2. Report of the meeting of the Working Group Paintbrushes, held on 8 September 2017 in Edinburgh

Transcription

1 Report Subject : Report meeting Working Group Paintbrushes Date : Attending : Th. Stollberg, A. Civiero (chairman), mrs. C. Gippert, Y. Baslimane, P. Simler, D. Zahn, GA Pogliani, P. van Erp, R. Hörz, I. Moss, E. Hörz, W. Schumann, A. Stollberg, mrs. M. Deffner-Wagner, B. Fischer, C. Bentley, C. Boomer, M. Samuel, J.P. Causero, mrs. E. Schumann, mrs. J. Wadd, mrs. U. Rietdorf, U. Rietdorf, J. Rottner Defet, H.F. Bieringer, F. Ceelaert (general manager) From : Fons Ceelaert Date : 18 September 2017 Reference : FEIBP.vsleng Opening Chairman Alessandro Civiero opens the meeting. 2. Report of the meeting of the Working Group Paintbrushes, held on 8 September 2017 in Edinburgh This report was approved without any remarks. 3. Selected items a. The Bechhofen Education programme for paintbrush manufacturing (Germany) Daniel Zahn explains this unique school system. In Germany the choice is: University or Apprenticeship. The Bechhofen programme is one of the many apprenticeship education systems in Germany, the only programme for paintbrush manufacturing. The apprentices are employees of a company and one day a week they go the school, a traditional combination of practice (factory) and theory (school).

2 A 3 years programme and when the final test is passed succesfully you are a skilled brushmaker. After further practice one can apply for the level of Master Brushmaker. Daniel himself is an apprentice and regards the system as very valuable. 7 to 10 new apprentices each year, one class for all stages. It is difficult to contract qualified teachers, especially for the technical / practical skills The school system is open to foreign employees, but you need to understand (and speak) the German language No age limit, minimum is 15 years of age Pierre Simler refers to a similar initiative in France. The handicap is that these apprentices might leave their company after having completed the study. Daniel shows concern for the future of the education system, as the amount of apprentices is shrinking. However there is a slight increase of new apprentices in previous years. Could it be transformed into an international private school with education in more than one language? Are there funds in Brussels? Urte Rietdorf refers to a similar education programme for rowing boats, which is a specialized part of the broader education programme. Mark Samuel observes that out of a 3 years course a short programme could be distilled. Young employees can obtain the neccesary know-how in a few weeks. The banners promoting the Bechhofen school are informative and attractive. A subject to discuss again a next meeting of this working group. b. Raw materials for paintbrush production Bristle Reinhold Hörz reports that the situation in China is not improving, pigs are slaughtered at a younger age and the availability of 64 mm up is an expanding problem. 51 /55 mm up is no problem. Thorsten Stollberg reminds us on the discussion last year and concludes that the Bristle Blues is unfortunately a fact. The industry is forced to look at alternatives such as mixtures bristle/synthetics and pure synthetics. FEIBP.vsl

3 Youcef Baslimane notes that this trend / shift is also recognizable in the southern markets, the attitude of the buyers is changing. Arndt Stollberg points at the great differences between synthetics. Fine hair Fine hair is hard to replace for some products. Mark Samuel mentions cosmetics. He believes that there always remains a niche market for both fine hair and bristle. Wooden handles Walter Schumann is less depending on Indonesia (demand China) and the wood from the Tzech Republik is becoming expensive due to the higher wages. Glue Urte Rietdorf report on stable prizes. c. FEIBP website / mapping the EU Painbrush sector Decided was to focus on: Brushpedia content Closed interactive website section d. FEIBP price index and market update It was decided to assemble a group of 7/8 companies prepared to give information on the timber trend index for paintbrushes. Restart 1 January and 1 July Economic outlook Alessandro Civiero The EU professional paintbrush market remain unstable, insecure situation Thorsten Stollberg Know-how customers on quality aspects of our products is poor, it is only pricedriven behaviour, it is difficult to communicate with the wholesalers. But: the professional needs the required quality! FEIBP.vsl

4 The industry learns skills to apply mixtures / synthetics after 90 years of natural bristles. Stable market with two big market leaders in heavy competition Pierre Simler One of the invaders on the German market! Heavy competition and the customer is the winner. Concentration DIY market in France, 94% covered by 4 companies. Castorama and Leroy Merlin in big market competition, with as a result price pressure on the suppliers In Italy and Spain a similar situation What is really frightening: there is no respect for our products Youcef Baslimane After 15 years of growth Youcef faces a stabilizing situation and this has to do with the economy and more competition, which is as such positive Sales policy is now more focused on export. As a manufacturer you must change the way of thinking about your business, you must be different: digital, different and quality. Piet van Erp Performance in high end professional market and demand up in a growing economy Piet s customers rely on him as it regards the changing raw materials market Investments in machinery for synthetics and mixes, but still delivering 100% bristle paintbrushes Charles Bentley Not a paintbrush manufacturer but very interested in this part of the industry Common point is the continuing threat from China Pierre reacts and sees a trend where customers buy directly in China Christopher Boomer Active in hairbrushes but there a similarities with the paintbrush market Daniel Zahn Niche player, hard to picture a general impression Artists brushes: stable market, cosmetics: project driven 5. Closure The chairman is grateful for the active participation at this interesting meeting. The meeting was closed. FEIBP.vsl

5 FEIBP.vsl