20-3-4375 U.S. purchasers' questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 20-3-4375; Expiration Date: 6/30/2023
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STANDARD STEEL WELDED WIRE MESH FROM MEXICO
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by January 8, 2021
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 standard steel welded wire mesh
(“wire mesh”) from Mexico (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-653 and 731-TA-1527 (Final)). The information requested in the
questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to
reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the submission of records or information in your
possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)). Further information on this questionnaire can be obtained from Pamela Davis (202205-2218, [email protected]).

Name of firm
Address
City

State

Zip Code

Website
Has your firm purchased, or imported for its own use or retail sale, wire mesh (as defined on next page) from
any source (domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2017?

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: MESH)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
submitting this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
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

Signature

Phone

Email address

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.--This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on June 30, 2020, by Insteel
Industries Inc., Mount Airy, North Carolina; Mid South Wire Company, Nashville, Tennessee; National
Wire LLC, Conroe, Texas; Oklahoma Steel & Wire Co., Madill, Oklahoma; and Wire Mesh Corp., Houston,
Texas. 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 dumping. Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this
proceeding are available at
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2021/standard_steel_welded_wire_mesh_mexico/final.htm.
Standard steel welded wire mesh.--The product covered by this definition is uncoated standard welded
steel reinforcement wire mesh (“wire mesh”) produced from smooth or deformed wire. Subject wire
mesh is produced in square and rectangular grids of uniformly spaced steel wires that are welded at all
intersections. Sizes are specified by combining the spacing of the wires in inches or millimeters and the
wire cross-sectional area in hundredths of square inch or millimeters squared. Subject wire mesh may
be packaged and sold in rolls or in sheets.
Subject wire mesh is currently produced to ASTM specification A1064/A1064M, which covers carbonsteel wire and welded wire reinforcement, smooth and deformed, for concrete in the following seven
styles:
1. 6X6 W1.4/W1.4 or D1.4/D1.4
2. 6X6 W2.1/W2.1 or D2.1/D2.1
3. 6X6 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9
4. 6X6 W4/W4 or D4/D4
5. 6X12 W4/W4 or D4/D4
6. 4X4 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9
7. 4X4 W4/W4 or D4/D4
The first number in the style denotes the spacing between the longitudinal wires and the second
number denotes the spacing between the transverse wires. In the first style listed above, for example,
“6X6” denotes a grid size of six inches by six inches. “W” denotes the use of smooth wire, and “D”
denotes the use of deformed wire in making the mesh. The number following the W or D denotes the
cross-sectional area of the transverse and longitudinal wires in hundredths of a square inch (i.e., W1.4 or
D1.4 is .014 square inches).
Smooth wire is wire that has a uniform cross-sectional diameter throughout the length of the wire.
Deformed wire is wire with indentations or raised transverse ribs, which results in wire that does not
have a uniform cross-sectional diameter throughout the length of the wire.
Rolls of subject wire mesh are currently produced in the following styles and actual width and length
combinations:
Style: 6X6 W1.4/W1.4 or D1.4/D1.4 (i.e., 10 gauge)
Roll Sizes: 5’ X 50’

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 3

5’ X 150’
6’ X 150’
5’ X 200’
7’ X 200’
7.5’ X 200’
Style: 6X6 W2.1/W2.1 or D2.1/D2.1 (i.e., 8 gauge)
Roll Sizes: 5’ X 150’
Style: 6X6 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9 (i.e., 6 gauge)
Roll Sizes: 5’ X 150’
7’ X 200’
All rolled wire mesh is included in scope regardless of length.
Sheets of subject standard welded wire mesh are currently produced in the following styles and actual
width and length combinations:
Style: 6X6 W1.4/W1.4 or D1.4/D1.4 (i.e., 10 gauge)
Sheet Size: 3’6” X 7’
4’ X 7’
X 7’6”
5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Style: 6X6 W2.1/W2.1 or D2.1/D2.1 (i.e., 8 gauge)
Sheet Size: 5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Style: 6X6 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9 (i.e., 6 gauge)
Sheet Size: 3’6” X 20’
5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 4

