentCorporation General Manager Jorge Zarur. “The core reasonfor the success is that these heads are flexible and independent ofeach other. Therefore, each head adapts to the side and shape ofeach tooth with every stroke. This process makes it easier to brusheither your own teeth, or while brushing the teeth of others withdisabilities.”

There have been challenges to overcome, however, when sell-ing a three-headed toothbrush.

“With a regular, single-head toothbrush, people are taught earlyon to brush their teeth ‘up and down.’ With the Benefit triple-headed toothbrush, it’s important to brush ‘backward and for-

“The challenge is to gain real estate that those largercompanies enjoy in the retail stores. We can only do

that by working through smaller channels. Peoplerecognize us by visiting their dentist and receiving

one of our triple-headed toothbrushes.”

-Jorge Zarur, Benedent Corporation

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ward,’” Zarur explained.Besides the regular population, the Benefit toothbrush is

designed for those who, for various reasons, face challenges inbrushing properly. These are challenges that typically are difficultto overcome by using conventional toothbrushes.

According to Zarur, the Benefit brush heads maintain the cor-rect angle and allow the user to apply the right amount of pressureon both large and smaller teeth for proper cleaning, and to help

prevent periodontal disease. The outermost bristles are extra softto massage gums. The side brush heads are mounted at a 45-degree angle, which is the optimum angle for cleaning the gumline.

Zarur added that the brush’s unique triple-headed designreduces the need to twist and turn the arm or wrists, making theBenefit toothbrush ideal for people with limited hand, wrist and/orarm movement as a result of arthritis, Parkinson’s disease or othersimilar conditions.

Benedent Corporation’s Benefit Plus toothbrush, mean-while, is the same type of product as the Benefit brush, butcomes with a wide and padded easy-to-hold handle. Thepadded handle is designed to protect the sensitive mouth areaand can help a caregiver when assisting a person with physi-cal challenges.

To help make sure children brush their teeth correctly, theBenefit for Kids toothbrush features a padded, easy-to-hold han-dle and comes in “fun” colors. It also is designed with three flex-ible independent heads that allow children to clean each tooth sur-face in a single brushing stroke, while effectively removing plaqueand gently massaging gum tissue.

On the pet side of the business, Benedent manufactures a line ofpet hygiene products under the name Triple•Pet, including a triple-headed toothbrush similar to the Benefit brush for humans.Benedent’s pet lineup includes an all-natural toothpaste, plaqueremover, breath freshener and several products to eliminate petodors.

“As the company started to move forward, officials realized thatthere was a huge market for pet toothbrushes. For instance, peopleoften go to the veterinarian to have their pets’ teeth cleaned. Thisprocess can be quite costly,” Zarur said.

In response, Benedent created the Triple•Pet toothbrush andbegan marketing it toward the pet supply business.

“This turned out to be a large success for Benedent,” Zarurexplained. “We offer three-in-one toothbrushes for both humansand pets, but they are not three times more expensive than regulartoothbrushes. Instead, our products are very competitive in pric-ing.”

Since its beginnings 14 years ago, Benedent has been involvedin several changes in order to remain competitive. Within the past

two years, the company has partnered with Plastic Tec, a well-known manufacturer from Mexico that produces toothbrushes dis-tributed throughout the world.

Originally, Zarur said, Benedent’s toothbrushes were to be man-ufactured by Plastic Tec in Mexico, but due to a fire at a PlasticTec manufacturing facility, toothbrush production for Benedent isnow taking place in the United States.

“After the fire, ownership of Benedent realized that the know-how and expertise of making money while sellingtoothbrushes came from people, not machinery orbuildings. Therefore, the partnership with PlasticTec was continued. Today, Benedent’s toothbrushesare made from state-of-the-art equipment in theUnited States, while Plastic Tec’s management runsthe business side,” Zarur said.

Within the past several years, Benedent hasbeen involved in adding additional brands andis near completion of a project to improve the

original design of the company’s triple-headedtoothbrush.

“We are a couple of weeks away from launching our secondgeneration triple-headed toothbrush, which we feel will bring us anew wave of customers,” Zarur said.

Benedent sells its toothbrush line for humans through mas-ter distribution and by selling direct to dentists. Its cus-tomers for the pet marketplace, meanwhile, can be foundfrom four main sources — mom and pop pet stores, distrib-utors, private label companies, and regional and nationalchain stores.

When looking ahead to 2010 and beyond, Zarur said the mainchallenge for Benedent will be successfully competing againstlarger toothbrush companies that seem to have an unlimitedamount of funds available for marketing.

“The challenge is to gain real estate that those larger compa-nies enjoy in the retail stores,” he said. “We can only do that byworking through smaller channels. People recognize us by visit-ing their dentist and receiving one of our triple-headed tooth-brushes.

“Little by little we are making noise. Of course, the basic ideafor every company is to gain business in big steps. This is ourmain challenge regarding the human side of the product category,and, after all, our business was created to serve humans with goodtoothbrushes.

“On the pet side, Triple•Pet has been successful, in part, becausewe were one of the first companies to produce a toothbrush forpets in the United States. This gives us an advantage.”

Zarur added that as the company begins to spend more onadvertising, it’s vital to better recognize Benedent’s target con-sumers.

“It’s essential that we know exactly who we want to sellour products to. If we know our target markets well, we willthen also know exactly our customers’ needs. If we are ableto touch their desires, they will buy our products in return.”

Contact: Benedent Corporation, 16810 Barker Springs, Suite 217,

� Houston, TX 77084. Phone: 800-450-4977E-mail: [email protected] site: www.benedent.com.

“It’s essential that we know exactly who we wantto sell our products to. If we know our targetmarkets well, we will then also know exactly

our customers’ needs.”

-Jorge Zarur, Benedent Corporation

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:35 AM Page 14

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By Rick MullenBroom, Brush & Mop

Associate Editor

As the housing and construction segments of the market-place have suffered greatly during these recessionarytimes, one might expect that paintbrush companies

would have suffered greatly as well. However, officials fromthree North American paintbrush manufacturers who spokerecently with Broom, Brush & Mop Magazine indicate theirrespective businesses have been holding their own, if not grow-ing in some areas.

Despite the economy, consumers and professionals alike havecontinued to purchase paint applicator and related products, albeitin some cases at lesser amounts than before the recession. Thepaintbrush manufacturing officials interviewed shared how theirrespective companies have helped customers through these tougheconomic times by offering a wide variety of high quality, inno-vative and efficient products, while ramping up their customerservice initiatives.

Tradition, quality, ingenuity, hard work and service areall concepts ingrained in the family business culture atCorona Brushes, Inc., of Tampa, FL, which manufac-

tures high-quality handmade painting tools distributedthroughout the United States and Canada, as well as interna-tionally.

In keeping with its reputation of catering to the professionalwho requires high quality paintbrushes and rollers, Corona’sproducts have been traditionally available through independentpaint dealers, rather than large retail outlets. To this end, Coronasays its ongoing commitment to personalized customer service issecond to none and has been especially important, both to thecompany and also to its customers, during these tough economictimes.

“We believe in personalized customer service,” said CoronaBrushes Vice President of Sales Benjamin Waksman. “Evenduring these recessionary times, our representatives are still trav-eling and maintaining the same level of human contact as we havealways provided to our customers.

“Corona is a family company and I think those who do businesswith us appreciate the personal contact we make available,whether it is with our sales people on the road or our office staff.

“Likewise, we appreciate that kind of personal contact with our

vendors rather than feeling like we are dealing with a big name-less conglomerate.”

Indeed, Corona’s reputation for service matches its reputationfor offering quality products. The company’s ability to offer quickand efficient delivery of products has been an important boost toits customers during the lean economy.

“We are trying to help our customers get through these hardtimes. We work with our customers to the best of our abilities,”Waksman said. “Most people are working to maintain very lowinventories, which means, as a manufacturer, we must maintainhealthy inventories. When customers need product; they need itquickly. They don’t have a lot of inventory margin to draw uponwhile they wait to receive the next shipment. So, at Corona, which

“We believe in personalized customerservice. Even during these recessionary

times, our representatives are still traveling and maintaining the same level of human contact as we have

always provided to our customers.”

-Benjamin Waksman, Corona Brushes, Inc.


BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:35 AM Page 16

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is known for quality service as well as quality products, we haveramped up that aspect of our service.”

While Corona’s professional paintbrushes have traditionallybeen its flagship products, the company also offers high qualityhome/maintenance, industrial and promotional brushes. In addi-tion, Corona offers paint roller products; kits and trays; exten-sion poles and accessories; marine products; and more.

“A lot of emphasis is put on our paintbrushes, but we are grow-ing significantly with our top-end paint roller segment,” Waksmansaid.

Corona’s comprehensive paint applicator and related productlineup is also helpful as more companies are seeking to reduce thenumber of suppliers they do business with as a cost cutting meas-ure.

“We want to be a complete supplier for our customers and notbe painted into a corner over any one particular segment,”Waksman said.

Corona Brushes’ journey to becoming a modern-day leader inthe paintbrush industry began decades ago in post-World War IRussia when Jude Waksman learned the trade of processing hogbristles for paintbrush manufacturing.

After the Bolsheviks seized power in Russia following WorldWar I, Jude Waksman left his homeland searching for a better lifefor his family. While he initially intended to come to America,immigration quotas at that time prohibited him from settling in theUnited States, so he made a new home for his family in Havana,Cuba.

Working initially as a laborer in Cuba, Jude Waksman was ableto send for his wife and daughter. After reuniting in Cuba, two

boys and another daughter were added to the family. During WorldWar II, Jude Waksman’s skill in processing hog bristle for makingpaintbrushes opened the door for him to start his own business.The war disrupted the supply of Chinese and Russian bristle toU.S. paintbrush manufacturers, so Jude Waksman built a process-ing facility outside Havana to supply the United States with bris-tle from Cuban hogs. The bristle processing plant eventuallybecame Corona Brushes. With help from his sons, Gregory andDavid, the company grew into a major supplier of brushes androllers in the Caribbean.

As the 1960s approached, political events once again promptedthe Waksmans to seek a new home after Fidel Castro came topower in Cuba in 1959. Two year later, the Waksman family relo-cated — this time to the United States. Essentially starting overfrom the ground up, the company continued to grow. Jude, Davidand Gregory Waksman earned the loyalty of independent paintdealers as the company established a reputation for making quali-ty painting tools. Today, the company boasts a 70,000 square-footfacility in Tampa with nearly 100 employees. Gregory Waksmanserves as the company’s president while his sons, Albert andBenjamin, are vice presidents. Jude and David Waksman aredeceased.

“In 2011, we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of ourcompany being established in the United States, where we basical-ly started over again from scratch,” Benjamin Waksman said. “Weare constantly reinvesting in our facilities, and we are looking for-ward to introducing some new products in the next two years,especially in 2011, in conjunction with our 50th anniversary. Weare looking forward to a nice celebration. It is a very meaningfulstep for us.”

Since relocating to the United States, the company has enjoyedmuch success in becoming a worldwide leader in the paintbrushindustry, culminating in a record sales year in 2007.

“Two years ago was the best year in our history,” BenjaminWaksman said. “However, we saw a decline in 2008 overall.People had been predicting for a number of years that the housingbubble was going to burst and create problems in the economy.Nonetheless, I don’t think anyone was forecasting the economicdownturn would be this serious. Although the economists are say-ing the recession is over — that is the economy has stoppedshrinking — it is going to take a while to see any significantimprovements.

“The recession has been challenging. Our products are gearedmore toward the professional market and professional paintershave not been as busy this year. Some of the jobs professionalsmay have typically been called upon to do have gone to the do-it-yourself (DIY) market. Although many DIY customers use Coronatools to get a better paint job, most of our products go to the pro-fessional user. Also, our products are not used as much in new con-struction as they are in the maintenance and repaint arena. Someof that type of work is also apparently being put off until the econ-omy improves.

