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pdfOMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 18-1-3888; Expiration Date: : 6/30/2020
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
QUARTZ SURFACE PRODUCTS FROM CHINA
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by May 1, 2018
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 quartz surface products from China
(Inv. Nos. 701-TA-606 and 731-TA-1416 (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 firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. §
1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm produced quartz surface products (as defined on next page) at any time since January 1, 2015?
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: QUARTZ)
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, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings 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
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.-- This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on April 17, 2018, by
Cambria Company LLC, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Countervailing and antidumping duties may be
assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an affirmative
determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of Commerce
(“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping. Questionnaires
and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/quartz_surface_products_china/preliminary.htm.
Quartz surface products covered by the investigations are products consisting of slabs and other
surfaces created from a mixture of materials that includes predominately silica (e.g., quartz, quartz
powder, cristobalite) as well as a resin binder (e.g., an unsaturated polyester). The incorporation of
other materials, including but not limited to pigments, cement or other additives, does not remove the
merchandise from the scope of the investigations. Quartz surface products are typically sold as slabs
with a total surface area of approximately 45 to 60 square feet and a nominal thickness of 1 centimeter,
2 centimeters, or 3 centimeters. However, the scope of these investigations includes products of all
sizes, thicknesses, and shapes. Quartz surface products are covered by the investigations whether
polished or unpolished, cut or uncut, fabricated or not fabricated, cured or uncured, edged or not
edged, finished or unfinished, thermoformed or not thermoformed, further processed or not further
processed, packaged or unpackaged, and regardless of the type of surface finish.
In addition, quartz surface products are covered by the investigations whether or not they are imported
attached to or in conjunction with non-subject merchandise such as sinks, sink bowls, vanities, cabinets,
and furniture. If quartz surface products are imported attached to or in conjunction with such nonsubject merchandise, only the quartz surface product is covered by the scope.
Excluded from the scope of the investigations are quarried stone slabs such as granite, marble,
soapstone, or quartzite.
Subject merchandise includes material matching the above description that has been finished,
packaged, or otherwise fabricated or further processed in a third country, including by cutting, polishing,
curing, edging, thermoforming, attaching to or packaging with another product, or any other finishing,
packaging, fabrication, or further processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from
the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the quartz surface
products.
The products subject to the scope are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (“HTSUS”) under subheading 6810.99.00 and are reported under statistical reporting
number 6810.99.0010. Goods of a type described in Commerce’s scope may also be imported under
subheadings 6802.91 or 6802.93 or statistical reporting numbers 6810.11.0010, 6810.11.0070,
6810.19.1200, 6810.19.1400, 6810.19.5000, 6810.91.0000, 6810.99.0010, 6810.99.0080, 6815.91.0070,
2506.10.0010, 2506.10.0050, 2506.20.0010, 2506.20.0080, 2515.11.0000, 2515.12.1000, 2515.12.2000,
2516.11.0000, 2516.20.1000, 2517.41.0000, and 2529.10.0000. The HTSUS subheadings and statistical
reporting numbers set forth above are provided for convenience and administrative purposes only. The
written description of the scope is dispositive.
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 3
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. In addition, if your firm is a U.S. producer, the information you
provide on your production and imports of quartz surface products and your responses to the questions
in Part I of the producer questionnaire will be provided to the U.S. Department of Commerce, upon its
request, for use in connection with (and only in connection with) its requirement pursuant to section
702(c)(4)/732(c)(4) of the Act (19 U.S.C. § 1671a(c)(4)/1673a(c)(4)) to make a determination concerning
the extent of industry support for the petition requesting this proceeding. Any information provided to
Commerce will be transmitted under the confidentiality and release guidelines set forth above. Your
response to these questions constitutes your consent that such information be provided to Commerce
under the conditions described above.
