Broom, Brush & Mop Nov 2009

November 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:

Mop Yarn & Tape Focus

Jones CompaniesBo-Buck Mills

Lemieux SpinningJason Mills

Packaging FocusVonco ProductsCreative Poly

Pioneer Packaging

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:26 AM Page 1


GREEN AND WHITE. GREENGREENTEXTEXCERTIFIEDCERTIFIEDCERTIFIED

101000 % RECYCLED% RECYCLEDYARNSYARNS

100 % RECYCLEDYARNS

BY LEMIEUX SPINNINGBY LEMIEUX SPINNINGBY LEMIEUX SPINNING

TM

GREENTEX

The Mop Yarn Specialist since 1906

418 484-2169www.lemieuxspinning.com

‘‘Clean and Green’’ has obviously moved into the mainstream of public consciousness, driven by growing alarm over climate change and compelling all of us to assess the extent to which our lifestyles are good or bad.

Today’s consumers have become more concerned about ethical and health issues; for these reasons, LEMIEUX SPINNING is now gearing up to introduceits NEW ‘‘GREENTEX’’ yarn. This yarn uses renewable energy in the production process and is made entirely from recycled fibers such as pure white PET plastic bottle fibers and post-consumer rayon/polyester.

Lemieux:Ready to be ‘‘Green’’

Prin

ted

on10

0%Re

cycl

edPa

per

Yarn performance:

• Absorbs over 5 times its weight

• Releases almost 40 % upon wringing

• 90 % dry after only the spin cycle of the washer and completly dry after 15 minutes

• Air dries 100 % overnight


Broom, Brush & MopA RANKIN PUBLISHING PUBLICATION November 2009 Volume 99, Number 11

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PAGE 4 BROOM, BRUSH & MOP November 2009

CALENDAR

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BROOM, BRUSH & MOP (ISSN 0890-2933) is published monthly at 204 E. Main St.,P.O. Box 130, Arcola, Illinois 61910. Telephone: (217) 268-4959. Subscriptions are $25 in theUnited States; $35 in Canada and Mexico; all others $110. The $110 foreign subscriptionsinclude first class air mail postage. Arrangements can be made for first class postage for theUnited States, Canada and Mexico. Single copies of issues are $2 for subscribers; $5 for non-subscribers, postage extra. The Suppliers Directory issue is $10 per copy.

BROOM, BRUSH & MOP is a monthly trade magazine devoted to news of broom, brushand mop manufacturers and allied industries. It was established in 1912 as the Broom &Broom Corn News. It was entered as second class mail matter Feb. 27, 1912, at the U.S. PostOffice in Arcola, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879.

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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

Business Remains Steady For MopYarn, Tape Makers_____________________________6

Serving Diverse Markets Helps PackagingCompanies In Slower Economic Times ____________13

Import/Export Overview________________________16

July Imports & Exports ________________________18

Broom Corn Dealer Survey _____________________28

ISSA Booth Photos____________________________30

NOVEMBER 19-20, 2009National Broom & Mop Meeting, St. Louis, MOInformation: 800-626-7282 or 800-637-7739

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 3, 2010International Hardware Fair, Cologne, GermanyInformation: 773-326-9928

MARCH 14-16, 2010International Home & Housewares Show, Chicago, ILInformation: 847-292-4200

MARCH 17-20, 2010ABMA Annual Convention, Orlando, FLInformation: 630-631-5217

MAY 4-6, 2010National Hardware Show, Las Vegas, NVInformation: 203-840-5622

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

NOVEMBER 9-12, 2010ISSA/INTERCLEAN®, Orlando, FLInformation: 800-225-4772


202 N. Oak • Box 250Arcola, IL 61910217-268-4955 • Fax 268-3113www.thomasmonahan.com

ArcolaBroom Corn Festival Race

2009

We Go The EXTRA MILE!

2009

JIM PAT TIM


By Rick MullenBroom, Brush & Mop Magazine

Associate Editor

Innovation, diversification, efficiency, personalizedcustomer service and hard work are all ways thatfour executives, representing companies that supply

mop yarn and/or tape, say their respective companieshave remained competitive during the current economicrecession.

In recent interviews with Broom, Brush & MopMagazine, these executives all agreed that the measures theyhave taken to better position their companies during thesetough times have made them even stronger as the economybegins to rebound.

Since 1936, Jones Companies, Ltd. (JCL), ofHumboldt, TN, has specialized in producing yarnsmade with recycled post industrial and post consumer

fiber. JCL offers more than 30 yarns designed for wet and drymopping tools.

“The floor care industry is our primary market segmentfocus,” JCL Account Vice President Andrew Dailey said.“While we manufacture yarns and other products for otherindustries, the mop industry has historically, and will be in thefuture, our main focus.”

JCL’s yarn products include:nn Antimicrobial yarns: These yarns feature fiber

with an active antimicrobial agent, which inhibits thegrowth of bacteria, fungi and yeast. According to thecompany’s Web site, the active process, as opposed to aone topical treatment, guarantees protection for the lifeof the yarn;

nn Rayon blend yarns: Although many think rayon is asynthetic fiber, it is actually a natural fiber. Like cotton, rayonis cellulose, which means its hollow cell structure makes itsvery absorbent. This superior absorbent property makes rayona good choice for wet mopping. Its low lint properties andslow release makes it the fiber of choice for floor finishingapplications;nn Cotton blend yarns: JCL says its cotton blend yarns

are designed for the dirtiest jobs. These yarns are highlyabsorbent and work well in household deck mops andindustrial looped end products. All of the company’s cot-ton blend yarns are spun with a combination of 100 per-cent cotton fibers and recycled fiber. These economicalyarns are ideal for disposable and limited use applications;andnn Cellulose/synthetic blend yarns: JCL says it was

the first to offer premium yarn specifically engineered totake advantage of the strengths of a multi-fiber blend.These strengths include maximum absorption, perform-ance and durability. JCL offers various cellulose and syn-thetic fiber blended yarns to meet the design requirementsof good, better and best mop products. Engineered com-binations of cotton, rayon and polyester fiber joined bytwo types of spinning processes create diverse yarns tomeet a variety of graded performance standards and eco-nomic targets.

JCL also manufactures proprietary blend yarns to meet acustomer’s application needs, from wet mops to high twistdust mops.

“At the beginning of the year, we did somewhat of arealignment of products, offering a wider variety of options,”Dailey said. “One of the things that helped us in this processwas working with each customer to discover some unique




needs for the particular market segment in which they dobusiness.

“What we have tried to do with some of the newdevelopments in yarns is to offer alternatives. Thisgives our customers a greater choice in the yarns thatthey choose to include in their product lines. This helpsthem to be more competitive for their specific marketneeds.”

Dailey described business at JCL over the past severalmonths as “steady.” He added that the steep swings between“highs” and “lows” of the past couple of years seem to haveleveled somewhat.

“This year business has had more of a steady, even keel toit,” Dailey said. “We have also seen some return from off-shore sourcing in which many domestic manufacturers wereinvolved. There has been somewhat of a return to onshoremanufacturing.”

Inherent in the current recession is the tendency for cus-tomers to move toward more economic yarns, which often areless durable, Dailey explained.

“Consumers may shift from synthetic blends to cotton,or from yarns with higher contents of rayon to those withlower amounts of rayon,” he said. “Going to yarn withlower amounts of rayon can actually affect performanceof the product as a tool. We have seen over the years theshift from synthetics to cotton products is oftentimescyclical.”

Dailey explained that during tough economic times, thecycle begins, especially at the distributor level, with thedesire to help their customers save money by opting for lessexpensive cotton products. The cycle will come backaround to using the more expensive, but higher quality syn-thetic products when the end-user discovers using the lessexpensive products may not have been the best deal, afterall.

“The less expensive product may not give the longevity ofservice, so at the end of the year, that consumer’s cost maynot have been reduced,” Dailey said. “The consumers’s costmay have remained the same or increased, because he or sheconsumed more products.”

Whether in good economic times or bad, one of the majorkeys for the company to remain competitive, Dailey said, iskeeping abreast of fiber development.

“The mop industry, by its nature, is a secondary or arecycled marketplace,” Dailey said. “In other words, wetend to be ‘chained’ to trends that occur in the textileindustry.”

For example, JCL launched a new yarn last Septembercalled Bio 100, which is a 100 percent biodegradable mopyarn. The yarn includes a polyester component made fromPLA (polylactic acid), which is a polyester derived fromcornstarch and other carbohydrate-rich substances. Becauseof the product’s higher cost as compared to other mopyarns, and factors in the general textile industry, it hastaken about a year to generate some interest in the newyarn.

“There is real science in this product. It brings to the mar-ketplace a proven improvement in a mop yarn in that when itgoes into a landfill it will compost,” Dailey said. “The cost ishigh on this material as it competes with the biofuel industryfor corn and it has limited use in the textile industry.Currently, it is not economically feasible for the textile indus-try to use this fiber based solely on demand from the mopindustry.

“So, there are a number of factors in the textile industrythat provide challenges for us, as well as opportunities. Oneof the things that Jones Companies has always considered aresponsibility is to be on top of what those developments are— good, bad or ugly — and convey them to the mop and floorcare industry.”

Diligence in continually evaluating the marketplace to takeadvantage of business opportunities and innovations that maypresent themselves is part of how Jones Companies expects tothrive in the future.

“We have a couple of projects in the works that are notnecessarily related to yarn, but are directly related to thecost of a mop,” Dailey said. “We distribute mop head-band and tailband materials as well as sewing threads.We see opportunities to help mop manufacturers reducethe cost of domestic made products by innovations inthese materials.”

For example, Dailey reported the company recentlyshifted from a woven tailband material to a knitted mate-rial and that has helped maintain its costs to mop manu-facturers.

“We have not had a price increase for nearly 26months,” Dailey said. “We feel like that we are going tobe able to bring (these products) to the marketplace thathelp to lower the cost of a mop. If we lower the cost by2 or 3 cents a mop, that is significant savings in the mopindustry.”

While the current economy is not great, although the DowJones Industrial Average has been up recently, Dailey seesopportunities for companies to continue to innovate and makefloor care products that are important tools and not just com-modity items.

“If we, as an industry, tend to allow the commodity positionto grow, it will be ‘shame on us,’” Dailey said.

He went on to explain that if the industry as a wholesettles for just producing “a stick with some material onthe end of it that goes into a bucket and cleans dirtyfloors,” then that is what the consumer will expect. Ifthese types of products prevail, the end result will be thatdomestic manufacturers will not be able to compete withimports.

“We have to be creative and we must be innovators. Wemust respond to market needs,” Dailey said. “It is a smallmarket segment. It is going to take relationships betweendomestic suppliers and distributors to find solutions thataren’t wrapped around just the cost of the mop. If wewere totally focused on driving costs out of the yarnitself, then I think we would be missing the greater chal-




lenge which is to keep mop manufacturers in NorthAmerica.”Contact: Jones Companies, Ltd., P.O. Box 367, Humboldt,

TN 38343. Phone: Sales - 877-849-2767; Customer Service- 800-238-8334; Order Fax: 800-235-9276.

E-mail: [email protected] site: www.jonesyarn.com.

Lemieux Spinning, Inc., of St. Ephrem, QC, is a lead-ing North American manufacturer of textile productsincluding mop yarn. J.A. Lemieux, whose vision was

to offer first-rate service and high quality products, foundedthe company in 1906.

J.A. Lemieux’s son, Clément Lemieux, took over thereins of the company in 1945. Today, the company is head-ed by President Serge Lemieux, who took over from hisfather, Jean-Paul Lemieux, who had been president from1986 to 2007. Serge Lemieux’s brother, Marc, is the com-pany’s general manager. The company’s leadership iscredited with making Lemieux Spinning Mill a world-classmanufacturer.

With its home base in Canada, Lemieux Spinning has notbeen immune from some of the negative aspects of the cur-rent economic downturn.

“The United States accounts for 50 percent of our annualsales; therefore, we have been directly affected by the eco-nomic crisis. It has caused our production to run at a muchslower rate,” Serge Lemieux said. “However, the mop yarnsegment suffered less than other sectors, such as carpet yarnfor domiciliary consumption.

“This past year has been difficult due to many variables,such as the strong increase in raw material costs in 2008. Thestrong Canadian dollar was also a factor that affected ourcosts. Furthermore, the economic crisis has caused a decreasein demand and created a deceleration in our production.”

Lemieux Spinning’s product offerings come in four majorcategories: industrial yarns, “Yarns of Olde,” specializedyarns and synthetic yarns.

According to the company’s Web site, “Yarns of Olde”allow the customer to “rediscover the warmth and beau-ty of wool” for hand knitting, crocheting or weavingworks.

Environmental and social issues are an important aspect ofthe company’s in both its internal operations and also theproducts it produces.

“In the mop yarn market, our focus is on green offeringsand the niche of added-value products,” Serge Lemieux said.“Our first mission, as we enter into this new era, is to bringdown our industrial waste to a minimum, and to find newways to innovate recycled products. We are concentrated onsaving energy as much as possible. Our goal is to focus onenvironmentally and socially sustainable development inorder to exert a positive influence on society and the genera-tions to come.”

Along these lines, the company recently introduced its new100 percent recycled Greentex White EcoSure™ polyester

fiber. EcoSure is a trademark of the David C. Poole Co., ofGreenville, SC, which is a distributor of synthetic staplefibers such as polyester, rayon, and polypropylene.

“This sustainable fiber, which is 100 percent post-con-sumer recycled PET, is used in 50 percent of our blends,with the balance being recycled polyester and rayon,”Serge Lemieux said. “We are encouraging the market ten-dencies and are responding to the market demand for recy-cled products. ‘Clean and green’ has obviously moved intothe mainstream of public consciousness. Today’s con-sumers have become more concerned about ethical andhealth issues. For these reasons, Lemieux Spinning is tak-ing the direction for the future toward sustainability devel-opment.”