“Nonetheless, we still see growth in the professional end, eventhough right now it is slow. We are confident we will continue togrow as more painters are drawn to the quality of our products.Some of that growth is ‘quiet.’ It is not ‘exploding.’ This is actual-ly good because we are able to keep up and hire new people andtrain them.

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BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:35 AM Page 18

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makers and roller makers who know what they are doing. Welook at 2010 as being a rebuilding year from this standpoint, aswe will begin to hire more people and perhaps make inroads intosome export markets that are looking for high quality paint appli-cators.

“Whether it is a brush maker in the plant or a person in theoffice, our loyal employees mean everything to us. Without them,there is no Corona.”

If the economists are correct and the recession has ended or isending, there are always challenges in the business world as com-panies move into the future. In the paintbrush industry, and espe-cially with a high-quality manufacturer such as Corona Brushes,the raw material market can be a problem.

“There are always the challenges of getting the best quality rawmaterials, especially in the case of natural materials,” BenjaminWaksman said. “In the United States, many companies havemerged and others have shifted manufacturing to cheaper labormarkets, which are usually overseas. Still others are purchasingproduct outright and have become essentially distributors. Oneresult of all this is the wealth of raw material suppliers has dimin-ished.

“I am sure there are companies remaining that are as committedto supplying quality raw materials as we are to manufacturingquality paintbrushes and rollers. So, it is a challenge, but it is achallenge that will be met.”

Another challenge Benjamin Waksman spoke of is being able tomanufacture quality products onshore given the cost of labor.

“From a manufacturing standpoint, the United States is a high

cost labor market compared to some Asian and South Americandestinations,” Benjamin Waksman said. “It is a challenge, but weremain committed to manufacturing quality handmade paintingtools in the United States. This is another challenge that we willmeet.

“There are always marketing challenges as business modelschange and markets change. The quest is to stay true to your idealsand still deal with the changes that are bound to come. They arenot always bad changes, but you have to be able to meet the chal-lenges and handle the changes successfully, and we aim to do justthat.

“One key word is ‘commitment.’ There are companies thatare committed to making quality tools and we are one of them.As long as we, as a company, hold true to that commitment, wewill always have a future. Economies may boom; economiesmay slow down, but successful companies stay true to theircommitments without turning a blind eye to challenges and/orchanges.”

One change that has taken place in the paint industry that hashad a significant impact on the manufacturing of paintbrushes andother paint applicators is the proliferation of synthetic filaments asopposed to the use of natural bristle.

Synthetic paintbrushes work best with modern water-basedpaints that are thicker than traditional oil-based paints, which aretypically applied with natural bristle brushes.

“The predominance of our paintbrush production is in synthet-ics. We have some unique formulations and processes that ensuresuperior coverage, finishing, etc., for the various types of water-

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 20


based coatings available,” Benjamin Waksman said.However, Corona Brushes, with its history of working with nat-

ural paintbrush bristle, also offers natural bristle brushes includingthose made with black and white China bristle, a blend of Chinabristle with ox-ear hair and others.

“Before we made paintbrushes, we were in thebristle processing business,” Benjamin Waksmansaid. “Therefore, there are a lot of unique process-es that we use with our pure bristle that makesthem work better and last longer. There willalways be some demand for natural bristle brush-es and some painters will always prefer naturalbristle. As long as the Chinese produce bristle,there will be some demand for it, but I think itwill be a mostly synthetic world, and we are pre-pared.

“When it comes to synthetic filament, we stickto the finest, which we believe to be the solid round taperedDuPont™ materials.”

While synthetics are a modern-day reality, environmentallyfriendly issues and/or products are also highly visible on theradar screens of most industries. While Corona Brushes does notadvertise a “green” product line per se, the company is certainlyaware of green issues and participates in environmentally friend-ly practices. The inherent “greeness” of Corona’s paint applica-tor products is involved in their longevity of usage and naturalresource saving attributes, as opposed to making a dispensableproduct that may or may not be made with recycled or recycla-ble materials.

“We believe we make the greenest products on the marketbecause of their quality and durability,” Benjamin Waksman said.“For painters who are using today’s fast drying acrylic paints, werecommend synthetic paintbrushes and paint rollers that are goingto release better and, at the end of the job, are going clean up bet-ter and use less water in the process. This is really the greenestway to go.

“At the same time, whether it is in our manufacturing operationor in our office administration, we try to be as conservative as pos-sible in the usage of energy, materials, paper, wood waste, etc.This has been an ongoing policy at Corona because it is not onlygood for the environment, but also is good economically. We arealso planning to install more efficient lighting systems and moreefficient motors that drive our equipment to cut down on our ener-gy consumption.”Contact: Corona Brushes Inc., 5065 Savarese Circle, Tampa, FL

33634. Phone: 800-458-3483; Fax: 813-882-9810.E-mail: [email protected] site: www.coronabrushes.com.

Dynamic Paint Products, of Mississauga, ON, is a leaderin the manufacture, distribution and sale of paint applica-tors and related products in Canada and the United

States. The company’s customers come from several marketplacesegments including professional, industrial, commercial andretail.

The company features more that 1,500 products under theDYNAMIC® brand and distributes other quality brands as well.One of the company’s newer lines, Enviro-Paintware™, is prov-

ing to be a popular and timely addition to Dynamic’s productoffering.

“Enviro-Paintware is our biggest opportunity because green isnot a trend; it is a new reality,” said Dynamic Paint Products

Product Manager Randy Gerrits. “The Enviro-Paintware cate-gory has been a really good news story for our company. It hasbeen a door opener for us and is leading to some good businessopportunities. This product line is only going to grow.”

Dynamics “green team” has been working for some timedeveloping the company’s environmentally friendly productstrategies and innovations. The company’s Enviro-Paintwareline includes a variety of products such as paintbrushes, rollers,trays, caulking tools and accessories. The products are madefrom recycled materials and also feature replaceable parts andrefills.

For example, Enviro paintbrushes have removable heads. Whenthe head wears out, it can be replaced and the entire paintbrushdoes not have to be thrown away. The company also offers a paintroller made of 100 percent recycled material.

“We make all kinds of products out of recycled materials. Weoperate a paper-less warehouse. We are totally electronic and havebeen for years,” Gerrits said. “We focus on environmental issuesin everything we do, including how we can reduce packaging,paper usage, make things out of recycled and recyclable products,and other environmentally friendly activities.

“Two things usually come to mind when people think of recy-clable or recycled products — they are either of inferior quality orthey are going to cost more. In contrast, our recycled and recycla-ble items are as good, if not better, than comparable products andthey do not cost more. This is why we are very fussy about whatgoes into our Enviro-Paintware products.”

Gerrits reported that although the worldwide economic down-turn has had somewhat of an impact on Dynamic, business hasbeen “pretty good” on the paint applicator side of the company.All of the company’s paintbrushes are made by hand.

“We have upgraded and revamped our applicator line over thepast couple of years and we have seen big growth in that area,”Gerrits said. “In this day and age people are looking for value. Weare one of the few manufacturers of brushes that run the gamutfrom the 29-cent ‘use-it-and-lose-it brush,’ up to the professionalbrush that a person will look after and keep for several years —and all under one label.”

Another service that helps distinguish Dynamic from its com-petitors is its commitment to keeping customers fully informedabout the products they are purchasing. One way it does this is by

“It is true that paint and brushes are being made betterand they last longer, but when a person gets tired of

looking at that red wall, no matter how good thepaint job is, they are going to change it to blue, orwhatever. Fashion is fashion and the paint business

is, for the most part, fashion. I really don’t see that changing very much.”

-Randy Gerrits, Dynamic Paint Products

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 21

providing detailed information — such as about paint flow andpickup and release — on the packaging containing the products.This unique packaging concept not only informs the consumer,but also helps retailers that have cut back on staff to keep theircustomers informed.

Even though these recessionary times have not negativelyaffected Dynamic as much as many of its U.S. neighbors to thesouth, the company has ratcheted up its efforts to help it customersdeal with the down economy.

“Service — just flat out service is how we are supporting ourcustomers during these tough times,” Gerrits said. “We reallystrive hard to have a very high fill rate of products shipped. We arefinding that many companies are reducing their inventory on theshelf, which means they want inventory on demand. Many retail-ers who run out of product on Friday want a new shipment toarrive on Monday.

“In many instances, we can ship the same day we receive anorder. Our fast turnaround times, combined with our high fill rate,means our customers have been able to let their inventory rundown without effecting their sales. They know that they can getproducts from us quickly. We take great pride in offering this highquality service.”

The company’s supply chain operates from two automatedfacilities, located in Mississauga and Burnaby, BC, which providecustomers with immediate inquiry response on inventory avail-ability, shipping status and order tracking to ensure quick deliveryacross North America.

Dynamic’s wide variety of products also has the company well

positioned in an economy where “one-stop” shopping is viewed asa viable way to reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.

“Many companies have cut back on the number of their ven-dors,” Gerrits said. “For example, there is a major paint companyin the United States that dropped the smallest 200 vendors theyhad no matter what they supplied or who they supplied. Weweren’t on that list because we have so much to offer and so muchdiversity of product. It has become a reality. People can’t afford todeal with 18 different suppliers any longer. They are going tochoose three or four of their best ones, and we want to be one ofthe three or four best.”

In addition to paintbrushes and rollers, Dynamic’s variedproduct lineup includes a full line of cage frames, paint traysand extension poles. The company also offers accessoriessuch as drop sheets, protective wear, knives, blades andscrapers.

For the preparation aspects of a painting or decorating project,Dynamic offers several abrasives such as sandpaper and sandingsponges of several shapes and sizes.

The company also offers wall covering accessories and decora-tive tools for professional paperhangers and do-it-yourself cus-tomers. These items include heavy-duty pastes, wall prep, borderadhesives and paper removal products, resulting in easier paper-hanging and removal. In addition, Dynamic has a complete line ofuser friendly and creative faux finish applicators including stencil,artist, craft and watercolor brushes and decorative stencils as wellas faux mediums such as Venetian Plaster, glazes and metallicpaints.


Royal Paint Roller

Royal Paint Roller — a name known in the industry for over35 years for top quality products, fine service and competitive prices.

Manufacturer of paint rollers in ALL SIZES—from Slim Jim to Jumbo 21⁄4”I.D. in VARIETY OF FABRICS—including lambskin, kodel, lambswool,synthetic blends & “Lint Free” woven line.

Also a complete line of frames, trays, paint brushes & painting accessories forthe professional and Do-It-Yourself markets.

Specializing in private labeling at competitive prices.

ROYAL PAINT ROLLER248 Wyandanch Avenue

West Babylon, N.Y. 11704Tel: (631) 643-8012 • Fax: (631) 253-9428

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 22

For more than 30 years, Dynamic Paint Products has establisheditself as a leader in the paint applicator industry and Gerrits saidthe company’s key to success has been, according to customer tes-timonies: “Our people, service and reliability.”

Gerrits added: “I see our future as being pretty bright. Aseconomic forces tend to weed out and change industries, I don’tsee the paint and paint applicator industry changing significant-ly.

“It is true that paint and brushes are being made better and theylast longer, but when a person gets tired of looking at that redwall, no matter how good the paint job is, they are going tochange it to blue, or whatever. Fashion is fashion and the paintbusiness is, for the most part, fashion. I really don’t see thatchanging very much.”

Contact: Dynamic Paint Products, Inc., 7040 Financial Drive,Mississauga, ON L5N 7H5, Canada.

Phone: 800-668-1124; Fax: 866-286-8089.E-mail: [email protected].

Web site: www.getpainting.com.

