INDUSTRY NEWS

ABMA Reports Passing of Joe Kelly

The ABMA has reported on the death of Joe Kelly who passed in the early morning of February 7, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Sterling, Massachusetts. According to the obituary posted in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Kelly was born in 1945 in Philadelphia to Joseph and Alice Kelly, he and his six siblings moved frequently throughout their childhood, eventually settling in central Massachusetts. Kelly graduated from Amherst College in 1967 and he took great pride and pleasure in his time there, during which he studied English literature, played baseball, and developed many lifelong friendships. He remained a steadfast supporter and contributor to the college for decades, organizing many of his class’s annual reunions.

Derek Miller’s 2024 Letter to the Houseware Industry

With just over four weeks before the opening of The Inspired Home Show, we are truly excited about the industry’s focus shifting to Chicago. More than 1,700 exhibitors from 40 countries and more than 30,000 attendees from over 125 countries are slated to participate.  The total number of exhibitors and exhibition space will exceed that of last year, and we continue to assign additional companies every day.

Importantly, over 200 companies will exhibit at the Show for the very first time, and over 150 companies will return to the Show after a brief absence.  A few notable names of those returning include:

Keystone Plastics Welcomes Terry Parsons

In January, Keystone Plastics announced Terry Parsons as the company’s new sales/business development executive. In his role, Parsons will focus on managing business relationships, driving sales growth and building and maintaining distribution programs. His responsibilities involve providing client support, developing new product and business opportunities, and actively participating in marketing and events to promote the KPI brand.

Interview: Wöhler’s New SBM 840 for Flex Trim

Wöhler Sales Manager Jürgen Tabert presents Flex Trim Sales Manager Karsten Larsen (on the right) his new SBM 840 strip brush machine for the production of sanding brushes. After 2008, this is the second SBM for Flex Trim A/S in Denmark.

“You have to be able to make it easier — and better.” This thought came to carpenter Poul Erik Jespersen more than 25 years ago while he was bent over the hand sander at his workplace in a furniture company. The thought developed into an idea which, after a development period of eight years, became an internationally recognized and patented sanding system that is now sold worldwide.

2024 Brushware March-April Issue: World Brush Expo Roundtable

 

Brushware’s 2024 March-April issue features our roundtable interview with World Brush Expo leaders Chris Monahan, Alessandro Acquaderni and Marco Momoli in addition to a user case study from Wohler on the installation of new SBM 840 with customer Flex Trim A/S. You will also find details on the upcoming ABMA Convention set for Florida in March. PLUS: Manufacturing Skills Gap, Final US Import/Export Stats for 2023 and a new machine spotlight for Roth Composite Machinery.