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6.-8th September 2017: Annual Meeting of the European Brush Association
Short review on the 59th FEIBP Congress in Leipzig/Germany

FEIBP Leipzig BannerThe European Brush Federation FEIBP met from 6-8 September 2017 in the Leipzig metropolis in Germany, which with its 850-year tradition is one of the oldest measuring cities in the world. A pulsating city where tradition meets dynamism, causal cosiness on high-tech business, classical culture on avant-garde. At the Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof Leipzig, numerous delegates from 11 countries and 3 continents with partners met as well as some first-time attendees and press representatives. Further guests came from Tunisia and the USA. At this year's conference, discussion and exchange were clearly in the focus and business relations could be established and strengthened.

During his opening speech Dieter Lessmann (Chairman of the German Brush and Paintbrush Association, VDPB) thanked Carmen Stollberg and Thorsten W. Stollberg (outgoing FEIBP President and one of the managing directors of the Wistoba Pinselfabrik Wilhelm Stollberg GmbH & Co. KG) for the main organization of this year's congress. They were rewarded by the delegates with a warm and long-lasting applause. The congress participants were positively impressed by the smooth running as well as the entertaining and varied composition of the event, for example. the cozy dinner in the historical restaurant Auerbachkeller, the factory tour and dinner at Porsche Leipzig with an exciting driving event for every congress participant on the test drive around the factory on-road circuit. To get a Leipzig experience from the waterside — a boat trip and city visit, the visit of the Panometer Leipzig the Yadegar Asisi-Titanic exhibition as well as the Galadinner in the Panorama Tower with breathtaking view from the highest restaurant in Central Germany as well as a small golf competition as a team game with fun factor.

ABMA President Carlos Petzold greeted the delegates on behalf of the American Brush Association and told the delegates that he has German ancestors. His grandfather was born in Leipzig, who was a king shepherd and his father in Stuttgart 94 years ago, who was a butcher. Carlos himself was born in the USA and declared as current ABMA president he is very proud to bring greetings from the USA to the historic city rooted with his family.

The working groups Technical Brushes (chairman: Alessandro Acquaderni), Professional Hygiene Brushes (chairman: Philip Coward) and Paintbrushes (chairman: Alessandro Civiero). For the first time, the newly founded working group Personal care (chairman: Christopher Boomer) took part, which was already in the focus of the press representatives before the first meeting and it was well attended.

Traditionally, some FEIBP member companies reported on the current market situation for raw materials: Bristles (Reinhold Hörz, DKSH Switzerland Ltd.), Vegetable Fibers (Urte Rietdorf, Friedrich Platt GmbH), Fine hair (Mark Samuel Trading Co. Ltd.), Synthetics (Andrews McIlroy of Perlon) and Steel Wire (Holger Kruse, Gustav Wolf GmbH).

Again, the newly designed Brush Forum was used by numerous delegates. There was lively activity at the exhibition stands though in a relaxed atmosphere. Ideas were discussed, experiences were exchanged and new business relationships were established and orders were concluded. Many Brush Forum exhibitors were highly satisfied with the new and number of dealings.

Ebnat AG from Switzerland received the FEIBP Innovation Award 2017, which was awarded this year for the tenth time. The practical and shapely tongue cleaner for the daily dental care and oral hygiene at home or on the road convinced the delegates. Zahn Pinsel GmbH (Germany) came in second place with its Brush set for the decoration of cakes and pastries. da Vinci Künstlerpinsel DEFET GmbH (Germany) won 3rd prize for their CASANEO travel brush — a perfect tool for Urban Sketchers.

FEIBP Treasurer, Dr. Andrea Acquaderni, published the FEIBP Financial Report for 2017 and a preview of 2018.

Key note speaker Jörg Heynkes reported on the outstanding technological developments that will change our society sustainable in the coming 260 weeks. He talked in detail and vividly about the associated opportunities and risks for society, economy and politics. He also talked about the coming soon of humanoid robots in our lives, drones, electric vehicles, autonomous driving, carbon-neutral power supply, 3-D print, the artificial intelligence of computers, the destructive effect of sharing economics and a large number of other world-moving developments, which are just before the tipping point.

The following officers were elected for a term of two years (2017 -2019): Peter Langenegger (Switzerland), new FEIBP-President Thorsten Stollberg (Germany), Past FEIBP President Andrea Acquaderni (Italy), FEIBP Treasurer. The position of Vice-President is vacant and the FEIBP board is actively looking for candidates. The FEIBP board will enter a transition period, with the aim to make room gradually for the younger generation.

Danièle Quemper and Pierre Simler from the French Brush Association (FFB Fédération Française de la Brosserie) presented a brief Power Point preview of the 60th FEIBP Congress in Bordaux, France, from 26-28 September 2018 with the cordial invitation to all delegates, to attend the Congress.

Brush Scene® reports extensively on the 59th FEIBP Congress in Leipzig with numerous color photos in its final edition (November-December, issue 6/2017). This edition is available as a subscription.