D-GRIDS tool.--The Commission has a tool that firms can use to move data from their own MS Excel
compilation files into self-contained data tables within this MS Word questionnaire, thereby reducing
the amount of cell-by-cell data entry that would be required to complete this form. This tool is a macroenabled MS Excel file available for download from the Commission's generic questionnaires webpage
(https://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm) called the "D-GRIDs tool." Use of this tool to help
your firm complete this questionnaire is optional. Firms opting to use the D-GRIDs tool to populate their
data into this questionnaire will need the D-GRIDs specification sheet PDF file specific to this proceeding
(available on the case page which is linked under the "Background" above) which includes the necessary
references relating to this questionnaire, as well as the macro-enable MS Excel D-GRIDs tool itself from
the generic questionnaires page. More detailed instructions on how to use the D-GRIDs tool are
available within the D-GRIDs tool itself.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
I-1a.
Page 4
OMB statistics.--Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
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
50 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.
I-1b.
TAA information release.--In the event that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
makes an affirmative final determination in this proceeding, do you consent to the USITC's
release of your contact information (company name, address, contact person, telephone
number, email address) appearing on the front page of this questionnaire to the Departments of
Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, as applicable, so that your firm and its workers can be made
eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program?
Yes
No
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
I-2.
Page 5
Establishments covered.--Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol in the footnote to the table. 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 production of quartz surface products,
including auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate
from) such facilities.
Establishments
covered1
City, State
Zip (5 digit)
Description
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
I-3.
Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire:
.
Petition support.--Does your firm support or oppose the petition?
Country
Support
Oppose
Take no position
China (AD)
China (CVD)
I-4.
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)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
I-5.
Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing quartz surface products from China into the United States
or that are engaged in exporting quartz surface products from China to the United States?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name
I-6.
Page 6
Country
Affiliation
Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of quartz surface products?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 7
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amanda Lawrence (202-2053185, [email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.
Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
II-2.
Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of quartz surface products since January 1, 2015.
(check as many as appropriate)
plant openings
plant closings
relocations
expansions
acquisitions
consolidations
prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
revised labor agreements
other (e.g., technology)
(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-3a.
Page 8
Production using same machinery.--Please report your firm’s production of products made on
the same equipment and machinery used to produce quartz surface products, and the
combined production capacity on this shared equipment and machinery in the periods
indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
Note.--If your firm does not produce any out-of-scope merchandise on the same machinery and
equipment as scope merchandise then the "overall production capacity" numbers reported in
this question should be exactly equal to the "average production capacity" numbers reported in
question II-7. If, however, your firm does produce out-of-scope merchandise using the same
machinery and equipment as scope mercandhise, then the "average production capacity"
reported in question II-7 should exclude the portion of "overall production capacity" that was
used to produce this out-of-scope merchandise.
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
Quantity (in square feet)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
2017
Overall production capacity
Production of:
Quartz surface products1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Out-of-scope production.-Cultured marble
Solid surface products
Natural marble
Natural quartz
Other products2
Subtotal, out-of-scope
production
Total, same machinery
1
II-7.
2
II-3b.
Data entered for production of quartz surface products will populate here once reported in question
Please identify these products:
.
Operating parameters.--The production capacity reported in II-3a is based on the following
operating paramaters:
Hours per week
Weeks per year
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 9
II-3c.
Capacity calculation.--Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II-3a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.
II-3d.
Production constraints.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.
II-3e.
Product shifting.—
(i)
Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between quartz surface products and other
products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No
(ii)
II-4.
Yes
If yes—(i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products) Please identify other actual or potential products:
Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity
between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree to which
these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.
Tolling.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement regarding the
production of quartz surface products?
“Toll agreement”--Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw
materials and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns
to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.
No
Yes
If yes-- Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s)
involved.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-5.
Page 10
Foreign trade zones.-Firm's FTZ operations.--Does your firm produce quartz surface products in and/or admit
quartz surface products into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
(a)
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize
special procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign
merchandise. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign-Trade Zones Act.
