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pdfOMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 19-1-4001; Expiration Date: 6/30/2020
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
FABRICATED STRUCTURAL STEEL
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by February 15, 2019
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 countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning fabricated structural steel from
Canada, China, and Mexico (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-615-617 and 731-TA-1432-1434 (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 fabricated structural steel (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: FABS)
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
Signature
Title of Authorized Official
Phone
Date
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on February 4, 2019, by the
American Institute of Steel Construction LLC, Chicago, IL. Countervailing and/or 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://www.usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/fabricated_structural_steel_canada_china_and/prel
iminary.htm.
Fabricated structural steel covered by these investigations includes carbon and alloy (including
stainless) steel products such as angles, columns, beams, girders, plates, flange shapes (including
manufactured structural shapes utilizing welded plates as a substitute for rolled wide flange sections),
channels, hollow structural section (“HSS”) shapes, base plates, plate-work components, and other steel
products that have been fabricated for assembly or installation into a structure (fabricated structural
steel). Fabrication includes, but is not limited to, cutting, drilling, welding, joining, bolting, bending,
punching, pressure fitting, molding, adhesion, and other processes.
Fabricated structural steel products included in the scope of these investigations are products in which:
(1) iron predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; and (2) the carbon
content is two percent or less by weight.
Fabricated structural steel is covered by the scope of the investigations regardless of whether it is
painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other metallic or non-metallic substances. Fabricated
structural steel may be either assembled; disassembled, but containing characteristics or items, such as
holes, fasteners, nuts, bolts, rivets, screws, tongue and grooves, hinges, or joints, so that the product(s)
may be joined, attached, or assembled to one or more additional product(s); or partially assembled,
such as into modules, modularized construction units, or sub-assemblies of fabricated structural steel.
Products under investigation include carbon and alloy steel products that have been fabricated for
erection or assembly into structures, including but not limited to, buildings (commercial, office,
institutional, and multi-family residential); industrial and utility projects; parking decks; arenas and
convention centers; medical facilities; and ports, transportation and infrastructure facilities.
Subject merchandise includes fabricated structural steel that has been assembled or further processed
in the subject country or a third country, including but not limited to painting, varnishing, trimming,
cutting, drilling, welding, joining, bolting, punching, bending, beveling, riveting, galvanizing, coating,
and/or slitting 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 fabricated structural steel.
Fabricated structural steel may be attached, joined, or assembled with non-steel components at the
time of importation. The inclusion, attachment, joining, or assembly of non-steel components with
fabricated structural steel does not remove the fabricated structural steel from the scope.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 3
All products that meet the written physical description are within the scope of these investigations
unless specifically excluded. Specifically excluded from the scope of these investigations is certain
fabricated steel concrete reinforcing bar (“rebar”). Fabricated rebar is excluded from the scope only if
(i) it is a unitary piece of fabricated rebar, not joined, welded, or otherwise connected with any other
steel product or part; or (ii) it is joined, welded, or otherwise connected only to other rebar.
Also excluded from this scope is fabricated structural steel used for bridges and bridge sections. For the
purpose of this scope, fabricated structural steel used for bridges and bridge sections is defined as
fabricated structural steel that is used in bridges and bridge sections and that conforms to American
Association of State and Highway and Transportation Officials (“AASHTO”) bridge construction
requirements or any state or local derivatives of the AASHTO bridge construction requirements.
Also excluded from this scope are pre-engineered metal building systems. For the purposes of this
scope, pre-engineered metal building systems are defined as complete metal buildings that integrate
steel framing, roofing and walls to form one, pre-engineered building system and are designed and
manufactured to Metal Building Manufacturers Association guide specifications. Pre-engineered metal
building systems are typically limited in height to no more than 60 feet or two stories.
Also excluded from this scope are steel roof and floor decking systems designed and manufactured to
Steel Deck Institute standards.
Also excluded from the scope are open web steel bar joists and joist girders that are designed and
manufactured to Steel Joist Institute specifications.
Fabricated structural steel is currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7308.90.9590,
7308.90.3000, and 7308.90.6000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”).