Style: 6X12 W4/W4 or D4/D4 (i.e., 4 gauge)
Sheet Size: 8’ X 20’
Style: 4X4 W2.9/W2.9 or D2.9/D2.9 (i.e., 6 gauge)
Sheet Size: 5’ X 10’
7’ X 20’
7’6” X 20’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 12’8”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Style: 4X4 W4/W4 or D4/D4 (i.e., 4 gauge)
Sheet Size: 5’ X 10’
8’ X 12’6”
8’ X 12’8”
8’ X 15’
8’ X 20’
Any product imported, sold, or invoiced in one of these size combinations is included in this definition.
ASTM specification A1064/A1064M provides for permissible variations in wire gauges, the spacing
between transverse and longitudinal wires, and the length and width combinations. To the extent a roll
or sheet of welded wire mesh falls within these permissible variations, it is included in this definition.
ASTM specification A1064/A1064M also defines permissible oversteeling, which is the use of a heavier
gauge wire with a larger cross-sectional area than nominally specified. It also permits a wire diameter
tolerance of + 0.003 inches for products up to W5/D5 and + 0.004 for sizes over W5/D5. A producer may
oversteel by increasing smooth or deformed wire diameter up to two whole number size increments on
Table 1 of A1064. Subject wire mesh has the following wire diameter ranges, which account for both
oversteeling and diameter tolerance:
W/D No.
1.4
2.1
2.9
4.0

Maximum Oversteeling No.
(i.e., 10 gauge)
(i.e., 8 gauge)
(i.e., 6 gauge)
(i.e., 4 gauge)

Diameter Range (inch)
3.4 0.093 to 0.211
4.1 0.161 to 0.231
4.9 0.189 to 0.253
6.0 0.223 to 0.280

To the extent a roll or sheet of wire mesh falls within the permissible variations provided above, it is
within this scope.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 5

In addition to the tolerances permitted in ASTM specification A1064/A1064M, wire mesh in this
definition includes combinations where:
1. A width and/or length combination varies by + one grid size in any direction, i.e., + 6 inches in length
or width where the wire mesh’s grid size is “6X6”; and/or
2. The center-to-center spacing between individual wires may vary by up to one quarter of an inch from
the nominal grid size specified.
Length is measured from the ends of any wire and width is measured between the center-line of end
longitudinal wires.
Additionally, although the subject wire mesh typically meets ASTM A1064/A1064M, the failure to
include certifications, test reports or other documentation establishing that the product meets this
specification does not remove the product from the scope. Wire mesh made to comparable foreign
specifications (e.g., DIN, JIS, etc.) or proprietary specifications is included in the scope.
Excluded from the scope is wire mesh that is galvanized (i.e., coated with zinc) or coated with an epoxy
coating. In order to be excluded as galvanized, the excluded welded wire mesh must have a zinc coating
thickness meeting the requirements of ASTM specification A641/A641M. Epoxy coating is a mix of epoxy
resin and hardener that can be applied to the surface of steel wire.
Wire mesh is currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7314.20.0000 and 7314.39.0000. of
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”). The HTSUS provisions are for
convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive.
Engineered wire mesh.-- Engineered wire mesh (also referred to as “structural mesh”) is assembled
from steel wires welded together in a grid pattern, complies with ASTM A1064 or equivalent
specifications, and is designed to reinforce concrete. Being custom designed for specific end uses and
customers, engineered wire mesh often, but not always, consists of non-uniform or heavier wires, nonuniform grid sizes, or in sheet dimensions different from standard wire mesh.
Purchaser.--Any firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in purchasing
wire mesh from another firm that produces, imports, or otherwise distributes wire mesh.
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. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 6

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.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
I-1a.

Page 7

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of your U.S. establishment(s) covered
by this questionnaire, if different from that listed on the cover page. Firms operating more than
one establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single response.
“Establishment”--Each facility of a firm involved in the purchase of wire mesh, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.

I-1b.

Stock symbol information.-- If your firm or parent firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol:
.

I-1c.

External counsel.-- If your firm or parent firm is represented by external counsel in relation to
this proceeding, please specify the name of the law firm and the lead attorney(s).
Law firm:
Lead attorney(s):

I-2.

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

I-3.

Yes--List the following information, relating to the ultimate parent/owner.
Country

Extent of ownership
(percent)

Related importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, which import wire mesh into the United States or which export wire mesh to the United
States?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
I-4.