Premier Paint Roller LLC, of Richmond Hill, NY, locat-ed in the borough of Queens in New York City, is one of thelargest manufacturers of paint rollers, paintbrushes, and

related accessories worldwide.The company began in the early 1960s and has been privately

held by the Leichter family for three generations. Premier sup-plies products for various industries and uses. Its customersrange from do-it-yourselfers to professional painters and con-tractors.

Premier bills itself as the largest independent family-ownedpaint roller manufacturer in the United States. The companyalso offers a selection of consumer and professional paint-brushes as well as artist brushes. Premier’s paint rollers aremanufactured domestically, while its brushes are made over-seas.

The company’s product lineup also includes roller and paintaccessories, roller and tray sets and paint pads.

“Our niche is we offer the best quality products at the best com-petitive pricing,” said Premier Paint Roller National SalesManager Peter Vasile. “This has been borne out by the fact thatour sales have been constant and growing, which is a testament toour product quality and our pricing.”

Premier’s ability to offer high quality products at competi-

tive prices and its diverse customer base located throughoutmany regions worldwide, have helped take the edge off thechallenges associated with recent negative economic develop-ments.

“Everyone is feeling the impact of the economic downturn allover and everyone is trying to deal with it in the best positiveway,” Vasile said. “For many companies located in such hardhit states as California, Florida and Nevada, the situation is dif-ficult. However, we do business in other locations that takes upthe slack, but it has been tough. Premier prides itself on supply-ing very high quality products at probably some the most com-petitive pricing in the industry. We try to help our customers inthis way, whether we are in an economic downturn or not.”

Premier’s long history of focusing on customer service has also


BROOM CAPS BRUSH and HANDLE FERRULES

MANUFACTURING INCORPORATEDP.O. Box 6505 Wolcott, CT 06716 Phone 203-879-1481

“Premier prides itself on supplying veryhigh quality products at probably some

the most competitive pricing in the industry. We try to help our customers

in this way, whether we are in an economic downturn or not.”

-Peter Vasile, Premier Paint Roller

Continued On Page 34

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 23


Imports, Exports Generally Decline After 8 MonthsBy Rick Mullen

Broom, Brush & MopAssociate Editor

U.S. government trade figures for the first eight months of 2009indicate raw material imports were down in two of the three cate-gories outlined in this issue, compared to the first eight months of2008. Figures for metal handles prior to March 2009 are not avail-able for comparison. For August 2009, raw material imports wereup in two of the three categories outlined, other than metal han-dles, compared to August 2008.

Import totals for the first eight months of 2009 were down infive of the six finished goods categories outlined from the sametime period in 2008. Also, in August 2009, all six categories out-lined recorded decreases, compared to August 2008.

RAW MATERIAL IMPORTSHog Bristle

The United States imported 30,705 kilograms of hog bristle inAugust 2009, up about 38 percent from 22,192 kilograms imported inAugust 2008. During the first eight months of 2009, 213,330 kilo-grams of hog bristle were imported, about an 18 percent decrease from259,161 kilograms imported during the first eight months of 2008.

China exported 210,911 kilograms of hog bristle to the UnitedStates during the first eight months of 2009, compared to 257,561kilograms during the first eight months of 2008.

The average price per kilogram for August 2009 was $2, downabout 88 percent from the average price per kilogram for August2008 of $17.22. The average price per kilogram for the first eightmonths of 2009 was $7.39, down about 56 percent from the aver-age price per kilogram of $16.81 for the first eight months of 2008.

Broom And Mop HandlesThe import total of broom and mop handles during August 2009

was 1.6 million, down about 36 percent from 2.5 million broomand mop handles imported in August 2008. During the first eightmonths of 2009, 13.6 million broom and mop handles wereimported, compared to 20.8 million for the first eight months of2008, a decrease of about 35 percent.

During the first eight months of 2009, the United States import-ed 4.9 million handles from Brazil, 3.9 million from Honduras, 2.5million from China and 1.7 million from Indonesia.

The average price per handle for August 2009 was 68 cents,down about 6 percent from 72 cents for August 2008. The averageprice for the first eight months of 2009 was 69 cents, an increaseof about 5 percent over the average price recorded for the firsteight months of 2008 of 66 cents.

Brush BacksAugust 2009 imports of brush backs totaled 274,014, up about

132 percent from the August 2008 total of 118,087 brush backs.During the first eight months of 2009, 1.9 million brush backswere imported, an increase of about 12 percent over the total forthe first eight months of 2008 of 1.7 million.

The United States imported 1.1 million brush backs fromCanada during the first eight months of 2009, while importing223,752 from Sri Lanka.

The average price per brush back was 34 cents during August2009, down about 19 percent from the average price for August2008 of 42 cents. For the first eight months of 2009, the averageprice per brush back was 46 cents, down about 33 percent from theaverage price of 69 cents for the first eight months of 2008.

Metal HandlesThe import total of metal handles during August 2009 was 3 mil-

lion, down from the July 2009 total of 3.9 million. During the firsteight months of 2009, 21.2 million metal handles were imported.

The United States imported 10.7 million metal handles fromItaly during the first eight months of 2009, 8.1 million from Chinaand 2 million from Spain.

The average price per handle for August 2009 was 58 cents, thesame as the previous month. The average price for the first eightmonths of 2009 was 61 cents.

FINISHED GOODS IMPORTSBrooms Of Broom Corn

Valued At Less Than 96 CentsThe United States imported 15,252 brooms of broom corn val-

ued at less than 96 cents per broom during August 2009, comparedto 17,772 in August 2008, a decrease of about 14 percent. Duringthe first eight months of 2009, 101,256 brooms of broom cornwere imported, down about 38 percent from 162,978 importedduring the first eight months of 2008.

Mexico shipped 94,056 brooms of broom corn to the United Statesduring the first eight months of 2009, and China shipped 7,200.

The average price per broom for August 2009 was 74 cents,down about 13 percent from 85 cents for August 2008. The aver-age price per broom for the first eight months of 2009 was 75 cents,up 2 cents from the average price for the first eight months of 2008.

Brooms Of Broom CornValued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 747,276 brooms of broom corn val-ued at more than 96 cents per broom during August 2009, com-pared to 787,926 in August 2008, a decrease of about 5 percent.During the first eight months of 2009, 5.7 million brooms ofbroom corn were imported, down about 3 percent from 5.9 millionimported during the first eight months of 2008.

Mexico shipped 5.4 million brooms of broom corn to the UnitedStates during the first eight months of 2009.

The average price per broom for August 2009 was $2.37, down1 cent from the average price for August 2008. The average priceper broom for the first eight months of 2009 was $2.46, up about7 percent from $2.29 for the first eight months of 2008.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable MaterialThe import total of brooms and brushes of vegetable material

during August 2009 was 95,186, down about 35 percent from145,882 brooms and brushes imported during August 2008.During the first eight months of 2009, 943,454 brooms and brush-es were imported, down about 21 percent from 1.2 million import-ed during the first eight months of 2008.

During the first eight months of 2009, the United States imported546,395broomsandbrushes fromSriLankaand117,468 fromChina.

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 24


The average price per unit for August 2009 was $2.02, up about22 percent from $1.65 for August 2008. The average price for thefirst eight months of 2009 was $1.87, an increase of about 22 per-cent from the average price recorded for the first eight months of2008 of $1.53.

ToothbrushesThe United States imported 61.1 million toothbrushes in August

2009, down about 20 percent from 76.5 million imported inAugust 2008. During the first eight months of 2009, 523.8 milliontoothbrushes were imported, down about 2 percent from 534.8million imported during the first eight months of 2008.

During the first eight months of 2009, the United Statesreceived 366.2 million toothbrushes from China, 57.4 millionfrom Switzerland, 27.4 million from Germany and 19.7 millionfrom India.

The average price per toothbrush for August 2009 was 23 cents,down 2 cents from the average price for August 2008. The aver-age price for the first eight months of 2009 was 21 cents, downabout 16 percent from the average price of 25 cents for the firsteight months of 2008.

Shaving BrushesAugust 2009 imports of shaving brushes totaled 12.9 million,

down about 25 percent from 17.3 million imported during August2008. During the first eight months of 2009, 101.1 million shav-ing brushes were imported, down about 16 percent from 120.5million for the first eight months of 2008.

Mexico sent 31.7 million shaving brushes to the United Statesduring the first eight months of 2009, while Germany shipped32.1 million and China exported 21.6 million.

The average price per brush was 13 cents during August 2009, up1 cent from the average price in August 2008. During the first eightmonths of 2009, the average price per brush was also 13 cents, thesame as the average price for the first eight months of 2008.

PaintbrushesU.S. companies imported 17.4 million paintbrushes during

August 2009, down about 7 percent from 18.8 million brushesimported during August 2008. Paintbrush imports for the firsteight months of 2009 were 142.3 million, up about 4 percent from136.3 million recorded for the first eight months of 2008.

During the first eight months of 2009, the United States import-ed 111.3 million paintbrushes from China and 27.7 million fromIndonesia.

The average price per paintbrush for August 2009 was 28 cents,down about 10 percent from 31 cents for August 2008. The aver-age price for the first eight months of 2009 was 32 cents, up 1 centfrom the average price for the first eight months of 2008.

EXPORTSExport totals for the first eight months of 2009 were down in all

four of the categories outlined, compared to the first eight monthsof 2008. In August 2009, two of the four categories reportedincreases in exports, compared to August 2008.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable MaterialsThe United States exported 6,618 dozen brooms and brushes of

vegetable materials during August 2009, down about 42 percent

from the August 2008 total of 11,335 dozen. Exports of broomsand brushes of vegetable materials during the first eight months of2009 were 55,073 dozen, down about 21 percent from 69,817dozen for the first eight months of 2008.

During the first eight months of 2009, the United States shipped16,721 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada, while sending 7,695dozen to China, 6,170 dozen to The United Kingdom, 3,986 dozento Japan, 3,061 dozen to Hong Kong and 2,741 dozen to Italy.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $40.79 inAugust 2009, compared to $45.18 for August 2008, an decrease ofabout 10 percent. The average price per dozen brooms and brush-es for the first eight months of 2009 was $40.94, a decrease ofabout 6 percent from the average price per dozen for the first eightmonths of 2008 of $43.71.

ToothbrushesU.S. companies exported 6.8 million toothbrushes during

August 2009, down about 53 percent from 14.4 million exportedduring August 2008. Toothbrush exports for the first eight monthsof 2009 were 59.8 million, down about 52 percent from 124 mil-lion recorded for the first eight months of 2008.

The United States shipped 21.3 million toothbrushes to Canadaduring the first eight months of 2009, compared to 30.7 millionduring the same time period in 2008, while sending 14.2 millionto Mexico during the first eight months of 2009, compared to 27.1million during the first eight months of 2008.

The average price per toothbrush for August 2009 was 91 cents,up about 128 percent from the August 2008 average price of 40cents. The average price for the first eight months of 2009 was 73cents, up about 115 percent from the average price of 34 cents forthe first eight months of 2008.

Artist BrushesThe United States exported 565,582 artist brushes in August

2009, up about 9 percent from the total of 519,479 exported inAugust 2008. During the first eight months of 2009, 5 millionartist brushes were exported, about a 15 percent decrease from 5.9million exported during the first eight months of 2008.

Canada received 2.7 million artist brushes from the UnitedStates during the first eight months of 2009, while Mexico import-ed 334,598.

The average price per artist brush for August 2009 was $3.42,down about 10 percent from the average price for August 2008 of$3.78. The average price for the first eight months of 2009 was $3.22,down about 6 percent from $3.42 for the first eight months of 2008.

PaintbrushesThe export total of paintbrushes during August 2009 was

116,478, up about 13 percent from 103,469 paintbrush exportsrecorded for August 2008. During the first eight months of 2009,676,945 paintbrushes were exported, down about 55 percent from1.5 million during the first eight months of 2008.

Canada imported 284,676 paintbrushes from the United Statesduring the first eight months of 2009, while The Netherlandsimported 120,782.