No
If yes-- Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and identify
the specific FTZ site(s).
Other firms' FTZ operations.--To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import quartz surface products into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of
quartz surface products and/or the production of downstream articles?
(b)
No
II-6.
Yes
Yes
If yes--Identify the firms and the FTZs.
Importer.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm imported quartz surface products?
“Importer” – The person or firm primarily liable for the payment of any duties on the
merchandise, or an authorized agent acting on his behalf. The importer may be the consignee,
or the importer of record.
No
Yes
If yes-- COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-7.
Page 11
Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of quartz surface products in its U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“Commercial U.S. shipments” –Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” – Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
“Export shipments” –Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories”— Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work-in-progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records, etc.) used to compile
these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-7.
Page 12
Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Continued
Quantity (in square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
2017
1
Average production capacity (quantity) (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity) (B)
Production (quantity) (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (F)
2
2
Value (G)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)
2
2
Value (I)
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)
3
Value (K)
End-of-period inventories (quantity) (L)
1
The production capacity 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
.
2
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. If your firm uses a
different basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.):
. However, the data provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets:
.
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.--Generally, the data reported for the
end-of-period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning-of-period inventories (i.e., line B),
plus production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any
differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather reflect your firm’s actual
records; and, also provide explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems
issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
B + C – D – F – H – J – L = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
1
2015
2016
0
2017
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless
accurate:
.
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-8.
Page 13
Channels of distribution.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial U.S.
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
2017
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors.-Quantity (M)
Value (N)
To fabricators and retailers.—
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
To contractors and builders.—
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
To manufacturers.—
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
To other end users.1—
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
1
Please describe the other end users:
.
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for channels of
distribution (i.e., lines M through V) in each time period equal the quantity and value reported for U.S.
shipments (i.e., line D through I) in each time period. If the calculated fields below return values other
than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2015
2016
2017
Quantity: M + O + Q + S + U –D – F – H =
zero ("0"), if not revise.
0
0
0
Value: N + P + R + T + V – E – G – I = zero
("0"), if not revise.
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-9.
Page 14
US shipments by level of fabrication.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by level of
fabrication.
Quantity (in square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
2017
Level of fabrication:
U.S. shipments:
Not fabricated.-Quantity (W)
Value (X)
Fabricated.—
Quantity (Y)
Value (Z)
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for US
shipments in this question (i.e., lines W through Z) in each time period equal the quantity and value
reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D through I) in each time period. If the calculated fields below
return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to the
Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2015
2016
2017
Quantity: W + Y –D – F – H = zero ("0"), if
not revise.
0
0
0
Value: X + Z – E – G – I = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-10.
Page 15
Employment data.--Report your firm’s employment-related data related to the production of
quartz surface products and provide an explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production and Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations.
Average number employed may be computed by adding the number of employees, both full
time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide
that total by 12.
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old-age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
2017
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:
II-11.
Related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II-7, 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 nonmarket formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the
related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
II-12.
Page 16
Purchases.--Other than imports, has your firm otherwise purchased quartz surface products
(either domestic or imported) since January 1, 2015?
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of
record.
No
Yes
If yes-- Report such purchases below and explain the reasons for your
firms' purchases:
(Quantity in square feet)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
2017
1
Purchases from U.S. importers of quartz
surface products from—
China
All other sources
Purchases from domestic producers2
Purchases from other sources2
1
Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import
suppliers differ by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier:
.
2
Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product:
.
II-13.
Imports.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm imported quartz surface products?
No
Yes
If yes-- COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
II-14.
Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative box, please note the question number and the explanation in
the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your firm had in
providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with the MS Word
questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 17
PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Emily Kim (202-205-1800, [email protected]) .
III-1.
Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
III-2.
Accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s financial accounting system.
A.
When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data-collection period, explain
below:
B.1.
Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include quartz surface products:
2.
Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for quartz surface products:
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
Accounting basis:
GAAP,
cash,
tax, or
other comprehensive
basis of accounting (specify)
3.
4.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the financial data, as Commission staff may contact your firm
regarding questions on the financial data. The Commission may also request that your company
submit copies of the supporting documents/records (financial statements, including internal
profit-and-loss statements for the division or product group that includes quartz surface products,
as well as specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.
III-3.
Cost accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 18
III-4.
Allocation basis.--Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.
III-5.
Product listing.--Please list the products your firm produced in the facilities in which your firm
produced quartz surface products, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these
products in your firm’s most recent fiscal year.
Products
Quartz surface products
Share of sales
%
%
%
%
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
III-6.
Inputs from related suppliers.--Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or
any services) used in the production of quartz surface products from any related suppliers (e.g.,
inclusive of transactions between related firms, divisions and/or other components within the
same company)?
Yes--Continue to question III-7
III-7.
Page 19
No--Continue to question III-9a.
Inputs from related suppliers detailed.--Please identify the inputs used in the production of
quartz surface products that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in
question III-9a. For “Share of total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on
the basis of your most recently completed fiscal year. For “Input valuation” please describe the
basis, as recorded in your company’s own accounting system, of the purchase cost from the
related supplier; e.g., the related supplier’s actual cost, cost plus, negotiated transfer price to
approximate fair market value.
Input
Related supplier
Share of total COGS
Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records
III-8.
Inputs purchased from related suppliers.--Please confirm that the inputs purchased from
related suppliers, as identified in III-7, were reported in III-9a (financial results on quartz surface
products) in a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and records.
Yes
No
If yes-- In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs
purchased from related suppliers as reported in question III-9a.:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 20
III-9a. Operations on quartz surface products.--Report the revenue and related cost information
requested below on the quartz surface products operations of your firm’s 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. Input purchases from related
suppliers should be consistent with and based on information in the firm’s accounting books and
records. Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years. If your firm
was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact Emily Kim
at (202) 205-1800 before completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in square feet) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended-Item
2015
2016
2017
1
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
Total net sales quantities
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total COGS
0
0
0
Gross profit or (loss)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Net sales values:
Commercial sales
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
3
Direct labor
Other factory costs
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
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.
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.
3
COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers.
2
Note -- The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
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III-9b. Raw materials.--Please report the share of total raw material costs in 2017 (reported in III-9a)
for the following raw material inputs:
Procurement method
Input
Share of total raw
material costs
(percent)
Primarily
produced by
your firm
Primarily
purchased by
your firm
Silica (e.g., quartz, quartz powder,
cristobalite)
Resin binder
Pigments
Other material inputs1
Total (should sum to 100 percent)
0.0
1
Please indicate any other notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above and provide
the share of the total raw material costs that they account for:
III-9c.
Financial data reconciliation.--The calculable line items from question III-9a (i.e., total net sales
quantities and values, total COGS, gross profit (or loss), total SG&A, and net income (or loss))
have been calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated fields
return the correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non-material
differences that may arise due to rounding?
Yes
No
If no-- If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double
check the feeder data for data entry errors and revise. Also, check signs
accorded to the post operating income line items; the two expense line
items should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are positive and
incomes or reversals are negative--instances of the latter should be rare in
those lines) while the income line item also in most instances should have
its value be a positive number (i.e., income is positive, expenses or reversals
are negative). If after reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data
your firm has provided, the differences between your records and the
calculated fields persist please identify and discuss the differences in the
space below.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 22
III-10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.--For
each annual for which financial results are reported in question III-9a, please specify all material
(significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below, the specific question
III-9a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief description of the relevant
nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as reflected in question III-9a; i.e., if
an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to question III-9a, only the allocated value
amount included in question III-9a should be reported in the schedule below. Note: The
Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on material (significant) nonrecurring
items which impacted the reported financial results of the subject product in question III-9a.