Page 8

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
produce wire mesh?
No
Firm name

Yes--List the following information.
Country

Affiliation

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 9

PART II.--PURCHASES
Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which Commission
staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in this questionnaire.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
II-1.

Purchases and imports.--Report separately your firm’s domestic purchases and imports of wire
mesh.
“Purchase” – Purchase from a U.S. entity such as a U.S. producer, a U.S. importer, or other U.S.
firm.
“Import” – Purchase directly from a foreign supplier and your firm is the importer of record.
2017

2018

2019

Jan.-Sept. 2020

Quantity (in short tons)

Item
Purchases of wire
mesh produced in—
United States
Mexico
All other
countries1
Sources
unknown2
Total
purchases

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Imports of wire
mesh from—
Mexico
All other
countries1
Total imports3
1

Please identify these countries:
.
Please indicate the firm(s) from which you purchased this merchandise:
.
3
If your firm imported wire mesh at any time since January 1, 2017, please also complete and
return a U.S. importers' questionnaire in this proceeding.
2

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
II-2.

Page 10

Changes in purchasing patterns.--Please indicate how the shares of your firm’s purchases of
wire mesh from different sources have changed since January 1, 2017.

Source of
purchases

Did not
purchase Increased

Constant Decreased Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

United States
Mexico
All other countries
Sources unknown
II-3.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin with which your firm has
experience or information in the wire mesh market.
United
States

II-4.

Mexico

Other
countries

Other countries (specify)

Supplier identification.--Please list your firm’s FIVE largest suppliers for wire mesh since January
1, 2017. Also, provide the share of the quantity of your firm’s total purchases of wire mesh that
each of these suppliers accounted for in 2019.

No.

Supplier’s name

City and state

Share of quantity of
2019 purchases

1

%

2

%

3

%

4

%

5

%

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 11

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

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of wire mesh (check
all that apply)?

End user
End user
End user
End user
Describe
Distributor Other
Construction Agriculture Industrial Transportation
other

If your firm is a distributor of wire mesh, please answer questions III-2 and III-3.
III-2.

Competition for sales.--Does your firm compete for sales to customers with the manufacturers
or importers from which your firm purchases wire mesh?
No

III-3.

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Types of customers.--What are the major types of consumers to which your firm sells wire
mesh?

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 12

If your firm is an end user of wire mesh, please answer questions III-4 and III-5.
III-4.

End uses.--List the top 3 products your firm makes using wire mesh and estimate the percent of
your total production cost that is accounted for by wire mesh and by other inputs (such as labor,
energy, and other raw materials).
Share of total cost in each of the product(s) your
firm produces accounted for by
Product(s) your firm
produces

III-5.

Wire mesh

Total
(should
sum to
100.0%
across)

Other inputs
% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

% +

%

=

0.0 %

Demand for end-use products.-(a)

Has the demand for your firm’s final products incorporating wire mesh changed since
January 1, 2017?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for wire mesh?
No

Yes

Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
III-6.

Page 13

Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for wire mesh?
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 wire mesh?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.
III-7.

Demand trends.--Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for wire mesh has changed since January 1, 2017. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.

Overall
increase

Market

No
change

Fluctuate
Overall
with no
decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Within the United
States
Outside the United
States
III-8.

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

Yes

If yes, identify the countries and explain.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
III-9.

Page 14

Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Please fill out the table below, estimating the
percentage of your firm’s total 2020 purchases of wire mesh that required wire mesh produced
in the United States.
Estimated percentage of
your firm’s total 2020
purchases of wire mesh

Purchases that did not require domestic product

%

Purchases that were required by law or regulation to be domestic product
(e.g., government purchases under “Buy American” provisions)

%

Purchases that were not required by law or regulation, but were required by
your customers to be domestic product

%

Purchases that were required to be domestic product for other reasons
(explain:
.)

%

Total (should sum to 100.0%)

0.0 %

III-10. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the wire mesh market subject to business cycles and/or other conditions of
competition distinctive to wire mesh?

Check all that apply.

Please describe.

No

Skip to question III-11.

Yes-Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes-Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b)

Have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
wire mesh since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 15

III-11. Decisions based on producer and country-of-origin.--How often does your firm, and if known,
do your customers, make purchasing decisions involving wire mesh based on its producer or
country of origin?
Item

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, explain.