They may also be imported under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 7216.91.0010, 7216.91.0090,
7216.99.0010, 7216.99.0090, 7228.70.6000, 7301.10.0000, 7301.20.1000, 7301.20.5000, 7308.40.0000,
7308.90.9530, and 9406.90.0030. The HTSUS provisions are for convenience and customs purposes; 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.
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 4
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 fabricated structural steel 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 petitions 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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
I-1a.
Page 5
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
I-2.
No
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 fabricated structural steel,
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
Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire:
.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
I-3.
Petitioner status.--Is your firm a petitioner in this proceeding or a member firm of the
petitioning entity?
No
I-4.
Page 6
Yes
Petition support.--Does your firm support or oppose the petitions?
Country
Support
Oppose
Take no position
Canada (antidumping)
Canada (countervailing)
China (antidumping)
China (countervailing)
Mexico (antidumping)
Mexico (countervailing)
I-5.
Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Firm name
I-6.
Yes--List the following information.
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and/or
Mexico into the United States or that are engaged in exporting fabricated structural steel from
Canada, China, and/or Mexico to the United States?
No
Firm name
Yes--List the following information.
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
I-7.
Page 7
Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of fabricated structural steel?
No
Firm name
Yes--List the following information.
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 8
PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Eric Daugherty (202-2052078, [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 fabricated structural steel 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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-3a.
Page 9
Production using same machinery.--Please report your firm’s production of products using the
same equipment, machinery, or employees as used to produce fabricated structural steel, and
the combined production capacity on this shared equipment, machinery, or employees 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 merchandise, 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 short tons)
Calendar years
Item
Overall production capacity
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
1
Production of:
In-scope fabricated structural steel
(“FSS”)2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Out-of-scope production.-Excluded FSS used for bridges
and bridge sections3
Other specifically excluded FSS
products4
All other products5
Subtotal, out-of-scope
production
Total production using same
machinery or workers
1
Data reported for capacity (first line) should be greater than data reported for total production (last line).
Data entered for production of fabricated structural steel will populate here once reported in question II-7.
3
See definition of excluded FSS bridges and bridge sections on page 3.
4
Other specifically excluded FSS products are certain (1) fabricated steel concrete reinforcing bar; (2) pre-engineered
metal building systems; (3) steel roof and floor decking systems; and (4) open web steel bar joists and joist girders. See
definitions of these specifically excluded items on page 3.
5
Please identify these products:
.
2
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-3b.
Page 10
Operating parameters.--The production capacity reported in II-3a is based on the following
operating paramaters:
Hours per week
Weeks per year
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 fabricated structural steel and
other products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No
(ii)
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.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-4.
Page 11
Tolling.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement regarding the
production of fabricated structural steel?
“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
II-5.
Yes
If yes-- Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s)
involved.
Foreign trade zones.-(a)
Firm's FTZ operations.--Does your firm produce fabricated structural steel in and/or
admit fabricated structural steel into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
“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
(b)
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 fabricated structural steel into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution
of fabricated structural steel and/or the production of downstream articles?
No
II-6.
Yes
Yes
If yes--Identify the firms and the FTZs.
Importer.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm imported fabricated structural steel?
“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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-7.
Page 12
Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of fabricated structural steel 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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-7.
Page 13
Production, shipment, and inventory data.--Continued
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
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:2
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
Transfers to related firms:2
Quantity (H)
Value2 (I)
Export shipments:3
Quantity (J)
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-ofperiod 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
January-September
2017
0
2017
0
2018
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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-8.
Page 14
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 short tons)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To end users and/or job site (N)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e.,
lines M and N) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., lines D, F, and H) 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
M + N – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
2015
2016
0
January-September
2017
0
2017
0
2018
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-9.
Page 15
Stage of assembly.--Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e., inclusive of commercial U.S.
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms), by stage of assembly.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
U.S. shipments:
Assembled or partially assembled
fabricated structural steel (“FSS”):1
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Other in-scope FSS, including
disassembled FSS:2
Quantity (Q)
Value2 (R)
1
Examples of partially assembled FSS include, but are not limited to, modules, modularized construction units, or subassemblies of FSS. See definition of assembled and partially assembled FSS on page 2.
2
See definition of disassembled FSS on page 2.