Hand-in-hand with manufacturing quality products, J.A.Lemieux’s original vision for the company included offeringthe best in customer service. This commitment has notwavered over the years. Lemieux Spinning views itself as a“business partner” with its customers, rather than just a tex-tile manufacturer. The company is willing and able to offersupport in developing manufacturing strategies for its cus-tomers.

“We offer personalized service in all aspects of the busi-ness, whether placing orders, delivery status, or any otherrequirements our customers need,” Serge Lemieux said. “AtLemieux Spinning, we are very flexible and work with cus-tomers to satisfy their needs and make sure they never missout on any stock.

“There is always a person at the end of the line. Our phoneswill not be answered by a machine. We don’t believe in voicemail; we believe in teamwork. Flexibility and teamwork areour strengths.”

As the company looks to the future, remaining in the fore-front of innovation and automation are vital aspects in itsongoing pursuit of excellence.

“Automation has always been our No. 1 priority. It allowsus to maintain lower production costs and stay competitive inthe market,” Serge Lemieux said. “Every year we invest innew equipment, which provides more efficiency and a betteroutput performance. This helps us keep our prices as compet-itive as we can.

“The company’s vision is to constantly focus on the future.No matter what the specific requirements or needs are, wehave the team and resources to meet them.”

Lemieux Spinning, Inc., 125, Route 108 C.P 2039, St.Ephrem, QC, Canada G0M 1R0.

Phone: 418-484-2169; Fax: 418-484-5561.E-mail: [email protected] site: www.lemieuxspinning.com.

Approaching six decades in business, Bo-Buck Mills,Inc., of Chesterfield, SC, continues to produce highquality narrow woven and knitted fabric, including

mop tape, in a wide range of widths, colors and textures.The company makes mop tape in Chesterfield using

American-made yarn. Bo-Buck prides itself in the high qual-


BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:27 AM Page 10

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:27 AM Page 11

ity of its products and its personalized customer service,according to Bo-Buck Mills President Andrew F. Maner.

“There are only a few domestic companies in our industryand they all do a pretty good job. What we continue to sell,and have historically, is quality,” Maner said. “Sometimes ourproducts cost a little more, but we make up for it with prod-ucts that provide ‘runnability’ and efficiency for our cus-tomers.”

In this era of just-in-time deliveries to minimize the amountof inventory businesses hold, Bo-Buck Mills’ ability to offerquick turnarounds of products has been a major key toremaining competitive. Quick turnaround times have becomeeven more critical as a cost savings measure as the economyhas weakened.

“We have always offered quick turnaround times, but intoday’s economy, customers depend on the last minute deliv-ery of products more than ever before, especially in the mopindustry,” Maner said.

As a part of offering just-in-time deliveries, Bo-Buck isable to plan ahead and have available the styles and colors itscustomers desire.

Bo-Buck is located in the Pee Dee region of northeasternSouth Carolina. The company’s colorful name stems fromthe nicknames of two boys, Bo and Buck, who were relatedto the business’ founders. Three families started Bo-Buck in1952.

The company specializes in producing consistent qualitymop tape ranging in sizes from 3/8 of an inch to 7.5 inches.Bo-Buck is able to produce tape in specific widths to the near-est 1/16 of an inch in 1/16-inch intervals. Bo-Buck’s tapecomes in a variety of colors, according to customer specifica-tions. The company offers several in-stock colors, and canalso custom blend dyes to meet the customer’s needs andwants. The company’s dye process enables the color to betotally imbedded into the tape.

Bo-Buck’s quality control program includes the inspectionby hand of every inch of tape produced.

In addition to making mop tape, Bo-Buck also specializesin mattress binding tape. The company also offers a variety ofother tapes including athletic wrapping, auto seat, carpet,casket, crime scene, curing, electrical, flag, government spe-cial use, leader, medical, mounting, printed label, reflec-tive, ribbon, shoe lace, textile spinning, tie, upholstery,Venetian blind and wicking.

Bo-Buck’s customer base is located in the United Statesand Canada, primarily east of the Rocky Mountains.

As far as business is concerned in today’s economy, Manersaid, “We are fairly pleased, based on the economy. Businesshas definitely slowed down a little bit.

“We have cut back some hour-wise because of the econo-my, but haven’t laid anybody off. We had some people wholeft who we didn’t replace, which I think a lot of companieshave done.”

Maner said the company’s diverse customer base and itsvariety of product offerings have given it a competitive leg upduring this down economic cycle.

“Because of the combination of doing business in variousmarkets and keeping our equipment up-to-date, we feel pret-ty good about our future,” he said. “We are constantly reach-ing out to other customers in selling ourselves, our productsand service.”

Dealing with the pressure brought on by imports and pric-ing remain two of Bo-Buck’s greatest challenges. The compa-ny meets these challenges by offering high-quality customerservice and next-day deliveries.

Maner said one of the company’s greatest strengths is, “Thefaith and the trust that people have in us from being in busi-ness for more than 55 years.”

Contact: Bo Buck Mills, P.O. Box 692, Chesterfield, SC29709. Phone: 843-623-2158; Toll free: 800-690-7474;

Fax: 843-623-6849.E-mail: [email protected].

Web site: www.bobuckmills.com.Bo-Buck Mills is represented by

Manufacturers Resource, Inc., 800-772-8503.

Jason Mills, LLC, of Milltown, NJ, is a leading manu-facturer of knit mesh for the mop industry with a wide-ranging customer base of manufacturers throughout the

United States, Canada and Europe.In addition, the company focuses on industrial and custom

fabric applications and is an industry leader in dye process,finishing, slitting and dye cutting on both stock and customfabric. Jason Mills also manufactures and distributes varioustypes of sports netting, bird netting and agricultural shadecloth.

Jason Mills was purchased by its current president,Michael Lavroff, in 2007, who has more than 25 years expe-rience in the textile industry. The company has been manufac-turing mesh for more than 30 years.

“We have continually offered quality mesh fabric,”Lavroff said. “For the mop industry, we primarily sellthe 5-inch harness or saddle that goes on the base of amop. We sell 5-, 1 1/4- and 1 3/4-inch mesh fabric.The standards have never dropped. Our fabric is consis-tently about 3.5 ounces per square yard using the sameindustrial yarns that we always have. We have not com-promised the weight of these goods and they haveremained steady. The product is ‘battle tested.’ The meshis basically the abrasive part of the mop. It is run to acrisp finish and it serves to encircle the sponge and cre-ate an abrasive fabric.”

As the current economic recession grinds on, business atJason Mills has grown since the beginning of the year.

“When compared to 2008, business has been fairly steadythe past two quarters, and has grown since the first quarter,”Lavroff said. “There is some anecdotal evidence that acrossthe board, including the broom, brush and mop industry,some companies have pulled away to some extent fromChina.

“While the economy remains the greatest challenge,


Continued On Page 26

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:27 AM Page 12

By Rick MullenBroom, Brush & Mop

Associate Editor

Broom, Brush & Mop Magazinespoke recently with executives ofthree companies that supply

packaging products to the broom, brushand mop industries for various cleaningproducts such as brooms and mops, aswell as to other marketplace segments.These executives shared that theirrespective company’s ability to do busi-ness in diverse marketplaces has been amajor key in staying competitive duringthe recession.

Both executives agreed that hardwork, innovation, an emphasis on cus-tomer service and seeking new busi-ness have made their companies moreefficient and poised to be even strongerwhen the economy rebounds.

Creative Poly, Inc., of Rochelle,IL, boasted record sales years in2006 and 2007, and despite busi-

ness slowing somewhat since then, (aresult of the economic crisis worldwide)still did well.

“Although we had a profitable year in2008, sales were down slightly from theyear before,” owner Walt Dudziaksaid. “We actually ran more product in2008.”

Some of the reasons to Creative Poly’ssuccess are its diversified product lines,the ability to manufacture value-addedand specialty items and its reputation forhigh quality customer service.

“The real key to our growth in the pastfew years is not to be satisfied with whatwe are currently doing, but to seek new

business that complements what we cur-rently do and add new product lines. Thenew business which we have beendeveloping, is allowing us to grow.Several new projects are in the works,which can potentially increase our salesas much as 30 percent next year,”Dudziak said.

“We haven’t been converting as manybags for the hardware field compared toprior years. During hard economic times,food and medical always tend to besteadier markets and this is were wehave put our sales effort.”

Dudziak added that he sees some evi-dence that the hardware business may bepicking up. He called the prevailingmood of many in the business world as“cautiously optimistic.”

“It is just unbelievable the reduction inthe total number of people with whom wedid business in the hardware field, whichjust aren’t there anymore. But, because ofhow we have marketed ourselves byswitching fields from hardware to othersegments, we haveinsulated the com-pany. We are pro-jecting increasedsales for next yeareven if the currenteconomy doesn’tchange,” Dudziaksaid.

Creative Poly,Inc., was foundedin 1992 and manu-factures a varietyof printed and spe-cialty poly bags,including broomsleeves and mop

bags. The company also has the capa-bility of printing up to 6 colors in-house and provides 8-color work with“Delta 2” color conformance throughthe use of partners. Creative Polyserves many customers, both in theUnited States and Mexico, with its 2plants, 5 printing presses and 18 bagmachines.

“Most of our products are custom tai-lored for the end-user,” Dudziak said.“We are not a standard manufacturerthat just pounds out bags. Everythingwe make has some sort of a uniquequality.

“There are also signs that somecompanies that have been doing busi-ness overseas, especially in China, arerethinking that strategy. Various issuesare causing these companies to thinkabout coming back onshore, such asshipping costs, long turnaround timesand the possibility of problems withcomponents used in some productssuch as lead inks/paints. One of the

November 2009 BROOM, BRUSH & MOP PAGE 13

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:27 AM Page 13

problems that still exists in the UnitedStates is that there are too many com-petitors in the bag packaging field,even though the number of convertersis down about 35 percent over the last15 years. The downward trend innumber of U.S. manufacturers is whywe continually see other convertersmerging, selling or going out of busi-ness.”

Dudziak agreed that navigating thesechallenging economic times has madehis company even stronger.

“We are positioned well. We are run-ning very efficiently and we’ve offsetlost business,” Dudziak said. “We antic-ipate another profitable and recordbreaking sales year in 2009.”

Contact: Creative Poly, Inc., 620 W. Lincoln Ave., Rochelle, IL 61068.

Phone: 815-562-9002; Fax: 815-562-8551.

E-mail: [email protected].

Since 1955, Vonco Products, Inc.,of Lake Villa, IL, a northernsuburb of Chicago, has and con-

tinues to be one of the most versatileand innovative manufacturers of ther-moplastic custom packaging, specialtyand promotional products sold world-wide.

Vonco revolutionized the way mostbrooms are packaged when, in 1977,Vonco President Larry Laske intro-duced the company’s fast load, self-lock-ing custom poly broom sleeves into themarketplace.

Today, Vonco’s product lineup for thebroom and mop industry includes mopand paint roller bags, shaped broompackaging, printed roll stock and bags ona roll.

The family-owned company also serv-ices other market segments includingmedical, industrial, retail and promo-tional.

For the medical field, Vonco offersdrainage and specimen bags, bottleholders, disposable gloves and boots,instrument covers, and more. Itsindustrial products include liquid dis-pensers, round bottom bags, volumeindicators multi-compartment bags,filter bags, boiling bags, and others.

The company’s retail products includeself-locking broom sleeves, mop bags,handle bags, printed packaging materi-als, Christmas stockings and handpuppets for food packaging, amongothers.

Vonco also has a strong presence inthe promotional products market. It’smost famous promotional item world-wide is its ThunderStix® noisemaker(www.thunderstix.com). The colorfulnoisemakers have become staples atsporting events around the globe. Thereis even a pair on display in the BaseballHall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Theycould be seen during this year’s MajorLeague Baseball playoffs.

Vonco’s focus on various market seg-ments has helped it remain competitiveand successful despite the economicwoes of the past couple of years. Whilesome areas of the market the companyserves have been down, others have beenup.

“We are very diverse and there aremarkets that are doing better than oth-ers,” said Vonco Vice President of Salesand Marketing Les Laske.


• Galvanized & tinned wire for brush - broom - mop production

• Processed Broom Corn & Yucca

• Wood Broom - Mop - Brush Handles

• Craft Broom Corn And Supplies

• Other Materials - Broom Twine, Broom Nails, Mop Hardware

Supplier of Raw Materials to Manufacture Brooms, Mops, and Brushes

P.O. Box 14634 • Greensboro, NC 27415

336-273-3609 800-213-9224 Fax: 336-378-6047

E-mail: [email protected]

We ship by pup or truck load direct from Mexico, or LTL/ UPS from our Greensboro warehouse.

Double LipSpur DrillsDrills For Plastics

Special Half-Round andSpoon Drills

Often CopiedBut NEVER EqualledStandard Sizes Normally In Stock For Rapid DeliveryFor Availability And Pricing Contact Our Parts Dept.

TEL: 630.232.2460 • FAX: 630.232.2016EMAIL: [email protected]

Carlson Drills

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:27 AM Page 14

BROOM CAPS BRUSH and HANDLE FERRULES

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


In January 2008, Vonco acquiredanother Chicago area business, PolyShapes, of Gilbert, IL. This acquisitionhas allowed Vonco to enhance its over-all capabilities to provide mop andpaint roller bags, as well as grommetbags.

“In the past year, we have integratedPoly Shapes into our operation andthings are running smoothly,” Les Laskesaid.

While competing with Asian importshas been an ongoing challenge for sev-eral years now, the fluctuating cost ofthe raw materials Vonco uses such aspolyethylene resins, has also been aproblem.

“Material costs have been fluctuatingfor the past couple of years, and that hasbeen a problem. Raw material priceswere down and then we received noticein the past few days that they have goneup a little — it just fluctuates,” Laskesaid. “Fortunately, our customers under-stand that we cannot control raw materi-al costs.”

Les Laske’s grandfather, WalterVonStoeser, started the company in hisgarage in 1955. VonStoeser was dedi-cated to the premise of offering qualityproducts, excellent customer serviceand prompt response times. That tradi-tion continued when Laske’s father,Larry Laske, joined VonStoeser in 1959,helping him move out of his garage andinto the company’s first stand-alonefacility.

