11-3-2928 U.S. purchaser questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 11-4-2928; Expiration Date: 6/30/2011
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

U.S. PURCHASERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
STAINLESS STEEL SHEET AND STRIP FROM
GERMANY, ITALY, JAPAN, KOREA, MEXICO, AND TAIWAN

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than March 9, 2011
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 with its five-year reviews concerning stainless steel sheet and strip from Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea,
Mexico, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-382 and 731-TA-798-803 (Second Review)). 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 Cindy Cohen (202-2053230, cindy.cohen@usitc.gov).

Name of firm
Address
State

City

Zip Code

World Wide Web address
Has your firm purchased stainless steel sheet and strip (as defined in the instruction booklet) from any source
(domestic or foreign) at any time since January 1, 2005?

NO

(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 reviews in any other import-injury proceedings or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout these reviews 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 reviews or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
proceedings 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
Phone: (

Date

)

Signature

E-mail address
Fax (

)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip

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.

OMB statistics.--Please report 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.

OMB feedback.--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.

Establishments covered.--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.

Ownership.--Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?

I-4.

No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Extent of
ownership

Related SUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing stainless steel sheet and strip from Germany,
Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan into the United States or which are engaged in exporting
stainless steel sheet and strip from Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan to the
United States?
No
Yes--List the following information.
Firm name

Address

Affiliation

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 3

PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-5.

Related NONSUBJECT importers/exporters.--Does your firm have any related firms, either
domestic or foreign, which are engaged in importing stainless steel sheet and strip from countries
other than Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan into the United States or which are
engaged in exporting stainless steel sheet and strip from countries other than Germany, Italy,
Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan to the United States?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name and country

I-6.

I-7.

Address

Affiliation

Related producers.--Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, which
are engaged in the production of stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

Yes--List the following information.

Firm name

Address

Affiliation

Business plan.--Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected market conditions for stainless steel sheet
and strip?
No

Yes--Please provide these documents. If you are not providing the requested
documents, please explain why not.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 4

PART II.--PURCHASES
Please identify the individual to be contacted regarding the confidential information requested in parts II,
III, and IV.
Name and title:
Please indicate the manner by which Commission staff may contact the individual responsible for
parts II to IV with questions regarding the submitted confidential information.
E-mail:
Fax: (
II-1.

Telephone: (

)

)

Purchases.--Report, as indicated below, your firm’s purchases (either directly or through a sales
agent or broker) of stainless steel sheet and strip. Report based on delivery date, not order date.

Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Item
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip produced in-The United States:
Quantity
Value
Germany:
Quantity
Value
Italy:
Quantity
Value
Japan:
Quantity
Value
Korea:
Quantity
Value
Mexico:
Quantity
Value
Taiwan:
Quantity
Value
All other countries:1
Quantity
Value
1
Please identify these countries:

2010

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 5

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-2.

Changes in purchasing patterns.-- Please indicate how the relative levels of your firm’s
purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip from different sources (both domestic and foreign)
have changed since 2005.
Source of purchases
The United States

Germany

Italy

Japan

Korea

Mexico

Taiwan

All other countries

Trend
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase
Decreased
Increased
Constant
Fluctuated
Did not purchase

Explanation for trend

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 6

PART II.--PURCHASES--Continued
II-3.

Purchases from one country only.--If your firm has purchased stainless steel sheet and strip
from only one country, please explain the reasons for doing so.

II-4.

Supplier identification.--Please identify below the names and addresses of your firm’s FIVE
largest suppliers for stainless steel sheet and strip since 2005. 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 stainless steel sheet and strip that each of these suppliers accounted for in 2010.
Supplier’s
name

No.
1

2

3

4

5

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

Contact person

Share of
Telephone number
2010
or e-mail address purchases
(%)

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 7

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

III-2.

Firm type.--Which of the following best describes your firm as a purchaser of stainless steel
sheet and strip (check all that apply, noting the specific end uses if known)?
Automotive assembler/supplier (

)

Transportation (non-automotive) equipment producer (

)

Machinery and equipment producer (

)

Construction equipment producer (

)

Consumer and household goods producer (

)

Tubular products producer (

)

Processor/service center (

)

Distributor (

)

Other (Describe:

)

Competition for sales.--If you are a distributor or reseller of stainless steel sheet and strip, do
you compete for sales to your customers with the manufacturers or importers from which you
purchase stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

III-3.