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.--Please ensure that the quantities and values reported for stage of assembly
(i.e., lines O through R) in each time period equal the quantities and values reported for U.S. shipments (i.e.,
lines 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
January-September
2017
2017
2018
O + Q – D – F – H = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
0
0
0
0
0
P + R – E – G – I = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
0
0
0
0
0
II-10.
Fourth quarter 2018 U.S. shipments.--Report the quantity and value of your firm’s total U.S.
shipments during the fourth quarter of 2018. Total U.S. shipments include commercial U.S.
shipments, internal U.S. consumption, and transfers to related U.S. firms (e.g., see lines D
through I in item II-7).
October-December
Item
Total U.S. shipments:
Quantity (short tons)
Value ($1,000)
2018
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-11.
Page 16
Employment data.--Report your firm’s employment-related data related to the production of
fabricated structural steel 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. For the January to September periods, calculate similarly and divide by 9.
If your firm had the same number of PRWs in all calendar years and had not experienced
any changes in PRWs in the most recent interim period, you would have the same
number of PRWs for the interim periods, regardless of whether the interim periods are
Jan-Mar (Q1), Jan-June (Q1+Q2), or Jan-Sept (Q1+Q2+Q3).
“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
January-September
2017
2017
2018
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:
II-12.
Related firms.--If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II-7, please identify
the firm(s) and indicate the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms
(e.g., joint venture, wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market
value or by a non-market formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers,
and whether the related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
II-13.
Page 17
Purchases.--Has your firm purchased fabricated structural steel produced in the United States or
in other countries since January 1, 2015? (Do not include imports for which your firm was the
importer of record. These should be reported in an importer questionnaire).
“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 in the table below and explain the reasons
for your firms' purchases.
Note: If your firm served as the importer of record for any purchases from foreign suppliers,
either for your own account or as a service for another entity, those purchases are to be
considered "imports" not "purchases" and should not be included in the table below
(Quantity in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
1
Purchases from U.S. importers of
fabricated structural steel from—
Canada
China
Mexico
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-14.
Imports.--Since January 1, 2015, has your firm imported fabricated structural steel?
No
Yes
If yes-- COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
II-15.
Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
for which a narrative box was not provided, 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.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 18
PART III.--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Joanna Lo (202-205-1888, [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:
Note.--Please note that we are requesting that your firm report financial data on
a calendar year basis.
B.1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company-wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include fabricated structural steel:
Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for fabricated structural steel:
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)
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 fabricated structural
steel, as well as specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 19
DEFINITIONS (for more comprehensive information, see pages 2-3 above):
Fabricated steel structures (“FSS”).--Carbon and alloy (including stainless) steel products such as angles,
columns, beams, girders, plates, flange shapes (including manufactured structural shapes utilizing
welded plates as a substitute for rolled wide flange sections), channels, hollow structural section (“HSS”)
shapes, base plates, plate-work components, and other steel products that have been fabricated for
assembly or installation into a structure (fabricated structural steel). Fabrication includes, but is not
limited to, cutting, drilling, welding, joining, bolting, bending, punching, pressure fitting, molding,
adhesion, and other processes.
III-3.
Cost accounting system.--Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).
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 fabricated structural steel, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these
products in calendar year 2017.
Products
Share of sales in 2017
Fabricated structural steel (FSS)
%
Excluded FSS used for bridges and bridge sections
%
%
%
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
III-6.
Inputs from related suppliers.--Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or
any services) used in the production of fabricated structural steel 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 20
No--Continue to question III-9a.
Inputs from related suppliers details.--Please identify the inputs used in the production of FSS
that your firm purchased 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 calendar
year 2017. 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
Share of total COGS in 2017
%
%
%
%
Input valuation as recorded in your firm’s accounting books and records:
III-8.
Related supplier
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 fabricated
structural steel) in a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and records.