Today, Vonco continues its traditionof emphasizing excellent customerservice, quality and rapid turnaround,the latter of which is especially desiredin these times by customers who arelooking to cut costs by maintaining

minimal inventories.An important aspect of Vonco’s

business that continues to be popularis in the area of high quality processprinting as customers more and moredesire complicated printing projects.To this end, Vonco boasts sophisticat-ed six- and eight-color printing capa-bility.

These printing presses were addedwhen Vonco expanded its facility in2003, and the eight-color printing side ofthe business has been expanding eachyear.

In addition, Vonco’s state-of-the-artprinting operation is supported by itsart department. The art departmentworks with customers to ensure thefinished product is of the highest qual-ity, as process printing continues togain in popularity. Process printingresults in artwork that looks like aphotograph, as opposed to traditionalline art.

“Our higher quality printing capabili-ties — six- and eight-color and processprinting — grow in popularity everyyear,” Laske said.

To further secure its place in the com-petitive markets it serves, Vonco designsand manufactures its own fabricationmachinery and tooling to produce cus-tom projects.

When a customer comes to Voncowith an idea or a concept, the company’sengineers will create a design, and, inmost cases, a low-cost prototype can bedeveloped. Once a prototype has beenmade, Vonco can move quickly into pro-duction, taking advantage of its abilityto build its own fabrication machineryand tooling.

As an FDA-registered manufacturer,

Vonco is equipped to satisfy a widerange of quality assurance require-ments. This may be as simple as a visu-al quality check, or as extensive as acomprehensive program with fullinspections of incoming raw materials,in-process testing and full materials andprocess traceability, according to thecompany’s Web site, www.vonco.com.

Those who frequent grocery storeshave heard the check-out person askmany times, “Paper or plastic?” In a pastinterview with Broom, Brush & Mop,Laske alluded to the issue as it pertains tothe growing green movement when hesaid, “There is always that debate on theuse of paper versus plastic. They bothhave their different impacts on the envi-ronment.”

Vonco is continually monitoring andstudying the issue of green packagingsolutions.

“People still inquire about greenitems,” Laske said in a recent interview.“For example, we are evaluating thepros and cons of recycled film packag-ing.”

Vonco stresses to its customers that thecompany exceeds EPA guidelines in allof its operations and it uses recyclablematerials such as polyethylene.Equipment is also in place to ensure thecompany is compliant with all clean airstandards.

Like many companies in various seg-ments of the marketplace, Vonco feelsthat its effort to cut costs and becomemore efficient during the current reces-sion will allow it to gain an even sharpercompetitive edge when the economyrebounds.

“Like many others, we have had to

Continued On Page 27

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 15

Totals For Imports, Exports Are Generally Lower


By Rick MullenBroom, Brush & Mop

Associate Editor

U.S. government trade figures for the first seven months of2009 indicate raw material imports were down in two of the threecategories outlined in this issue and were even in a third, com-pared to the first seven months of 2008. Figures for metal handlesprior to March 2009 are not available for comparison. For July2009, raw material imports were up in two of the three categoriesoutlined, other than metal handles, compared to July 2008.

Import totals for the first seven months of 2009 were down infour of the six finished goods categories outlined from the sametime period in 2008. Also, in July 2009, four of the six categoriesoutlined recorded decreases, compared to July 2008.

RAW MATERIAL IMPORTSHog Bristle

The United States imported 38,284 kilograms of hog bristle in July2009, up about 51 percent from 25,326 kilograms imported in July2008. During the first seven months of 2009, 182,625 kilograms ofhog bristle were imported, about a 23 percent decrease from 236,969kilograms imported during the first seven months of 2008.

China exported 180,259 kilograms of hog bristle to the UnitedStates during the first seven months of 2009, compared to 235,369kilograms during the first seven months of 2008.

The average price per kilogram for July 2009 was $2.79, downabout 85 percent from the average price per kilogram for July 2008of $19.03. The average price per kilogram for the first sevenmonths of 2009 was $8.29, down about 51 percent from the aver-age price per kilogram of $16.77 for the first seven months of 2008.

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

was 1.5 million, down about 42 percent from 2.6 million broomand mop handles imported in July 2008. During the first sevenmonths of 2009, 12.1 million broom and mop handles wereimported, compared to 18.3 million for the first seven months of2008, a decrease of about 34 percent.

During the first seven months of 2009, the United States import-ed 4.3 million handles from Brazil, 3.3 million from Honduras, 2.4million from China and 1.5 million from Indonesia.

The average price per handle for July 2009 was 77 cents, upabout 22 percent from 63 cents for July 2008. The average pricefor the first seven months of 2009 was 70 cents, an increase ofabout 6 percent over the average price recorded for the first sevenmonths of 2008 of 66 cents.

Brush BacksJuly 2009 imports of brush backs totaled 234,059, up about 3

percent from the July 2008 total of 227,515 brush backs. Duringthe first seven months of 2009, 1.6 million brush backs wereimported, the same as for the first seven months of 2008.

The United States imported 963,982 brush backs from Canadaduring the first seven months of 2009, while importing 215,350 fromSri Lanka, 145,448 from Indonesia and 112,432 from Honduras.

The average price per brush back was 42 cents during July

2009, down about 25 percent from the average price for July 2008of 56 cents. For the first seven months of 2009, the average priceper brush back was 48 cents, down about 32 percent from the aver-age price of 71 cents for the first seven months of 2008.

Metal HandlesThe import total of metal handles during July 2009 was 3.9 mil-

lion, up from June 2009’s total of 2.9 million. During the firstseven months of 2009, 18.2 million metal handles were imported.

The United States imported 9 million metal handles from Italyduring the first seven months of 2009, 6.9 million from China and1.9 million from Spain.

The average price per handle for July 2009 was 58 cents, downfrom the previous month’s total of 61 cents. The average price forthe first seven months of 2009 was 62 cents.

FINISHED GOODS IMPORTSBrooms Of Broom Corn

Valued At Less Than 96 CentsThe United States imported 34,056 brooms of broom corn val-

ued at less than 96 cents per broom during July 2009, compared to35,772 in July 2008, a decrease of about 5 percent. During the firstseven months of 2009, 86,004 brooms of broom corn were import-ed, down about 41 percent from 145,206 imported during the firstseven months of 2008.

Mexico shipped 78,804 brooms of broom corn to the UnitedStates during the first seven months of 2009, compared to 85,272during the first seven months of 2008. Meanwhile, China shipped7,200 brooms of broom corn during the first seven months of2009, compared to 59,934 during the same time period in 2008.

The average price per broom for July 2009 was 69 cents, upabout 15 percent from 60 cents for July 2008. The average priceper broom for the first seven months of 2009 was 75 cents, upabout 4 percent from 72 cents for the first seven months of 2008.

Brooms Of Broom CornValued At More Than 96 Cents

The United States imported 854,616 brooms of broom corn val-ued at more than 96 cents per broom during July 2009, comparedto 606,025 in July 2008, an increase of about 6 percent. During thefirst seven months of 2009, 5 million brooms of broom corn wereimported, down slightly from 5.1 million imported during the firstseven months of 2008.

Mexico shipped 4.7 million brooms of broom corn to the UnitedStates during the first seven months of 2009.

The average price per broom for July 2009 was $2.50, up about9 percent from $2.29 for July 2008. The average price per broomfor the first seven months of 2009 was $2.47, up about 9 percentfrom $2.27 for the first seven months of 2008.

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

during July 2009 was 143,268, up about 3 percent from 139,396brooms and brushes imported during July 2008. During the firstseven months of 2009, 848,268 brooms and brushes were import-ed, down about 23 percent from 1.1 million imported during thefirst seven months of 2008.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 16


During the first seven months of 2009, the United States imported492,275 brooms and brushes from Sri Lanka and 114,468 from China.

The average price per unit for July 2009 was $1.64, down about 7percent from $1.77 for July 2008. The average price for the first sevenmonths of 2009 was $1.85, an increase of about 22 percent from theaverage price recorded for the first seven months of 2008 of $1.52.

ToothbrushesThe United States imported 58.6 million toothbrushes in July

2009, down about 5 percent from 61.8 million imported in July2008. During the first seven months of 2009, 462.7 million tooth-brushes were imported, up slightly from 458.3 million importedduring the first seven months of 2008.

During the first seven months of 2009, the United States received318.4 million toothbrushes from China, 54.1 million fromSwitzerland, 24.1 million from Germany and 18.8 million from India.

The average price per toothbrush for July 2009 was 23 cents,down about 15 percent from the average price of 27 cents for July2008. The average price for the first seven months of 2009 was 21cents, down about 16 percent from the average price of 25 centsfor the first seven months of 2008.

Shaving BrushesJuly 2009 imports of shaving brushes totaled 13.1 million, down

about 22 percent from 16.9 million imported during July 2008.During the first seven months of 2009, 88.2 million shaving brush-es were imported, down about 15 percent from 103.3 million forthe first seven months of 2008.

Mexico sent 27.9 million shaving brushes to the United Statesduring the first seven months of 2009, while Germany shipped27.1 million and China exported 20.4 million.

The average price per brush was 13 cents during July 2009, thesame as the average price in July 2008. During the first sevenmonths of 2009, the average price per brush was also 13 cents, thesame as the average price for the first seven months of 2008.

PaintbrushesU.S. companies imported 16.7 million paintbrushes during July

2009, down about 26 percent from 22.7 million brushes importedduring July 2008. Paintbrush imports for the first seven months of2009 were 125 million, up about 6 percent from 117.6 millionrecorded for the first seven months of 2008.

During the first seven months of 2009, the United States import-ed 99.6 million paintbrushes from China and 22.7 million fromIndonesia.

The average price per paintbrush for July 2009 was 31 cents, up2 cents from the price for July 2008. The average price for the firstseven months of 2009 was 32 cents, up 2 cents from the averageprice for the first seven months of 2008.

EXPORTSExport totals for the first seven months of 2009 were down in

all four of the categories outlined, compared to the first sevenmonths of 2008. In July 2009, three of the four categories alsoreported decreases in exports, compared to July 2008.

Brooms & Brushes Of Vegetable MaterialsThe United States exported 6,769 dozen brooms and brushes of

vegetable materials during July 2009, up about 3 percent from the

July 2008 total of 6,559 dozen. Exports of brooms and brushes ofvegetable materials during the first seven months of 2009 were48,455 dozen, down about 17 percent from 58,482 dozen for thefirst seven months of 2008.

During the first seven months of 2009, the United States shipped13,487 dozen brooms and brushes to Canada, while sending 7,695dozen to China, 5,244 dozen to The United Kingdom, 3,781 dozento Japan, 3,061 dozen to Hong Kong and 2,741 dozen to Italy.

The average price per dozen brooms and brushes was $41.70 inJuly 2009, compared to $31.72 for July 2008, an increase of about31 percent. The average price per dozen brooms and brushes forthe first seven months of 2009 was $40.96, a decrease of about 6percent from the average price per dozen for the first sevenmonths of 2008 of $43.42.

ToothbrushesU.S. companies exported 6.1 million toothbrushes during July

2009, down about 50 percent from 12.1 million exported duringJuly 2008. Toothbrush exports for the first seven months of 2009were 53 million, down about 52 percent from 109.6 millionrecorded for the first seven months of 2008.

The United States shipped 18.4 million toothbrushes to Canadaduring the first seven months of 2009, compared to 27.6 millionduring the same time period in 2008, while sending 12.5 millionto Mexico during the first seven months of 2009, compared to 23.3million during the first seven months of 2008.

The average price per toothbrush for July 2009 was 85 cents, upabout 136 percent from the July 2008 average price of 36 cents.The average price for the first seven months of 2009 was 71 cents,up about 115 percent from the average price of 33 cents for thefirst seven months of 2008.

Artist BrushesThe United States exported 519,274 artist brushes in July 2009,

down about 2 percent from the total of 527,806 exported in July2008. During the first seven months of 2009, 4.4 million artistbrushes were exported, about a 17 percent decrease from 5.3 mil-lion exported during the first seven months of 2008.

Canada received 2.3 million artist brushes from the UnitedStates during the first seven months of 2009, while Mexicoimported 313,996.

The average price per artist brush for July 2009 was $3.25, downabout 19 percent from the average price for July 2008 of $3.99. Theaverage price for the first seven months of 2009 was $3.20, downabout 6 percent from $3.39 for the first seven months of 2008.

PaintbrushesThe export total of paintbrushes during July 2009 was 87,773,

down about 47 percent from 165,007 paintbrush exports recordedfor July 2008. During the first seven months of 2009, 560,467paintbrushes were exported, down about 60 percent from 1.4 mil-lion during the first seven months of 2008.

Canada imported 226,549 paintbrushes from the United Statesduring the first seven months of 2009, compared to 502,999 dur-ing the same time period in 2008.