The average price per paintbrush for August 2009 was $12.18,down about 26 percent from $16.49 for August 2008. The averageprice for the first eight months of 2009 was $15.72, up about 39percent from $11.27 for the first eight months of 2008.

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 25

Foreign Merchandise1404902000 Broomcorn (Sorghum Vulgare Var. Technicum)Used Primarily In Brooms Or In Brushes, Whether or Not

In Hanks or BundlesAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/Ton Value Net Q/Ton ValueCanada 1 3,233 15 32,314Hondura 7 27,066U King 5 19,673TOTAL 1 3,233 27 79,053

9603100000 Brooms & Brushes, Consisting of Twigs or OtherVegetable Materials Bound Together, With or Without Handles

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/Dozen Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 534 49,965 4,333 313,366Mexico 82 2,692 107 10,982Norway 218 7,191TOTAL 616 52,657 4,658 331,539

9603210000 Toothbrushes, Incl. Dental-Plate BrushesAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 931,598 794,011 8,677,251 7,654,661Mexico 6,409 7,828 235,068 170,158Belize 6,336 2,850 6,336 2,850Hondura 3,456 2,848Jamaica 17,959 51,774Dom Rep 9,792 3,860Antigua 12,960 5,830 12,960 5,830Finland 9,456 4,001U King 7,032 71,953Ireland 23,856 26,502Nethlds 59,149 215,553France 670 3,283Fr Germ 318 3,250 111,462 69,424Switzld 4,320 3,500India 85,008 33,507Malaysa 2,845 29,107Singapr 24,216 10,232 331,610 216,176Phil R 34,680 15,681Kor Rep 79,819 35,333Hg Kong 5,136 2,557Taiwan 732 9,147 74,048 40,515Japan 115 2,962 725 5,950Austral 35,712 22,141 189,722 103,024Algeria 31,392 22,006TOTAL 1,018,396 858,251 10,013,752 8,790,053

9603290000 Shaving Brushes, Hairbrushes, Nail Brushes,Eyelash Brushes & Other Toilet Brushes For Use On The Person

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 134,112 142,763 742,079 935,197Mexico 9,216 5,068 255,561 384,968Chile 900 2,625 1,800 7,785Brazil 504 2,640 7,896 8,890U King 285 2,604 25,781 178,984Nethlds 480 3,209 1,975 16,877Belgium 900 5,489Andorra 72 3,000France 830,885 556,215Fr Germ 204,238 274,662Switzld 5,021 10,219Italy 2,369 28,705

Croatia 3,682 3,070Lebanon 1,500 4,580Arab Em 21,018 23,707Indnsia 458 4,187 939 8,583Phil R 8,487 20,082 13,216 33,281China 1,514 13,849Taiwan 720 26,145Japan 170,807 61,526 188,650 153,697Austral 5,622 18,935TOTAL 325,249 244,704 2,315,438 2,696,838

9603300000 Artists Brushes, Writing Brushes and Similar Brushesfor the Application of Cosmetics

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 321,190 964,315 2,070,535 6,136,671Mexico 26,310 57,201 266,091 533,068Guatmal 7,579 27,967Dom Rep 185 2,642 185 2,642Brazil 32,032 75,647Argent 25,880 68,510Sweden 1,538 14,376 75,784 216,491Norway 5,331 43,736Finland 1,700 7,304U King 87,917 327,902 346,845 1,116,638Ireland 1,450 5,351Nethlds 340 4,161 3,490 23,985Belgium 62,133 229,249 179,765 663,274France 4,849 36,420 25,501 126,854Fr Germ 20,407 41,306Czech 4,800 6,239 7,710 14,459Switzld 2,447 9,028 30,489 112,493Poland 2,191 7,058Russia 52,507 81,456 372,033 811,892Ukraine 3,326 17,769 66,016 153,606Kazakhs 9,650 21,170 42,996 71,858Spain 5,668 17,019Italy 48,582 161,713Israel 2,361 8,712Arab Em 3,707 10,013 8,039 27,163Thailnd 5,433 20,046 12,044 50,530Malaysa 963 3,553Singapr 1,452 5,359 15,641 58,475Indnsia 2,379 8,778Phil R 1,020 3,288China 17,583 38,377 571,156 899,106Kor Rep 17,668 55,647 86,367 198,568Hg Kong 5,144 18,978 13,223 48,787Taiwan 14,237 52,531 25,671 105,067Japan 5,003 19,321 53,889 231,077Austral 45,791 184,702 93,348 358,996Senegal 3,828 23,534TOTAL 693,210 2,176,902 4,528,189 12,465,176

9603402000 Paint RollersAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 32,112 82,765 64,305 317,143Mexico 36,655 54,260 141,715 269,281U King 191 3,354Ireland 354 6,206Nethlds 146 2,564Turkey 144 2,520Arab Em 215 10,080China 615 10,800Austral 396 6,944TOTAL 68,767 137,025 208,081 628,892

9603404020 Paint PadsAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 26,877 64,326 136,954 337,449TOTAL 26,877 64,326 136,954 337,449


EXPORTSAugust Exports By Country

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 26


9603404050 Paint, Distemper, Varnish or Similar Brushes(Except Brushes of 9603.30)

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 3,215 29,344 35,659 405,032Mexico 1,355 28,099 5,031 104,315Trinid 236 4,898Sweden 153 3,176Nethlds 256 5,301Fr Germ 121 2,503 843 17,475Spain 326 6,762Malta 437 9,057Greece 126 2,614 630 13,066Austral 806 16,716TOTAL 4,817 62,560 44,377 585,798

9603900000 Hand-Operated Mechanical Floor Sweepers,Not Motorized, Mops & Feather Dusters; Prepared Knots & Tufts

For Broom or Brush Making, NESOIAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 46,106 626,489 302,563 3,265,697Mexico 3,123 45,699 79,719 1,159,685C Rica 826 13,392 7,456 120,906Panama 2,847 46,190 17,660 286,495Bermuda 464 2,859Jamaica 98 2,506Trinid 497 5,485 497 5,485Chile 2,397 38,854Brazil 17,280 52,085Iceland 98 5,360Norway 1,324 21,473Finland 475 7,696Denmark 8,808 40,205 86,758 946,084U King 708 11,491 19,268 231,255Ireland 462 7,487Nethlds 1,488 6,872 5,793 66,581Belgium 150 8,757France 20,548 262,118Fr Germ 5,335 85,153 26,019 290,529Czech 753 6,271Estonia 374 3,300Poland 166 2,687Russia 400 2,880Ukraine 4,663 75,639 4,663 75,639Spain 389 6,308Italy 403 8,373Iraq 604 9,794Israel 50 2,580Arab Em 280 4,547 1,605 24,121India 458 7,431Phil R 257 4,165Kor Rep 256 4,148Japan 3,119 50,212Austral 1,130 11,311 12,738 112,825Rep Saf 502 8,141 1,556 18,536TOTAL 76,313 980,614 616,820 7,121,182

Domestic Merchandise1404902000 Broomcorn (Sorghum Vulgare Var. Technicum)Used Primarily In Brooms Or In Brushes, Whether or Not

In Hanks or BundlesAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/Ton Value Net Q/Ton ValueMexico 14 52,885 16 58,590Ireland 3 11,862France 7 23,498Malaysa 1 3,530TOTAL 14 52,885 27 97,480

9603100000 Brooms & Brushes, Consisting of Twigs or OtherVegetable Materials Bound Together, With or Without Handles

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/Dozen Value Net Q/Dozen ValueCanada 3,234 72,424 16,721 608,883Mexico 40 5,480 1,947 99,300Belize 1,108 40,124C Rica 121 3,987 121 3,987Panama 18 3,875 825 30,446Bermuda 104 5,987 736 26,457Bahamas 1,323 43,630 2,481 148,824Jamaica 235 6,054Antigua 12 2,549 12 2,549S Lucia 120 2,784 120 2,784Barbado 387 6,505Trinid 21 3,275 834 16,112N Antil 12 3,550Ecuador 18 2,915Peru 17 5,025Brazil 6 8,009 13 12,434Uruguay 76 4,400Argent 426 12,168Finland 17 5,172 17 5,172Denmark 192 4,894 472 20,113U King 926 43,580 6,170 262,454Ireland 32 9,610 404 45,010France 96 17,280 1,338 86,996Fr Germ 215 6,736Poland 419 17,300Italy 2,741 90,400Croatia 24 12,229Greece 90 3,416Turkey 57 4,130Iraq 59 20,448Israel 41 3,840S Arab 68 18,915 847 70,648Arab Em 10 3,253Afghan 12 5,762India 50 2,850Singapr 16 4,091 16 4,091Phil R 52 4,816China 7,695 261,600Kor Rep 352 20,022Hg Kong 3,061 91,950Taiwan 35 2,570Japan 205 6,891 3,986 110,329Austral 67 7,500 276 28,276Libya 503 16,575Nigeria 4 9,500Angola 10 3,690Rep Saf 28 8,023TOTAL 6,618 269,933 55,073 2,254,716

9603210000 ToothbrushesAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 2,879,090 1,620,424 21,320,725 15,297,166Mexico 1,704,982 749,289 14,176,342 5,612,831Guatmal 2,087 3,402Belize 2,283 23,119 2,283 23,119Salvadr 32,904 22,449 94,114 61,978Hondura 3,456 2,848Nicarag 5,184 4,272C Rica 23,352 14,477Panama 10,800 2,830 117,560 62,860Jamaica 10,008 3,301 28,205 26,327Cayman 666 6,085Haiti 16,320 4,786 22,224 10,690Dom Rep 23,658 36,638 344,327 207,143Antigua 369,024 127,346 428,354 252,595Barbado 2,160 6,927 25,850 28,987Trinid 15,771 19,655 213,581 258,389N Antil 3,277 10,603 37,763 41,141Aruba 7,415 6,537Colomb 31,515 33,934 126,138 105,535

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 27


Venez 41,364 13,779 126,522 63,994Guyana 10,440 9,180Surinam 529 6,115Ecuador 29,232 11,028 116,247 47,712Peru 8,352 3,737 150,336 59,458Chile 9,856 18,496 291,707 152,740Brazil 85,156 79,074 1,289,201 606,613Paragua 983 10,055Uruguay 6,245 38,710Argent 175,327 115,954 881,584 515,519Iceland 2,880 9,525Sweden 1,728 7,390Denmark 2,238 22,900 6,846 25,818U King 6,780 61,613 76,062 424,537Ireland 331,437 383,413 1,659,405 2,128,973Nethlds 57,156 534,983 2,921,000 3,828,302Belgium 6,931 6,971Luxmbrg 278 2,849France 1,443,060 726,492Fr Germ 96,055 762,054 1,386,943 2,203,547Austria 5,216 2,574 5,580 6,294Hungary 4,680 2,906Switzld 297 3,042 22,955 13,410Lithuan 247 2,526Poland 3,096 2,509Spain 404,313 174,284Italy 83,916 59,301Bulgar 908 4,449Lebanon 2,497 25,548 2,497 25,548Israel 9,250 57,098Kuwait 72,000 28,578 72,927 38,062S Arab 12,840 12,457Qatar 2,000 12,500Arab Em 16,256 79,655India 520,128 1,043,448Thailnd 644 6,587 236,096 112,816Vietnam 207,330 106,200Malaysa 6,806 13,313Singapr 19,952 74,938 1,048,349 523,207Phil R 12,069 11,898China 11,520 105,316 384,097 1,208,097Kor Rep 123,517 135,744 4,625,146 2,030,029Hg Kong 73,056 118,155 980,627 594,204Taiwan 63,294 46,627 967,978 458,196Japan 218,342 760,481 1,175,031 3,146,859Austral 215,943 150,339 1,602,836 893,850N Zeal 1,158 5,675Nigeria 360 3,681Rep Saf 10,368 3,648TOTAL 6,751,023 6,126,261 59,778,397 43,547,002

