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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 16‐3‐3525; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
CERTAIN IRON MECHANICAL TRANSFER DRIVE COMPONENTS
FROM CANADA AND CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 18, 2016
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in connection with its
antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning certain iron mechanical transfer drive components (“IMTDCs”) from
Canada and China (Inv. Nos. 701‐TA‐550 and 731‐TA‐1304‐1305 (Final)). 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 firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Cindy Cohen (202‐205‐3230, [email protected]).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm purchased IMTDCs (as defined on next page, regardless of diameter) from any source (domestic or
foreign) at any time since January 1, 2013?
NO
(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
YES
(Complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire questionnaire to the Commission)
Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking on the
following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: IMTDC)
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
submitting 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, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
investigation or other proceeding may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official Title of Authorized Official
Date
Phone:
Signature
Fax
Email address
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
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PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background. This proceeding was instituted in response to petitions filed on October 28, 2015, by TB
Wood’s Incorporated, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Antidumping and countervailing duties may be
assessed on the subject imports as a result of this proceeding if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce makes
affirmative determinations of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires and other information
pertinent to this proceeding are available at Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/iron_mechanical_transfer_drive_components_cana
da/final.htm
IMTDCs covered by these investigations are iron mechanical transfer drive components, whether
finished or unfinished (i.e., blanks or castings). Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are in
the form of wheels or cylinders with a center bore hole that may have one or more grooves or teeth in
their outer circumference that guide or mesh with a flat or ribbed belt or like device and are often
referred to as sheaves, pulleys, flywheels, flat pulleys, idlers, conveyer pulleys, synchronous sheaves,
and timing pulleys. The products covered by this investigation also include bushings, which are iron
mechanical transfer drive components in the form of a cylinder and which fit into the bore holes of
other mechanical transfer drive components to lock them into drive shafts by means of elements such
as teeth, bolts, or screws.
Imports of iron mechanical transfer drive components subject to this proceeding are those not less than
4.00 inches (101 mm) in the maximum nominal outer diameter. For purposes of its determinations in
the preliminary phase of the investigations, the Commission found that IMTDCs under 4.00 inches in
maximum nominal outside diameter (“small‐diameter IMTDCs”) are included in the same domestic like
product definition as IMTDCs whose maximum nominal outside diameter is at least 4.00 inches
(“large‐diameter IMTDCs”). Unless otherwise indicated, for purposes of reporting data in this U.S.
Purchasers’ Questionnaire, please provide data for all sizes of IMTDCs, regardless of diameter.
Unfinished iron mechanical transfer drive components (i.e., blanks or castings) possess the approximate
shape of the finished iron mechanical transfer drive component and have not yet been machined to final
specification after the initial casting, forging or like operations. These machining processes may include
cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering.
Subject merchandise includes iron mechanical transfer drive components as defined above that have
been finished or machined in a third country, including but not limited to finishing/machining processes
such as cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering, or any other processing
that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in
the country of manufacture of the iron mechanical transfer drive components.
Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigation
regardless of width, design, or iron type (e.g., gray, white, or ductile iron). Subject iron mechanical
transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigation regardless of whether they
have non‐iron attachments or parts and regardless of whether they are entered with other mechanical
transfer drive components or as part of a mechanical transfer drive assembly (which typically includes
one or more of the iron mechanical transfer drive components identified above, and which may also
include other parts such as a belt, coupling and/or shaft). When entered as a mechanical transfer drive
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Page 3
assembly, only the iron components that meet the physical description of covered merchandise are
covered merchandise, not the other components in the mechanical transfer drive assembly (e.g., belt,
coupling, shaft).
For purposes of these investigations, a covered product is of “iron” where the article has a carbon
content of 1.7 percent by weight or above, regardless of the presence and amount of additional alloying
elements.
Excluded from the scope are finished torsional vibration dampers (“TVDs”). A finished TVD is an engine
component composed of three separate components: an inner ring, a rubber ring and an outer ring. The
inner ring is an iron wheel or cylinder with a bore hole to fit a crank shaft which forms a seal to prevent
leakage of oil from the engine. The rubber ring is a dampening medium between the inner and outer
rings that effectively reduces the torsional vibration. The outer ring, which may be made of materials
other than iron, may or may not have grooves in its outer circumference. To constitute a finished
excluded TVD, the product must be composed of each of the three parts identified above and the three
parts must be permanently affixed to one another such that both the inner ring and the outer ring are
permanently affixed to the rubber ring. A finished TVD is excluded only if it meets the physical
description provided above; merchandise that otherwise meets the description of the scope and does
not satisfy the physical description of excluded finished TVDs above is still covered by the scope of the
investigation regardless of end use or identification as a TVD.
