09-2-2788 US importer questionnaire

Information collections for import injury investigations (producers, importers, purchasers, and foreign producer questionnaires and institution notices for 5-year reviews)

US Importer-Purchaser Questionnaire - Draft

Ni-resist piston inserts from Argentina and Korea (F)

OMB: 3117-0016

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OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 09-2-2788; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. IMPORTERS’/PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
NI-RESIST PISTON INSERTS FROM ARGENTINA AND KOREA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than August 7, 2009
See page 4 of the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty investigations concerning Ni-resist piston inserts from Argentina and Korea (Inv.
Nos. 701-TA-460-461 (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)).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm imported and/or purchased Ni-resist piston inserts (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any
country at any time since January 1, 2006?

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)

YES

(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout these investigations in any other import-injury investigations conducted
by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout these investigations may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of these investigations or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits
and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that
all contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Signature

Phone: (
Fax ( )

E-mail address

)

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U.S. Importers’/Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Ni-Resist Piston Inserts from Argentina and Korea

Page 2

PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 40 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your firm of preparing the
reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
hours

dollars

I-1b.

We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this questionnaire in general or
the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your response or send them to
the above address.

I-2.

Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this questionnaire (see page 3 of the
instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

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

Firm name

Yes--List the following information.

Address

Extent of
ownership

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Page 3

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in
importing Ni-resist piston inserts from Argentina and/or Korea into the United States or which are
engaged in exporting Ni-resist piston inserts from Argentina and/or Korea to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information

Firm name

I-5.

I-7.

Affiliation

Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which are engaged in the
production of Ni-resist piston inserts?
Firm name

I-6.

Address

Affiliation

Please indicate the nature of your firm’s importing operations as they pertain to Ni-resist piston
inserts. More than one answer may be applicable.
Importer of record

Takes title to the imported product(s)

Consignee of the imported products(s)

Customs broker or freight forwarder.

If your firm is an importer of record of Ni-resist piston inserts but is not the consignee, please list
the consignees below (firm name, address, telephone number, and individual to contact).

Firm name

Address

Contact person and phone
number

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Page 4

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-8.

I-9.

Please indicate whether your firm enters Ni-resist piston inserts into, or withdraws such
merchandise from, foreign trade zones or bonded warehouses.
Foreign trade zones

Yes

Bonded warehouses

Yes

Please indicate whether your firm imports Ni-resist piston inserts under the TIB (temporary
importation under bond) program.
No

I-10.

Yes

To your knowledge, have the products subject to these investigations been the subject of any
other import relief investigations in the United States or in any other countries?
No

Yes–Please specify.

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Page 5

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Angela Newell (202-708-5409,
angela.newell@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested trade and related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

II-2.

Has your firm experienced any plant openings, relocations, expansions, acquisitions,
consolidations, closures, or prolonged shutdowns because of strikes or equipment failure; or any
other change in the character of your operations or organization relating to the importation of Niresist piston inserts since January 1, 2006?
No

II-3.

Yes--Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes.

Has your firm imported or arranged for the importation of Ni-resist piston inserts from Argentina
and/or Korea for delivery after June 30, 2009?
No

II-4.

E-mail address

Yes–Indicate when such orders are to be delivered and the quantities
involved.

If your firm also produces Ni-resist piston inserts in the United States, please indicate your
reasons for importing this product. If your reasons differ by source, please elaborate.

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Page 6

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-5.

Has your firm imported Ni-resist piston inserts for end uses other than diesel engine pistons?
No

Yes--Please identify below.

End use unknown.

End use(s):
II-6.

Under which 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States classification number(s)
has your firm imported Ni-resist piston inserts?

II-7a.

IMPORTS FROM ARGENTINA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of Ni-resist piston inserts imported from Argentina by your firm during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ARGENTINA
Quantity (in pounds), value (in dollars)
Calendar years
Item

2006

2007

January-June
2008

2008

2009

Beginning-of-period inventories (quantity)
Imports:1
Quantity of imports
Value of imports
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity of commercial shipments
Value of commercial shipments
Internal consumption/company transfers:
Quantity of internal consumption/transfers
Value2 of internal consumption/transfers
Export shipments:3
Quantity of export shipments
Value of export shipments
End-of-period inventories4 (quantity)
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments to distributors (quantity)
U.S. shipments to end users (quantity)
1

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

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

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

Yes

No--Please explain:

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Page 7

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-7b.

