10-3-2831 US Purchaser questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 10-3-2831; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STAINLESS STEEL WIRE ROD FROM ITALY, JAPAN, KOREA, SPAIN, AND TAIWAN

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than February 10, 2010
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its review of the antidumping duty orders concerning stainless steel wire rod from Italy, Japan, Korea,
Spain, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-770-773 and 775 (Second Review)). The information requested in the
questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to
reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your
possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased stainless steel wire rod (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source (domestic
or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2004?

NO

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout these reviews in any other import-injury investigations or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout these reviews may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of these reviews or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official
Phone: (

Date

)

Signature

E-mail address
Fax (

)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 40 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436. Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from John Benedetto
(202-205-3270, [email protected]).
I-1a.

OMB statistics.--Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of preparing the reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours

dollars

I-1b.

OMB feedback.--We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this
questionnaire in general or the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your
response or send them to the above address.

I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire (see page 3 of the instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is
publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?

I-4.

No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing stainless steel wire rod from Italy, Japan,
Korea, Spain, and Taiwan into the United States or which are engaged in exporting stainless steel
wire rod from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Taiwan to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-5.

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing stainless steel wire rod from countries other
than Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Taiwan into the United States or which are engaged in
exporting stainless steel wire rod from countries other than Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and
Taiwan to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

I-7.

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of stainless steel wire rod?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Business plan.--In Parts II and III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for stainless steel wire
rod?
No

Yes--Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 4

PART II.--PURCHASES AND RELATED INFORMATION
II-1.

Purchases.--Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales
agent or broker) of stainless steel wire rod. Report based on delivery date, not order date.

Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Item
2004
2005
2006
2007
Purchases of stainless steel
wire rod produced in-The United States:
Quantity
Value
Italy:
Quantity
Value
Japan:
Quantity
Value
Korea:
Quantity
Value
Spain:
Quantity
Value
Taiwan:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1
Please identify these countries:

II-2.

2008

2009

Purchases before and after the order.-(a)

Did your firm purchase stainless steel wire rod from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and/or
Taiwan before 1998 (check all that apply)?
No--skip to (c)
Yes—Spain

Yes—Italy
Yes—Taiwan

Yes—Japan

Yes—Korea

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

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PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-2.

Purchases before and after the order.—Continued.
(b)

If yes, has your pattern of purchasing stainless steel wire rod from Italy, Japan, Korea,
Spain, and/or Taiwan changed since 1998?
No, our pattern of purchasing is essentially unchanged.
Yes, we discontinued purchases from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and/or Taiwan
because of the order (specify countries
).
Yes, we reduced purchases from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and/or Taiwan because of
the order (specify countries
).
Yes, but we changed the pattern of purchases from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and/or
Taiwan for reasons other than the order (please explain below).

(c)

Has your pattern of purchasing stainless steel wire rod from nonsubject foreign sources
(i.e., countries other than Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Taiwan) changed since 1998.
We did not purchase from nonsubject foreign sources before or after the order.
No, our pattern of purchasing is essentially unchanged.
Yes, we increased purchases from nonsubject countries because of the order.
Yes, but we changed our pattern of purchases from nonsubject countries for reasons
other than the order (please explain below).

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-3.

Changes in purchasing patterns.--If the relative levels of your firm’s purchases of stainless
steel wire rod from different sources (both domestic and foreign) have changed since 2004 (the
year the antidumping duty orders were last reviewed), please list the relative share from that
country has increased or decreased, and state the reason.
Source of purchases
The United States

Trend
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Italy

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Japan

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Korea

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Spain

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Taiwan

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

All other countries

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5.

Supplier identification.--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s FIVE
largest suppliers for stainless steel wire rod since 2004. Please also provide the name and
telephone number of a contact person and the share of the quantity of your firm’s total shipments
of stainless steel wire rod that each of these customers accounted for in 2009.
Supplier’s
name

No.
1

2

3

4

5

Street address (not P.O.
box), city, state, and zip
code

Contact person

Share of
Telephone number
2009
or e-mail address purchases
(%)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 8

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III-1.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of stainless steel wire
rod (check all that apply, noting the specific end uses if known)?
End user
Wire drawer
Distributor
Other (Describe:

III-2.