Calendar years
2015
Item
2016
2017
Value ($1,000)
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
Nonrecurring item: In this table please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring item reported above and
indicate the specific line item in table III-9a where the nonrecurring item is classified.
Description of the
nonrecurring item
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
Income statement classification of the nonrecurring item
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 23
III-11. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.--If non-recurring items were reported in question III-10 above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III-10 identify where these items
are reported in question III-9a.
III-12. Asset values.--Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long-term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of quartz surface products. If your firm does not maintain
some or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for quartz surface
products in the normal course of business, please estimate this information based upon a
method (such as production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in
question III-9a. Provide data as of the end of your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal
years.
Note: Total assets should reflect 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
Total assets (net)
1
III-13.
2015
2016
2017
1
Describe
Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.--Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses for quartz surface products. Provide
data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended--
Item
Capital expenditures
2015
2016
2017
1
2
Research and development expenses
1
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on the subject product.
2
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to subject product.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 24
III-14. Data consistency and reconciliation.--Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III-9a, 12, and 13 are based on a calendar year or on your firm’s fiscal year:
Calendar year
Fiscal year
Specify fiscal year
Please note the quantities and values reported in question III-9a should reconcile with the data
reported in question II-7 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for total shipments in part II equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in part III of this
questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from part III are reported on a fiscal year
basis. If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”) and both are being reported
on a calendar basis, please explain the discrepancy below.
Fiscal years ended-Reconciliation
2015
2016
2017
Quantity: Trade data from question II-6 (lines D, F, H,
and J) less financial total net sales quantity data from
question III-9a, = zero ("0").
0
0
0
Value: Trade data from question II-6 (lines E, G, I,
and K) less financial total net sales value data from
question III-9a, = zero ("0").
0
0
0
Do these data in question III-9a reconcile with data in question II-7?
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 25
III-15. Effects of imports on investment.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm experienced any actual
negative effects on its return on investment or the scale of capital investments as a result of
imports of quartz surface products from China?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.
(check as many as appropriate)
Cancellation,
postponement, or
rejection of expansion
projects
Denial or rejection of
investment proposal
Reduction in the size of
capital investments
Return on specific
investments negatively
impacted
Other
(please describe)
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 26
III-16. Effects of imports on growth and development.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm
experienced any actual negative effects on its growth, ability to raise capital, or existing
development and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced
version of the product) as a result of imports of quartz surface products from China?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows.
(check as many as appropriate)
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the
issue of stocks or bonds
Ability to service debt
Other
(please describe)
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 27
III-17. Anticipated effects of imports.--Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
quartz surface products from China?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows:
III-18. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative box, please note the question number and the explanation in
the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your firm had in
providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with the MS Word
questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 28
PART IV.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Jon Ruder (202-205-3435,
[email protected]).
IV-1.
Contact information.--Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact
regarding the confidential information submitted in part IV.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
PRICE DATA
IV-2.
This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2015 of the following products produced by your
firm.
Product 1.--White quartz surface products in slab form with a nominal thickness of 2
centimeters (“cm”) without veining or movement and sold to distributors.
Product 2.--White quartz surface products in slab form with a nominal thickness of 3 cm with no
veining or movement and sold to distributors.
Product 3.--White quartz surface products in slab form with a nominal thickness of 2
centimeters (“cm”) without veining or movement and sold to firms other than
distributors.
Product 4.--White quartz surface products in slab form with a nominal thickness of 3 cm with no
veining or movement and sold to firms other than distributors.
Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.-inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
IV-2 (a). During January 2015-December 2017, did your firm produce and sell to unrelated U.S.
customers any of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these
products)?
Yes.--Please complete the following pricing data table(s) as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question IV-3.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 29
IV-2(b). Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in square feet and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in square feet, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2015:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2016:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2017:
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
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
firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.--If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description
of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 30
IV-2 (c). Price data checklist.--Please check that the pricing data in question IV-2(b) has been correctly
reported.
