11-1-2957 U.S. producer questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 11-1-2957; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS FROM CHINA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than May 25, 2011
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 countervailing duty/antidumping investigations concerning high pressure steel cylinders from China
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-480 and 731-TA-1188 (Preliminary)). 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
City

State

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm produced high pressure steel cylinders (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since
January 1, 2008?

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 this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding 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 this proceeding or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
proceedings 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. Producers’ Questionnaire – High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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 50 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.
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.

Petition support.--Do you support or oppose the petition?
Support

I-4.

Oppose

Take no position

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No

Firm name

Yes--List the following information.

Address

Extent of
ownership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 3

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

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing high pressure steel cylinders from China into the United
States or that are engaged in exporting high pressure steel cylinders from China to the United
States?
No
Firm name

I-6.

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of high pressure steel cylinders?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Address

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 4

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Edward Petronzio (202-2052176, [email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
part II.
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
part II with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:
Fax: (

II-2.

Telephone: (

)

)

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008.
(check as many as appropriate)
plant openings, expansions, or
acquisitions ....................................
plant closings, consolidations, or
relocations ......................................
prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments .................
other (e.g., changes in
technology, revised labor
agreements, et cetera) ....................

(please describe in some detail)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 5

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

Same equipment, machinery, and workers.--Has your firm since 2008 produced, or does your
firm anticipate producing in the future, other products on the same equipment and machinery
used in the production of high pressure steel cylinders and/or using the same production and
related workers employed to produce high pressure steel cylinders?
No

Yes--List the following information and report your firm’s combined
production capacity and production of these products and high pressure
steel cylinders in the periods indicated.

Product

Basis for allocation of capacity and
employment data (indicate if different)

Period

(Quantity in units)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

January-March
2010

2010

2011

Overall Production Capacity
Production of:
High pressure steel cylinders
Other product 1
Other product 2

II-4.

Production constraints and product shifting.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s)
on your production capacity and your ability to shift production capacity between products.

II-5.

Painting capabilities.--Please answer the following questions relating to your finishing
capabilities.
(a)

Paint.--Does your firm provide painted high pressure steel cylinders to your costumers?
No.

Yes.--Via Internal Painting Capacity.
Yes.--Via An External (i.e., Toll) Arrangement.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-6.

Tolling.--Since January 1, 2008, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement (see definition
in the instruction booklet) regarding the production of high pressure steel cylinders?
No

II-7.

.

Foreign trade zone.--Does your firm produce high pressure steel cylinders in a foreign trade
zone (FTZ)?
No

II-8.

Yes--Name firm(s):

Yes--Identify FTZ(s):

.

Importer.--Since January 1, 2008, has your firm imported high pressure steel cylinders?
No

Yes--COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-9.

Trade data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production, shipments, inventories, and
employment related to the production of high pressure steel cylinders in your U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

January-March
2010

2010

2011

Average production capacity1 (quantity)
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Production (quantity)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption:
Quantity of internal consumption
Value2 of internal consumption
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity of transfers
Value2 of transfers
Export shipments:3
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors (quantity)
U.S. shipments to end users (quantity)
Employment data:
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs (value)
1

The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in
reported capacity (use additional pages as necessary).
2

Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these transactions, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide value data
using that basis for each of the periods noted above:
3

Identify your principal export markets:
.
Reconciliation of data.--Please note that the quantities reported above should reconcile as follows: beginning-of-period
inventories, plus production, less total shipments, equals end-of-period inventories. Do the data reported reconcile?
4

Yes

No--Please explain:

.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-9.

U.S. commercial shipments of high pressure steel cylinders by gas capacity.--Please estimate
the share of your firms U.S. shipments of high pressure steel cylinders by size in each year.
Share of U.S. Commercial Shipments
2008
2009
2010
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)

Gas Capacity
80 cubic feet or less
Between 80 and 150 feet
Between 150 and 702 cubic feet
Total

100%

100%

100%

II-10.