The average price per paintbrush for July 2009 was $17.33, upabout 35 percent from $12.81 for July 2008. The average price forthe first seven months of 2009 was $16.46, up about 51 percentfrom $10.89 recorded for the first seven months of 2008.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 17


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

In Hanks or BundlesJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/Ton Value Net Q/Ton ValueCanada 14 29,081Hondura 4 15,198 7 27,066U King 5 19,673TOTAL 4 15,198 26 75,820

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/Dozen Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 443 42,646 3,799 263,401Mexico 25 8,290Norway 218 7,191TOTAL 443 42,646 4,042 278,882

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 1,601,757 1,057,083 7,745,653 6,860,650Mexico 586 6,000 228,659 162,330Hondura 3,456 2,848Jamaica 17,959 51,774Dom Rep 9,792 3,860Finland 9,456 4,001U King 7,032 71,953Ireland 23,856 26,502Nethlds 7,200 6,209 59,149 215,553France 670 3,283Fr Germ 111,144 66,174Switzld 4,320 3,500India 85,008 33,507Malaysa 2,845 29,107Singapr 29,520 12,540 307,394 205,944Phil R 34,680 15,681Kor Rep 79,819 35,333Hg Kong 5,136 2,557 5,136 2,557Taiwan 12,240 5,906 73,316 31,368Japan 610 2,988Austral 154,010 80,883Algeria 31,392 22,006 31,392 22,006TOTAL 1,687,831 1,112,301 8,995,356 7,931,802

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 85,284 92,221 607,967 792,434Mexico 26,595 18,350 246,345 379,900Chile 900 5,160Brazil 3,996 3,437 7,392 6,250U King 4,805 43,941 25,496 176,380Nethlds 1,495 13,668 1,495 13,668Belgium 900 5,489Andorra 72 3,000France 2,438 22,298 830,885 556,215Fr Germ 1,158 61,467 204,238 274,662Switzld 5,021 10,219Italy 2,369 28,705Croatia 3,682 3,070Lebanon 1,500 4,580

Arab Em 21,018 23,707Indnsia 481 4,396Phil R 4,729 13,199China 1,514 13,849Taiwan 720 26,145Japan 17,843 92,171Austral 5,622 18,935TOTAL 125,771 255,382 1,990,189 2,452,134

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 318,024 787,539 1,749,345 5,172,356Mexico 68,861 107,539 239,781 475,867Guatmal 6,114 22,560 7,579 27,967Brazil 2,460 8,488 32,032 75,647Argent 1,584 3,584 25,880 68,510Sweden 10,590 43,803 74,246 202,115Norway 5,331 43,736Finland 1,700 7,304U King 18,009 58,880 258,928 788,736Ireland 1,450 5,351Nethlds 3,150 19,824Belgium 8,533 31,485 117,632 434,025France 20,652 90,434Fr Germ 2,880 6,490 20,407 41,306Czech 2,910 8,220Switzld 28,042 103,465Poland 2,191 7,058Russia 59,507 145,408 319,526 730,436Ukraine 1,448 5,342 62,690 135,837Kazakhs 3,859 10,863 33,346 50,688Spain 1,920 4,373 5,668 17,019Italy 24,396 90,012 48,582 161,713Israel 2,361 8,712Arab Em 4,332 17,150Thailnd 1,061 3,913 6,611 30,484Malaysa 963 3,553 963 3,553Singapr 14,189 53,116Indnsia 915 3,376 2,379 8,778Phil R 1,020 3,288China 2,973 10,968 553,573 860,729Kor Rep 43,156 51,397 68,699 142,921Hg Kong 703 2,594 8,079 29,809Taiwan 11,434 52,536Japan 6,732 44,908 48,886 211,756Austral 7,613 29,348 47,557 174,294Senegal 3,828 23,534TOTAL 592,301 1,476,423 3,834,979 10,288,274

9603402000 Paint RollersJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 7,176 66,274 32,193 234,378Mexico 10,291 25,757 105,060 215,021U King 191 3,354 191 3,354Ireland 354 6,206Nethlds 146 2,564Turkey 144 2,520Arab Em 215 10,080China 615 10,800Austral 396 6,944TOTAL 17,658 95,385 139,314 491,867

9603404020 Paint PadsJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 14,712 27,178 110,077 273,123TOTAL 14,712 27,178 110,077 273,123

9603404050 Paint, Distemper, Varnish or Similar Brushes(Except Brushes of 9603.30)July Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. Value

EXPORTSJuly Exports By Country

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 18


Canada 10,989 129,173 32,444 375,688Mexico 556 11,530 3,676 76,216Trinid 236 4,898Sweden 153 3,176Nethlds 256 5,301Fr Germ 722 14,972Spain 123 2,549 326 6,762Malta 437 9,057 437 9,057Greece 504 10,452Austral 806 16,716TOTAL 12,105 152,309 39,560 523,238

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

For Broom or Brush Making, NESOIJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 38,686 338,664 256,457 2,639,208Mexico 14,882 225,738 76,596 1,113,986C Rica 661 10,714 6,630 107,514Panama 1,566 25,440 14,813 240,305Bermuda 464 2,859Jamaica 98 2,506Chile 681 11,044 2,397 38,854Brazil 11,316 30,925 17,280 52,085Iceland 98 5,360Norway 1,324 21,473Finland 475 7,696Denmark 3,216 14,972 77,950 905,879U King 275 4,465 18,560 219,764Ireland 462 7,487 462 7,487Nethlds 1,424 14,329 4,305 59,709Belgium 150 8,757France 2,242 92,179 20,548 262,118Fr Germ 262 4,253 20,684 205,376Czech 550 2,983 753 6,271Estonia 374 3,300Poland 166 2,687Russia 400 2,880Spain 389 6,308Italy 403 8,373Iraq 604 9,794Israel 50 2,580Arab Em 300 2,946 1,325 19,574India 458 7,431Phil R 257 4,165Kor Rep 256 4,148Japan 1,224 19,861 3,119 50,212Austral 1,619 37,969 11,608 101,514Rep Saf 1,054 10,395TOTAL 79,366 843,969 540,507 6,140,568

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

In Hanks or BundlesJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/Ton Value Net Q/Ton ValueMexico 2 5,705Ireland 3 11,862France 5 17,280 7 23,498Malaysa 1 3,530 1 3,530TOTAL 6 20,810 13 44,595

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/Dozen Value Net Q/Dozen ValueCanada 2,548 70,555 13,487 536,459Mexico 200 11,492 1,907 93,820Belize 326 10,733 1,108 40,124Panama 807 26,571

Bermuda 632 20,470Bahamas 1,158 105,194Jamaica 235 6,054Barbado 387 6,505 387 6,505Trinid 121 4,000 813 12,837N Antil 12 3,550Ecuador 18 2,915Peru 17 5,025Brazil 7 4,425 7 4,425Uruguay 76 4,400Argent 426 12,168 426 12,168Denmark 40 10,068 280 15,219U King 1,751 82,955 5,244 218,874Ireland 73 10,500 372 35,400France 104 22,592 1,242 69,716Fr Germ 215 6,736Poland 419 17,300Italy 432 14,248 2,741 90,400Croatia 24 12,229Greece 90 3,416Turkey 57 4,130Iraq 59 20,448Israel 41 3,840S Arab 779 51,733Arab Em 10 3,253Afghan 12 5,762India 50 2,850 50 2,850Phil R 52 4,816China 7,695 261,600Kor Rep 352 20,022Hg Kong 3,061 91,950Taiwan 35 2,570Japan 262 8,626 3,781 103,438Austral 42 10,571 209 20,776Libya 503 16,575Nigeria 4 9,500Angola 10 3,690Rep Saf 28 8,023TOTAL 6,769 282,288 48,455 1,984,783

9603210000 ToothbrushesJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 2,954,579 1,786,532 18,441,635 13,676,742Mexico 1,650,903 703,819 12,471,360 4,863,542Guatmal 2,087 3,402Salvadr 45,930 26,836 61,210 39,529Hondura 3,456 2,848Nicarag 5,184 4,272C Rica 23,352 14,477Panama 106,760 60,030Jamaica 11,053 10,035 18,197 23,026Cayman 666 6,085Haiti 5,904 5,904Dom Rep 320,669 170,505Antigua 25,980 13,402 59,330 125,249Barbado 6,054 9,992 23,690 22,060Trinid 29,448 17,724 197,810 238,734N Antil 323 3,301 34,486 30,538Aruba 7,415 6,537Colomb 8,352 3,452 94,623 71,601Venez 540 5,893 85,158 50,215Guyana 10,440 9,180Surinam 529 6,115Ecuador 11,520 3,341 87,015 36,684Peru 141,984 55,721Chile 281,851 134,244Brazil 102,985 48,252 1,204,045 527,539Paragua 983 10,055Uruguay 6,245 38,710Argent 706,257 399,565Iceland 2,880 9,525Sweden 1,728 7,390 1,728 7,390Denmark 4,608 2,918

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 19


U King 36,020 232,543 69,282 362,924Ireland 497,280 255,647 1,327,968 1,745,560Nethlds 61,950 579,060 2,863,844 3,293,319Belgium 6,931 6,971Luxmbrg 278 2,849 278 2,849France 12,043 126,305 1,443,060 726,492Fr Germ 51,996 521,807 1,290,888 1,441,493Austria 364 3,720Hungary 4,680 2,906Switzld 22,658 10,368Lithuan 247 2,526Poland 3,096 2,509Spain 404,313 174,284Italy 83,916 59,301Bulgar 908 4,449Israel 9,250 57,098Kuwait 927 9,484S Arab 12,840 12,457Qatar 2,000 12,500Arab Em 16,256 79,655India 19,200 36,223 520,128 1,043,448Thailnd 372 3,801 235,452 106,229Vietnam 207,330 106,200Malaysa 6,050 4,146 6,806 13,313Singapr 83,813 76,978 1,028,397 448,269Phil R 11,706 8,180 12,069 11,898China 51,278 205,273 372,577 1,102,781Kor Rep 143,538 87,693 4,501,629 1,894,285Hg Kong 67,548 35,197 907,571 476,049Taiwan 70,272 27,119 904,684 411,569Japan 101,532 302,596 956,689 2,386,378Austral 55,295 52,682 1,386,893 743,511N Zeal 1,158 5,675Nigeria 360 3,681 360 3,681Rep Saf 10,368 3,648TOTAL 6,119,926 5,201,749 53,027,374 37,420,741

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q./No. ValueCanada 335,912 260,089 1,559,715 1,625,608Mexico 409,184 318,570 2,094,346 2,500,764Salvadr 418 6,352C Rica 5,280 7,924Panama 4,608 4,528Bermuda 155 3,071Bahamas 2,688 7,044 2,688 7,044Jamaica 161 5,871Dom Rep 1,203 14,272Barbado 144 2,690Trinid 3,448 38,000 11,991 119,424Aruba 2,496 4,524 2,496 4,524Colomb 50 9,250 6,500 210,514Venez 100 5,303 1,362 19,853Guyana 576 5,622 576 5,622Ecuador 27,998 42,078Peru 982 17,478Chile 1,180 2,821 6,112 22,231Brazil 12,009 109,830Argent 1,374 21,838Norway 1,098 10,040Finland 7,500 8,388 7,500 8,388Denmark 117 2,691U King 7,519 46,439 56,838 327,025Ireland 4,668 11,679 5,571 19,934Nethlds 1,992 10,911 9,995 78,962Belgium 12,056 97,070France 2,912 69,709 33,709 293,106Fr Germ 889 23,179 50,853 244,188Hungary 504 4,608Switzld 1,017 9,300Poland 938 8,575Spain 9,412 91,213

Italy 7,250 52,399Turkey 10,094 15,192Cyprus 2,638 24,128Lebanon 1,404 3,383Iraq 250 3,748 1,097 11,498S Arab 796 14,470Arab Em 9,212 84,240 13,470 157,947India 1,009 12,250Pakistn 7,636 12,813Thailnd 2,047 18,720 9,858 81,068Singapr 880 7,882Indnsia 1,703 11,140Phil R 85,125 63,768China 45,112 165,142 208,460 972,127Kor Rep 1,467 18,935Hg Kong 335,184 293,039 350,434 432,504Japan 6,737 68,724 277,410 380,342Austral 1,037 16,281 5,437 58,697N Zeal 224 3,696Rep Saf 1,018 23,072 1,455 32,041TOTAL 1,181,711 1,494,494 4,917,573 8,312,896

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 287,056 683,999 2,320,467 5,346,135Mexico 43,580 209,059 313,996 1,356,275Hondura 3,516 6,945Nicarag 3,552 3,817Panama 17,654 67,747Bahamas 735 2,713 735 2,713Jamaica 1,255 4,629Cayman 3,184 17,846Dom Rep 5,861 14,388 32,291 36,810Barbado 3,279 3,908Aruba 1,920 3,010Colomb 38,981 109,953Venez 16,635 29,760Ecuador 1,814 14,579Peru 1,871 9,232Bolivia 174 7,490Chile 2,500 8,551Brazil 9,072 39,475Uruguay 4,324 77,753Sweden 2,234 8,244Norway 1,799 6,635 3,641 14,802Finland 7,153 34,716Denmark 3,252 12,000U King 15,704 165,964 234,787 1,460,045Ireland 16,423 51,691Nethlds 3,154 11,636 175,582 653,378Belgium 29,815 110,007France 6,153 28,957 128,113 564,080Fr Germ 2,382 8,787 49,309 203,635Austria 1,298 4,790 7,488 27,628Czech 1,355 5,000Slovak 1,599 5,900Switzld 13,838 61,067Estonia 1,992 6,262 3,029 10,088Poland 6,284 23,186Russia 17,801 67,532Italy 4,438 18,275 47,087 185,928Turkey 10,516 15,625Lebanon 909 12,631Israel 1,443 5,324 5,443 20,060S Arab 5,760 7,819 5,760 7,819Arab Em 10,936 18,318Oman 157 3,211India 20,878 77,031Thailnd 973 8,143 25,489 84,533Vietnam 5,111 35,590Malaysa 799 2,949Singapr 6,627 42,909

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Indnsia 2,809 10,363Phil R 5,464 20,160 11,632 42,917China 44,988 165,990 277,904 1,019,097Kor Rep 27,993 103,285 48,078 231,261Hg Kong 1,561 5,761 78,177 302,834Taiwan 4,795 21,336Japan 4,278 15,783 93,464 385,521Austral 52,662 192,997 207,393 771,965N 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 519,274 1,686,727 4,415,920 14,114,630


Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 152,268 968,251 1,240,940 4,719,095Mexico 27,706 91,762 1,024,796 1,999,934Salvadr 100 8,995C Rica 2,009 53,012Panama 1,016 17,823Bermuda 1,671 7,052 17,810 41,253Bahamas 2,324 6,618Jamaica 1,168 20,503Dom Rep 792 13,908 76,292 155,080B Virgn 3,804 4,720Trinid 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 266 4,674 1,193 18,264Finland 8,334 19,200U King 2,096 10,472Ireland 150 6,374 150 6,374Nethlds 560 2,808France 197 3,452Fr Germ 2,785 8,149 28,710 55,723Austria 177 3,100Italy 50 2,573Slvenia 3,560 8,414Turkey 507 8,900Israel 9,152 24,706Jordan 190 3,562S Arab 1,528 44,441Arab Em 5,929 23,081Pakistn 20,000 16,500 35,000 29,475Singapr 29 3,835Indnsia 796 3,598China 1,000 4,870 5,681 29,546Kor Rep 388 15,681Hg Kong 34,557 48,959 157,802 191,029Japan 2,888 12,229Austral 325 5,704 18,586 155,558N Zeal 4,836 24,071Marshal 706 3,405Fiji 14,228 30,194Rep Saf 180 3,160 176,758 124,999TOTAL 241,700 1,179,363 2,968,741 8,126,630

9603404020 Paint PadsJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 8,411 15,225Hondura 20 3,400Panama 336 2,768Grenada 3,083 21,882

Aruba 121 8,260Colomb 2,684 19,056Peru 5,855 41,560Chile 87 2,981Brazil 1,085 7,700 2,117 10,427U King 272 9,121 272 9,121France 35 4,500Israel 399 2,833 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 6,041 10,488Austral 4,816 21,090 5,950 32,281Rep Saf 6,452 45,800 6,452 45,800TOTAL 13,024 86,544 71,337 363,468

9603404050 Paint, Distemper, Varnish or Similar Brushes(Except Brushes of 9603.30)July Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 43,198 677,279 226,549 3,184,631Mexico 1,217 18,762 2,594 49,789Guatmal 5,395 75,449Hondura 655 12,341 1,223 23,791Nicarag 317 6,574C Rica 299 9,111 3,658 72,783Panama 340 6,026 6,359 67,570Bermuda 828 24,068 6,316 82,758Bahamas 2,828 63,931 13,227 272,694Jamaica 1,015 21,038Turk Is 78 7,820Cayman 242 5,017 2,619 50,083Dom Rep 2,926 15,309B Virgn 150 3,118 214 5,870Antigua 141 2,927Monsrat 311 18,649S Lucia 885 20,141 885 20,141Grenada 1,611 33,406Barbado 368 20,462Trinid 5,087 58,085N Antil 413 8,120Colomb 1,488 30,875 3,070 51,388Venez 2,720 40,356Guyana 175 3,636 175 3,636Surinam 151 2,661Ecuador 1,759 46,814Peru 120 3,084Brazil 13,296 516,809Argent 465 15,142Sweden 1,040 15,600 6,305 96,775Norway 122 6,229 422 11,327Finland 181 3,752Denmark 1,511 5,671 10,407 42,177U King 8,320 180,555 50,735 735,018Ireland 5,239 37,341 8,848 76,068Nethlds 13,583 302,979 106,647 2,199,968Belgium 65 3,183 14,010 292,418France 4,298 65,935Fr Germ 125 2,600 4,063 84,276Czech 489 11,215Lithuan 141 2,930 141 2,930Poland 5,308 92,667Spain 1,320 7,426Italy 555 11,506Croatia 156 3,234 156 3,234Turkey 483 10,010Cyprus 129 2,679Lebanon 218 4,914 719 15,818Israel 2,331 63,010Kuwait 2,437 17,278S Arab 711 14,742Arab Em 417 8,640 4,639 45,720

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Thailnd 540 2,756 1,477 22,197Vietnam 385 7,980 1,319 27,360Singapr 130 2,698 4,605 39,258Phil R 28 6,581China 161 3,346 5,497 92,906Kor Rep 54 2,583 698 15,947Hg Kong 1,067 61,736Japan 2,079 43,115 5,831 74,108Austral 976 5,952 6,602 94,700N Zeal 206 4,265 1,966 50,920Eq Guin 98 2,780Ivy Cst 969 20,104Nigeria 750 6,525Rep Saf 1,164 24,146TOTAL 87,773 1,520,876 560,467 9,223,056

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

for Broom or Brush Making, NESOIJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 261,317 2,469,833 1,650,236 16,036,485Mexico 53,137 654,997 427,696 5,331,848Guatmal 720 5,434Hondura 420 6,808C Rica 2,412 17,839 3,044 28,080Panama 4,626 75,048 11,952 187,979Bermuda 81 4,717 81 4,717Bahamas 2,481 46,699Jamaica 244 3,962Dom Rep 580 5,400 4,900 24,396B Virgn 152 3,314St K N 1,073 17,410 1,073 17,410S Vn Gr 83 2,877Barbado 1,476 9,890Trinid 3,565 30,450N Antil 3,896 45,009Aruba 221 3,580 221 3,580Colomb 9,038 89,764Venez 16 3,703 7,073 84,970Ecuador 35,414 574,402Peru 9,076 138,287Bolivia 215 3,480Chile 1,569 21,973 15,438 211,563Brazil 1,569 30,661 15,796 220,188Uruguay 116 2,601Argent 2,760 28,730Sweden 897 13,546Norway 600 8,106 600 8,106Finland 254 5,882 1,280 22,525Denmark 2,027 20,161 4,337 31,495U King 8,842 106,537 70,629 761,070Ireland 2,292 40,546Nethlds 5,452 36,100 30,828 250,074Belgium 10,292 32,824 17,516 138,590France 688 2,934 8,995 137,671Fr Germ 3,113 41,417 26,073 409,339Slovak 341 5,524 341 5,524Switzld 1,221 28,455 3,259 58,491Estonia 369 5,988Lithuan 902 12,806Poland 1,829 40,799Russia 3,055 49,299Ukraine 203 3,140Georgia 420 6,804Kazakhs 274 4,451Spain 154 3,691 716 12,393Italy 1,767 28,666 6,052 80,378Greece 321 5,209Romania 1,541 25,000 1,541 25,000Lebanon 161 2,609Iraq 7,198 114,357Israel 240 6,600 2,017 35,444

Kuwait 60 3,107S Arab 532 8,634 3,882 45,650Qatar 675 11,829Arab Em 4,126 64,850 10,859 165,618India 210 2,618 460 6,668Pakistn 356 5,782Thailnd 325 5,275 1,494 32,189Malaysa 455 5,295 455 5,295Singapr 328 5,315 844 30,034Indnsia 288 8,640 5,557 70,220Maldive 14,875 92,960China 2,600 28,743 14,029 313,866Kor Rep 3,285 34,014 15,202 147,562Hg Kong 3,718 45,640 5,982 98,660Taiwan 293 8,785 7,332 125,932Japan 3,651 47,368 28,094 329,430Austral 15,165 80,392 54,470 576,661N Zeal 189 3,064 7,394 42,429Moroc 135 2,624Angola 1,499 25,195Djibuti 546 8,850 546 8,850Rep Saf 50 3,030 813 13,337TOTAL 398,894 4,017,571 2,574,284 27,572,475

0502100000 Pigs’, Hogs’ or Boars’ Bristlesand Hair and Waste ThereofJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueThailnd 154 8,469China 38,284 106,782 180,259 1,482,221Hg Kong 2,212 24,071TOTAL 38,284 106,782 182,625 1,514,761

0502900000 Badger Hair and OtherBrushmaking Hair and Waste Thereof

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueMexico 2,400 2,640 2,400 2,640Paragua 12,987 141,848U King 470 3,563 488 43,173Fr Germ 2,353 92,833Italy 62 3,008Thailnd 123 7,048 939 53,975China 69 3,952 8,502 172,802Japan 413 13,062 413 13,062TOTAL 3,475 30,265 28,144 523,341

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueFr Germ 700 10,981China 5,816 81,818 89,520 1,012,357TOTAL 5,816 81,818 90,220 1,023,338

1404903000 Istle Used Primarily In Brooms or In Brushes,Whether or Not In Hanks or Bundles

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/KG Value Net Q/KG ValueMexico 36,662 186,348 260,762 1,304,757TOTAL 36,662 186,348 260,762 1,304,757

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

July Year To Date

IMPORTSBroom and Brush

July Imports By Country

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 22


Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 14,000 6,483 59,850 26,836Hondura 269,922 161,491 3,378,983 1,634,251Colomb 15,000 6,340 67,662 46,698Brazil 818,257 683,478 4,268,590 3,733,046Argent 28,800 17,110 28,800 17,110Spain 32,064 14,758India 10,896 3,704Sri Lka 16,000 21,529 134,200 152,725Vietnam 100,644 92,051Malaysa 22,500 29,565 65,400 68,666Indnsia 108,151 98,843 1,516,958 1,302,844China 215,736 130,253 2,368,736 1,267,766Taiwan 33,000 36,190Egypt 20,000 5,000TOTAL 1,508,366 1,155,092 12,085,783 8,401,645

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

Country Net Q/Variable Value Net Q/Variable ValueGuatmal 17,581Fr Germ 3,782 15,069Czech 13,404 54,531Poland 122,490Italy 406,039 2,687,451Indnsia 117,762 505,400China 84,732 2,188,053Taiwan 10,446TOTAL 625,719 5,601,021

4417006000 Brush Backs, Of WoodJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 146,497 69,340 963,982 365,430Hondura 112,432 46,677Brazil 52,675 68,380Sri Lka 25,354 27,105 215,350 178,011Indnsia 145,448 72,463China 62,208 2,878 62,208 2,878Hg Kong 25,000 16,944TOTAL 234,059 99,323 1,577,095 750,783

4417008010 Tool Handles of WoodJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/Variable Value Net Q/Variable ValueCanada 2,470 45,469Mexico 2,349 77,220Salvadr 3,050C Rica 13,119Colomb 3,088Brazil 464,513 2,273,180Nethlds 5,533Poland 30,568Spain 18,514India 2,588 2,588Indnsia 53,868China 27,875 340,145Taiwan 3,693 25,792TOTAL 503,488 2,892,134

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/Variable Value Net Q/Variable ValueCanada 70,713 429,558Mexico 2,600 19,450Hondura 9,771 27,311Nicarag 2,542Colomb 4,957Chile 619,780 3,928,636Brazil 2,381 2,381U King 3,783 35,699Fr Germ 56,792Austria 5,143

Russia 3,194Spain 4,923Italy 7,760 16,110India 25,092 636,312Sri Lka 53,409 584,167Vietnam 27,280Singapr 3,682Indnsia 51,960 129,531China 265,179 1,316,757Taiwan 56,951Japan 314,225 2,199,602TOTAL 1,426,653 9,490,978

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 391 14,456Mexico 51,240 19,173C Rica 4 2,929Brazil 130,600 15,240 156,002 45,867Denmark 705 6,933Fr Germ 8,565 19,449 55,568 31,788Spain 462,084 199,055 1,887,108 804,335Italy 1,996,631 897,676 8,966,112 4,326,237Malaysa 605 7,608China 1,305,265 1,110,859 6,941,535 5,848,598Hg Kong 240 4,902 74,740 58,000Taiwan 23,148 34,273Japan 616 6,142TOTAL 3,903,385 2,247,181 18,157,774 11,206,339

9603100500 Wiskbrooms, of Broom Corn, LT=.96 EA. Prior to Entryor Withdrawal for Consumption of 61,655 Dozen In Calendar Year

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 3,108 3,010China 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

July 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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 34,056 23,635 78,804 59,851China 7,200 5,020TOTAL 34,056 23,635 86,004 64,871

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 788,422 2,016,339 4,688,615 11,744,791Hondura 49,230 87,407 275,034 553,989Fr Germ 3,200 7,910 3,200 7,910China 13,764 23,853 29,604 56,285TOTAL 854,616 2,135,509 4,996,453 12,362,975

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

With or Without Handles, NESOIJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 3,600 19,448 4,100 22,431Mexico 10,452 25,198 62,956 94,539Colomb 25,208 31,718Fr Germ 8 7,013Estonia 1,200 8,713Italy 3,849 21,959 3,849 21,959

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Turkey 1,100 4,640Israel 174 5,130 174 5,130India 376 17,403Sri Lka 97,097 119,769 492,275 919,302Thailnd 6,500 9,823 57,604 109,954Vietnam 14,900 11,522 82,750 73,325Phil R 1,000 2,504China 6,696 21,709 114,468 249,361Taiwan 1,200 2,401TOTAL 143,268 234,558 848,268 1,570,393

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 7,901 18,803 60,656 109,209Mexico 943,344 186,027 6,877,149 1,324,730Chile 38,016 9,216Brazil 1,619,180 517,392 9,131,588 2,598,889Sweden 77,834 80,811Denmark 2,220 2,478U King 101,629 62,042Ireland 806,256 243,912 5,314,416 1,901,212Nethlds 53,495 6,137 414,640 39,570France 447 4,287Fr Germ 3,788,412 2,075,377 24,080,258 14,128,373Hungary 1,464 2,919Switzld 4,387,914 2,352,501 54,063,376 19,493,756Italy 74,880 36,012 1,134,720 568,264Turkey 5,040 3,611Israel 583,016 138,083India 1,400,224 325,031 18,774,585 3,274,144Thailnd 2,720 32,904 4,034,684 543,920Vietnam 1,634,892 313,234 5,650,209 1,160,887Malaysa 2,407,352 153,312 7,174,660 445,037Indnsia 65,500 3,394 466,715 31,104China 41,193,607 6,972,306 318,433,900 50,804,845Kor Rep 29,760 14,989 921,064 204,545Hg Kong 95,000 28,863 217,424 104,383Taiwan 59,484 69,128 2,428,969 558,928Japan 15,310 50,962 2,206,585 482,029Austral 383,000 56,709N Caldn 93,456 24,162Kenya 3,264 4,176TOTAL 58,585,231 13,400,284 462,674,984 98,162,319

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValuePoland 13,824 4,460Thailnd 46,080 14,169Vietnam 21,600 10,611China 4,639,998 1,297,992 26,434,943 6,583,172Kor Rep 49,174 9,723 85,030 18,914Hg Kong 144,000 23,765 564,576 103,283Taiwan 10,080 2,866TOTAL 4,833,172 1,331,480 27,176,133 6,737,475