Is the price data reported above:
√ if Yes
In actual dollars (not $1,000)?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in question II-7 in each year?
IV-2 (d). Pricing data methodology.--Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
IV-3.
Price setting.--How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of quartz
surface products (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample
pages of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
IV-4.
Contracts
Other
If other, describe
Annual
total
volume
discounts
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.-(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.-produced quartz surface products?
Net 30
days
(b)
Net 60
days
2/10 net
30 days
Other
Other (specify)
On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic quartz surface products usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered
IV-6.
Set
price
lists
Discount policy.--Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Quantity
discounts
IV-5.
Page 31
F.o.b.
If f.o.b., specify point
Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.-produced quartz
surface products in 2017 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3)
short-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Item
Share of 2017
sales
Long-term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
%
Type of sale
Short-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
less than 12
months)
months)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
%
0.0
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
IV-7.
Page 32
Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.-produced quartz surface products (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a
long-term, short-term and/or annual contract basis).
Typical sales
contract provisions
Item
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Short-term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)
Annual contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)
Long-term contracts
(multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months)
365
No
Quantity
Meet or release
provision
Price
Both
Yes
No
Not applicable
IV-8.
Lead times.--What is your firm’s share of sales from inventory and produced to order and what
is the typical lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales
of its U.S.-produced quartz surface products?
Source
Share of 2017 sales
From inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0
%
Lead time (Average
number of days)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
IV-9.
Page 33
Shipping information.-(a)
What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.-produced quartz surface
products that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent
(b)
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm
Purchaser (check one)
(c)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of quartz surface products that
are delivered the following distances from its production facility.
Distance from production facility
Share
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0
%
IV-10. Geographical shipments.--In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.produced quartz surface products since January 1, 2015 (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, and VI.
√ if applicable
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 34
IV-11. End uses.--List the end uses of the quartz surface products that your firm manufactures. For
each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by quartz surface
products and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
End use product
Quartz surface
products
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
IV-12. Substitutes.—
(a) Specific substitutes.--Are these specific products considered as substitutes for quartz surface
products in the same end use(s)?
Specific substitutes
Are these
considered
Have changes in the price of this
substitutes in the
substitute affected the price for quartz
End use(s) in which
market?
surface products?
this substitute is
No
Yes
used
No
Yes
Explanation
Cultured marble
Solid surface products
Natural marble
Natural quartz
(b) Other substitutes.--Can other products not already listed in part "a" of this question be
substituted for quartz surface products?
No
Other substitutes
1.
2.
3.
Yes--Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for quartz surface products?
No Yes
Explanation
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 35
IV-13. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for quartz surface products has changed since January 1, 2015. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Overall
increase
Market
Fluctuate
No
Overall
with no
change decrease clear trend
Explanation and factors
Within the United States
Outside the United States
IV-14. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of quartz surface products since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 36
IV-15. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the quartz surface products market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to quartz
surface products? If yes, describe.
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question IV-16.
Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
quartz surface products since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
IV-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply quartz surface
products since January 1, 2015 (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, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
IV-17. Raw materials.--How have quartz surface products raw material prices changed since January 1,
2015?
Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for quartz
surface products.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 37
IV-18. Interchangeability.-(a) Are quartz surface products 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
China
Other countries
United States
China
For any country-pair producing quartz surface products that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 38
(b) Interchangeability by product type.--Please compare the interchangeability of various products with
quartz surface products and each other (i.e., can they be used in the same end use
applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products being compared are always interchangeable with each other in the
same end uses
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 product-pair
Product-pair
Cultured
marble
Solid surface
products
Natural
marble
Natural
quartz
Quartz surface products
Cultured marble
Solid surface products
Natural marble
For any product comparison that is always or frequently interchangeable, identify the factors that
make them always or frequently interchangeable in the same end use applications.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 39
IV-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between quartz surface products
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales 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
China
Other countries
United States
China
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of quartz surface products, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 40
IV-20. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for quartz surface products since January 1, 2015. Indicate the share of the quantity
of your firm’s total shipments of quartz surface products that each of these customers
accounted for in 2017.