9603290000 Shaving Brushes, Hairbrushes, Nail Brushes,Eyelash Brushes & Other Toilet Brushes For Use on the Person

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q./No. ValueCanada 268,608 233,314 1,828,323 1,858,922Mexico 148,641 298,478 2,242,987 2,799,242Salvadr 418 6,352C Rica 5,280 7,924Panama 4,454 7,957 9,062 12,485Bermuda 181 3,482 336 6,553Bahamas 2,100 4,233 4,788 11,277Jamaica 1,560 2,878 1,721 8,749Dom Rep 1,440 2,590 2,643 16,862Barbado 28 3,687 172 6,377Trinid 2,155 21,000 14,146 140,424Aruba 2,496 4,524Colomb 64,800 13,737 71,300 224,251Venez 1,362 19,853Guyana 576 5,622Ecuador 27,998 42,078Peru 2,616 2,769 3,598 20,247Chile 1,824 2,577 7,936 24,808

Brazil 12,009 109,830Argent 1,374 21,838Norway 1,098 10,040Finland 2,930 5,381 10,430 13,769Denmark 117 2,691U King 16,240 134,653 73,078 461,678Ireland 1,218 11,141 6,789 31,075Nethlds 12,242 94,717 22,237 173,679Belgium 3,895 35,621 15,951 132,691France 6,509 34,806 40,218 327,912Fr Germ 658 18,311 51,511 262,499Czech 226 11,712 226 11,712Hungary 504 4,608Switzld 1,017 9,300Poland 938 8,575Spain 9,412 91,213Italy 7,250 52,399Turkey 10,094 15,192Cyprus 2,638 24,128Lebanon 1,404 3,383Iraq 1,097 11,498S Arab 445 5,424 1,241 19,894Arab Em 1,663 30,110 15,133 188,057India 1,009 12,250Pakistn 7,636 12,813Thailnd 9,858 81,068Singapr 880 7,882Indnsia 1,703 11,140Phil R 85,125 63,768China 5,812 53,150 214,272 1,025,277Kor Rep 5,044 18,242 6,511 37,177Hg Kong 15,089 137,988 365,523 570,492Taiwan 30 5,550 30 5,550Japan 84,000 31,150 361,410 411,492Austral 5,033 44,662 10,470 103,359N Zeal 899 8,221 1,123 11,917Rep Saf 1,455 32,041TOTAL 660,340 1,277,541 5,577,913 9,590,437

9603300000 Artists Brushes, Writing Brushes and Similar Brushesfor the Application of Cosmetics

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 341,170 1,004,365 2,661,637 6,350,500Mexico 20,602 111,034 334,598 1,467,309Salvadr 3,312 8,348 3,312 8,348Hondura 3,516 6,945Nicarag 3,552 3,817C Rica 4,743 17,500 4,743 17,500Panama 17,654 67,747Bahamas 735 2,713Jamaica 1,255 4,629Cayman 3,184 17,846Dom Rep 12,620 14,440 44,911 51,250Barbado 3,279 3,908Aruba 1,920 3,010Colomb 38,981 109,953Venez 16,635 29,760Ecuador 8,589 14,251 10,403 28,830Peru 1,871 9,232Bolivia 174 7,490Chile 2,500 8,551Brazil 990 3,652 10,062 43,127Uruguay 4,324 77,753Sweden 1,184 4,367 3,418 12,611Norway 3,641 14,802Finland 6,005 22,621 13,158 57,337Denmark 3,252 12,000U King 41,462 163,843 276,249 1,623,888Ireland 3,964 5,365 20,387 57,056Nethlds 6,403 23,623 181,985 677,001Belgium 29,815 110,007France 11,473 46,756 139,586 610,836

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 28

Fr Germ 17,760 52,125 67,069 255,760Austria 1,254 4,625 8,742 32,253Czech 1,355 5,000Slovak 1,599 5,900Switzld 13,838 61,067Estonia 1,882 6,945 4,911 17,033Poland 6,284 23,186Russia 600 5,410 18,401 72,942Italy 6,910 25,496 53,997 211,424Turkey 2,032 7,500 12,548 23,125Lebanon 909 12,631Israel 5,443 20,060S Arab 5,760 7,819Arab Em 7,739 139,170 18,675 157,488Oman 157 3,211India 20,878 77,031Thailnd 369 3,277 25,858 87,810Vietnam 5,111 35,590Malaysa 799 2,949Singapr 890 3,969 7,517 46,878Indnsia 2,809 10,363Phil R 11,632 42,917China 1,323 4,445 279,227 1,023,542Kor Rep 15,506 57,212 63,584 288,473Hg Kong 6,700 24,720 84,877 327,554Taiwan 9,889 38,439 14,684 59,775Japan 8,291 32,930 101,755 418,451Austral 21,920 86,049 229,313 858,014N Zeal 1,464 5,400Tokelau 1,357 5,008Moroc 21,941 80,956Algeria 17,630 68,717Ivy Cst 6,183 111,186Ghana 1,200 4,115Nigeria 21,930 80,914Rep Saf 1,328 6,809TOTAL 565,582 1,932,477 4,981,502 16,047,107


Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 193,505 592,853 1,434,445 5,311,948Mexico 44,284 92,964 1,069,080 2,092,898Salvadr 100 8,995C Rica 2,009 53,012Panama 1,438 2,774 2,454 20,597Bermuda 17,810 41,253Bahamas 2,324 6,618Jamaica 9,102 9,510 10,270 30,013Dom Rep 27,000 37,926 103,292 193,006B Virgn 3,804 4,720S Lucia 200 3,900 200 3,900Trinid 638 11,195Aruba 175 3,067Colomb 903 15,861Venez 98,484 147,164Ecuador 3,432 12,279Peru 7,660 8,009Brazil 7,159 43,332Argent 1,193 18,264Finland 2,000 3,344 10,334 22,544U King 2,096 10,472Ireland 150 6,374Nethlds 560 2,808France 197 3,452Fr Germ 28,710 55,723Austria 177 3,100Italy 50 2,573Croatia 322 5,655 322 5,655Slvenia 3,560 8,414Turkey 507 8,900Israel 248 4,355 9,400 29,061Jordan 190 3,562

S Arab 1,528 44,441Arab Em 5,929 23,081Pakistn 35,000 29,475Singapr 29 3,835Indnsia 796 3,598China 6,000 8,040 11,681 37,586Kor Rep 388 15,681Hg Kong 45,210 35,664 203,012 226,693Japan 2,888 12,229Austral 18,586 155,558N Zeal 4,836 24,071Marshal 706 3,405Fiji 14,228 30,194Rep Saf 176,758 124,999TOTAL 329,309 796,985 3,298,050 8,923,615

9603404020 Paint PadsAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 19,487 40,299 27,898 55,524Hondura 20 3,400Panama 336 2,768Dom Rep 120 3,720 120 3,720Grenada 3,083 21,882Barbado 60 2,910 60 2,910Aruba 121 8,260Colomb 2,684 19,056Peru 5,855 41,560Chile 87 2,981Brazil 2,117 10,427U King 272 9,121France 35 4,500Israel 2,000 16,857Arab Em 1,576 11,190China 8,079 57,353Kor Rep 649 4,608Hg Kong 3,945 28,000Taiwan 13,624 17,711Japan 2,728 19,362 8,769 29,850Austral 3,836 87,869 9,786 120,150Rep Saf 6,452 45,800TOTAL 26,231 154,160 97,568 517,628

9603404050 Paint, Distemper, Varnish or Similar Brushes(Except Brushes of 9603.30)

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 58,127 583,692 284,676 3,768,323Mexico 5,031 41,822 7,625 91,611Guatmal 5,395 75,449Hondura 519 11,364 1,742 35,155Nicarag 205 3,350 522 9,924C Rica 426 7,365 4,084 80,148Panama 934 16,671 7,293 84,241Bermuda 419 8,692 6,735 91,450Bahamas 1,301 26,986 14,528 299,680Jamaica 1,015 21,038Turk Is 78 7,820Cayman 4,116 14,429 6,735 64,512Dom Rep 1,657 34,379 4,583 49,688B Virgn 214 5,870Antigua 141 2,927Monsrat 708 9,260 1,019 27,909S Lucia 885 20,141Grenada 1,611 33,406Barbado 368 20,462Trinid 625 12,966 5,712 71,051N Antil 120 2,830 533 10,950Colomb 3,070 51,388Venez 2,720 40,356Guyana 175 3,636Surinam 151 2,661Ecuador 143 2,965 1,902 49,779


BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 29


Peru 120 3,084Chile 5,640 115,809 5,640 115,809Brazil 13,296 516,809Argent 465 15,142Sweden 6,305 96,775Norway 422 11,327Finland 181 3,752Denmark 3,064 11,925 13,471 54,102U King 6,168 61,986 56,903 797,004Ireland 8,848 76,068Nethlds 14,135 242,903 120,782 2,442,871Belgium 14,010 292,418France 273 5,665 4,571 71,600Fr Germ 1,596 20,358 5,659 104,634Czech 489 11,215Lithuan 141 2,930Poland 820 10,492 6,128 103,159Russia 615 7,257 615 7,257Ukraine 1,226 4,819 1,226 4,819Spain 1,320 7,426Italy 555 11,506Croatia 156 3,234Turkey 483 10,010Cyprus 129 2,679Lebanon 719 15,818Israel 2,331 63,010Kuwait 500 3,864 2,937 21,142S Arab 711 14,742Arab Em 703 18,681 5,342 64,401Thailnd 1,477 22,197Vietnam 1,319 27,360Singapr 745 7,951 5,350 47,209Phil R 28 6,581China 383 7,946 5,880 100,852Kor Rep 3,687 76,478 4,385 92,425Hg Kong 1,067 61,736Japan 1,167 15,994 6,998 90,102Austral 873 18,115 7,475 112,815N Zeal 552 11,457 2,518 62,377Eq Guin 98 2,780Ivy Cst 969 20,104Nigeria 750 6,525Rep Saf 1,164 24,146TOTAL 116,478 1,418,471 676,945 10,641,527

9603900000 Hand-Operated Mechanical Floor Sweepers,Not Motorized, Mops & Feather Dusters; Prepared Knots & Tufts

for Broom or Brush Making, NESOIAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 314,818 2,643,114 1,965,054 18,679,599Mexico 59,852 822,967 487,548 6,154,815Guatmal 720 5,434Hondura 420 6,808C Rica 15 3,417 3,059 31,497Panama 11,952 187,979Bermuda 81 4,717Bahamas 2,481 46,699Jamaica 244 3,962Dom Rep 495 8,032 5,395 32,428B Virgn 152 3,314St K N 1,073 17,410S Vn Gr 83 2,877Barbado 1,476 9,890Trinid 191 3,100 3,756 33,550N Antil 3,896 45,009Aruba 221 3,580Colomb 442 8,582 9,480 98,346Venez 283 4,598 7,356 89,568Ecuador 35,414 574,402Peru 9,076 138,287Bolivia 215 3,480Chile 2,339 32,833 17,777 244,396