The scope also excludes light‐duty, fixed pitch, non‐synchronous sheaves (“excludable LDFPN sheaves”)
with each of the following characteristics: Made from grey iron designated as ASTM (North American
specification) Grade 30 or lower, GB/T (Chinese specification) Grade HT200 or lower, DIN (German
specification) GG 20 or lower, or EN (European specification) EN–GJL 200 or lower; having no more than
two grooves; having a maximum face width of no more than 1.75 inches, where the face width is the
width of the part at its outside diameter; having a maximum outside diameter of not more than 18.75
inches; and having no teeth on the outside or datum diameter. Excludable LDFPN sheaves must also
either have a maximum straight bore size of 1.6875 inches with a maximum hub diameter of 2.875
inches; or else have a tapered bore measuring 1.625 inches at the large end, a maximum hub diameter
of 3.50 inches, a length through tapered bore of 1.0 inches, exactly two tapped holes that are 180
degrees apart, and a 2.0‐inch bolt circle on the face of the hub. Excludable LDFPN sheaves more than
6.75 inches in outside diameter must also have an arm or spoke construction.1 Further, excludable
LDFPN sheaves must have a groove profile as indicated in the table below:
1
An arm or spoke construction is where arms or spokes (typically 3 to 6) connect the outside diameter of the
sheave with the hub of the sheave. This is in contrast to a block construction (in which the material between the
hub and the outside diameter is solid with a uniform thickness that is the same thickness as the hub of the sheave)
or a web construction (in which the material between the hub and the outside diameter is solid but is thinner than
at the hub of the sheave).
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Outside diameter
(inches)
Size (belt profile)
MA/AK
MA/AK
MB/BK
MB/BK
(A,
(A,
(A,
(A,
3L, 4L) .....................................................
3L, 4L) .....................................................
B, 4L, 5L) ................................................
B, 4L, 5L) ................................................
5.45
>5.45
7.40
>7.40
....................................................
but 18.75 ..................................
....................................................
but 18.75 ..................................
Top width
range of
each groove
(inches)
0.484–0.499
0.499–0.509
0.607–0.618
0.620–0.631
Maximum
height
(inches)
0.531
0.531
0.632
0.635
In addition to the above characteristics, excludable LDFPN sheaves must also have a maximum weight
(pounds‐per‐piece) as follows: For excludable LDFPN sheaves with one groove and an outside diameter
of greater than 4.0 inches but less than or equal to 8.0 inches, the maximum weight is 4.7 pounds; for
excludable LDFPN sheaves with two grooves and an outside diameter of greater than 4.0 inches but less
than or equal to 8.0 inches, the maximum weight is 8.5 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with one
groove and an outside diameter of greater than 8.0 inches but less than or equal to 12.0 inches, the
maximum weight is 8.5 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with two grooves and an outside
diameter of greater than 8.0 inches but less than or equal to 12.0 inches, the maximum weight is 15.0
pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with one groove and an outside diameter of greater than 12.0
inches but less than or equal to 15.0 inches, the maximum weight is 13.3 pounds; for excludable LDFPN
sheaves with two grooves and an outside diameter of greater than 12.0 inches but less than or equal to
15.0 inches, the maximum weight is 17.5 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with one groove and an
outside diameter of greater than 15.0 inches but less than or equal to 18.75 inches, the maximum
weight is 16.5 pounds; and for excludable LDFPN sheaves with two grooves and an outside diameter of
greater than 15.0 inches but less than or equal to 18.75 inches, the maximum weight is 26.5 pounds.
The scope also excludes light‐duty, variable‐pitch, non‐synchronous sheaves with each of the following
characteristics: Made from grey iron designated as ASTM (North American specification) Grade 30 or
lower, GB/T (Chinese specification) Grade HT200 or lower, DIN (German specification) GG 20 or lower,
or EN (European specification) EN–GJL 200 or lower; having no more than 2 grooves; having a maximum
overall width of less than 2.25 inches with a single groove, or of 3.25 inches or less with two grooves;
having a maximum outside diameter of not more than 7.5 inches; having a maximum bore size of 1.625
inches; having either one or two identical, internally threaded (i.e., with threads on the inside diameter),
adjustable (rotating) flange(s) on an externally‐threaded hub (i.e., with threads on the outside diameter)
that enable(s) the width (opening) of the groove to be changed; and having no teeth on the outside or
datum diameter.