IMPORTS FROM KOREA.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s shipments and
inventories of Ni-resist piston inserts imported from Korea by your firm during the specified
periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

KOREA
Quantity (in pounds), value (in dollars)
Calendar years
Item

2006

2007

January-June
2008

2008

2009

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

2
Sales to related firms (including internal consumption) must be valued at fair market value. In the event that you use a
different basis for valuing these sales within your company, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.) and provide
value data using that basis for each of the periods noted above:

Yes

No--Please explain:

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Page 8

PART II.--TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
II-8.

IMPORTS FROM NONSUBJECT SOURCES.–Report your firm’s imports and your firm’s
shipments and inventories of Ni-resist piston inserts imported from all other sources combined
by your firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the instruction booklet.)

ALL OTHER SOURCES COMBINED
Quantity (in pounds), value (in dollars)
Calendar years
Item

2006

2007

January-June
2008

2008

2009

Please identify the foreign producers, if known:

Yes

No--Please explain:

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Page 9

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen, Economist,
(202-205-3226, craig.thomsen@usitc.gov).
III-1.

Who should be contacted regarding the requested pricing and related information?
Company contact:
Name and title
(
)
Phone number

E-mail address

PRICE DATA
This section requests quarterly quantity and value data concerning your firm’s U.S. commercial
shipments to unrelated customers and/or purchases from unrelated customers of the following products
during January 2006-June 2009. If you are a distributor and the products are imported to be resold, please
fill out questions III-2a and III-2b, and report the quarterly sales price data for pricing products below. If
you internally consume the product, please fill out questions III-2c, III-2d, and III-2e and report quarterly
delivered purchase price data. Pricing data should be reported for the products below:

Product 1.-- Ni-resist piston inserts with a per unit weight of 0.409 lbs. and an outer
diameter of 4.602 inches (part number 61256 or 6056).
Product 2.-- Ni-resist piston inserts with a per unit weight of 0.772 lbs. and an outer
diameter of 5.220 inches (part number N-4590-6).
Product 3.-- Ni-resist piston inserts with a per unit weight of 0.782 lbs. and an outer
diameter of 5.859 inches (part number NI-550-104PP).
Product 4.-- Ni-resist piston inserts with a per unit weight of 1.874 lbs. and an outer
diameter of 5.857 inches (part number NI-550-233PP1).

For questions III-2a and 2b please note that total dollar values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of
shipment and should not include U.S.-inland transportation costs. Total dollar values should reflect the
FINAL NET amount paid to you (i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See
instruction booklet.
For questions III-2c, 2d, and 2e please note that total dollar values should be on a delivered basis
and should include transportation costs to your U.S. facility. Total dollar values should reflect the
FINAL NET amount paid by you (i.e., should be net of all deductions for discounts or rebates). See
instruction booklet.

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Page 10

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2a. Report your firm’s quarterly sales price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Argentina
below.

Period of shipment

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

2006
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2007
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009
January-March
April-June
Period of shipment
2006
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2007
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2008
January-March
April-June
July-September
October-December
2009
January-March
April-June
1

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your U.S.
point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.
Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your product:
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:

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Page 11

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2b. Report your firm’s quarterly sales price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Korea below.

Period of shipment

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods) f.o.b. your U.S.
point of shipment.
2

Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

Note.--If your product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a
description of your product:
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:

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Page 12

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2c. Report your firm’s quarterly purchase price data1 for pricing products2 produced in the
United States below.

Period of shipment

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods), delivered to your
firm’s U.S. facility.
2

Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

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Page 13

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2d. Report your firm’s quarterly purchase price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Argentina
below.

Period of shipment

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods), delivered to your
firm’s U.S. facility.
2

Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

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Page 14

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-2e. Report your firm’s quarterly purchase price data1 for pricing products2 imported from Korea
below.

Period of shipment

(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 1
Quantity
Value

Product 2
Quantity
Value

Product 3
Quantity
Value

Product 4
Quantity
Value

Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, and the value of returned goods), delivered to your
firm’s U.S. facility.
2

Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part III.