Yes
No
If no--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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 21
III-9a. Operations on fabricated structural steel.--Report the revenue and related cost information
requested below on the fabricated structural steel 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 calendar years 2015 to 2017, and for the specified interim periods. If your
firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact
Joanna Lo at (202) 205-1888 or [email protected] before completing this section of the
questionnaire.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
2
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”) (A)
Internal consumption (“IC”) (B)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”) (C)
Total net sales quantities (D)
Net sales values (excluding freight):
Commercial sales (E)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Internal consumption (F)
Transfers to related firms (G)
Total net sales values (H)
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials (I)
3
Direct labor (J)
Other factory costs (K)
Total COGS (L)
Gross profit or (loss) (M)
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses (N)
General and administrative expenses (O)
Total SG&A expenses (P)
Operating income (loss) (Q)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense (R)
All other expense items (S)
All other income items (T)
Net income or (loss) before income taxes (U)
Depreciation/amortization included above (V)
Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. Freight costs should be included in selling expenses. 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.
1
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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Page 22
III-9b. Financial data reconciliation.--The calculable line items from question III-9a (i.e., total net sales
quantities (row D) and values (row H), total COGS (row L), gross profit (or loss) (row M), total
SG&A (P), operating income (or loss) (row Q), and net income (or loss) (row U)) 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
III-9c.
No
If no--For items reported after operating income (loss) in row Q, check the
signs reported (rows R, S, and T). The two expense items in rows R and S
should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are positive and incomes or
reversals are negative--instances of the latter should be rare in rows R and S)
while the other income reported in row T should have positives values in
most instances (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.
Raw materials.-- Please report the share of total raw material costs in 2017 (reported in III-9a,
row I) for the specified raw material inputs below. Exclude any raw materials that are listed on
page 3 as part of the excluded items (e.g. fabricated rebars, FSS for bridge sections, preengineered building systems, steel roof or floor decking, and open web steel bars and joists).
Please note that “your firm” does not include related firms who share the same corporate
parent. “Your firm” should only include the facilities listed in question I-2 and net sales reported
in question III-5 for FSS. If you procure raw materials from related firms, check “primarily
purchased by your firm” below and ensure that you included the raw material input from
related firms in question III-7 above.
Procurement method
Input
Share of total
Primarily
Primarily
raw material produced by purchased by
costs (percent)
your firm
your firm
Steel plates (carbon & alloy, including stainless)
Structural steel shapes & other steel mill
products1
Fabrication supplies2
Other raw material inputs3
Total (should sum to 100 percent)
1
0.0
Structural steel shapes (e.g. angles, beams, channels, columns, flange shapes, girders, HSS, sheet
piling, structural steel pipes and tubes, and tees).
2
Fabrication supplies are materials needed to cut, drill, weld, join, bolt, bend, punch, pressure fit,
mold, adhere, or other process (e.g. epoxy, bolts, weld wire).
3
Please list other notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above (e.g. paint, oil/gas,
other components) and provide the share of the total raw material costs accounted for by these “other”
raw materials:
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Page 23
III-10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.--For
each annual and interim period 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
January-September
2017
2017
2018
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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 24
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 fabricated structural steel. If your firm does not
maintain some or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for
fabricated structural steel 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 each calendar year specified below.
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)
Calendar years
Item
Total assets (net)
1
III-13.
2015
2016
2017
1
Describe
Capital expenditures (“capx”) and research and development (“R&D”) expenses.--Report your
firm’s capx and R&D expenses for fabricated structural steel. Provide data for calendar years
2015 to 2017, and for the specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
Capital expenditures
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
1
R&D expenses2
1
2
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capx on the subject product.
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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 25
III-14. Data consistency and reconciliation.--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 (question II-7) equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in
part III, question III-9a of this questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from part III
(question III-9a) are reported on a fiscal year basis, in which case only the interim periods must reconcile.
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.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2015
2016
January-September
2017
2017
2018
Quantity: Trade data from question II-7
(rows D, F, H, and J) less financial total
net sales quantity data from question III9a, = zero ("0").
0
0
0
0
0
Value: Trade data from question II-7
(rows E, G, I, and K) less financial total
net sales value data from question III-9a,
= zero ("0").
0
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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 26
If your responses to any of the items in questions III-15, III-16, and III-17 differ by country, please
describe these differences and, as applicable, indicate to which country or countries your response
refers in the relevant form fields.
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 fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and/or Mexico?
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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 27
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 fabricated structural steel from Canada, China,
and/or Mexico?