Related firms.--If you reported transfers to related firms in question II-8, please indicate the
nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture, wholly
owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a non-market formula,
whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the related firms also
processed inputs from sources other than your firm.

II-11.

Purchases.--Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased high pressure steel
cylinders since January 1, 2008? (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)
Yes--Report such purchases below for the specified periods.1

No

(Quantity in units, value in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item

2008

2009

January-March
2010

2010

2011

1

PURCHASES FROM U.S. IMPORTERS OF HIGH PRESSURE STEEL CYLINDERS FROM-China:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM DOMESTIC PRODUCERS:2
Quantity
Value
PURCHASES FROM OTHER SOURCES:2
Quantity
Value
1

2

Please indicate your reasons for purchasing this product. If your reasons differ by source, please elaborate.

Please list the name of the firm(s) from which you purchased this product. If your suppliers differ by source,
please identify the source for each listed supplier.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 9

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Charles Yost (202-205-3432,
[email protected]).
III-1.

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
part III?
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
part III with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:

Telephone: (

Fax: (

)

)

III-2. General guidance.--Financial data are requested on a product-line basis that is high pressure steel
cylinders (HPSC) according to the definition of the product in the instruction booklet. Inputs your firm
receives from affiliates to produce HPSC should be stated at cost (i.e., intra-firm profits eliminated—see
question III-7) while transfers of HPSC to related affiliates should be stated at fair market value. Please
report all sales on an f.o.b. basis; except for timing differences, the data reported in questions III-9 and II9 should reconcile (see question III-12).
III-3.

Accounting system.--Briefly describe your financial accounting system.
A.

When does your fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your fiscal year changed during the period examined, explain below:

B.1.

Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include subject merchandise:

2.
3.

4.

Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for the subject merchandise:
Yes
No
How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited,
unaudited,
annual reports,
10Ks,
10 Qs,
Monthly,
quarterly,
semi-annually,
annually
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive
Accounting basis:
(specify)

Note: The Commission may request that your company submit copies of its financial statements,
including internal profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes high
pressure steel cylinders, as well as those statements and worksheets used to compile data for your
firm’s questionnaire response.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 10

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued

III-4.

Cost accounting system.--Briefly describe your cost accounting system (e.g., standard cost, job
order cost, etc.).

III-5.

Allocation basis.--Briefly describe your allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and interest
expense and other income and expenses.

III-6.

Other products.--Please list any other products you produced in the facilities in which you
produced high pressure steel cylinders, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these
other products in your most recent fiscal year:
Products

Share of sales
%
%
%
%
%

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 11

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-7a. Does your firm receive inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or any other services) used in the
production of high pressure steel cylinders from any related firms?
Yes—Continue to question III-7 below.

No--Continue to question III-8 below.

III-7b. Inputs from related firms.--In the space provided below, identify the inputs used in the
production of high pressure steel cylinders that your firm receives from related parties.
Related party

Input

III-7c. Inputs from related firms at cost.--All intercompany profit on inputs purchased from related
parties should be eliminated from the costs reported to the Commission in question III-9 (i.e.,
costs reported in question III-10 should only reflect the related party’s cost and not include an
associated profit component). Reasonable methods for determining and eliminating the
associated profit on inputs purchased from related parties are acceptable.
Has your firm complied with the Commission’s instructions regarding costs associated with
inputs purchased from related parties?
Yes
II-8.

No—Please contact Charles Yost (202-205-3432, [email protected]).

Nonrecurring charges.--For each annual and interim period for which financial results are
reported in question III-10, please indicate in the schedule below the specific nonrecurring
charges, the particular expense/cost line items from question III-10 where the associated charges
are included, a brief description of the charges, and the associated values (in $1,000).
Nonrecurring charges would include, but are not limited to, items such as asset write-offs and
accelerated depreciation due to restructuring of the company’s high pressure steel cylinders
operations.
Fiscal years ended-Item

Non-recurring charges: (In this column please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring charge and indicate the
particular expense/cost line items where the associated charges are included in question III-10.)
1. Description:

; Classification

2. Description:

; Classification

3. Description:

; Classification

4. Description:

; Classification

5. Description:

; Classification

6. Description:

; Classification

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 12

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-9.