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Page 15

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
**Note: If your firm internally consumes the imported product or if you are a purchaser, please
skip questions III-3-III-11. Also note that the questions in this section refer to imports from
Argentina and Korea. If your firm imports Ni-resist piston inserts from both subject countries and
your response to any question differs depending upon country of origin, please report separately
for each country and note this in your response.
III-3.

Please describe how your firm determines the prices that it charges for sales of Ni-resist piston
inserts (transaction by transaction negotiation, contracts for multiple shipments, set price lists,
etc.). If your firm issues price lists, please include a copy of a recent price list with your
submission. If your price list is large, please submit sample pages.

III-4.

Please describe your firm’s discount policy (quantity discounts, annual total volume discounts,
etc.).

III-5.

What are your firm’s typical sales terms for Ni-resist piston inserts imported from Argentina
and/or Korea (e.g., 2/10 net 30 days)?
. On what basis are your prices of such
product usually quoted (e.g., f.o.b. warehouse, or delivered)?
.

III-6.

Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its Ni-resist piston inserts imported from
Argentina and/or Korea in 2008 were on a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months), (2) short-term contract basis (multiple deliveries up to 12 months), and (3)
spot sales basis (for a single delivery)?
Type of sale
Long-term contracts
Short-term contracts
Spot sales

Share of sales (percent)

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Page 16

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-7.

III-8.

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

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

(e)

Do contracts contain minimum quantity provisions? If so, please explain.

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

What is the average duration of a contract?

(b)

Can prices be renegotiated during the contract period?

(c)

Does the contract fix quantity, price, or both?

(d)

Does the contract have a meet or release provision?

(e)

Do contracts contain minimum quantity provisions? If so, please explain.
______________________________________________________________________

III-9.

What is the average lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s
sales of Ni-resist piston inserts?

Source

Share of sales,
2008

Lead time

From inventory
Produced to order
Total

III-10. (a)

100 %

What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of Ni-resist piston inserts
that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs?
percent.

(b)

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

(c)

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

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Page 17

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-11. What is the geographic market area in the United States served by your firm’s Ni-resist piston
inserts? (check all that apply)
Northeast

Mid-Atlantic

Midwest

Southeast

Southwest

Rocky Mountains

West Coast

Northwest

National

Other (describe:

)

III-12. Describe the end uses of the Ni-resist piston inserts that you import from Argentina and/or Korea.
For each end-use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by Ni-resist piston
inserts?
End use
Share of total cost (percent)

III-13. (a)

Can other products be substituted for Ni-resist piston inserts?
No

Yes--Please list these substitute products in order of importance.

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(b)

For each possible substitute product, please give examples of applications and end uses
for which they are substitutes.

(c)

Have changes in the prices of these products affected the price for Ni-resist piston
inserts?
No

Yes--To what degree do changes in their prices affect the price for
Ni-resist piston inserts? Does this effect have a time lag? If so, how
long is the time lag for each substitute product? Does this vary by type
of Ni-resist piston insert or final end use?

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Page 18

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-14. Do you use Ni-resist piston inserts for use in compressor pistons (pistons that compress air or gas
for use in industrial processes)?

III-15. (a)

How has demand for Ni-resist piston inserts within the United States changed since
January 1, 2006?
Increased

(b)

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated (please describe)

What factors have contributed to changes in apparent U.S. consumption of Ni-resist
piston inserts since January 1, 2006? Please discuss to what extent you believe changes
in overall motor vehicle demand, preferences of diesel engine manufacturers for
articulated and steel pistons, and changes in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
emissions standards may be contributing to any changes in apparent U.S. consumption.
You may also reference any other contributing factors you deem pertinent. Please
provide any documentation in your possession concerning the causes you have identified
for changes in apparent U.S. consumption.

III-16. How has demand for Ni-resist piston inserts outside the United States changed since January 1,
2006? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

No change

Decreased

Fluctuated (please describe)

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Page 19

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-17. (a)

Is the market subject to business cycles or conditions of competition distinctive to Niresist piston inserts?

(b)

Yes-- Please explain and provide estimates of the duration of any such cycle.

Has the emergence of new markets or special business events for Ni-resist piston inserts
since 2006 affected the business cycles or conditions of competition distinctive to Niresist piston inserts?
No

Yes-- Please explain any such changes.