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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 28
III-17. Anticipated effects of imports.--Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and/or Mexico?
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
for which a narrative box was not provided, 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.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 29
PART IV.--PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Amelia Preece (202-2053250, [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 1 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.—Fabricated light structural,2 Grade 50, 0-19 lbs. per linear foot, sold for industrial
projects.3
Product 2.—Fabricated medium structural,2 Grade 50, 20-119 lbs. per linear foot, sold for
industrial projects.3
Product 3.—Fabricated extra heavy structural,2 Grade 50, 120 lbs. or greater per linear foot, sold
for industrial projects.3
Product 4.—Fabricated structural steel4 sold for schools, libraries, labs, and hospitals, 2-4
stories.
Product 5.—Fabricated structural steel4 sold for office buildings, multi-family residential
buildings, and mixed-use buildings, 5-19 stories.
Product 6.—Fabricated structural steel4 sold for office buildings, multi-family residential
buildings, and mixed-use buildings, 20 stories and greater.
1
Quantity and value data should be reported based on the quantity and value of the product
included in the final bid on which the project was awarded.
2
The term “structural” includes beams, columns, and vertical bracing.
3
The term “industrial project” includes electric power facilities; oil, gas, and refined products
production, processing and storage facilities; alternative fuels facilities; petroleum refining
facilities; chemical processing facilities; and metals and minerals processing facilities.
4
The term “fabricated structural steel” includes the merchandise defined in the scope of this
proceeding and does not include merchandise excluded from the scope.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 30
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). Values should not include the value associated with
erection or other on-site services.
IV-2a. During January 2015-September 2018, 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 as appropriate.
No.--Skip to question IV-3.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 31
IV-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 1
Product 2
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 3
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
2018:
January-March
April-June
July-September
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:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 32
IV-2b. Price data.--Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in pounds and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
(Quantity in pounds, value in dollars)
Product 4
Product 5
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 6
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
2018:
January-March
April-June
July-September
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 4:
Product 5:
Product 6:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
IV-2c.
Page 33
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)?
In pounds (not short tons)?
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-2d.
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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
IV-3.
Price setting.--How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of fabricated
structural steel (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages
of a recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
IV-4.
Contracts
Annual
total
volume
discounts
Other
If other, describe
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.--On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic fabricated structural steel
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 34
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
fabricated structural steel in 2017 was on a (1) short-term contract basis, (2) annual contract
basis, (3) long-term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Item
Share of 2017
sales
Type of sale
Long-term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
more than 12
months)
months)
Short-term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
less than 12
months)
%
%
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
0.0
%
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
IV-7.
Page 35
Contract provisions.--Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.-produced fabricated structural steel (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on
a short-term, annual and/or long-term 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
Indexed to raw
material costs1
Price
Both
Yes
No
Not applicable
1
Please identify the indexes used:
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 fabricated structural steel?
Source
Lead time (average
Share of 2017 sales number of days)
From inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0
%
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
IV-9.
Page 36
Shipping information.-(a)
What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.-produced fabricated structural
steel 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 fabricated structural steel
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 fabricated structural steel 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
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
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IV-11. End uses.--List the most common types of structures that use fabricated structural steel that
your firm manufactures. For each type of structure, what percentage of the total cost of the
structure is accounted for by fabricated structural steel and other inputs?
Share of total cost of structure accounted for
by
Fabricated structural
steel
Type of structure
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
IV-12. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for fabricated structural steel?
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 fabricated structural
steel?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
IV-13. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for fabricated structural steel 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 fabricated structural steel since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 38
IV-15. Conditions of competition.-(a) Is the fabricated structural steel market subject to business cycles (other than general
economy-wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to
fabricated structural steel? 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
fabricated structural steel since January 1, 2015?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
IV-16. Supply constraints.--Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply fabricated
structural steel 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 fabricated structural steel 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
fabricated structural steel.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 39
IV-18. Interchangeability.--Is fabricated structural steel 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 fabricated structural steel that is sometimes or never
interchangeable, identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude
interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 40
IV-19. Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between fabricated structural
steel 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
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 sales of fabricated structural steel, identify the country-pair and report
the advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 41
IV-20. Customer identification.--List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for fabricated structural steel since January 1, 2015. Indicate the share of the
quantity of your firm’s total shipments of fabricated structural steel that each of these
customers accounted for in 2017.