)

Competition of sales.--If you are a distributor or reseller of stainless steel wire rod, do you
compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which you
purchase stainless steel wire rod?
No

Yes--Please describe

III-3.

Types of customers.--If your firm is a distributor or reseller of stainless steel wire rod, what are
the major types of consumers to which you sell stainless steel wire rod?

III-4.

End uses.--If your firm is an end user of stainless steel wire rod, list in order of quantity of
stainless steel wire rod consumed, the top 3 products for which your firm purchases stainless steel
wire rod as a component part or input. Please indicate what percentage of the total cost is
accounted for by stainless steel wire rod (and NOTE: this percentage should not add to 100
percent).

Product(s) you produce
1.
2.
3.

Share of cost accounted for by
stainless steel wire rod (percent)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

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PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-5.

Demand for end use products.-(a)

If your firm is an end user of stainless steel wire rod, has the demand for your firm’s final
products incorporating stainless steel wire rod changed since 2004?
Increased

(b)

No change

Yes--Please describe.

Changes in end uses.--Have there been any changes in the end uses of stainless steel wire rod
since 2004?
No

III-7.

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for stainless steel wire rod?
No

III-6.

Decreased

Yes--Please describe.

Anticipated changes in end uses.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the end uses of
stainless steel wire rod in the future?
No

Yes--Please describe and identify the time period. Provide any underlying
assumptions, along with relevant portions of business plans or other
supporting documentation that address this issue.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

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PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-8.

Substitutes.--Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for stainless
steel wire rod. For each possible substitute product, please give examples of applications and end
uses for which they are substitutes and indicate whether changes in the price of the substitute
affect the price for stainless steel wire rod, and to what degree, and the length of any time lag of
such an effect.

Substitute

Description

Have changes in the prices of this
substitute affected the price for stainless
steel wire rod?

1.

No

Yes--Please explain.

2.

No

Yes--Please explain.

3.

No

Yes--Please explain.

4.

No

Yes--Please explain.

5.

No

Yes--Please explain.

III-9.

Changes in substitutes.--Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for stainless steel wire rod since 2004?
No

Yes--Please explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

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PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-10. Anticipated changes in substitutes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the
substitutability of other products for stainless steel wire rod in the future?
No

Yes--Please describe and provide any underlying assumptions, along with
relevant portions of business plans or other supporting documentation
that address this issue.

III-11. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for stainless steel wire rod changed since
January 1, 2004? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for stainless steel wire rod
changed since January 1, 2004? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

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PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-12. Anticipated demand trends.-(a)

How do you anticipate demand will change within the United States for stainless steel
wire rod in the future? What principal factors that will affect these changes in demand?
Increase

(b)

Decrease

Fluctuate

No change

How do you anticipate demand will change outside the United States for stainless steel
wire rod to in the future? What principal factors that will affect these changes in
demand?
Increase

Decrease

Fluctuate

No change

III-13. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss stainless steel wire rod supply
(including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2)
each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and
Taiwan, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2004 to the present
and forecasts for the future.
III-14. Changes in factors affecting supply.--Have any changes occurred in any other factors affecting
supply (e.g., changes in availability or prices of energy or labor; transportation conditions;
production capacity and/or methods of production; technology; export markets; or alternative
production opportunities) that affected the availability of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod in
the U.S. market since 2004?
No

Yes--Please note the time period(s) of any such changes, the factors(s)
involved, and the impact such changes had on your shipment volumes
and prices.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 13

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-15. Is buying a product that is produced in the United States an important factor in your firm’s
purchases of stainless steel wire rod (please check ALL that apply)?
No
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required by law or regulation (for example,
government purchases under “Buy American” provisions). This involves
percent of
all purchases of stainless steel wire rod.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are not required by law or regulation, but are by your
customers. This involves
percent of all purchases of stainless steel wire rod.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required for other reasons (please specify these
reasons below). This involves
percent of all purchases of stainless steel wire rod.

III-16. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the stainless steel wire rod market subject to business cycles or conditions of
competition distinctive to stainless steel wire rod?
No

(b)

Yes--Please explain and provide estimates of the duration of any such
cycle.