III-18. Have there been any significant changes in the product range or marketing of Ni-resist piston
inserts since January 1, 2006?
No

Yes-- Please describe.

III-19. Did your firm change the amounts of its imports or purchases (or do you plan to change the
amounts of your purchases) of Ni-resist piston inserts produced in Argentina and/or Korea
because of the filing of the petition in these investigations?
No

Yes-- Supply specific details as to the time, nature, and amounts of any such
changes in imports or purchases, also indicating whether any increases in such
imports or purchases replaced or will replace (or whether any decreases in such
imports or purchases were replaced by or will be replaced by) product produced
in the United States and/or any other countries (specify).

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Page 20

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-20. Did your firm change the amounts of its imports or purchases (or do you plan to change the
amounts of your imports or purchases) of Ni-resist piston inserts produced in Argentina and/or
Korea because of the Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination of subsidies from
Argentina?
No

III-21. Please explain the surcharge policy of each supplier from which you purchased or imported Niresist piston inserts since January 1, 2006, as well as any other Ni-resist piston insert supplier in
the United States or other countries, if known. Include an explanation for any surcharge(s) used
to account for the cost of nickel and/or other metals included in the production of Ni-resist piston
inserts. In addition, please describe and provide any documentation in your possession regarding
any changes in those surcharges since January 1, 2006.

III-22. Since January 1, 2006, have you purchased Ni-resist piston inserts separately or as part of a
“package” with other products?
Separately

As part of a package-- Please describe.

Both-- Please describe.

III-23. Have quotes you received for Ni-resist piston inserts since January 1, 2006 included minimum
quantity requirements?
No

Yes-- Please describe; identify the supplier(s) and time frame(s).

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Page 21

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-24. Have price quotes you have received, purchases you made, or contracts you signed for Ni-resist
piston inserts since January 1, 2006 included models or parts in addition to those you requested?
Please include documentation to support your answer.
No

Yes-- Please describe and explain the basis for their inclusion.

III-25. Are Ni-resist piston inserts produced in the United States and in other countries interchangeable
(i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)? Please indicate below, using “A” to
indicate that the products from a specified country-pair are always interchangeable, “F” to
indicate that the products are frequently interchangeable, “S” to indicate that the products are
sometimes interchangeable, “N” to indicate that the products are never interchangeable, and “0”
to indicate no familiarity with products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

Argentina

Korea

Other countries

United States
Argentina
Korea
1
For any country-pair producing Ni-resist piston inserts which are sometimes or never interchangeable,
please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

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Page 22

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-26. Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability, transportation network, product range,
technical support, etc.) between Ni-resist piston inserts produced in the United States and in other
countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of the products? Please indicate below, using
“A” to indicate that such differences are always significant, “F” to indicate that such differences
are frequently significant, “S” to indicate that such differences are sometimes significant, “N” to
indicate that such differences are never significant, and “0” to indicate no familiarity with
products from a specified country-pair.1
Country-pair

Argentina

Korea

Other countries

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Page 23

PART III.--PRICING AND RELATED INFORMATION--Continued
III-27. Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s 10 largest customers for Ni-resist
piston inserts during January 2006-June 2009. Please also provide the name and telephone
number of a contact person and the share of the quantity of your firm’s total shipments of Niresist piston inserts from Argentina and/or Korea that each of these customers accounted for in
2008.

No.

Customer’s name

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

Contact person

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
2008
sales
(%)

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U.S. Importers’/Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Ni-Resist Piston Inserts from Argentina and Korea

Page 24

PART IV.--MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen, Economist,
(202-205-3226, craig.thomsen@usitc.gov).
IV-1.

If the relative levels of your firm’s imports and/or purchases of Ni-resist piston inserts from
different sources (both domestic and foreign) have changed in the last three years, please state
whether the relative share from that country has increased or decreased, and state the reason.
Please attach any documentation or other evidence you may have indicating why you have
increased or decreased your firm’s imports and/or purchases from particular sources, including
specific suppliers from which you have purchased.
Source of purchases
United States

Trend
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Argentina

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Korea

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

All other countries

Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated

Explanation for trend

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U.S. Importers’/Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Ni-Resist Piston Inserts from Argentina and Korea

Page 25

PART IV.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
IV-2.