Brazil 363 13,627 16,159 233,815Uruguay 116 2,601Argent 2,760 28,730Sweden 897 13,546Norway 600 8,106Finland 1,882 32,779 3,162 55,304Denmark 4,337 31,495U King 2,795 34,235 73,424 795,305Ireland 729 14,143 3,021 54,689Nethlds 560 9,081 31,388 259,155Belgium 39 8,972 17,555 147,562France 597 9,683 9,592 147,354Fr Germ 1,376 22,311 27,449 431,650Slovak 341 5,524Switzld 635 6,209 3,894 64,700Estonia 369 5,988Lithuan 902 12,806Poland 763 12,371 2,592 53,170Russia 2,262 28,830 5,317 78,129Ukraine 203 3,140Georgia 420 6,804Kazakhs 274 4,451Spain 716 12,393Italy 2,016 12,238 8,068 92,616Greece 321 5,209Romania 1,541 25,000Lebanon 161 2,609Iraq 7,198 114,357Israel 2,017 35,444Jordan 400 3,220 400 3,220Kuwait 1,684 6,591 1,744 9,698S Arab 1,565 12,376 5,447 58,026Qatar 675 11,829Arab Em 333 3,326 11,192 168,944India 460 6,668Pakistn 356 5,782Thailnd 257 6,105 1,751 38,294Malaysa 455 5,295Singapr 348 11,295 1,192 41,329Indnsia 86 7,339 5,643 77,559Maldive 14,875 92,960China 1,520 16,689 15,549 330,555Kor Rep 2,166 17,063 17,368 164,625Hg Kong 381 8,188 6,363 106,848Taiwan 1,178 17,851 8,510 143,783Japan 7,957 34,466 36,051 363,896Austral 10,079 81,073 64,549 657,734N Zeal 7,394 42,429Moroc 135 2,624Angola 1,499 25,195Djibuti 546 8,850Uganda 150 3,338 150 3,338Rep Saf 813 13,337TOTAL 420,556 3,960,042 2,994,840 31,532,517

0502100000 Pigs’, Hogs’ or Boars’ Bristlesand Hair and Waste Thereof

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueFr Germ 52 3,299 52 3,299Thailnd 1 3,055 155 11,524China 30,652 54,988 210,911 1,537,209Hg Kong 2,212 24,071TOTAL 30,705 61,342 213,330 1,576,103

IMPORTSBroom and Brush

August Imports By Country

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 30


0502900000 Badger Hair and OtherBrushmaking Hair and Waste Thereof

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueMexico 2,400 2,640Paragua 12,987 141,848U King 488 43,173Fr Germ 61 29,335 2,414 122,168Italy 62 3,008Thailnd 726 30,942 1,665 84,917China 4,290 63,027 12,792 235,829Japan 413 13,062TOTAL 5,077 123,304 33,221 646,645

0511993300 Horsehair and Horsehair Waste, Whether or NotPut Up As A Layer With or Without Supporting Material

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueFr Germ 700 10,981China 16,140 137,331 105,660 1,149,688TOTAL 16,140 137,331 106,360 1,160,669

1404903000 Istle Used Primarily In Brooms or In Brushes,Whether or Not In Hanks or BundlesAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueMexico 33,355 158,359 294,117 1,463,116TOTAL 33,355 158,359 294,117 1,463,116

4417002000 Broom and Mop Handles, 1.9 CM or More InDiameter and 97 CM or More In Length, Of Wood

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 59,850 26,836Hondura 511,246 226,135 3,890,229 1,860,386Colomb 67,662 46,698Brazil 675,017 558,640 4,943,607 4,291,686Argent 28,800 17,110Spain 80,640 37,001 112,704 51,759India 10,896 3,704Sri Lka 30,600 35,061 164,800 187,786Vietnam 100,644 92,051Malaysa 65,400 68,666Indnsia 172,431 132,553 1,689,389 1,435,397China 84,768 63,048 2,453,504 1,330,814Taiwan 33,000 36,190Egypt 20,000 5,000TOTAL 1,554,702 1,052,438 13,640,485 9,454,083

4417004000 Paint Brush and Paint Roller Handles, Of WoodAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/Variable Value Net Q/Variable ValueGuatmal 17,581Fr Germ 15,069Czech 54,531Poland 12,264 134,754Italy 305,865 2,993,316Indnsia 70,685 576,085China 145,872 2,333,925Taiwan 10,446TOTAL 534,686 6,135,707

4417006000 Brush Backs, Of WoodAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 112,470 51,791 1,076,452 417,221Hondura 112,432 46,677Brazil 52,675 68,380Sri Lka 215,350 178,011Indnsia 145,448 72,463China 161,544 40,048 223,752 42,926Hg Kong 25,000 16,944TOTAL 274,014 91,839 1,851,109 842,622

4417008010 Tool Handles of WoodAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/Variable Value Net Q/Variable ValueCanada 45,469Mexico 2,748 79,968Salvadr 3,050C Rica 7,914 21,033Colomb 3,240 6,328Brazil 125,647 2,398,827Paragua 31,818 31,818Nethlds 5,533Poland 30,568Spain 18,514India 2,588Indnsia 53,868China 44,044 384,189Taiwan 25,792TOTAL 215,411 3,107,545

4417008090 Tools, Tool Bodies, Broom or Brush Bodies,Shoe Lasts and Trees, of Wood

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/Variable Value Net Q/Variable ValueCanada 81,267 510,825Mexico 19,450Hondura 27,311Nicarag 2,542Colomb 2,572 7,529Chile 401,066 4,329,702Brazil 2,381U King 35,699France 5,385 5,385Fr Germ 5,762 62,554Austria 5,143Russia 3,194Spain 7,482 12,405Italy 16,110Slvenia 91,015 91,015India 23,930 660,242Sri Lka 84,033 668,200Vietnam 27,280Singapr 3,682Indnsia 59,685 189,216China 231,994 1,548,751Taiwan 33,685 90,636Japan 415,454 2,615,056TOTAL 1,443,330 10,934,308

7326908576 Metal Handles For Brooms, Mops, Paint ApplicatorsAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 391 14,456Mexico 70,512 24,946 121,752 44,119C Rica 4 2,929Chile 8,040 3,699 8,040 3,699Brazil 1,880 11,625 157,882 57,492Denmark 255 2,252 960 9,185Fr Germ 55,568 31,788Spain 97,536 60,307 1,984,644 864,642Italy 1,700,812 704,022 10,666,924 5,030,259Malaysa 605 7,608China 1,167,118 971,526 8,108,653 6,820,124Hg Kong 74,740 58,000Taiwan 23,148 34,273Japan 616 6,142TOTAL 3,046,153 1,778,377 21,203,927 12,984,716

9603100500 Wiskbrooms, of Broom Corn, LT=.96 EA. Prior to Entry or Withdrawal for Consumption

of 61,655 Dozen In Calendar YearAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 3,108 3,010

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China 7,200 4,757TOTAL 10,308 7,767

9603104000 Other Brooms, of Broomcorn, LT=.96 EA, Prior to Entry orWithdrawal For Consumption of GT=121,478 Dozen in Calendar Year

August Year To DateMexico 54,456 40,808China 2,520 2,456TOTAL 56,976 43,264

9603105000 Other Brooms, of Broomcorn, LT=.96 EA, at Entry orWithdrawal For Consumption of GT=121,478 Dozen in Calendar Year

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 15,252 11,290 94,056 71,141China 7,200 5,020TOTAL 15,252 11,290 101,256 76,161

9603106000 Other Brooms, Of Broomcorn, Valued Over .96 EachAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 702,888 1,675,763 5,391,503 13,420,554Hondura 44,388 93,775 319,422 647,764Fr Germ 3,200 7,910China 29,604 56,285TOTAL 747,276 1,769,538 5,743,729 14,132,513

9603109000 Brooms & Brushes, Consisting of Twigsor Other Vegetable Materials Bound Together,

With or Without Handles, NESOIAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 60 5,198 4,160 27,629Mexico 6,048 18,399 69,004 112,938Haiti 600 3,568 600 3,568Colomb 25,208 31,718Fr Germ 8 7,013Estonia 1,200 8,713Italy 3,849 21,959Turkey 1,100 4,640Israel 174 5,130India 208 3,381 584 20,784Sri Lka 54,120 86,718 546,395 1,006,020Thailnd 8,250 13,074 65,854 123,028Vietnam 16,900 17,942 99,650 91,267Phil R 6,000 7,789 7,000 10,293China 3,000 36,360 117,468 285,721Taiwan 1,200 2,401TOTAL 95,186 192,429 943,454 1,762,822

9603210000 Toothbrushes, Incl. Dental-Plate BrushesAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 2,951 7,168 63,607 116,377Mexico 769,152 129,677 7,646,301 1,454,407Chile 38,016 9,216Brazil 1,141,852 332,943 10,273,440 2,931,832Sweden 40,566 68,483 118,400 149,294Denmark 2,220 2,478U King 101,629 62,042Ireland 668,016 241,679 5,982,432 2,142,891Nethlds 9,935 5,697 424,575 45,267France 447 4,287Fr Germ 3,285,102 2,013,851 27,365,360 16,142,224Hungary 1,464 2,919Lichten 630 3,466 630 3,466Switzld 3,378,160 1,459,771 57,441,536 20,953,527Italy 5,808 8,106 1,140,528 576,370Turkey 5,040 3,611Israel 34,560 6,437 617,576 144,520India 964,296 241,317 19,738,881 3,515,461Thailnd 511,920 59,742 4,546,604 603,662Vietnam 1,000,728 187,467 6,650,937 1,348,354

Malaysa 505,340 38,231 7,680,000 483,268Indnsia 120,001 13,296 586,716 44,400China 47,720,504 9,278,229 366,154,404 60,083,074Kor Rep 303,216 71,674 1,224,280 276,219Hg Kong 217,424 104,383Taiwan 637,084 85,422 3,066,053 644,350Japan 7,560 22,116 2,214,145 504,145Austral 383,000 56,709N Caldn 93,456 24,162Kenya 3,264 4,176TOTAL 61,107,381 14,274,772 523,782,365 112,437,091

9603294010 Hairbrushes, Valued Not Over .40 EachAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValuePoland 13,824 4,460Thailnd 7,920 3,086 54,000 17,255Vietnam 21,600 10,611China 4,756,217 1,321,415 31,191,160 7,904,587Kor Rep 85,030 18,914Hg Kong 564,576 103,283Taiwan 10,080 2,866TOTAL 4,764,137 1,324,501 31,940,270 8,061,976

9603294090 Shaving Brushes, Nail Brushes,Eyelash Brushes & Other Toilet Brushes For Use On The Person,

Valued Not Over .40 EachAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 3,828,300 252,073 31,748,797 2,747,982Nethlds 430,000 27,838 1,420,000 69,877Belgium 90,000 4,155France 564,364 141,117Fr Germ 4,960,360 1,066,000 32,058,315 5,513,838Italy 27,924 6,213 2,558,625 535,680India 59,400 5,512 838,580 27,281China 1,185,508 251,309 21,598,793 3,800,593Kor Rep 2,450,000 52,483 9,539,156 254,277Hg Kong 469,000 56,993Taiwan 247,240 56,872TOTAL 12,941,492 1,661,428 101,132,870 13,208,665

9603302000 Artists Brushes, Writing Brushes & Similar Brushes ForApplication Of Cosmetics, Valued Not Over .05 Each

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 282,500 9,451Mexico 534,000 8,402 3,165,200 46,798Fr Germ 1,163,000 42,882 16,335,000 438,711Italy 2,798,000 33,805 18,348,900 209,894India 1,980,000 27,196China 20,560,896 390,208 92,079,810 2,101,486Kor Rep 4,945,000 124,364 16,572,000 466,566Hg Kong 1,161,385 37,229Taiwan 1,478,080 33,329TOTAL 30,000,896 599,661 151,402,875 3,370,660

9603304000 Artists Brushes, Writing Brushes & Similar Brushes ForApplication of Cosmetics, Valued Over .05 But not Over .10 Each

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 4,660,280 366,228 42,679,477 3,435,132Dom Rep 33,060 2,874Brazil 288,000 20,035Fr Germ 1,182,500 85,506India 62,280 6,320 515,940 41,818Indnsia 261,504 27,476China 10,987,649 945,361 77,609,706 6,259,257Kor Rep 200,000 12,650 3,704,920 244,009Hg Kong 110,000 8,243 510,000 41,572Taiwan 25,000 2,208 1,346,776 91,812TOTAL 16,045,209 1,341,010 128,131,883 10,249,491