Yes--Please describe

Types of customers.--If your firm is a distributor or reseller of stainless steel sheet and strip,
what are the major types of consumers to which you sell stainless steel sheet and strip?

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 8

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-4.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s purchases of stainless steel
sheet and strip in 2010 were on a (1) long-term contract basis (multiple deliveries for more than
12 months), (2) short-term contract basis (multiple deliveries up to and including 12 months), and
(3) spot sales basis (for a single delivery)?

Type of sale

Share of purchases (percent)
United States

Subject countries

Nonsubject countries

Long-term
contracts
Short-term
contracts
Spot sales

III-5.

III-6.

Long-term contact provisions.--If you purchase 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?

Yes

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

Short-term contract provisions.--If you purchase 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?

Yes

Quantity

No
Price

Yes

Both
No

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 9

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-7.

End uses.--If your firm is an end user of stainless steel sheet and strip, list the top 3 products for
which your firm purchases stainless steel sheet and strip as an input, and the percentage of the
total cost of each end use product that is accounted for by stainless steel sheet and strip and by
other inputs.

Product(s) you produce
1.

Share of cost of this product accounted for by
Stainless steel sheet Other inputs (percent)
and strip (percent)

Total
100%

2.
3.

III-8.

100%
100%

Demand for end use products.-(a)

If your firm is an end user of stainless steel sheet and strip, has the demand for your
firm’s final products incorporating stainless steel sheet and strip changed since 2005?
Increased

(b)

Fluctuated

No change

Has this had any effect on your firm’s demand for stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

III-9.

Decreased

Yes--Please describe.

Changes in end uses.--Have there been any changes in the end uses of stainless steel sheet and
strip since 2005?
No

Yes--Please describe.

III-10. Anticipated changes in end uses.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the end uses of
stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

Yes--Please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 10

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-11. Substitutes.--Can other products be substituted for stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

Substitute product

Yes--Please fill out the table below.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Have changes in the prices of this substitute
affected the price for stainless steel sheet
and strip?

No

1.

Yes

Please explain
No

2.

Yes

Please explain
No

3.

Yes

Please explain

III-12 Changes in substitutes.--Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for stainless steel sheet and strip since 2005?
No

Yes--Please explain.

III-13. Anticipated changes in substitutes.--Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the
substitutability of other products for stainless steel sheet and strip?
No

Yes--Please describe.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 11

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-14. Demand trends.-(a)

How has the demand within the United States for stainless steel sheet and strip changed
since 2005? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

(b)

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

How has the demand outside the United States for stainless steel sheet and strip changed
since 2005? What principal factors affect changes in demand?
Increased

Decreased

Fluctuated

No change

III-15. Anticipated demand trends.-(a)

How do you anticipate demand will change within the United States for stainless steel
sheet and strip in 2011 and 2012? What principal factors that will affect these changes in
demand?
Increase

(b)

Decrease

Fluctuate

No change

How do you anticipate demand will change outside the United States for stainless steel
sheet and strip in 2011 and 2012? What principal factors that will affect these changes in
demand?
Increase

Decrease

Fluctuate

No change

III-16. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss stainless steel sheet and strip supply
(including production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2)
each of the other major producing/consuming countries, including Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea,
Mexico, and Taiwan, and (3) the world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2005
to the present and forecasts for the future.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 12

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-17. Changes in factors affecting supply.--Have any changes occurred in any other factors affecting
supply (e.g., changes in availability or prices of energy or labor; transportation conditions;
production capacity and/or methods of production; technology; export markets; or alternative
production opportunities) that affected the availability of U.S.-produced stainless steel sheet and
strip in the U.S. market since 2005?
No

Yes--Please note the time period(s) of any such changes, the factors(s)
involved, and the impact such changes had on your shipment volumes
and prices.

III-18. Importance of purchasing domestic product.--Is buying a product that is produced in the
United States an important factor in your firm’s purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip (check
ALL that apply)?
No
Yes-- Purchases of domestic product are required by law or regulation (for example,
percent of
government purchases under “Buy American” provisions). This involves
all our purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are not required by law or regulation, but are by our
percent of all our purchases of stainless steel sheet and
customers. This involves
strip.
Yes--Purchases of domestic product are required for other reasons (please specify these
percent of all our purchases of stainless steel sheet
reasons below). This involves
and strip.