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

Valued Not Over .40 EachJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 3,324,577 269,242 27,920,497 2,495,909Nethlds 270,000 11,990 990,000 42,039Belgium 90,000 4,155France 564,364 141,117Fr Germ 4,927,840 971,232 27,097,955 4,447,838Italy 2,530,701 529,467India 779,180 21,769China 3,249,917 426,237 20,413,285 3,549,284Kor Rep 1,292,000 26,853 7,089,156 201,794Hg Kong 469,000 56,993Taiwan 247,240 56,872TOTAL 13,064,334 1,705,554 88,191,378 11,547,237

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 282,500 9,451Mexico 920,400 17,434 2,631,200 38,396Fr Germ 3,063,500 99,757 15,172,000 395,829Italy 1,186,000 12,632 15,550,900 176,089India 1,980,000 27,196China 13,691,464 282,759 71,518,914 1,711,278Kor Rep 1,425,000 34,227 11,627,000 342,202Hg Kong 1,161,385 37,229Taiwan 1,478,080 33,329TOTAL 20,286,364 446,809 121,401,979 2,770,999

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 5,563,836 441,162 38,019,197 3,068,904Dom Rep 33,060 2,874Brazil 96,000 6,679 288,000 20,035Fr Germ 350,000 30,356 1,182,500 85,506India 39,240 3,820 453,660 35,498Indnsia 261,504 27,476China 14,011,970 1,091,139 66,622,057 5,313,896Kor Rep 250,000 16,119 3,504,920 231,359Hg Kong 60,000 5,258 400,000 33,329Taiwan 164,720 16,352 1,321,776 89,604TOTAL 20,535,766 1,610,885 112,086,674 8,908,481

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

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 662 45,700 3,543 163,095Mexico 9,984,670 1,480,791 65,566,673 10,319,337Dom Rep 143,796 162,176 984,309 1,026,725Denmark 220 3,020U King 186,102 243,105 1,051,890 1,729,302Nethlds 5,000 12,734Belgium 13,976 3,673France 59,444 315,761 476,939 1,674,236Fr Germ 400,399 290,263 2,408,832 1,614,375Czech 120 2,267Switzld 492 16,321Spain 17,126 78,026 76,693 363,118Italy 10,054 6,248 136,867 83,686Greece 188 3,707Israel 3,494 9,528India 591,128 290,242 2,769,636 1,324,301Sri Lka 79,440 39,135 828,947 477,360Thailnd 221,669 194,455 1,769,141 1,256,672Vietnam 70,200 26,700China 12,968,318 8,004,326 90,333,251 59,998,531Kor Rep 446,894 374,083 1,495,973 1,404,692Hg Kong 802,035 321,224 3,378,759 1,756,956Taiwan 328,638 100,180 1,054,756 333,187Japan 172,442 571,653 1,829,402 5,307,201Austral 888 2,558Maurit 13,469 10,028 33,502 73,499TOTAL 26,426,286 12,527,396 174,293,691 88,986,781


Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 42,316 44,459 357,363 336,869Mexico 886,033 541,188 6,839,220 4,175,832Brazil 30,000 3,700 44,652 32,369U King 8,400 4,272 22,800 23,814Nethlds 770 3,440Fr Germ 421,150 86,282 2,551,842 639,015Austria 800 4,009 800 4,009Czech 25,060 9,777

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Italy 32,360 44,694 32,360 44,694Singapr 10,230 3,338 58,551 12,524China 2,851,895 1,599,092 22,337,764 12,175,370Hg Kong 112,170 22,049Taiwan 15,000 15,525Japan 40,000 28,476TOTAL 4,283,184 2,331,034 32,438,352 17,523,763

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 7,000 3,110U King 74,700 40,130Nethlds 1,315 6,600 1,315 6,600Fr Germ 1,000 2,364Italy 44 7,438China 1,120,464 640,028 7,401,782 4,189,713Taiwan 11,264 83,709 111,956 888,314TOTAL 1,133,043 730,337 7,597,797 5,137,669

9603404040 Natural Bristle Brushes, Other Than Brushes OfSubheading 9603.30

July Year To DateCountry Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueSweden 100 4,542U King 13,234 31,783 157,321 129,397Nethlds 336 2,805France 1,340 3,475Fr Germ 39,973 24,885Italy 60,800 84,596Turkey 16,122 38,925 53,994 167,771Israel 12,000 9,423Thailnd 371,664 52,720Vietnam 569,244 75,999Indnsia 4,236,254 590,488 22,931,948 3,324,757China 18,120 29,158 534,308 144,227Taiwan 600 2,372 469,742 113,712Japan 360 2,998 4,740 41,547TOTAL 4,284,690 695,724 25,207,510 4,179,856

9603404060 Paint, Distemper, Varnish/Similr Brushes Exc Brushes ofSubheading 9603.30 NESOIJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 30,240 33,741 110,334 133,254Mexico 72 3,098Guatmal 43,317 52,132Brazil 61,948 33,372Sweden 25,000 9,819 25,001 14,361U King 40,270 25,951 86,020 66,061Nethlds 370 2,078 370 2,078Fr Germ 6,140 40,739 44,046 138,762Czech 24,000 15,098Switzld 517 2,358Italy 852 4,317 22,095 34,366Turkey 10,332 30,236 10,332 30,236India 30,000 3,381Vietnam 123,140 18,873 392,878 154,452Singapr 10,750 4,309Indnsia 3,636,728 527,188 22,747,564 3,929,201China 12,694,198 4,484,609 99,563,210 35,299,427Kor Rep 45,000 18,076Taiwan 156,456 50,626 1,472,000 386,937Japan 4,776 8,657 265,716 105,041TOTAL 16,728,502 5,236,834 124,955,170 40,426,000

9603908010 WiskbroomsJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueMexico 127 2,372 3,471 8,098Brazil 2,429 30,033China 102,690 90,894 319,289 295,592

Taiwan 1,938 6,446Rep Saf 2,784 9,233TOTAL 102,817 93,266 329,911 349,402

9603908020 Upright BroomsJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 496 12,171Mexico 51,834 47,956 339,001 340,893Guatmal 74,372 90,641Salvadr 41,054 39,858Colomb 37,860 31,944Brazil 108,467 87,479 211,664 281,683Spain 20,364 42,151 20,364 42,151Italy 26,648 39,106 108,700 167,751Vietnam 1,400 28,836 1,600 39,336China 719,117 722,677 3,979,715 4,174,322Taiwan 46,548 39,311Japan 100 15,000Egypt 7,776 5,562 30,852 21,135TOTAL 935,606 973,767 4,892,326 5,296,196

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueArgent 4,350 12,643Sri Lka 3,636 16,215China 15,024 29,640 39,786 118,911Taiwan 300 2,545 300 2,545TOTAL 15,324 32,185 48,072 150,314

9603908040 Other Brooms, NESOIJuly Year To Date

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 276,362 125,123 649,139 723,612Mexico 499,694 774,435 2,809,917 5,021,605Guatmal 101,175 101,156Salvadr 17,280 16,416 66,083 120,562Dom Rep 1,577 27,278Colomb 50,940 41,877 255,268 293,548Venez 725,793 86,988Brazil 10,086 13,470 152,724 410,464U King 1,476 10,981Czech 26,408 22,278 145,802 126,725Hungary 27,900 8,777Spain 89,162 118,494 136,778 167,003Italy 272,865 401,766 412,952 603,306Israel 3,986 3,257India 500 2,870 1,344 5,064Sri Lka 38,508 98,755 232,488 575,276Thailnd 5,000 6,488 11,500 15,522Vietnam 21,210 18,403Indnsia 38,150 38,974China 596,359 658,200 4,301,513 4,865,635Kor Rep 182 2,789Taiwan 15,915 93,751Egypt 3,600 2,904Rep Saf 2,520 9,365 2,520 9,365TOTAL 1,885,684 2,289,537 10,118,992 13,332,945

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

Country Net Q/No. Value Net Q/No. ValueCanada 1,992,448 13,852,043Mexico 3,395,868 24,277,609Salvadr 18,725 98,182Hondura 2,159,654 9,869,138Panama 9,716Dom Rep 13,011 230,625Colomb 150,829 782,323Brazil 12,837 397,711Argent 143,088

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 25

imports will continue to be an issue, and one that we welcome.We don’t welcome the recession, but when it comes to imports,we compete in a global marketplace and we are not afraid totake our products over there and say, ‘Here is what we have tooffer.’

“I will guarantee our product is of a higher quality than what iscoming in, basically because of the quality control measures thatwe have in place.”

One new product Jason Mills plans to offer in the near futureis an environmentally friendly mesh. The idea to enter thegreen marketplace with this line came about through JasonMills’ market research that indicates customers want such aproduct.

“We are still in the beginning stages, but we believe that thereis a market for it,” Lavroff said. “The product will be an environ-mentally friendly version of the same mesh that we have alwaysproduced. It will be made from the recycled fibers that are used inthe industry.

“I can’t guarantee what the rest of the mop or the sponge ismade of, because we don’t do that, but the mesh will have greenproperties. We have the supply chains to produce this product andwe think it is something that is needed and desired in the market-place.”

Also for the broom, brush and mop segment, Jason Mills isexploring the possibility of offering an economy line of the fabricit currently sells, which would be a lighter weight version of thecompany’s current fabric.

When speaking about what may lie ahead for Jason Mills andthe textile industry overall, Lavroff is optimistic.

“I am very bullish on the future of our company. I see usexpanding into different technical textiles, and included in that arefabrics for the broom, brush and mop industry, such as ourplanned green line,” Lavroff said. “We will continue to exploreinto different niche markets and expand our product line into newand different textile materials.”

Contact: Jason Mills, LLC, 440 S. Main St., Milltown, NJ 08850.

Phone: 732-651-7200; Fax: 732-651-7222.E-mail: [email protected] site: www.jasonmills.com.

Yarn/TapeContinued From Page 12


Sweden 4,001 117,422Finland 10,595Denmark 141,661 689,145U King 92,031 475,365Ireland 3,612Nethlds 277,526 1,173,248Belgium 214,098 1,197,405France 22,475 102,870Fr Germ 178,696 1,344,111Austria 2,548 210,285Czech 8,212 187,961Switzld 40,729 79,071Poland 8,487Russia 4,643Spain 24,093 272,675Portugl 2,290 2,290Italy 471,485 4,661,151Serbia 29,056Romania 8,611Turkey 15,568

Syria 3,299Israel 14,452 425,438India 60,964 777,814Pakistn 337,115 2,908,394Sri Lka 343,940 2,451,734Thailnd 827,574 5,168,921Vietnam 27,423 370,384Malaysa 27,115 188,549Singapr 28,735Indnsia 62,651 353,262China 23,870,791 177,824,779Kor Rep 368,765 1,897,233Hg Kong 482,028 2,666,775Taiwan 891,843 6,970,734Japan 45,474 273,051Austral 104,937 825,031W Samoa 83,464Egypt 10,340 135,575TOTAL 36,698,629 263,607,178

Harper Brush Works has been selected for the 2009 Best ofFairfield Award in the Household or Industrial Brushes categoryby the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizesoutstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year,the USCA identifies companies that it believes have achievedexceptional marketing success in their local community and busi-ness category.

These are local companies that enhance the positive imageof small business through service to their customers and com-munity.

Various sources of information were gathered and ana-lyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity.Winners are determined based on the information gatheredboth internally by the USCA and data provided by thirdparties.

Harper Brush Works, in business for over 108 years, is amanufacturer of mops, buckets, brooms, brushes, dusters,squeegees and other commercial cleaning equipment. Thecompany’s manufacturing/distribution facilities are located inFairfield, IA; Stockton, CA; Brownwood, TX; andGreenville, NC. For more information on the company, visitwww.harperbrush.com.

USCA is a Washington, D.C.-based organization funded bylocal businesses operating in towns, large and small, acrossAmerica. The purpose of USCA is to promote local businessthrough public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local busi-nesses in their communities. The organization works exclusivelywith local business owners, trade groups, professional associa-tions, chambers of commerce and other business advertising andmarketing groups. Its mission is to be an advocate for small- andmedium-size businesses and business entrepreneurs acrossAmerica.

Harper Brush WorksReceives 2009 Best Of Fairfield Award

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 26


become more efficient this year and reducecosts,” Laske said.

Contact: Vonco Products, Inc., 201 Park Ave., Lake Villa, IL 60046.

Phone: 847-356-2323; Fax: 847-356-8630.

Web sites: www.vonco.com.www.thunderstix.com.


Pioneer Packaging, Inc., ofChicopee, MA, was founded in1946 by Gordon Shinners who

dedicated the company to providing fastturnaround service and quality products.That tradition continues today under theownership of Jeff and Jill Shinners,Gordon Shinners’ son and granddaugh-ter.

An important market segment served byPioneer Packaging is the brush industry,for which it manufactures paintbrush keep-ers, roller packs and clamshells.

“We have built special machinery for ourbrush products,” said Jill Shinners, who,along with being a co-owner, is the com-pany’s vice president of marketing. “Wealso have developed a special coating forthe interior of our paintbrush keepers thatprevents, not only water-based paint, butalso solvent-based paint from bleedingthrough the keepers. We have been in thepaintbrush industry for more than 60years.”

Pioneer developed the first reusablepaintbrush keeper made from 100 per-cent post-consumer waste material, mak-ing it fully compostable. In addition, thispackaging utilizes soy-based inks, FSCcertified material and special water-based coatings to protect and extend thelife of the keeper. This environmentallyfriendly product was a candidate for theAmerican Brush ManufacturersAssociation (ABMA) 2009 InnovationAward.

Another important innovation for thecompany has been in the area of high-tech “luster” coating printing and ther-moforming post consumer waste materi-als.

In addition to the brush industry, PioneerPackaging serves a variety of segmentsincluding health and beauty products,food, hardware, pharmaceutical, stationarypackaging and consumer goods. The com-pany serves customers in the United States,

Europe and Mexico.The company’s varied customer base

and the adjustments it has made haveproven to be a successful combination indealing with current economic condi-tions.