Customer’s name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2017
sales
(%)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
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IV-21. Competition from imports.-(a)
Lost revenue.--Since January 1, 2015: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling
fabricated structural steel from Canada, China, and/or Mexico, 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 fabricated structural steel
to imports of this product from Canada, China, and/or Mexico?
No
(c)
Yes
The submission of lost sales/lost revenue allegations is to be completed only by firms
that did not provide responses in the PETITION.
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: FABS)
IV-22. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV for which a narrative response box was not provided, 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 - Fabricated Structural Steel
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IV-23. Impact of the section 232 investigation.--This question concerns the section 232 investigation
and subsequent tariffs imposed on imported steel products.
(a) Did the announcement of the 232 investigation in April 2017 or the subsequent imposition
of tariffs on imported steel products beginning in March 2018 have an impact on the
fabricated structural steel market?
Yes—Please fill out table below and
answer part (b)
No
Item
Response
Impact on your firm
Don’t know
1
Impact on overall U.S. market1
1
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's operations/overall market
before and after the application of additional tariffs on imported steel products.
(b)
Assessment of impact of the section 232 tariffs.--Please indicate the impact of the 232
investigation and subsequent imposition of on imported steel products beginning in
March 2018.
Item
Overall demand for
FSS in the U.S. market
Supply of FSS in the
U.S. market
Prices for FSS in the
U.S. market
Raw material costs for
FSS in the U.S. market
Fluctuate
with no
No
clear
Increase change Decrease
trend
Explanation and factors
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 44
IV-24. Impact of the section 301 investigation.--This question concerns the section 301 investigation
and subsequent announcement of additional tariffs that include fabricated structural steel
proposed and implemented by the United States in response to Chinese trade practices.
(a) Did the announcement of the 301 investigation in June 2018 or the subsequent imposition
of tariffs on Chinese-origin products have an impact on the fabricated structural steel
market?
Yes—Please fill out table below and
answer part (b)
No
Item
Response
Impact on your firm
Don’t know
1
Impact on overall U.S. market1
1
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's operations/overall market
before and after the announcement of the section 301 measures.
(b)
Assessment of impact of the section 301 investigation.--Please indicate the impact of
the announcements and subsequent imposition of duties under the section 301
investigation.
Item
Overall demand for
FSS in the U.S. market
Supply of FSS in the
U.S. market
Prices for FSS in the
U.S. market
Raw material costs for
FSS in the U.S. market
Fluctuate
with no
No
clear
Increase change Decrease
trend
Explanation and factors
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 45
IV-25. Impact of the CTL Plate AD/CVD order.--This question concerns the most recent antidumping
and countervailing duty orders on CTL (cut-to-length) plate.
(a) Did the petition on CTL plate in April 2016 or the subsequent issuance of antidumping and
countervailing duty orders over the first half of 2017 have an impact on the fabricated
structural steel market?
Yes—Please fill out table below and
answer part (b)
No
Item
Response
Impact on your firm
Don’t know
1
Impact on overall U.S. market1
1
Please identify the magnitude and timing of any effects, and compare your firm's operations/overall market
before and after the issuance of the AV/CVD orders.
(b) Assessment of impact of the CTL Plate AD/CVD orders.--Please indicate the impact of the
petition on CTL plate in April 2016 and the subsequent issuance of antidumping and
countervailing duty orders over the first half of 2017.
Item
Overall demand for
FSS in the U.S. market
Supply of FSS in the
U.S. market
Prices for FSS in the
U.S. market
Raw material costs for
FSS in the U.S. market
Fluctuate
with no
No
clear
Increase change Decrease
trend
Explanation and factors
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire - Fabricated Structural Steel
Page 46
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/701731/2019/fabricated_structural_steel_canada
_china_and/preliminary.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: FABS
• 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 | Microsoft Word - FSS Producer Q |
| Author | mary.messer |
| File Modified | 2019-02-06 |
| File Created | 2019-02-06 |