Operations on high pressure steel cylinders.--Report the revenue and related cost information
requested below on the high pressure steel cylinders operations of your U.S. establishment(s).1
Do not report resales of products. Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms
must be valued at fair market value and purchases from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide
data for your three most recently completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right.
If your firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact
Charles Yost at (202) 205-3432 before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

January-March
2010

2011

Net sales quantities:3
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:3
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):4
Raw materials
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other income and expenses:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
All other income or expenses, net
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
1

Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
Please eliminate any profits or (losses) on inputs from related firms pursuant question III-7.
3
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
4
COGS should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers, as well as export shipments in question II-8.
2

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 13

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-10. Asset values.--Report the total assets associated with the production, warehousing, and sale of
high pressure steel cylinders. If your firm does not maintain some or all of the specific asset
information necessary to calculate total assets for high pressure steel cylinders in the normal
course of business, please estimate this information based upon some rational method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with your cost allocations in the previous question.
Provide data as of the end of your three most recently completed fiscal years in chronological
order from left to right.
Note: Total assets should be net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other products.
Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset value during the
period; e.g., due to asset write-offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

2008

2009

2010

Total assets (net)

III-11. Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses on high pressure steel cylinders. Provide
data for your three most recently completed fiscal years in chronological order from left to right,
and for the specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item

January-March
2010

2011

Capital expenditures
Research and development expenses

III-12. Data consistency and reconciliation.-Please indicate whether your financial data for questions III-9, 10, and 11 are based
on a calendar year or your fiscal year: Calendar year (
) or
Fiscal year (
Please note the quantities and values reported in question III-9 should reconcile with the data
reported in question II-9 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
Do these data in question III-9 reconcile with data in question II-9?
Yes

No--Please explain

________________________

)

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 14

PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION--Continued
III-13. Effects of imports.--Since January 1, 2008, has your firm experienced any actual
negative effects on its return on investment or its growth, investment, ability to raise capital,
existing development and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more
advanced version of the product), or the scale of capital investments as a result of imports of high
pressure steel cylinders from China?
No

Yes--My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
Cancellation, postponement, or rejection of expansion projects
Denial or rejection of investment proposal
Reduction in the size of capital investments
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the issue of stocks or bonds
Other (specify)

III-14. Anticipated effects of imports.--Does your firm anticipate any negative impact of imports of
high pressure steel cylinders from China?

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 15

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Clark Workman (202-2053248, [email protected]).
IV-1.

Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in
part IV?
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
parts IV with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:

Telephone:

Fax:
PRICE DATA
IV-2.

This question requests quarterly quantity and value data, f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment, for
your commercial shipments to unrelated U.S. customers of the following products produced by
your firm.
Product 1.—High pressure cylinders, 40 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2015, painted.
Report values without additional charges for neck rings, caps, and valves.
Product 2.-- High pressure cylinders, 80 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2015, painted.
Report values including neck rings and caps, but without additional charges for valves.
Product 3.— High pressure cylinders, 150 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2015, painted.
Report values including neck rings and caps, but without additional charges for valves.
Product 4.— High pressure cylinders, 300 cubic feet, DOT 3AA2400, painted.
Report values including neck rings and caps, but without additional charges for valves.

Please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include
U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the final net amount paid to you
(i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See instruction booklet.

IV-2.(a)

For products 1-4, please check the box for those items which are included in the price of
the cylinder (if you charge an additional fee for these items, leave the box blank).
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Product 4

Neck ring
Neck ring
Neck ring
Neck ring

Cap
Cap
Cap
Cap

Valve
Valve
Valve
Valve

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 16

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-2. (b).