“Business has been slow but it is start-ing to pick up,” Jill Shinners said. “Wehad to change the way we seek potentialcustomers as far as targeting businessand looking for new markets. Dealingwith this economy has been a learningexperience.

“We have many customers who arelooking for creative ideas and design con-cepts that will give them savings. Wehave been working to redesign things toput together cost savings for ouraccounts. A lot of customers are comingup with new products and we are doingthe same.”

Shinners explained that because thepackaging industry’s customer base hasdrastically shrunk in recent years, innova-tive thinking to develop products and newmarkets is essential to survival.

“We strive to increase our businessbased on new markets,” Shinners said.“The challenge for us is to continuallyresearch and come up with new marketsfor our products. Our company is verystrong. We have been very fortunate, and Iexpect to see significant growth in the nextfew years with all the changes we havemade in equipment and developing newmarkets.”

While Pioneer has made changes toaccommodate current marketplace condi-tions, one aspect of the company hasremained the same — the commitment topersonalized customer service.

“We offer individual in-house customerservice for our accounts, which results instrong personalized relationships,”Shinners said. “Customers have an insidepersonal contact. In addition, all of oursales people travel to all our accounts andare always striving to learn more abouttheir businesses.”

One way companies have battled therecession is by keeping their inventoriesas low as possible. Pioneer Packaging’sVendor Managed Inventory programs arehelping some of its customers in thisarea.

The programs typically help customersprevent stock shortages; allow for art-work changes every three months, ifneeded; provide just-in-time deliveries;

reduce inventory; and provide cost sav-ings.

“Many customers will send us theirforecast for the year. They will alsosend us their production reports on amonthly basis and we build to whattheir production looks like for the nextmonth,” Shinners said. “An importantresult is we help reduce our cus-tomers’ inventories, as well as ourown, and we reduce the need for outcustomers to order large amounts ofproducts.”

A critical aspect of Pioneer’s business isits printing capabilities. The company haseight-color and six-color presses.

“Last year we purchased a printing pressthat cost $3.5 million.” Shinners said. “Wemust stay current in technology to remaincompetitive. Each year we reinvest in ourcompany’s machinery.”

In addition to its state-of-the art printingcapabilities, Pioneer manufactures foldingcartons, thermoformed plastics and offerscontract packaging in its modern 96,000square-foot facility using the most efficientequipment on the market. The companyalso has a full-service in-house graphicdesign department.

“One thing that is unique, is we per-form all of our operations in one loca-tion,” Shinners said. “We print, cut, glue,put in cello/windows, put Velcro onto thepackaging for paintbrush keepers andother specialty products — all in ourfacility.”

In speaking of the future of the pack-aging industry as a whole, Shinners said,“There are fewer and fewer customersand more of the larger companies areopening plants overseas. For those com-panies that remain onshore, the key tosuccess is to look to new markets andimprove and add value to the packagingthey offer.

“Furthermore, it is not just the packageanymore, people are also looking to out-source in other areas. So I think the chal-lenge is to come up with other avenues tosell products and not just be single-mindedand think you are going to do one productand that is it.”

Contact: Pioneer Packaging, Inc., 220 Padgette St., Chicopee, MA 01022.

Phone: 413-378-6930; Fax: 413-378-6963.


Web site: www.pioneerpackaginginc.com.

PackagingContinued From Page 15

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 27

By Harrell KerkhoffBroom, Brush & Mop Editor

A total of 42 short tons of broom corn was imported into theUnited States during August 2009, according to the U.S.Department of Commerce. Total value of this import was $93,296,with a cost per ton of $2,221 ($1.11 per pound).

Mexico was the leading importer of broom corn for the monthwith 32 short tons. Total value of the Mexican broom corn was$83,616, with a cost per ton of $2,613 ($1.31 per pound).According to U.S. government figures, the only other country toimport broom corn into the United States during August wasSierra Leone. A total of 10 short tons was reportedly importedfrom the west African nation, with a value of $9,680 and a cost perton of $968 (48 cents per pound).

August’s broom corn import mark was lower compared toone year ago, when the government reported that 76 shorttons of broom corn entered the United States during August2008.

After the first eight months of 2009, a total of 205 short tons ofbroom corn was imported into the United States. Total value ofthis import was $528,415, with a cost per ton of $2,578 ($1.29 perpound). In comparison, 676 short tons of broom corn entered theUnited States by the end of August 2008. Total value of thisbroom corn was $1,669,803, with a cost per ton of $2,470 ($1.24per pound).

The 2009 import breakdown in short tons by country after eightmonths is as follows: Mexico, 168 tons; India, 11 tons; SierraLeone, 10 tons; Chile, 9 tons; and the Dominican Republic, 7 tons.

Bart Pelton of PelRay International, LLC, in San Antonio,TX, said he is not aware of anyone bringing in broom corn fromSierra Leone and that this import’s price of 48 cents per pound is“pretty cheap.”

“Every couple of years, we (PelRay International) do getinquiries from people in west Africa regarding broom corn seed.They express interest in starting a broom corn program over there,but I don’t think any of them have ever gotten such a program offthe ground,” Pelton said. “It’s not impossible that this could hap-pen, but I’m not aware of such a program right now. Also, at 48cents per pound, it doesn’t look like this could have beenprocessed broom corn.”

He also questioned the validity of the average price for import-ed Mexican broom corn in August, which was at $1.31 per pound.Pelton felt this price was too low and well below what processedbroom corn was trading for during the month.

According to Pelton, unprocessed broom corn does enter theUnited States from Mexico and is imported at a lower price. It’sused mostly by craft and novelty broom manufacturers as well asfor the production of duck blinds in some parts of the UnitedStates.

“There is some (unprocessed broom corn) coming into thecountry. I just don’t know if it would be enough to bring the dol-lar amount down that low (at $1.31 per pound),” Pelton said.

He did feel the 32 short ton figure for August from Mexico wasmore accurate compared to figures from previous months.

“That (32 short tons) is about a load and a half, and I thinkbroom corn consumption is only running about 40 tons a monthright now (in the United States),” Pelton said.

When interviewedon October 16,Pelton added he hadjust returned from avisit to Mexico andreported that thesecond harvest ofthe year is in fullswing in the Torreonregion.

“The processorsare all pretty busyright now. Some ofthem have sold outtheir production forthe next few weeksto a month,” he said.“While some are pro-ducing bales and put-


U.S. Imports 42 Short TonsOf Broom Corn In August

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

November 202 133 184 92 123

November 194 200 96 160 29

December 127 164 76 101 17

1,974 1,389 1,497 1,216 978 205 $528,415 $2,578 ($1.29)

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 28


ting them in inventory, others are selling (broom corn) about asfast as they are producing.

“The supply situation is much better than what took place inJune before the first Torreon crop arrived. There was just nothingavailable to purchase (prior to the first harvest.) Right now (as ofthe middle of October) there is processed broom corn available.It’s not a huge amount, but with demand being light it doesn’t takea lot to satisfy the market.”

Pelton indicated that the second Torreon harvest may take a fewmore weeks before completion.

“There was some late planting that took place. Therefore, weexpect broom corn to be harvested until the first freeze inTorreon, which usually takes place around November 17,” heexplained.

Concerning Mexican broom corn pricing as of October 16,Pelton added that it remains at a fairly stable rate, fluctuating 5 to6 cents a pound. This is mostly in association with the value ofthe Mexican peso. He said Mexican processors have purchasedmost of the raw corn they need thus far, so their costs are fairlyfixed.

“Most of them are in a position where they would ratheraccumulate inventory than reduce prices. And there are notnearly as many processors as there used to be, which helpskeep prices more stable,” Pelton said. “Most of the demand forbroom corn comes from Mexico, and much more broom corn isnow traded in pesos than in U.S. dollars. It (the price forMexican broom corn) often depends on how the dollar andpeso have been moving. Whether or not you get a good buy onbroom corn can depend on the exchange rate of the day thepurchase is made.”

Regarding the quality of this year’s second crop from Torreon,Caddy said some of the most recently harvested broom corn isstarting to run heavier to insides. This is a change from what washarvested earlier from the second crop.

“There was more hurl than expected coming from the earlierpart of the harvest. This was good as market demand is heavy tohurl due to more grass brooms being made these days,” he said.“With the more recent broom corn being harvested, however, it’srunning greater toward insides. This is also good since the marketneeds insides as well.

“There is some coarse fiber with the second crop broom cornbeing harvested — more than what we would like — but overallit’s not too bad of a problem.”

When it comes to yucca fiber, Pelton reported that pricesseem to be strengthening as of the middle of October. Headded that some processors have indicated they are consider-ing closing due to weak yucca fiber prices and demand. If oneor two of these processors do shut down, prices could moveup.

“We are also getting close to the time of the year whenweather plays a factor with prices. By early- to mid-December, there are cooler and wetter days taking place in theyucca growing region. There is also less direct sunlight. Thisall usually cuts production time and often brings on a season-al uptick in prices. The upcoming holiday season also slowsproduction,” Pelton said. “We didn’t really see this take placelast year, but in many years yucca fiber prices do increaseduring the winter months. An increase in prices during

December or January would not be unusual, and if some ofthe processors do close, there could be a bigger price spikethan what is typical.

“But as today (October 16), prices haven’t really changed a lot,making it a good time to buy.”

Pelton also addressed the current security situation in Mexico,stating it has stabilized somewhat but those visiting the Torreonand Cadereyta areas still need to be careful.

Richard Caddy of R.E. Caddy & Co., Inc., in Greensboro,NC, also had never heard of broom corn arriving from SierraLeone.

“I supposed it’s possible. I know some people who do work inwestern Africa. They have tried to get local business and industrygoing as it pertains to broom making. I would be surprised, how-ever, if they had enough broom corn to ship back to the UnitedStates,” Caddy said.

Along the Pelton, Caddy felt the $1.31 per pound average forimported Mexican broom corn in August was too low.

“I could not have achieved that cost average myself unless Ibrought in a tremendous amount of raw broom corn. As it pertainsto processed hurl and insides, $1.31 is too low,” he said.

Caddy also believes there was more broom corn arriving intothe United States during August than just 42 short tons.

When interviewed on October 20, Caddy added that Mexicanbroom corn is still entering the United States and is of acceptablequality.

“There was a concern about a possible supply shortage a cou-ple of months ago, but I think this concern has passed,” Caddysaid. “I’m not worried, at this point, about running out of broomcorn.

“I don’t know what the final tonnage will be from the sec-ond harvest, but its supply will definitely help. It should keepus from being worried about whether there are more ordersbooked than what processors can fill. This is what happened inJuly. (Processors) were taking orders, but they couldn’t fillthem for 30 or so days. They were backed up with commit-ments. We finally did receive the broom corn, but it took amonth.”

He added that broom corn pricing remains steady as of the mid-dle of October.

Regarding yucca fiber, Caddy said there is plenty of productavailable. However, many of his customers have gone to produc-ing all-broom corn brooms.

“I have seen less demand for yucca this year. The fiber, mean-while, is of very good quality as the processors do a good job.Pricing for yucca fiber is up by a small percentage compared tosix months ago,” he said.

As far as overall business at his company is concerned, Caddydescribed it as being “steady.”

“We are not breaking any sales records, but are doing prettywell. July through October of last year were good months, andit appears these months will be good again this year,” Caddysaid.

Tim Monahan of The Thomas Monahan Co., in Arcola, IL,was unavailable for comment for this month’s broom corn dealersurvey.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 29

Broom, brush and mop exhibitors from around North

America and the world had a major presence in

Chicago for ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America 2009, held

October 6-9 at the McCormick Center.

The many exhibitors of brooms, brushes, mops and

related products showcased their new product

lines and fresh designs.

Both industry newcomers and well-established

manufacturers met with show attendees to help educate

those from various facets of the cleaning industry.

Leading exhibitors of brooms, brushes, mops and

related products are featured in their company

booths on pages 30-35.

Crystal Lake Manufacturing, Inc., supplies the cleaning industrywith such items as corn and plastic brooms; deck, wet and dustmops; handles for floor brushes; street brooms and mop sticks.Shown, left to right, are Edward Pearson, president; JoAnnMessina Flora, sales; Dennis Vehr, sales manager.

Tucel Industries, Inc., provides such cleaning items as hygien-ic, sanitary, industrial, safety and maintenance fused brushware.Shown are John Lewis, president; and Joanne Raleigh, vicepresident.

Lambskin Specialties offers such cleaning items as dust wands;lambswool, feather and synthetic dusters; applicator pads; polish-ing bonnets; chamois and Window Pro strip washers; squeegeesand utility handles.

Harper Brush Works is amanufacturer of mops, buck-ets, brooms, brushes, dusters,squeegees and other com-mercial cleaning equipment.Shown, left to right, are KateHenderson, graphic designer;Jesse Henderson, insidesales/customer service repre-sentative; and Patricia Adam,marketing director.

Zephyr Manufacturing Co., Inc., is a provider of such cleaning-related products as wet and dust mops, brooms, brushes, dusters,handles and sponges. Representatives of the company includeJohn Lindstrom, R.J. Lindstrom and Doug Leerssen.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 30

The Malish Corp. is a provider of such cleaning-related prod-ucts as floor machine brushes, push brooms, hand mainte-nance brushes, handles and specialty brushes. Shown, left toright, are Robert DiVito, western regional director of sales - dis-tributor products; and Christopher Shaw, northeast regionaldirector of sales.

Carolina Mop Manufacturing Company supplies such cleaning-related products as wet mops, dust mops, brooms and handles,brushes, carts, buckets and wringers. Shown, left to right, are BillRitter, national sales manager; and Jay Ritter, vice president.

ACS Industries, Inc./Scrubble Division products include stain-less steel scrubbers, nylon scouring pads, grill cleaning prod-ucts, mops, brooms, brushes, floor pads, steel wool and sandscreen disks.

Milwaukee Dustless Brush /Gordon Brush Wisconsin, LLC.,supplies such cleaning-relatedproducts as floor and hand-heldbrushes, upright brooms, floorsqueegees, sponge mops, deckscrubs, and hygienic andmicrofiber cleaning tools. Shown,left to right, are Jeff Feder, nation-al sales manager; and KennethRakusin, CEO/president.