If your firm is an end user of Ni-resist piston inserts, list in order of quantity of Ni-resist piston
inserts consumed, the top 3 products for which your firm purchases Ni-resist piston inserts as a
component part or input. Please indicate what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by Niresist piston inserts.
Product you produce

IV-3.

Percent of cost accounted for by Ni-resist
piston inserts

(a) If your firm is an end user of Ni-resist piston inserts, has the demand for your firm’s final
products incorporating Ni-resist piston inserts changed since January 1, 2006?
Increased

No change

Decreased

(b) What effect, if any, has this had on your firm’s demand for Ni-resist piston inserts?

IV-4.

Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the market in
the last 3 years?
No

IV-5.

Yes--Please identify the firms.

Do you require your suppliers to become certified or prequalified with respect to the quality,
chemistry, strength, or other performance characteristic of the Ni-resist piston inserts they sell to
your firm?
No

Yes--

percent of purchases in 2008

Yes--All purchases

Please provide a general description of the certification or qualification process and the time
required.

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U.S. Importers’/Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Ni-Resist Piston Inserts from Argentina and Korea

Page 26

PART IV.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
IV-6.

Briefly describe the factors that you consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of
product, reliability of supplier, etc.) and estimate the time it takes to certify or qualify a new
supplier.

IV-7.

Since January 1, 2006, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to certify
or qualify their Ni-resist piston inserts with your firm or have any producers lost their approved
status?
No

Yes--Please identify these firms, the countries where they are located, and the
reasons why they failed the certification/qualification process.

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U.S. Importers’/Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Ni-Resist Piston Inserts from Argentina and Korea

Page 27

PART IV.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
IV-8.

(a)

For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in your purchase
decision for Ni-resist piston inserts.
VERY
SOMEWHAT
NOT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
Availability .....................................

Delivery terms.................................
Delivery time ..................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit ..........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements.............
Packaging........................................
Product consistency ........................
Product range ..................................
Quality meets industry standards ....
Quality exceeds industry standards.
Reliability of supply........................
Surcharge formula...........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs .................
Other (specify):
........
........
........
(b)

Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors generally considered by
your firm in deciding from whom to purchase Ni-resist piston inserts for any one order
(examples include current availability, extension of credit, prearranged contracts, price,
quality exceeding specifications or industry standards, range of supplier’s product line,
traditional supplier, etc.).
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Other factors or comments:

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U.S. Importers’/Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Ni-Resist Piston Inserts from Argentina and Korea

Page 28

PART IV.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
IV-9.

What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the quality of Ni-resist piston
inserts?

IV-10. How often does your firm purchase the Ni-resist piston inserts that are offered at the lowest price?
Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

IV-11. Since January 1, 2006, did your firm switch purchases of Ni-resist piston inserts from U.S.
producers to suppliers of Ni-resist piston inserts imported from Argentina and/or Korea?
No

Yes - (Please list the country/countries)

If yes, was price the reason for the shift?
No

Yes

If price was not the reason for the shift, please list the reason(s) for the shift.

IV-12. Since January 1, 2006, did U.S. producers reduce their prices of Ni-resist piston inserts in order to
compete with prices of Ni-resist piston inserts imported from Argentina and/or Korea?
No
Comments:

Yes - (Please list the country/countries)

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Page 29

PART IV.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued
IV-13. For the factors listed below, please rate how Ni-resist piston inserts produced in each country
compares with Ni-resist piston inserts produced in each of the other countries. Answer for all
country combinations with which you have some familiarity (including the United States and
both subject and nonsubject foreign countries).

Availability ...............................................
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price ........................................................
Minimum quantity requirements..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Product range..........................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Reliability of supply .................................
Surcharge formula...................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs.........................
Other (specify):

Inferior

Comparable

product from
Argentina
compared to
product from
Korea

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

product from
United States
compared to
product from
Korea

Superior

Inferior

Comparable

Quality

Superior

product from
United States
compared to
product from
Argentina

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U.S. Importers’/Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Ni-Resist Piston Inserts from Argentina and Korea

Page 30

PART IV.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES --Continued

IV-13.--Continued.

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

product from

Superior

Quality

product from

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - US Importer-Purchaser Questionnaire - Draft.doc
Author	angela.newell
File Modified	2009-07-14
File Created	2009-07-14