The scope also excludes certain IMTDC bushings. An IMTDC bushing is excluded only if it has a tapered
angle of greater than or equal to 10 degrees, where the angle is measured between one outside tapered
surface and the directly opposing outside tapered surface.
The merchandise covered by this proceeding is currently imported under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (“HTSUS”) statistical reporting numbers 8483.30.8090, 8483.50.6000, 8483.50.9040,
8483.50.9080, 8483.90.3000, and 8483.90.8080. Covered merchandise may also be imported under the
following HTSUS statistical reporting numbers: 7325.10.0080, 7325.99.1000, 7326.19.0010,
7326.19.0080, 8431.31.0040, 8431.31.0060, 8431.39.0010, 8431.39.0050, 8431.39.0070, 8431.39.0080,
and 8483.50.4000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes. The
written description of the scope of the investigations is dispositive.
Angle
34
38
34
38
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Purchaser.‐‐Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
IMTDCs from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes IMTDCs.
Reporting of information.‐‐ If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.‐‐The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a manner
that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of numerical
business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential business
information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.‐‐ The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.‐‐The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import‐injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals.
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I‐1.
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of
completing this questionnaire.
I‐2.
Hours
Dollars
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
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
Establishments covered.‐‐ Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of IMTDCs, including auxiliary
facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such facilities.
I‐3.
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Extent of ownership
(percent)
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I‐4.
Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic
or foreign, which import IMTDCs from Canada and/or China into the United States or which
export IMTDCs from Canada and/or China to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
I‐5.
I‐6.
Address
Affiliation
Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which import IMTDCs from countries other than Canada and/or China into
the United States or which export IMTDCs from countries other than Canada and/or China to
the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name and country
Address
Affiliation
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce IMTDCs?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
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Unless otherwise indicated, please provide information in this U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire for all
sizes of IMTDCs, regardless of diameter. If your answer to any question differs between large‐
diameter IMTDCs (nominal outside diameter of at least 4”) and small diameter IMTDCs (under 4” in
nominal outside diameter), please explain.
PART II.‐‐PURCHASES
Contact information.‐‐ Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
II‐1. Purchases of IMTDCs.—
(a) Report your firm’s total U.S. purchases of finished IMTDCs. (Do not include imports for which
your firm was the importer of record; such imports should be reported in your U.S. importer’s
questionnaire.) Please report separately for IMTDCs greater than or equal to 4” and IMTDCs less
than 4”. Report country of origin of finished IMTDCs based on the location where the IMTDC was
cast/forged.
Item
2013
2014
2015
Purchases of IMTDCs greater than or
equal to 4” produced in‐‐
United States
Canada
China
Mexico
1
All other countries
Sources unknown
Total purchases
Purchases of IMTDCs less than 4”
produced in‐‐
0
0
0
United States
All other countries (including Canada,
China, and Mexico)
Sources unknown
Total purchases
1
Please identify these countries:
Value (in $1,000)
0
0
0
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
II‐1. Purchases of IMTDCs.
(b) Has your firm purchased any unfinished IMTDC’s since January 1, 2013?
No
Page 9
Yes If yes, indicate the value (in $1,000) of such purchases in 2015.
(c) Changes in purchasing patterns.‐‐Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
IMTDCs from different sources have changed since January 1, 2013.
Source of Did not
purchases purchase Decreased Increased Constant Fluctuated
II‐3.
United
States
Canada
China
Mexico
All other
countries
Sources
unknown
Purchases from one country only.‐‐If your firm has purchased IMTDCs from only one country,
please explain the reasons for doing so.
Explanation for trend
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II‐4. Supplier identification.‐‐Please list your firm’s TEN largest suppliers for IMTDCs since January 1,
2013. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of IMTDCs that each
of these suppliers accounted for in 2015. Also, indicate whether your firm purchased large
diameter or small diameter IMTDCs (or both) from each supplier.
Share of
Small
Large
quantity of
diameter
diameter
2015
(>= 4” OD) (<4” OD)
No.