Haviland Corporation is a provider of various types of floor andwindow squeegees as well as handles, floor scrapers and waterb-rooms. Shown, left to right, are Joyce Dudenhoeffer, marketingdirector; Alice Haviland Andrews, director of strategic planning;Jan Haviland, president/CEO; Dale Heidbrink, vice president ofoperations; and Randy Wolfe, senior manager of operations,replacement parts division.

Ha-Ste Manufacturing, Inc., offers such cleaning-related productsas wet, dust and finish mops; microfiber items; frames; handles androtary bonnets. Shown are Susan Linder, sales associate; andRobin Stewart, president.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 31

Brushtech, Inc., supplies suchproducts as brushes used forcleaning wine glassware, hightemperature fryers, kitchenequipment, grills and otherareas of a facility/home such asbathrooms. Shown is ZavenGunjian, vice president of sales.

Briarwood Products Company is a provider of such items asAdjusta-Turn surface cleaning tools, floor squeegees, dry dustmop frames and related mopping and ceiling cleaning equip-ment. Shown, left to right, are Manfred Tomm, vice president; andErwin Tomm, president.

Continental CommercialProducts, LLC., is aprovider of a complete lineof janitorial and sanitarymaintenance products forsuch areas as floor care,general cleaning, materialhandling, trash contain-ment and foodservice.Shown is company repre-sentative Robert Libon.

Emsco Group Commercial Products supplies such cleaningitems as mop heads and handles; sponge, stick and dry mops;corn, poly, push and whisk brooms; and brushes. Shown isKimberly Cook, national sales manager - cleaning division.

Tucker ManufacturingCo., Inc., provides suchitems as high level windowwashers, aluminum tele-scoping handles, specialtybrushes and awning clean-ing systems. Shown arecompany representativesCarole Tucker and RobinTucker.

ABCO Cleaning Products is a manufacturer and marketer ofmops, brooms, handles and buckets in the commercial cleaningmarket. Shown, left to right, are Christopher Meaney, vice presi-dent of sales & marketing; Luis Urbina, customer service manag-er; and Luis Janania, administrative & sales manager.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 32

The O’Dell Corporation sup-plies the cleaning industrywith such items as wet, dustand deck mops; upright andpush brooms; industrial mophandles; industrial spongemops; wall washing equip-ment and carpet bonnets.

Magnolia Brush Manufac-turers, Ltd., offers manytypes of brushes, brooms,mops, squeegees, buckets,handles, sponges and dustpans for the janitorial supplytrade. Shown is companyrepresentative Greta Moore.

Ettore Products Com-pany provided a windowcleaning demonstrationat its booth during ISSA.The company providesmaster brass and stain-less steel squeegees aswell as other windowcleaning tools.

S.M. Arnold, Inc., is aprovider of such cleaningitems as chamois, syntheticsponges, car mitts, polishingbonnets and pads, waxapplicator pads, brushes,squeegees, microfiber clothsand towels, push broomsand dusters. Shown is com-pany representative KellyFriederich.

Remco Products is aprovider of color-codedcleaning tools designedspecifically for the food,pharmaceutical, safety andmaterial handling industries.These items include brush-es, brooms and squeegees.Shown are Ann Bambrough,sales & marketing; andSteve Hawhee, vice presi-dent, sales & marketing.

Reach Higher Ground specializes in waterfed poles and purewater cleaning technology for window cleaners.Shown, left to right,are company representatives Shawn Gavin and Mike Draper.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 33

Golden Star Inc., is a full line,vertically integrated manufac-turer of professional surfacecleaning tools, systems andaccessories. This includes wetand dust mops, microfiberpads and cloths, dusters, bon-nets and hardware.

Nexstep Commercial Products, exclusive licensee of O-Cedar,offers a complete line of commercial grade sanitary maintenanceproducts including wet and dust mops; mop sticks, buckets andwringers; brooms; microfiber systems; squeegees and brushes.Shown are Todd Mauer, vice president of sales & marketing; andJeanie Teske, customer service manager.

ETC of Henderson, Inc., offers such items as synthetic and nat-ural fiber floor pads, mops, carpet bonnets, brooms, brushes andhand pads.

The Fuller Brush Company - Commercial Division providessuch items as wet and dry mops, brushes, brooms and hand oper-ated carpet sweepers. Shown are Michael Leonard, vice presidentof sales; and Cindi Bentley, national sales manager.

Filmop USA designsand produces a largerange of microfibermop systems; mopbuckets; and maid, jan-itorial, hospital andhotel carts stocked inthe United States.

Rubbermaid CommercialProducts, Inc., manufac-tures various types of clean-ing tools and systems in thecategories of cleaning,waste, safety, material han-dling and foodservice.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:28 AM Page 34

The Libman Company isa manufacturer of manytypes of brooms, mops,brushes, dust pans andbuckets. Shown, left toright, are Desi Csoka,commercial sales; andDavid McKnight, vicepresident - internationaldivision.

Padco, Inc., provides afull line of floor finishapplicators, trim pads,extension poles, paintapplicators and acces-sories. Shown are EdGoldstein, president;and Ludmilla Goldstein,sales.

Unger Enterprises, Inc.,offers a complete line ofprofessional window clean-ing tools, restroom andfloor cleaning systems, andproducts for high accessmaintenance.

Marino Vileda Professionalis a supplier of a full line ofcleaning items such asbrushes, brooms and vari-ous types of mopping equip-ment.

Upcoming...ISSA/INTERCLEAN® is scheduled for Nov. 9 - 12, 2010 in Orlando, FL.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:29 AM Page 35

The 2009 National Broom & MopConvention is scheduled for Thursday andFriday, November 19-20, at the Hilton St.Louis Airport hotel, located nearLambert-St. Louis (MO) InternationalAirport.

Participating in the annual event will bebroom, mop and related suppliers andmanufacturers from across the UnitedStates. Co-chairmen of this year’s conven-tion are Mark Quinn, of Quinn BroomWorks, Inc., Greenup, IL; and JimMonahan, of The Thomas MonahanCompany, Arcola, IL.

“The purpose of the meeting is tocome together and discuss subjects asso-ciated with the (broom, mop and related)industry and work on answers,” Quinnsaid. “Everyone in business has beeninfluenced during the past calendar yearby changes in the world economy. Thisevent can help participants better discussindustry issues and strive for future suc-cess.”

This year’s agenda includes a 5 p.m.social hour and 6 p.m. dinner on Thursdaywhile the meeting portion of the eventbegins at 8 a.m. on Friday. HighlightingFriday’s meeting will be the followingindustry reports and scheduled speakers asof late September:

• Metal Handles — Jim Monahan; The

Thomas Monahan Company, Arcola, IL;• Wood Handles — Wayne Pringle,

Amerwood Division, The GatewayCorporation, Ft. Worth, TX;

• Fiberglass Handles — Jeff Jones,Fiberglass Innovations, Rockford, IL;

• Broom Corn — Ray LeBlanc, PelRayInternational, San Antonio, TX; and TimMonahan, The Thomas Monahan Co.;

• Brush Fiber — Chris Monahan, BrushFibers, Inc., Arcola, IL;

• Poly — Les Laske, Vonco Products,

Inc., Lake Villa, IL; and Walter Dudziak,Creative Poly, Inc., Rochelle, IL;

• Yarn — Ralph Jones, The JonesCompanies, Humboldt, TN;

• Currency Connection — Bart Pelton,PelRay International;

• Lacey Act/10-2 Program — RayLeBlanc, PelRay International; and,

• New Mop Concepts — CarlosPetzold, Bodam International Ltd./BorghiUSA, Aberdeen, MD.

A guest speaker, Paul Temme, is alsopart of Friday’s agenda. He will discussmarketing concepts that can be usedregarding the sale of brooms and mops.Friday’s meeting is slated to be completedaround noon.

Reservations must be made through thehotel. The Hilton St. Louis Airport hotel islocated at 10330 Natural Bridge Rd., St.Louis, MO 63134-3303.

The phone is 1-314-426-5500; fax: 1-314-426-3429 and Web site: www.hiltonst-louisairport.com.

Registration fee for the meeting is $92per person to be paid by check or moneyorder to Quinn Broom Works, Inc.

For more information on the meeting,contact Mark Quinn at 1-800-626-7282([email protected]) or Jim Monahan at 1-800-637-7739 ([email protected]).


INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

ABMA ......................................................................38

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

Caddy & Co., Inc., R.E.............................................14

Carlson Tool ............................................................14

Chung Thai Brushes Co............................................37

Crystal Lake................................................................9

Jones Companies .......................................Front Cover

Lemieux ......................................................................3

Line Manufacturing, Inc. ..........................................15

Manufacturers Resource ............................Back Cover

Monahan Co., The Thomas .......................................5

PelRay.........................................................................7

Shanghai Aubi Metals Co. ..........................................2

St. Nick Brush Co.....................................................13

Stainless Steel Products ............................................11

National Broom & Mop MeetingScheduled For November 19-20, 2009

The Wooster Brush Company’s 501™ roller frame grip has beenredesigned to provide a more comfortable painting experience.With a larger overall width and a new molded thumb groove, theergonomic 501 frame fits more snugly in the hand.

Unlike frames with hard plastic grips, the Wooster 501 has a softand cozy feel, with a supple texture-like rubber. The handle ismolded with blue Shergrip® elastomeric material over durablepolypropylene, making it perfect for hot or tired hands. Best of all,the new design doesn’t sacrifice any of the frame’s durability orsolvent-resistance.

A sturdy 5-wire cage and blue polypropylene endcaps providefull support for standard 9-inch rollers. Not only is the end thread-ed for extension pole use, but an extra ring of Shergrip (found atthe bottom of the handle) acts as a compression washer and helpsto lock it onto threads to prevent slipping and twisting.

The Wooster redesigned 501 is available at traditional paint anddecorating centers, hardware stores, paint sundry distributors andretailers, and home centers.

The Wooster 501 Paint RollerFrame Gets A Makeover

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:29 AM Page 36


The American Brush Manufacturers Association (ABMA) isin the process of revising and updating ANSI Standard B165.1,1979 (R2005), Power-Driven Brushing Tools – SafetyRequirements for Design, Care and Use. A work committeehas reviewed the standard and made recommendations for revi-sions.

The standard was originally developed in 1979 (and lastupdated in 2005) to establish the rules and specifications forsafety that apply in the design, use and care of power-drivenbrushing tools. It embraces all brushing tools whose brushingelements are made of ferrous wire, non-ferrous wire, plastic,abrasive filaments, vegetable fibers, animal hair or other materi-als; and brushes fabricated with any combination of such ele-ments and whose functional performance is accomplished bypower driven operation.

The standard does not cover brushes constructed of wood orsynthetic hub or cores, and brushing tools whose primary functionis vehicle or train washing, carpet sweeping, dental hygiene, floormaintenance, sewer cleaning, street sweeping and brushing toolsmanufactured in accordance with other American NationalStandards.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinatesthe development of U.S. voluntary national standards and pro-

vides an open, equitable and accessible consensus process thatensures due process and benefits the public interest.

ABMA seeks interested parties who are willing to review theproposed standard. Interested parties may consist of the followingtypes:

• Producer — Manufacturer of power brushing tools or a tradeassociation or society that represents the interest of such manufac-turers;

• User — Organization (company, association, governmentagency, individual) that/who uses these tools; and,

• General Interest — Organization that has an interest in powerbrushing tools, but neither produces nor uses them directly.

Those interested in participating in this activity should send afax, letter or an e-mail to ABMA prior to Dec. 15, 2009. Contactinformation is required of the person in the organization who hasbeen designated to receive the materials.

For further information, contact:ABMA Executive Director David Parr,

2111 West Plum St., Suite 274, Aurora, IL 60506.

Phone: 630-631-5217; Fax: 866-837-8450. E-mail: [email protected];Web site: www.abma.org.

ABMA Seeks Parties InterestedIn Reviewing Proposed Standard

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:29 AM Page 37

Donnelly Sales LLC of Rio Rancho, NM, has been appointed asauthorized sales representative for PFERD INC., the U.S. subsidiary ofAugust Rüggeberg GmbH & Co. of Marienheide, Germany, a 210-year-old world leader in the design and manufacture of quality abra-sives, brushes, hand tool accessories and power tools.

With this new assignment, Donnelly Sales will be responsible for themarketing of all PFERD abrasive and Advance Brush products throughauthorized PFERD distributors throughout New Mexico and El Paso, TX.

In announcing the appointment, PFERD INC. President GeneHuegin stated, “PFERD was seeking an aggressive sales partner in thisimportant market area and Donnelly Sales was an ideal choice. Theirin-depth experience in working with the top distributors there, plustheir solid background in representing and demonstrating metalwork-ing solutions to manufacturing, construction and MRO customers, plustheir excellent growth record are certain to bring improvement to oursales performance in the Southwest.”

Donnelly Sales, founded in 1998, has earned an impressive list ofindustrial manufacturers as their principals and they specialize in mar-keting STAFDA related tools as well as manufacturing and mainte-nance types.

Jerry Donnelly, Donnelly Sales president, commented on his compa-ny’s latest line addition.

PFERD INC. was established in the United States by AugustRüggeberg GmbH & Co. over 30 years ago. It also owns a subsidiary,Advance Brush, of Wisconsin, a leading manufacturer of power andmaintenance brushes and accessories.

Donnelly Sales New Agency For PFERD, INC.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:29 AM Page 38

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:29 AM Page 39

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Mops ApparelScreens Netting

Scrubbers Duster Pads

• Styles, Grades, 6SHFLILFDWLRQV�$QG�&RORUV¬

• Available, No Import Delays• Quality Made In The USA

• Competitive Pricing

P.O. Box 720396, Atlanta, GA 30358Fax: 770-491-0101Phone: 800-772-8503 or 770-491-0080E-mail: [email protected]

MANUFACTURERSRESOURCE, INC.

BBM.Nov.z 11/2/09 9:29 AM Page 40

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