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9603306000 Artists Brushes, Writing Brushes & Similar Brushes ForApplication Of Cosmetics, Valued Over .10 Each

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 240 14,550 3,783 177,645Mexico 13,321,549 2,084,679 78,888,222 12,404,016Dom Rep 317,061 295,577 1,301,370 1,322,302Denmark 220 3,020U King 109,300 136,636 1,161,190 1,865,938Nethlds 5,000 12,734Belgium 41,184 72,546 55,160 76,219France 52,980 178,805 529,919 1,853,041Fr Germ 249,976 148,767 2,658,808 1,763,142Czech 120 2,267Switzld 145 3,626 637 19,947Spain 7,921 58,977 84,614 422,095Italy 22,118 59,324 158,985 143,010Greece 188 3,707Israel 873 2,702 4,367 12,230India 351,570 129,336 3,121,206 1,453,637Sri Lka 74,777 31,072 903,724 508,432Thailnd 201,434 121,195 1,970,575 1,377,867Vietnam 70,200 26,700China 12,466,624 8,233,670 102,799,875 68,232,201Kor Rep 96,818 236,879 1,592,791 1,641,571Hg Kong 243,338 173,683 3,622,097 1,930,639Taiwan 157,840 80,381 1,212,596 413,568Japan 204,391 578,827 2,033,793 5,886,028Austral 888 2,558Maurit 1,526 5,712 35,028 79,211TOTAL 27,921,665 12,646,944 202,215,356 101,633,725


Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 35,795 28,688 393,158 365,557Mexico 893,208 455,098 7,732,428 4,630,930Brazil 44,652 32,369U King 22,800 23,814Nethlds 770 3,440Fr Germ 269,249 65,731 2,821,091 704,746Austria 800 4,009Czech 25,060 9,777Italy 32,360 44,694Singapr 58,551 12,524China 3,649,090 1,714,796 25,986,854 13,890,166Hg Kong 112,170 22,049Taiwan 15,000 15,525Japan 40,000 28,476TOTAL 4,847,342 2,264,313 37,285,694 19,788,076

9603404020 Paint Pads (Other Than Of Subheading 9603.30)August Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 7,000 3,110U King 74,700 40,130Nethlds 1,315 6,600Fr Germ 1,000 2,364Italy 44 7,438China 508,636 419,717 7,910,418 4,609,430Taiwan 5,352 39,999 117,308 928,313TOTAL 513,988 459,716 8,111,785 5,597,385

9603404040 Natural Bristle Brushes, Other Than Brushes OfSubheading 9603.30

August Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueSweden 100 4,542U King 12,420 8,420 169,741 137,817Nethlds 336 2,805France 1,340 3,475Fr Germ 2,435 7,534 42,408 32,419Italy 60,800 84,596

Turkey 53,994 167,771Israel 12,000 9,423Thailnd 371,664 52,720Vietnam 569,244 75,999Indnsia 3,641,616 550,373 26,573,564 3,875,130China 195,297 62,546 729,605 206,773Taiwan 1,790 5,776 471,532 119,488Japan 360 3,020 5,100 44,567TOTAL 3,853,918 637,669 29,061,428 4,817,525

9603404060 Paint, Distemper, Varnish/Similr Brushes Exc Brushes

of Subheading 9603.30 NESOIAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 18,640 22,609 128,974 155,863Mexico 72 3,098Guatmal 43,317 52,132Brazil 61,948 33,372Sweden 100 5,323 25,101 19,684U King 86,020 66,061Nethlds 3,548 15,462 3,918 17,540Fr Germ 1,000 2,353 45,046 141,115Czech 24,000 15,098Switzld 517 2,358Italy 2,846 15,389 24,941 49,755Turkey 10,332 30,236India 30,000 3,381Vietnam 218,762 42,625 611,640 197,077Singapr 10,750 4,309Indnsia 4,949,997 804,104 27,697,561 4,733,305China 11,724,120 3,904,867 111,287,330 39,204,294Kor Rep 140,000 9,284 185,000 27,360Taiwan 291,574 39,385 1,763,574 426,322Japan 265,716 105,041TOTAL 17,350,587 4,861,401 142,305,757 45,287,401

9603908010 WiskbroomsAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 3,471 8,098Brazil 2,429 30,033China 52,013 42,811 371,302 338,403Taiwan 1,938 6,446Rep Saf 2,784 9,233TOTAL 52,013 42,811 381,924 392,213

9603908020 Upright BroomsAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 496 12,171Mexico 37,624 40,939 376,625 381,832Guatmal 1,500 19,121 75,872 109,762Salvadr 41,054 39,858Colomb 5,160 3,770 43,020 35,714Brazil 17,283 23,081 228,947 304,764Fr Germ 670 6,848 670 6,848Spain 20,364 42,151Italy 86,350 114,765 195,050 282,516Vietnam 1,600 39,336Phil R 2,750 2,841 2,750 2,841China 517,781 690,633 4,497,496 4,864,955Taiwan 46,548 39,311Japan 100 15,000Egypt 30,852 21,135TOTAL 669,118 901,998 5,561,444 6,198,194

9603908030 Push Brooms, 41 CM or Less in WidthAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueArgent 4,350 12,643Sri Lka 3,636 16,215China 39,786 118,911

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 33

been an important cog in keeping the company and its customerbase on a positive track during these times of unprecedented eco-nomic challenges.

“Our customer base has been very loyal to us,” Vasile said.“The only difference is sometimes the orders aren’t as big asthey used to be, and that is just a factor of the economy, nothingelse.”

In keeping with its commitment to offering quality products atcompetitive price points, introducing new and innovative productsto save customers time and increase efficiency is also a focal pointat Premier Paint Roller.

“We recently introduced a line of microfiber roller products,”Vasile said. “The great thing about the microfiber cover is that itholds a great deal of paint. The microfiber covers are designed foruse on smooth surfaces. We have found that when used with darkand bright colors, which sometimes will take multiple coatings,this cover allows the user to generally get the desired result withonly two passes. This is a significant timesaving factor. It gener-ally translates in cutting labor time in half, while using less paintto get a very professional finish.”

Premier’s microfiber roller covers are made by hand in theUnited States using the highest quality European fabric on the

market. These roller covers are designed to be used with all paintsand enamels.

To further offer customers the latest innovations in the market-place, Premier is also committed to doing its share in promotingand participating in environmentally friendly practices. In thisarena, the company offers handles and rollers made from recycledmaterials.

As Premier Paint Roller looks to the future, it will notwaver on its quest to continue to offer quality products atcompetitive prices, in good economic times or bad. Therewill be other ongoing challenges to be met, such as theincrease in raw material costs, but Premier officials are opti-mistic the company will continue its tradition of growth andsuccess.

“We are doing fine. We are just going to have to continue to beresponsive to customers’ needs,” Vasile said. “Growth is seldomin double figures in the industry as a whole, but the industry hastraditionally enjoyed steady growth and I think that will contin-ue.”

Contact: Premier Paint Roller LLC, 131-11 Atlantic Ave.Richmond Hill, NY 11418.

Phone: 718-441-7700; Fax: 718-805-9290.E-mail: [email protected] site: www.premierpaintroller.com.


Taiwan 300 2,545TOTAL 48,072 150,314

9603908040 Other Brooms, NESOIAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 157,735 263,099 806,874 986,711Mexico 403,798 766,855 3,213,715 5,788,460Guatmal 21,840 21,266 123,015 122,422Salvadr 66,083 120,562Dom Rep 1,577 27,278Colomb 19,812 23,055 275,080 316,603Venez 725,793 86,988Brazil 28,912 79,539 181,636 490,003U King 1,476 10,981Czech 27,040 25,390 172,842 152,115Hungary 27,900 8,777Spain 136,778 167,003Italy 147,195 269,956 560,147 873,262Israel 3,986 3,257India 6,125 4,477 7,469 9,541Sri Lka 90,092 177,997 322,580 753,273Thailnd 11,500 15,522Vietnam 2,600 2,497 23,810 20,900Indnsia 38,150 38,974China 511,820 533,365 4,813,333 5,399,000Kor Rep 182 2,789Taiwan 15,915 93,751Egypt 3,600 2,904Rep Saf 2,520 9,365TOTAL 1,416,969 2,167,496 11,535,961 15,500,441

9603908050 Brooms, Brushes, Sqeegees, Etc., NESOIAugust Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 1,754,938 15,606,981Mexico 3,012,421 27,290,030Salvadr 98,182Hondura 1,515,938 11,385,076Panama 9,716Dom Rep 32,971 263,596Colomb 92,834 875,157

Brazil 80,039 477,750Argent 143,088Sweden 8,410 125,832Finland 10,595Denmark 104,994 794,139U King 107,592 582,957Ireland 3,612Nethlds 343,392 1,516,640Belgium 148,780 1,346,185France 5,345 108,215Fr Germ 279,589 1,623,700Austria 25,154 235,439Czech 32,833 220,794Switzld 119,969 199,040Lithuan 30,545 30,545Poland 26,653 35,140Russia 4,643Spain 135,731 408,406Portugl 2,290Italy 512,289 5,173,440Serbia 29,056Romania 8,611Turkey 3,856 19,424Syria 3,299Israel 425,438India 59,024 836,838Pakistn 325,307 3,233,701Sri Lka 370,515 2,822,249Thailnd 578,804 5,747,725Vietnam 2,270 372,654Malaysa 83,205 271,754Singapr 4,927 33,662Indnsia 46,995 400,257China 25,226,139 203,050,918Kor Rep 192,857 2,090,090Hg Kong 529,797 3,196,572Taiwan 1,313,731 8,284,465Japan 60,039 333,090Austral 197,349 1,022,380W Samoa 83,464Egypt 12,707 148,282TOTAL 37,377,939 300,985,117

Paintbrush RoundupContinued From Page 23

BBM.Dec.z 11/23/09 8:36 AM Page 34


The new ZT2002E machine developed by Zahoransky AG, ofTodtnau-Geschwend, Germany, allows totally new toothbrushdesigns. Using optional units like, for example, rotary drum orrotary mould, so-called long holes (rectangular, oval, etc.) can bepacked into toothbrushes at different angles. The advantage: holematrix designs can now be made which allow special toothbrushcleaning effects that have so far not been possible.

A key feature of the ZT2002E is its kinematics for which apatent has been applied, and which differs strongly from conven-tional toothbrush design with round bundle holes. Unlike othersolutions, the new kinematics from Zahoransky offers the optionof varying the chamfer of the anchor inside the brush body withdifferent bundle holes (up to +/- 90°).

This prevents contact between neighboring anchors or damageto the brush body. The work fixtures for the brush bodies of thenew machine run in rotatable bearings at the drum around an axisparallel to the packing direction. This means that two paired brushbody work fixtures arranged in opposition to each other are linkedvia a common drive.

The section behind the drum facing away from the packing tool isused for the drive assembly. The drive itself is designed for therotary adjustment of the opposite brush body work fixture facing thepacking tool. This means that the usual assignment of the packingstation, the insert station and the ejection station remain unchanged.

In addition to the horizontal and vertical position, the long holein the brush head can be swiveled around its axis and positionedin front of the rigid packing head.

Automatic Feed-in Of Brush Body BlanksIn order to singularize brush body blanks easily and reliably from

a quantity of bulk material, to align these blanks and then feed theminto a drilling station, Zahoransky now offers a new and completeFlex H119 feeder unit. It’s equipped both with an intelligent cam-era recognition system for identifying the position of the brushes,and with a quick Pick & Place Handling which brings the brushesinto an oriented position and then feeds them to a buffer.