Pricing data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and
sold by your firm.

Product 1

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3

Product 4

Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
2008:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2010:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2011:
January-March
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods),
f.o.b. your U.S. point of shipment. Values should NOT include neck rings and caps for products 1-4, and should not include valves
for product 1 only.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your product:
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 17

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued

IV-3(a).Price setting.-- How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of high pressure
steel cylinders (check all that apply)?
Transaction by transaction

Contracts

Set price lists

Other--Please describe:

III-3(b) Buying groups.—Did your firm negotiate prices with any buying groups in 2010?
No
Yes – Approximately what percent of your 2010 total sales of high pressure steel cylinders
were to firms that were members of buying groups?
%. Please complete table.
Name of group

IV-4.

Did you negotiate prices in
2010?

Were you selected as the preferred
vendor in 2010?

IWDC

No

Yes

No

Yes

BIG Buying Group

No

Yes

No

Yes

AIWD

No

Yes

No

Yes

ADA

No

Yes

No

Yes

IDC

No

Yes

No

Yes

Other

No

Yes

No

Yes

Discount policy.-- Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies for sales of high
pressure steel cylinders (check all that apply).
Quantity discounts
Other--Please describe:

Annual total volume discounts

No discounts

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 18

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-5.

IV-6.

Pricing terms.-(a)

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced high pressure steel
cylinders (e.g., 2/10 net 30 days)?

(b)

On what basis are your prices of domestic high pressure steel cylinders usually quoted?
(check one)
F.o.b.--Please specify point:
Delivered

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced high
pressure steel cylinders in 2010 were on a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months), (2) short-term contract basis (multiple deliveries up to and including
12 months), and (3) spot sales basis (for a single delivery)?
Type of sale
Long-term contracts

%

Short-term contracts

%

Spot sales

%

Total

IV-7.

IV-8.

Share of sales

100%

Long-term contract provisions.--If you sell on a long-term contract basis, please answer the
following questions with respect to provisions of a typical long-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet-or-release provision?

Yes

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

Short-term contract provisions.--If you sell on a short-term contract basis, please answer the
following questions with respect to provisions of a typical short-term contract.
(a)

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet-or-release provision?

Yes

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 19

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-9.

Lead times.--What is your share of sales both from inventory and produced to order and what is
the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of
your U.S.-produced high pressure steel cylinders?
Source

Share of sales in 2010

Lead time

From inventory

%

days

Produced to order

%

days

Total

100 %

IV-10. Shipping information.-(a)

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of high pressure steel
cylinders that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent

(b)

Who generally arranges the transportation to your customers’ locations? (check one)
Your firm or
Purchaser

(c)

What proportion of your sales are delivered within 100 miles of your production facility?
percent. Within 101 to 1,000 miles?
percent. Over 1,000 miles?
percent.

IV-11. Geographical shipments.-- What is the geographic market area in the United States served by
your firm’s shipments of high pressure steel cylinders? (check all that apply)
Geographic area
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed, including AK, HI,
PR, VI, among others.

√ if applicable

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 20

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-12. End uses.--List the end uses of the high pressure steel cylinders that you manufacture. For each
end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by high pressure steel
cylinders and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by

End use product

High pressure steel
cylinders

Other inputs

Total

1.

%

%

100%

2.

%

%

100%

3.

%

%

100%

IV-13. Substitutes.-- (a) Can other products be substituted for high pressure steel cylinders?
No

Yes--Please complete (b).

(b) Please list in order of importance any products that may be substituted for high pressure steel
cylinders and fill out the table.

Substitute
1.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this
substitute affected the price for high
pressure steel cylinders?

No

Yes

Please explain-2.

No

Yes

Please explain--

3.