Supplier’s name
City and state
purchases
1
%
2
%
3
%
4
%
5
%
6
%
7
%
8
%
9
%
10
%
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PART III.‐‐MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
III‐1. Firm type.‐‐Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of IMTDCs (check all
that apply)?
End
Distributor
Other
Describe
user/OEM
If your firm is a distributor of IMTDCs, please answer questions III‐2 and III‐3.
III‐2. Competition for sales.‐‐Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases IMTDCs?
No
Yes If yes, please describe.
III‐3.
Types of customers.‐‐What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells IMTDCs?
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If your firm is an end user of IMTDCs, please answer questions III‐4 and III‐5.
III‐4. End uses.‐‐List the top 3 products your firm makes using IMTDCs and estimate the percent of
your total production cost that is accounted for by IMTDCs and by other inputs (such as labor,
energy, and other raw materials).
Share of total cost in each of the product(s) your
Total
firm produces accounted for by
(should
sum to
Product(s) your firm
100.0%
produces
across)
IMTDCs
Other inputs
III‐5.
%
+
% =
0.0 %
%
+
% =
0.0 %
%
+
% =
0.0 %
Demand for end use products.‐‐
(a)
Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating IMTDCs changed since
January 1, 2013?
Increased
No change
(b)
Decreased
Fluctuated
Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for IMTDCs?
No
Yes
Explain
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
III‐6. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for IMTDCs?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for IMTDCs?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
III‐7.
Page 13
Demand trends.‐‐ Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for IMTDCs has changed since January 1, 2013. Explain any trends and describe
the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Market
Overall
increase
No
Overall
change decrease
Fluctuate
with no
clear trend
Explanation and factors
Within the United
States
Outside the United
States
III‐8.
Importance of purchasing domestic product.‐‐Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2015 purchases of IMTDCs that required IMTDCs produced in the
United States.
Purchases that did not require domestic product
Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)
Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product
Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain: )
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2015
purchases of IMTDCs
%
%
%
%
0.0 %
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III‐9. Conditions of competition.‐‐
(a)
Is the IMTDCs market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to IMTDCs?
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question III‐10.
Yes‐Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)
Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
IMTDCs since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
III‐10. Decisions based on producer and country‐of‐origin.‐‐How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving IMTDCs based on its producer or
country of origin?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
If at least sometimes, explain.
Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
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III‐11. Availability of supply.‐‐Has the availability of IMTDCs in the U.S. market changed since January
1, 2013?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.‐produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III‐12. Supply constraints.‐‐Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
IMTDCs since January 1, 2013 (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
If yes, please describe.
III‐13. Purchasing frequency.‐‐
(a)
How frequently does your firm make purchases of IMTDCs (check one)?
Daily Weekly
Monthly
Quarterly Annually
Other If other, specify
(b)
Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes If yes, please describe.
III‐14. Number of suppliers contacted.‐‐How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between and firms
III‐15. Supplier negotiations.‐‐Does your firm’s purchases of IMTDCs usually involve negotiations
between supplier and purchaser?
No
If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note
Yes whether your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
III‐16. Change in suppliers.‐‐Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2013?
Page 16
If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or
Yes dropped, and the reasons for the change.
No
III‐17. New suppliers.‐‐Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2013?
No
Yes
If yes, please identify the firms.
III‐18. Supplier qualification.‐‐Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell IMTDCs to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).
No
Yes
Number
of days Process and factors
III‐19. Failure to certify.‐‐Since January 1, 2013, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their IMTDCs with your firm or have any producers lost their
approved status?
No
Yes
If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.
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III‐20. Major purchasing factors.‐‐Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase IMTDCs (examples include availability, extension
of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:
III‐21. Purchasing factors.‐‐Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for IMTDCs.
Factor
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not
important
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs
III‐22. Quality characteristics.‐‐What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of IMTDCs?
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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
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III‐23. Frequency of decisions based on price.‐‐How often does your firm purchase the IMTDCs that is
offered at the lowest price?
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
III‐24. Price leaders.— 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 is not necessarily the lowest‐priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the IMTDCs market since
January 1, 2013.
Firm(s)
Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 19
III‐25. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)
Since January 2013, did your firm purchase imports of large‐diameter (greater than 4” in
outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs from Canada and/or China instead of U.S.‐produced
large‐diameter IMTDCs? Respond for each subject country.