Decision based on producer
Your firm
Your
customers
Decision based on country of origin
Your firm
Your
customers
III-12. Availability of supply.--Has the availability of wire mesh in the U.S. market changed since
January 1, 2017?
Availability in the U.S.
Please explain, noting the countries and reasons for the
market
No Yes changes.
U.S.-produced product
Subject imports
Nonsubject imports
III-13. Supply constraints.--Has any firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply your firm with
wire mesh since January 1, 2017 (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.

III-14. Availability of specific product types.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of wire mesh only
available from certain country sources?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the countries and the grade/type/size.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 16

III-15. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently does your firm make purchases of wire mesh (check one)?
Daily

(b)

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Other

If other, specify

Has this purchasing frequency changed since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please describe.

III-16. Raw material prices.—
(a)

Is your firm familiar with the prices for raw materials used in the production of wire
mesh?
No

(b)

Has information on raw material prices affected your firm’s negotiations or contracts to
purchase wire mesh since 2018?
No

(c)

Yes Explain

Are wire mesh prices indexed to wire rod prices?
No

(d)

Yes – please answer (b) and (c)

Yes Explain

Are you aware of published spot prices for wire rod? Do published prices for wire rod
impact your decision-making and expectations on purchasing price, quantities, and/or
times?
No

Yes Explain

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 17

III-17. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers does your firm generally contact before
making a purchase? Between
and
firms
III-18. Supplier negotiations.--Do your firm’s purchases of wire mesh usually involve negotiations
between supplier and purchaser?

No

Yes

If yes, explain the factors your firm generally negotiates and note whether
your firm quotes competing prices during negotiations.

III-19. Change in suppliers.--Has your firm changed suppliers since January 1, 2017?

No

Yes

If yes, please list the supplier(s), whether the firm was added or dropped,
and the reasons for the change.

III-20. New suppliers.--Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have
entered the market since January 1, 2017?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the firms.

III-21. Supplier qualification.--Do you require your suppliers to be or to become certified or qualified
to sell wire mesh to your firm?
If yes, provide the following information.
 The number of days to qualify a new supplier.
 A general description of the certification or qualification process. Also, a brief
description of the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality
of product, reliability of supplier, etc.).

No

Yes

Number
of days Process and factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 18

III-22. Failure to certify.--Since January 1, 2017, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their
attempts to certify or qualify their wire mesh with your firm or have any producers lost their
approved status?

No

Yes

If yes, please identify these firms, the countries where they are located,
and the reasons why they failed the certification/qualification.

III-23. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the main factors your firm
considers in deciding from whom to purchase wire mesh (examples include availability,
extension of credit, contracts, price, quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier,
etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Please list any other factors that are very important in your purchase decisions:

.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 19

III-24. Purchasing factors.--Please rate the importance of the following factors in your firm’s
purchasing decisions for wire mesh.

Factor
Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Durability
Minimum quantity requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry standards
Quality exceeds industry standards
Reliability of supply
Steel alloy
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 20

III-25. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of wire mesh?

III-26. Minimum quality.--How often does wire mesh from the following countries meet minimum
quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Don’t
know

United States
Mexico
Other:
III-27. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the wire mesh that
is offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-28. Price leaders.--A price leader is defined as (1) one or more firms that initiate a price change,
either upward or downward, that is followed by other firms, or (2) one or more firms that have a
significant impact on prices. A price leader is not necessarily the lowest-priced supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the wire mesh market since
January 1, 2017.
Firm(s)

Describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 21

III-29. Purchasing subject imports rather than domestic products.—
(a)

Since January 2017, did your firm import and/or purchase imports of wire mesh from
Mexico instead of purchasing U.S.-produced wire mesh?
Source

Yes
(also respond to parts (b) and (c))

No
(If “No”, skip to next question)

Mexico
(b)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was the imported product priced lower than the
domestic product?
Source

Yes

No

Mexico
(c)

If you responded “Yes” to part (a), was price a primary reason for importing and/or
purchasing subject imports rather than domestic product?