Functional sequence of the complete Flex H119 feeder unitincludes non-aligned loose material (brush heads) is filled by handinto the bulk material bunker. The standard filling charge isapproximately 3,000 to 4,000 bodies. A defined quantity of bulkmaterial is collected in the forward bunker and fed to the verticalconveyor which breaks down the charge into smaller batch sizesand carries these to the vibration table.

The quantity placed on the first vibration table is controlled via lightbarriers. Once placed on the downstream second vibration table, thebody blanks are pre-aligned in longitudinal direction and spatiallyseparated. The separated body blanks come to rest on the feeder con-veyor and passed underneath the camera section without moving.

The camera supplies the position data of each grippable bodyblank to the downstream flex picker which, in turn, grips the brushwith a special universal gripper and carries it to the first bufferwith head orientation instead of hole matrix orientation.Depending on material flow, different quantities of blanks can be

buffered at this pointand carried to a secondbuffer underneath whichcan be rotated by 90°.

Body blanks whichcannot be gripped arecarefully carried backto the forward bunkervia the return line. Thehead oriented brushescan now be delivered toa drilling station fordirect machining andprocessing.

Technical specifica-tions include:

• Delivery rate of asmany as 75 brushes perminute;

• Pattern change lessthen 5 minutes, if brushpatterns have previouslybeen read externally into image processing;

• Suitable for all commercially available brush models withoutthe need for special pattern components;

• Large buffer to compensate fluctuation in delivery rate; and,• Suitable for single and twin systems.

Integrated Anchorless Production (IAP) System Zahoransky presented during InterBrush 2008 in Freiburg,

Germany, the company’s system for producing anchorless tooth-brushes. In this system, bristle bundles are not pressed into thebrush body by a wire-anchor, but encapsulated by injection mold-ing (sheathed). This method has now been optimized so that dif-ferent plastics can be processed.

By completely sheathing the head plate, these premium tooth-brushes are substantially more hygienic and anti-bacterial. Also,flexibility in the design of the hole matrix and in the use of thepacking material is greater.

According to Zahoransky officials, with this new technique acustomer in the United States was recently satisfied after installa-tion of an IAP system. In this situation, a series of customer wish-es was considered. Despite these specifications, the time requiredfor installing the unit at the customer’s premises was very short,with just two weeks lapsing from the date of installation and thesetup for two samples all the way up to the production of the firstpremium toothbrushes.

Zahoransky’s ZT2002ELeads To New

Toothbrush Design

The Zahoransky ZT2002E

The Flex H119 feeder unit is equippedwith quick “Pick & Place Handling”to bring brushes in oriented position.

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By Harrell KerkhoffBroom, Brush & Mop Editor

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, a total of 22short tons of broom corn was imported into the United States dur-ing September 2009. Total value of this import was $67,313, witha cost per ton of $3,060 ($1.53 per pound). All of the month’sbroom corn arrived from Mexico.

September’s broom corn import mark was quite a bit lowercompared to one year ago when the government reported that 133short tons entered the United States during September 2008.

After the first nine months of 2009, a total of 227 short tons ofbroom corn was reportedly imported into the United States. Totalvalue of this import was $595,728, with a cost per ton of $2,624($1.31 per pound). In comparison, 809 short tons of broom cornentered the United States by the end of September 2008. Totalvalue of this broom corn was $2,068,924, with a cost per ton of$2,557 ($1.28 per pound).

The 2009 import breakdown in short tons by country afternine months is as follows: Mexico, 190 tons; India, 11 tons;Sierra Leone, 10 tons; Chile, 9 tons; and the DominicanRepublic, 7 tons.

All three broom corn dealers interviewed in November feltSeptember’s import figure of 22 short tons was too low and not anaccurate reading. In fact, the general consensus among the dealerswas that reported import numbers from the government had beenon the low side for much of 2009.

As of press time, Broom, Brush & Mop was in the process ofcontacting appropriate officials from the U.S. Department of

Commerce about the possibility that not all imported broom cornentering the United States right now is being correctly classifiedand/or reported.

“It seems improbable that only 22 short tons of broom corn werebrought into the United States during September,” said RichardCaddy of R.E. Caddy & Co., Inc., in Greensboro, NC.

He added that September has traditionally been one of thebusier months for broom corn imports, and that some of theseimports may be falling under different commodity codes. Anotherpossibility is that monthly cutoff dates are being missed.

“This may all depend on how people fill out paper work.Regardless, (the low numbers) make our industry look prettyweak, and it’s not that weak. There is more consumption takingplace than 22 short tons,” Caddy said.

Regarding the second broom corn harvest still taking place inthe Torreon region of Mexico, Caddy noted that quality of the cropremains good, while quantity is on the small side. He added thatas of the middle of November, pricing for Mexican broom cornremains flat.

“I would say that the $1.53 per pound average during Septemberis still on the low side. If there was some raw corn that came induring the month, this no doubt would bring the price down,”Caddy said. “Last August’s (price per pound average of $1.11),however, was not accurate. It would have had to be all raw corn,and not even good raw corn at that. I feel September’s $1.53 perpound average — when factoring in raw corn, hurl and insides —is closer to being accurate.”

Caddy reported that the Mexican broom corn he has seen as oflate is of good quality.There is some fiberthat is not quite asfine as he would like,but otherwise thereare no major issues.

“We sometimeshave trouble accumu-lating shorter hurl,that which is 12-, 14-,and 16-inches. Wehave used the No. 2grade broom corn,which is still prettydecent. It doesn’t fea-ture as good color,but still has qualityfiber,” he explained.


U.S. Imports 22 Short TonsOf Broom Corn In September

Broom Corn Imports2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total CostTons Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons Value Per Ton

January 174 125 61 116 89 14 $47,077 $3,363 ($1.68)

February 113 44 215 90 91 21 $63,921 $3,044 ($1.52)

March 168 77 65 83 41 50 $108,699 $2,174 ($1.09)

April 122 120 56 48 150 11 $27,195 $2,472 ($1.24)

May 167 36 135 172 98 24 $62,849 $2,619 ($1.31)

June 147 65 81 63 65 20 $57,489 $2,874 ($1.44)

July 162 124 160 80 66 23 $67,889 $2,952 ($1.48)

August 183 177 216 80 76 42 $93,296 $2,221 ($1.11)

September 215 124 152 131 133 22 $67,313 $3,060 ($1.53)

October 202 133 184 92 123

November 194 200 96 160 29

December 127 164 76 101 17

1,974 1,389 1,497 1,216 978 227 $595,728 $2,624 ($1.31)

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Regarding yucca fiber, Caddy reported on November 13 that themarket has firmed a bit over the past four weeks.

“I just received a load (of yucca fiber) and it looks fine. Thequality appears to be consistent, which has been the case for quiteawhile,” he said.

Bart Pelton of PelRay International, LLC, in San Antonio,TX, said it’s possible that some imported broom corn arrivingfrom Mexico is being misclassified, thus the reason for the lowerthan expected import figures.

“Twenty-two shorts tons looks low to me. That is only onetruckload of broom corn, and I think more (tonnage) has beencoming into the United States on a monthly basis,” Pelton said.“We are no longer experiencing 100 or more short tons of broomcorn entering the United States every month, but I feel the actualimport level is higher than 22 tons.”

When interviewed on November 13, Pelton added that theTorreon region has not yet received its first freeze of the season.Therefore, farmers are still harvesting late crop broom corn.

“(The harvested broom corn) is not coming in as fast as it didseveral weeks ago, but there is still broom corn being harvested,”he explained. “Raw broom corn is readily available for the proces-sors right now, and all the processors are still running, which isgood. There is some processed broom corn inventory available forsale in Mexico, just like last month (October). It’s not a hugeamount but is enough.”

As of November 13, Pelton said Mexican broom corn priceshave not changed much compared to one month prior.

“There is still some exchange rate fluctuation going on. If the(U.S.) dollar is up, it’s sometimes possible to get a better buy. Ifthe dollar is down, you have to pay a little extra.”

The yucca fiber market, meanwhile, remains steady, Peltonreported, with fiber readily available. Most orders can be filledwithin one to three weeks.

“Unlike broom corn, the price for yucca fiber (in the recent past)has not gone up much. It’s still a bargain,” Pelton noted.

He added that overall business within the U.S. broom and mopindustries seems to be getting better compared to the first quarterof 2009.

Tim Monahan of The Thomas Monahan Co., in Arcola, IL,reported that the late Torreon broom corn crop does not appear tobe very large, which is reflected by the lack of a significant pricechange.

“I suspect that since there is no price change, the rumors we arereceiving about a light crop are probably correct,” he said. “Thequality of the broom corn does appear to be very good.”

On the subject of yucca fiber, Monahan said this market remainsslow. He expects the same to take place for the near future unlessbroom production picks up in the United States.

“Unfortunately, there are not many (U.S. companies) stillmaking natural brooms. Most such brooms in the United Statesare being imported, although it appears even finished broomimports are not increasing that much,” he said. “I can onlyassume that the total number of corn brooms being sold (in theUnited States) is down.”

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Contractors are always looking for moreefficient ways to tackle larger applications.In response, the Wooster Brush Companyhas tripled its 14-inch roller program,which now includes 7 fabrics in a varietyof nap heights.

Whether it’s flat paints and stains orgloss enamels and epoxies, Wooster has a14-inch roller for the job. These rollersincrease production 55 percent over stan-dard 9-inch covers. This program nowincludes fine-finishing fabrics (Pro/Doo-Z®, Mohair Blend™, Micro Plush™, andSuper Doo-Z®) as well as other coversdesigned for excellent pick up and release(Super/Fab®, 50/50™, and Cirrus™). Therange of nap heights, which varies by fab-ric, is design to satisfy smooth to extra-rough surfaces.

A key element of this program is the new

Wooster Sherlock® 14-inch frame. It islighter than other 14-inch frames and alsohas good balance. The increased maneu-verability makes painting closer to edgesand corners much easier than with 18-inchframes. Its quick-release spring preventsrollers from slipping.

Smooth-spinning internal bearings pre-vent both shank wear and streaking. The14-inch one-piece cage is molded from“green” fiberglass-reinforced nylon.

The Sherlock R017-14-inch frame and12 different 14-inch covers are available atpaint and decorating centers, hardwarestores, and paintsundry distributors. INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

ABMA ......................................................................37

Boucherie USA...........................................................9

Brush Expert .............................................................38

Caddy & Co., Inc., R.E.............................................20

Carlson Tool..............................................................20

Chung Thai Brushes Co............................................10

Creative Poly, Inc. ......................................................2

Crystal Lake..............................................................19

Deco Products Co. ....................................................17

Distribuidora Perfect, S.A.........................................11

Gordon Brush Mfg. Co. Inc......................................15

Jewel Wire Co...........................................................18

Jones Companies ........................................................7

Lemieux Spinning.......................................................3

Line Manufacturing, Inc. ..........................................23

Manufacturers Resource .............................................5

Monahan Co., The Thomas.........................................1

PelRay International .................................................13

PMM...........................................................................8

Royal Paint Roller ....................................................22

Shanghai Aubi Metals Co. ........................................39

St. Nick Brush Co.....................................................23

Zahoransky ...............................................................40


Wooster Adds To 14-inch

Paint RollerProgram Aspen Marketing of Denver, CO, is now

an appointed sales agency for PFERDINC., the U.S. subsidiary of AugustRüggeberg GmbH & Co., of Marienheide,Germany, a 210-year-old world leader inthe design and manufacture of quality abra-sives, brushes, hand tool accessories andpower tools.

As the PFERD representative inColorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana,Aspen will be responsible for working withall authorized PFERD distributors in theseRocky Mountain states in the presentationand demonstration of PFERD and AdvanceBrush products to their end-user customers.

Founded five years ago, AspenMarketing now represents a lineup of overeight manufacturers.

Advance Brush, of Wisconsin, is aPFERD subsidiary.

Aspen MarketingNamed NewPFERD Rep

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Documents

Broom, Brush & Mop December 2009