No

Yes

Please explain--

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 21

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-14. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for high pressure steel cylinders changed
since January 1, 2008? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

How has the demand outside the United States (if known) for high pressure steel
cylinders changed since January 1, 2008? What principal factors affect changes in
demand?
Increased

No Change

Decreased

Fluctuated

IV-15. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing of high pressure steel cylinders since January 2008?
No

Yes--Please describe and quantify if possible.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 22

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-16. Business cycles.-(a) Is the high pressure steel cylinders market subject to business cycles or conditions of
competition (including seasonal business) distinctive to high pressure steel cylinders?
No (skip to question IV-17.)

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
high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

IV-17. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply high pressure
steel cylinders since January 1, 2008 (examples include placing customers on allocation or
“controlled order entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers,
delivering less than the quantity promised, been unable to meet timely shipment commitments,
etc.)?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

IV-18. Raw materials.--Please describe any trends in the prices of raw materials used to produce high
pressure steel cylinders and whether your firm expects these trends to continue.

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 23

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued

IV-19. Interchangeability.--Are high pressure steel cylinders 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 country-pair.1
Country-pair

China

Other countries

United States
China
1

For any country-pair producing high pressure steel cylinders that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 24

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-20. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between high pressure steel
cylinders produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s
sales 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

China

Other countries

United States
China
1

For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of high pressure steel cylinders, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

Page 25

PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-21. Customer Identification--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s
10 largest customers for high pressure steel cylinders since January 1, 2008. Please also provide
the name, email, and telephone number of a contact person and the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of high pressure steel cylinders that each of these customers accounted for
in 2010.

No.

1

Customer’s name

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

Street Address
State

State

State

State

Zip Code

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
City

10

Email

Name

Street Address

City

9

Zip Code

,

City

8

Email

Name

Street Address

City

7

Zip Code

,

City

6

Name

Street Address

City

5

Email

,

City

4

Zip Code

Street Address
City

3

Name

,
City

2

Contact person and
e-mail address

State

Zip Code

Street Address

Email

Name

,
City

State

Zip Code

Email

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2010
sales
(%)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-20. COMPETITION FROM IMPORTS--LOST REVENUES.-- THIS SECTION IS TO BE
COMPLETED ONLY BY NON-PETITIONERS. (Note: petitioners may provide allegations
involving quotes made AFTER the filing of the petition.)
Since January 1, 2008: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling high pressure steel cylinders
from China, did your firm:
Reduce prices

No

Yes

Roll back announced price increases

No

Yes

If yes, please furnish as much of the following information as possible for each affected
transaction. Document such allegations of lost revenues whenever possible (documentation could
include copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters from customers). Please note that the
Commission may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your initial price quotation
Quantity involved
Your initial rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
Your accepted price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The competing price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Product

Date of
quote

Quantity
(units)

Initial
rejected U.S.
price (total
value-dollars)

Accepted
U.S. price
(total value-dollars)

Country of
origin

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)

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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China

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PART IV.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
IV-21. COMPETITION FROM IMPORTS--LOST SALES.-- THIS SECTION IS TO BE
COMPLETED ONLY BY NON-PETITIONERS. (Note: petitioners may provide allegations
involving quotes made AFTER the filing of the petition.)
Since January 1, 2008: Did your firm lose sales of high pressure steel cylinders to imports of
these products from China?
No

Yes

If yes, please furnish as much of the following information as possible for each affected
transaction. Document such allegations of lost sales whenever possible (documentation could
include copies of invoices, sales reports, or letters from customers). Please note that the
Commission may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Customer name, contact person, phone and fax numbers
Specific product(s) involved
Date of your price quotation
Quantity involved
Your rejected price quotation (total delivered value)
The country of origin of the competing imported product
The accepted price quotation of the imported product (total delivered value)
Customer name,
contact person,
phone and fax
numbers

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Firm
Contact
Phone

Fax

Product

Date of
quote

Quantity
(units)

Rejected
U.S. price
(total value-dollars)

Country of
origin

Competing
import price
(total
value—
dollars)