Source

Mexico

Yes

If Yes, estimate the quantity
of imports purchased and/or
imported instead of domestic
product since January 2017
(in short tons)

No

If No, please indicate the
reason your firm imported
and/or purchased imports
instead of domestic product

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 22

III-30. U.S. producers and import competition.—
(a)

Since January 1, 2017, in connection with a sale or offer to sell wire mesh to your firm,
did U.S. producers reduce their prices of domestically produced wire mesh in order to
compete with lower-priced imports of wire mesh from the subject countries?
Source

Yes (also respond to
question part (b))

No (If “No”, skip to next
question)

Don’t know

Mexico
(b)

If your firm responded “yes”, please provide an estimate of the reduction in U.S.
producers’ prices, and any additional explanations, such as timing (e.g., months/years),
frequency of price reductions, or other market/competitive factors.

Source
Mexico

Estimated
reduction in U.S.
prices
(percent)
%

Additional explanation, including such information as
timing (e.g., months/years), frequency of price
reductions, or other market/competitive factors

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 23

PART IV.—PRODUCT COMPARISONS
IV-1.

Interchangeability.--Is wire mesh 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

Mexico

Other countries

United States
Mexico
For any country-pair producing wire mesh which is sometimes or never interchangeable,
please identify the country-pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable
use:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
IV-2.

Page 24

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between wire mesh produced in
the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s purchases of the
products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair
Country-pair

Mexico

Other countries

United States
Mexico
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s purchases of wire mesh, identify the country-pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 25

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

Factor

Comparable

Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how wire mesh produced
in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV compares with
wire mesh produced in each of the other countries you identified.
If you are unfamiliar with the product from a particular country, please leave the boxes for those
country comparisons blank.
Product from
Product from
United States
Product from
United States
compared to
Mexico compared
compared to product
product from
to product from
from
Nonsubject
Nonsubject
Mexico
countries
countries

Superior

IV-3.

Availability
Delivery terms
Delivery time
Discounts offered
Durability
Minimum quantity
requirements
Packaging
Payment terms
Price1
Product consistency
Product range
Quality meets industry
standards
Quality exceeds industry
standards
Reliability of supply
Steel alloy
Technical support/service
U.S. transportation costs1
1

A rating of superior on price and U.S. transportation costs indicates that the first country generally has lower
prices/U.S. transportation costs than the second country.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 26

PART V.--ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT INFORMATION
Product definitions for wire mesh and engineered wire mesh can be found on page 5 of the
questionnaire. Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Pamela Davis
(202-205-2218, [email protected]).
V-1.

Comparability of wire mesh and engineered wire mesh.-- For each of the following indicate
whether listed wire mesh 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 wire mesh vs out-ofscope engineered wire mesh
(b) Interchangeability.--The ability to substitute the products in the same application.

Product-pair
In-scope wire mesh vs out-ofscope engineered wire mesh

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of
their interchangeability:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
V-1.

Page 27

Comparability of certain in-scope and out-of-scope wire mesh products.--Continued
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.
(c) Channels of distribution.--Channels of distribution/market situation through which the
products are purchased (i.e., directly, through wholesaler/distributors, etc.).

Product-pair

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of
their channels of distribution:

In-scope wire mesh vs
out-of-scope
engineered wire mesh
(d) 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
In-scope wire mesh vs
out-of-scope
engineered wire mesh

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of
their manufacturing facilities, production
processes, and production employees:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)
V-1.

Page 28

Comparability of certain in-scope and out-of-scope wire mesh products.--Continued
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.
(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 wire mesh
vs out-of-scope
engineered wire
mesh
(f) Price.--Whether prices are comparable or differ between the products.

Product-pair
In-scope wire mesh
vs out-of-scope
engineered wire
mesh

Comparison

Please provide a narrative discussion for the
comparability ratings you provided in terms of
their price:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 29

PART VI.--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
VI-1.

Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to any question that
for which a narrative response box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below.

VI-2.

OMB statistics.--Please report 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
25 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh (Final)

Page 30

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/701731/2021/standard_steel_welded_wire_mesh_mexi
co/final.htm.
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/

Pin: MESH

• E-mail.—E-mail the MS Word questionnaire to [email protected]; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop-box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non-encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you and not
by the Commission.
If your firm does not purchase this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned
copy to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202205-1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire your firm submits (see
19 CFR § 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.