Customer’s name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Distributor,
fabricator, or
other end user
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2017
sales
(%)
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
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IV-21. Competition from imports
(a)
Lost revenue.--Since January 1, 2015: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling quartz
surface products from China, did your firm:
Item
No
Yes
Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases
(b)
Lost sales.--Since January 1, 2015: Did your firm lose sales of quartz surface products to
imports of this product from China?
No
(c)
Yes
The submission of lost sales/lost revenue allegations is to be completed only by NONPETITIONERS.
If your firm indicated “yes” to any of the above, your firm can provide the Commission
with additional information by downloading and completing the lost sales/lost revenues
worksheet at http://usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm. Note that the Commission
may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Is your firm submitting the lost sales/lost revenues worksheet?
No—Please explain.
Yes—Please complete the worksheet and submit via the Commission dropbox.
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: QUARTZ)
IV-22. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 42
PART V.--COMPARABILITY
V-1.
Comparability of in-scope quartz surface products to select out-of-scope agglomerated stone
products.-- For each of the following indicate whether in-scope quartz surface products and
select out-of-scope agglomerated stone products are: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have
no differentiation between them; mostly comparable or similar; somewhat comparable or
similar; never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or no familiarity with products.
F: fully comparable or the same, i.e., have no differentiation between them;
M: mostly comparable or similar;
S: somewhat comparable or similar;
N: never or not-at-all comparable or similar; or
0: no familiarity with products.
(a) Physical Characteristics and End Uses.--The differences and similarities in the physical
characteristics and end uses.
Product-pair
Comparison
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
physical characteristics and uses:
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope cultured marble
surface products
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope solid surface products
(e.g., acrylic, other)
(b) Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute the products in the same application.
Product-pair
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope cultured marble
surface products
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope solid surface products
(e.g., acrylic, other)
Comparison
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
interchangeability:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
V-1.
Page 43
Comparability of in-scope quartz surface products to select out-of-scope agglomerated stone
products.--Continued
(c) Manufacturing facilities, production processes, and production employees.--Whether
manufactured in the same facilities, from the same inputs, on the same machinery and
equipment, and using the same employees.
Product-pair
Comparison
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
manufacturing facilities, production processes, and
production employees:
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope cultured marble
surface products
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope solid surface products
(e.g., acrylic, other)
(d) Channels of distribution.--Channels of distribution/market situation through which the
products are sold (i.e., sold direct to end users, through wholesaler/distributors, etc.).
Product-pair
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope cultured marble
surface products
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope solid surface products
(e.g., acrylic, other)
Comparison
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
channels of distribution:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
V-1.
Page 44
Comparability of in-scope quartz surface products to select out-of-scope agglomerated stone
products.--Continued
(e) Customer and producer perceptions.--Perceptions as to the differences and/or
similarities in the market (e.g., sales/marketing practices).
Product-pair
Comparison
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
customer and product perceptions:
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope cultured marble
surface products
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope solid surface products
(e.g., acrylic, other)
(f) Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ between the products.
Product-pair
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope cultured marble
surface products
In-scope quartz surface products vs
out-of-scope solid surface products
(e.g., acrylic, other)
Comparison
Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of their
price:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Quartz Surface Products (Preliminary)
Page 45
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://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2018/quartz_surface_products_china/prelimin
ary.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:
o
o
o
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/
Enter Investigation: Select “Quartz surface products from China” in the drop down menu
Pin: QUARTZ
• 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 produce 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 (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | USITCQUESTIONNAIRE |
| Subject | Title 7 investigations |
| Author | Lawrence, Amanda |
| File Modified | 2018-04-19 |
| File Created | 2018-04-19 |