Has the emergence of new markets for stainless steel wire rod since 2004 affected the
business cycles or conditions of competition distinctive to stainless steel wire rod?
No

Yes--Please explain any such changes.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

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PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-17. Decisions based on producer.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do your
customers make purchasing decisions involving stainless steel wire rod based on the producer of
the stainless steel wire rod you purchase?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm or your customers determine the producer and
why this information is important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

III-18. Decisions based on country-of-origin.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do
your customers make purchasing decisions involving stainless steel wire rod based on the country
of origin of the stainless steel wire rod you purchase?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm or your customers determine the source and
why this information is important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 15

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-19. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently do you make purchases?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Quarterly
Annually
Other (specify)

(b)

)

Do you expect this purchasing pattern to change in the next two years?
No

Yes-- How and why do you expect these changes to occur?

III-20. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase?

III-21. Supplier negotiations.-(a)

Do purchases of stainless steel wire rod usually involve negotiations between supplier
and purchaser?
No

(b)

Yes--Please describe these negotiations. In your response, please
comment on whether purchasers generally quote competing
prices as part of the negotiation process.

Does your firm tend to vary its purchases from a given supplier within a specified time
period based on the price offered for that period?
No

Yes--Specify the time period.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 16

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-22. Change in suppliers.--Have you changed suppliers since 2004?
No

Yes--Please list the supplier or suppliers and indicate whether the firm was
added or dropped as a supplier. Also give the reasons for the change
and how frequently you change suppliers.

III-23. New suppliers.-(a)

Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the
market since 2004?
No

(b)

Yes--Please identify the firms and indicate how you became aware of
them.

Do you expect new stainless steel wire rod suppliers to enter the market in the future?
No

Yes--Please provide details, noting the specific future time period in
your response.

III-24. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to become certified or prequalified with
respect to the quality, chemistry, strength, or other performance characteristic of the stainless
steel wire rod they sell to your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2009

Yes--all purchases

Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification process and the time
required.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 17

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-25. Factors considered vis-à-vis suppliers.--Briefly describe the factors that you consider when
qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of product, reliability of supplier, etc.) and estimate the
time it takes to certify or qualify a new supplier.

III-26. Failure to certify.--Since 2004, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to
certify or qualify their stainless steel wire rod with your firm or have any producers lost their
approved status?
No

Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located, and the
reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-27. Purchasing factors.--For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in
your purchase decision for stainless steel wire rod.
Very
important
Availability .......................................
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards....
Quality exceeds industry standards
Product range..................................
Reliability of supply .........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs.................
Other (specify):
........
........
........

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 18

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-28. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors
generally considered by your firm in deciding from whom to purchase stainless steel wire rod for
any one order (examples include current availability, extension of credit, prearranged contracts,
price, quality exceeding specifications or industry standards, range of supplier’s product line,
traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Other factors or comments:

III-29. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of stainless steel wire rod?

III-30. Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased stainless steel wire rod from one
source although a comparable product was available from another source at a lower price, please
explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country, including the United States and both
subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Possibilities might include transaction characteristics
such as length of time to fill orders, minimum order size, reliability of supply, etc.

III-31. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the stainless steel
wire rod that is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 19

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-32. Price leaders.--Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the stainless
steel wire rod market since 2004. A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a
price change, either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more
firms that have a significant impact on prices. A price leader does not necessarily have to be the
lowest priced supplier. For those firms identified as a price leader, please specify the time period
in which a price change was communicated, whether the price change was upward or downward,
and whether it covered a specific geographic region or a specific product type.

III-33. Frequency of price changes.--How frequently does the price of the stainless steel wire rod you
are purchasing change?

III-34. Business cycles.-(a) Are the markets for stainless steel wire rod subject to business cycles or conditions of
competition (including seasonal business) distinctive to stainless steel wire rod?
No (skip to question III-35)

Yes-- Please describe below, and then answer part (b).

(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
stainless steel wire rod since January 1, 2004?
No

Yes-- Please describe changes.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 20

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-35. Changes in U.S. industry.-(a)

Please identify and discuss any improvements/changes in the U.S. stainless steel wire rod
industry since 2004 and explain fully, to the extent possible, the factor(s), including the
order(s) under review, that was/(were) responsible for each improvement/change.

