english | deutsch
57th FEIBP Congress in Marina di Ugento, Salento / Italy,
from 23.-26. September 2015
This year's event was organized by the Italian Brush and Paintbrush Association Assospazzole in cooperation with the FEIBP. It was well attended, participants from many European countries and guests from the United States countries, also ABMA President Mark Fultz (Abtex Corp.), followed the invitation. The outgoing President Evert Zuiddam FEIBP welcomed all delegates and thanked them for their regular attendance. He wished all a pleasant Congress course in a relaxed atmosphere in this beautiful place in the southern part of Puglia.
The working groups Technical Brushes, Professional Hygiene Brushes and Paintbrush manufacturers discussed in separate meetings. FEIBP members held lectures about the current market situation for raw materials: bristles, plant fibers, fine hair, synthetic fibers and steel. Guest speaker Dr. Markus Weishaupt (Weissmann Group from Nuremberg) presented his seminar entitled "The DNA of successful family business". Very aptly, since many companies in the brush industry are traditional family. 75% of all businesses in Europe are family companies. They generate nearly half of gross domestic product and provide 50% of all jobs. Their macroeconomic significance is just as evident as their social responsibility.
Treasurer, Dr. Andrea Acquaderni, published the FEIBP financial report for 2015 and a preview for 2016. Daniel Strowitzki (FWTM Messe Freiburg) informed about the current status of the international trade fair INTERBRUSH (April 27-29, 2016 in Freiburg / Germany).
Brush manufacturer Lessmann GmbH in Oettingen received this year FEIBP Innovation Award: Electrochemical cleaning has long been a recognized process in the machining of stainless steel surfaces. Lessmann developed for this method a tool with which even the most inaccessible areas can be processed quickly and environmentally friendly of small tubes, for example the interior. The result is a narrow twisted brush, which carbon-fiber stocking is disposed around the holder and can be thereby worked with the longitudinal sides of the brush. The processing of the fill material in order effectively electrochemically to work, represented a major challenge in the development and manufacture of the brush.
Andrew McIlroy (Hahl Filaments GmbH) said goodbye to his dear friend and longtime colleague Günter Muckenfuß, who will retire after the INTERBRUSH fair in April 2016. Thorsten W. Stollberg was chosen as new FEIBP President for the next 2 years.
On the evening of the first Congress day, there was a welcome cocktail with dinner and folklore entertainment. The delegates were able to enjoy the local cuisine, with a lot of pasta and delicious sauces.
On the second evening, the traditional gala dinner took place, with fantastic entertainment. Two singers of classical music accompanied the atmospheric evening with popular arias from famous operas. For the delegates and their partners an interesting program was organized during the Congress days, with an emphasis on team building, which was well received.
Philip Coward put the delegates in the right mood, with a great video presentation about Edinburgh, Scotland, where the 58th FEIBP Congress will take place from September 7-10, 2016.
In Brush Scene® Issue 6/2015 (November/December) a detailed and pictorial review on the 57th FEIBP Congress in Italy will be published in German language. The English version is following in Issue 1/2016 Brush Scene (January-February). Both editions are available as part of an one year’s subscription.