No
(If “No” for all countries, skip to next
Yes
question)
Source
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))
Canada
China
(b)
If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Source
Yes
No
Canada
China
(c)
If you responded “Yes” to part (a) above, was price a primary reason for the shift?
Source
Yes
If Yes, estimate the quantity
of purchases that your firm
shifted to imports since
January 2013 because of price
(in pieces)
Canada
China
No
If No, please indicate the
reason for the shift
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 20
III‐26. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)
Since January 1, 2013, in connection with a sale or offer to sell large‐diameter (greater
than 4” in outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs to your firm, did U.S. producers reduce
their prices of domestically produced large‐diameter IMTDCs in order to compete with
lower‐priced imports of large‐diameter IMTDCs from the subject countries? Respond
for each subject country.
Yes (also respond to
No (If “No” for all countries,
Source
question part (b))
skip to next question)
Don’t know
(b)
Canada
China
If your firm responded “yes” to any of the above countries, please provide an estimate
of the reduction in U.S. producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive
factors.
Source
Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)
Additional explanation, including such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors
Canada
%
China
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 21
PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV‐1. Country knowledge.‐‐Please indicate the countries of origin for IMTDCs for which your firm has
actual marketing/pricing knowledge.
United
States
Canada
IV‐2.
China
Mexico
Other
countries
Other countries (specify)
Interchangeability.‐‐Are large‐diameter (greater than 4” in outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs
produced in the United States and in other countries interchangeable (i.e., can they physically
be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country‐pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country‐pair
Canada
China
Mexico
Other countries
United States
Canada
China
Mexico
For any country‐pair producing IMTDCs which is sometimes or never interchangeable, please
identify the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 22
IV‐3. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between large‐diameter (greater
than 4” in outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs produced in the United States and in other
countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases of the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country‐pair
Canada
China
Mexico
Other countries
United States
Canada
China
Mexico
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of IMTDCs, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages
or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 23
IV‐4. Country preferences.‐‐Do you or your customers ever specifically order large‐diameter (greater
than 4” in outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs from one country in particular over other possible
sources of supply?
No
Yes
If yes, identify the countries and explain.
IV‐5.
Availability of merchandise.‐‐Are certain grades/types/sizes of large‐diameter (greater than 4”
in outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs only available from certain country sources?
IV‐6.
No
Yes
Choice of product not based on price.‐‐If you purchased large‐diameter (greater than 4” in
outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs from one country source although a comparable product
was available from another country source at a lower price, please explain your reasons for
doing so (please specify by country).
If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 24
IV‐7. Factor country comparisons.‐‐For the factors listed below, please rate how large‐diameter
(greater than 4” in outside nominal diameter) IMTDCs produced in each country you identified
in your response to the first question in Part IV compares with IMTDCs produced in each of the
other countries you identified.
Inferior
Comparable
Superior
Inferior
Comparable
Superior
Factor
Inferior
Superior
Comparable
If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Product from
Product from
United States
United States
Product from
Canada compared
compared to
compared to
product from
product from
to product from
Canada
China
China
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
1
U.S. transportation costs
1
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower
prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.
Inferior
Comparable
Superior
Inferior
Comparable
Superior
Factor
Inferior
Superior
Comparable
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 25
IV‐7. Continued.
If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Product from
United States
Product from
Product from
Canada compared China compared to
compared to
product from
to product from
product from
Nonsubject
Nonsubject
Nonsubject
countries
countries
countries
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Extension of credit
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Technical support/service
1
U.S. transportation costs
1
A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower
prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 26
IV‐8. Minimum quality.‐‐How often do large‐diameter (greater than 4” in outside nominal diameter)
IMTDCs from the following countries meet minimum quality specifications for your uses or your
customers’ uses?
Rarely or
Don’t
Source
Always
Usually
Sometimes
never
know
United States
Canada
China
Mexico
Other:
IV‐9.
Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the explanation
in the space provided below.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire ‐ IMTDCs
Page 27
HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2016/iron_mechanical_transfer_drive_co
mponents_canada/final.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/
Pin: IMTDC
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop‐box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140‐2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non‐encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you and not
by the Commission.
If your firm does not purchase this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned
copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202‐
205‐1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire your firm submits (see
19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - US purchaser questionnaire-IMTDC |
| Author | mary.messer |
| File Modified | 2016-07-05 |
| File Created | 2016-07-05 |