(b)

Please also discuss fully, to the extent possible, any improvements/changes that you
anticipate in the future in the U.S. stainless steel wire rod industry. Identify the specific
future time period covered in your response, and discuss the factors that you believe
would be responsible for each improvement/change.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 21

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-36. Effect of revocation.--What do you think will be the likely effects of any revocation of the
antidumping duty order for imports of stainless steel wire rod from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain,
and Taiwan? As appropriate, please discuss any potential effects of revocation of the
antidumping duty order on (1) the future activities of your firm and (2) the U.S. market as a
whole. Please note the future time period to which you are referring. Attach additional pages if
necessary.
(1) Activities of your firm:

(2) Entire U.S. market:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 22

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for stainless steel wire rod for which
your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United States
Taiwan

IV-2.

Italy

Japan

Korea

Spain

Other countries (Please specify

)

Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is stainless steel wire rod produced in the United States
and in other countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate below, using “A” to indicate that the products from a specified country-pair are
always interchangeable, “F” to indicate that the products are frequently interchangeable, “S” to
indicate that the products are sometimes interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the products are
never interchangeable, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with products from a specified countrypair.1
Country-pair

Italy

Japan

Korea

Spain

Taiwan

Other countries2

United States
Italy
Japan
Korea
Spain
Taiwan
1
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of stainless steel wire rod, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

2

List the countries.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 23

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-3.

Differences other than price by country-pair.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality,
availability, transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between stainless steel
wire rod produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s
purchases of the products? Please indicate below, using “A” to indicate that such differences are
always significant, “F” to indicate that such differences are frequently significant, “S” to indicate
that such differences are sometimes significant, “N” to indicate that such differences are never
significant, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

Italy

Japan

Korea

Spain

Taiwan

Other countries2

United States
Italy
Japan
Korea
Spain
Taiwan
1
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of stainless steel wire rod, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

2

List the countries.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 24

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-4.

Country preferences.--Do you or your customers ever specifically order stainless steel wire rod
from one country in particular over other possible sources of supply?
No

IV-5.

Yes--Please identify all relevant countries (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject foreign countries) from which you or your
customers prefer to order, and indicate why stainless steel wire rod
from these countries is preferred over product from other countries
(please note the specific product in your response).

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of stainless steel wire rod available
from only a single source (domestic or foreign, including both subject and nonsubject countries)?
No

Yes--Please identify the source and the grade/type/size.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 25

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how stainless steel wire
rod produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with stainless steel wire rod produced in each of the other countries you identified
(including the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries).

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

product from
United States
compared to
product from

Superior

IV-6.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 26

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued

Continued.

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

Quality

product from

Superior

IV-6.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 27

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-7.

Minimum quality.-(a)

How often does domestically produced stainless steel wire rod meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Always

(b)

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or never

How often does imported subject stainless steel wire rod meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Italy
Japan
Korea
Spain
Taiwan

(c)

How often does imported nonsubject stainless steel wire rod (i.e., stainless steel wire rod
from countries other than Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Taiwan) meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Wire Rod

Page 28

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-8.

Change in price.-(a)

Since 2004, has there been a change in the price of stainless steel wire rod? If so, has the
price of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod changed more or less than the price of
imported stainless steel wire rod from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Taiwan?
No change in price
Prices have changed by the same amount
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod has changed relative to the price of
stainless steel wire rod from Italy
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod has changed relative to the price of
stainless steel wire rod from Japan
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod has changed relative to the price of
stainless steel wire rod from Korea
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod has changed relative to the price of
stainless steel wire rod from Spain
Price of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod has changed relative to the price of
stainless steel wire rod from Taiwan

(b)

If the price of U.S.-produced stainless steel wire rod has changed relative to the price of
stainless steel wire rod from Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and/or Taiwan, the price of U.S.produced stainless steel wire rod is now relatively-Italy:

Higher

Lower

Japan:

Higher

Lower

Korea:

Higher

Lower

Spain:

Higher

Lower

Taiwan:

Higher

Lower