III-19. Conditions of competition.-(a)

Is the stainless steel sheet and strip market subject to business cycles or conditions of
competition other than fluctuations in the overall economy?
No

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

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 13

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
(b)

Has business cycles or conditions of competition of the stainless steel sheet and strip
market changed since 2005?
No

Yes--Please explain any such changes.

III-20. Decisions based on producer.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do your
customers make purchasing decisions involving stainless steel sheet and strip based on the
producer of the stainless steel sheet and strip you purchase?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm or your customers determine the producer and
why this information is important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

III-21. Decisions based on country-of-origin.--Does your firm, and to the extent that you know, do
your customers make purchasing decisions involving stainless steel sheet and strip based on the
country of origin of the stainless steel sheet and strip you purchase?
Your firm:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

Your customers:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

If at least sometimes, please discuss how your firm or your customers determine the source and
why this information is important.
Your firm:

Your customers:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 14

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-22. Purchasing frequency.-(a)

How frequently do you make purchases?
Daily

Weekly

Other (specify)
(b)

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

)

Do you expect this purchasing pattern to change in the next two years?
No

Yes—Please explain.

III-23. Number of suppliers contacted.--How many suppliers do you generally contact before making a
purchase?
firms
III-24. Supplier negotiations.-(a)

Do purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip usually involve negotiations between
supplier and purchaser?
No

(b)

Do you quote competing prices as part of the negotiation process?
No

(c)

Yes--Please describe these negotiations.

Yes

Does your firm tend to vary its purchases from a given supplier within a specified time
period based on the price offered for that period?
No

Yes--Specify the time period.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 15

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-25. Change in suppliers.--Have you changed suppliers since 2005?
No

Yes--Please list the supplier(s), indicate whether the firm was added or
dropped, and the reasons for the change.

III-26. New suppliers.-(a)

Are you aware of any new suppliers, either foreign or domestic, that have entered the
market since 2005?
No

(b)

Yes--Please identify the firms.

Do you expect new stainless steel sheet and strip suppliers to enter the U.S. market?
No

Yes--Please provide details, noting the specific future time period.

III-27. Supplier qualification
(a)

Do you require the stainless steel sheet and strip you purchase to be certified to meet
standards set by ASTM, AISI, or by a similar body?
No

Yes--

percent of value of purchases in 2010

Yes--all purchases

(b)

Please specify the type(s) of certification.

(c)

Do you require any supplier qualification in addition to those reported in a and b above?
No

(d)

Yes—Please list these qualification factors and the factors that you
consider when qualifying a new supplier (e.g., quality of product,
reliability of supplier, etc.)

How long does it take to qualify a new supplier?

days.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 16

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-28. Failure to certify.--Since 2005, have any domestic or foreign producers failed in their attempts to
certify or qualify their stainless steel sheet and strip 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.

III-29. Supply issues.—Have any suppliers (U.S. or foreign) refused, declined, or been unable to supply
stainless steel sheet and strip since 2005? (Examples include being placed on allocation or
“controlled order entry,” suppliers declining to accept new customers or to renew existing
customers, delivering less than the quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment
commitments, etc.)
No

Yes--Please note when this occurred (i.e. month and year) and duration,
country of origin, and supplier; amount and type of product involved;
and the effect on your operations.

III-30. Surcharges.-(a)

Since 2005, have you ever paid surcharges on your purchases of stainless steel sheet and
strip for:
Raw materials

Fuel

Energy

Transportation

Other:

(b)

Which suppliers imposed the surcharges and during what time frame?

(c)

How were the surcharge(s) determined (e.g., which indices were used)?

(d)

Please describe how the surcharges have changed since 2005.

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 17

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-31. Purchasing factors.--For the factors listed below, please rate each in terms of its importance in
your purchase decision for stainless steel sheet and strip.
Very
important
Availability .......................................
Availability of cold rolled product.....
Availability of extra wide or long rolls
Availability of metric widths .............
Delivery terms .................................
Delivery time ...................................
Discounts offered ............................
Extension of credit...........................
Price ................................................
Minimum qty requirements ..............
Packaging .......................................
Product consistency ........................
Quality meets industry standards....
Quality exceeds industry standards
Product range..................................
Reliability of supply .........................
Technical support/service ...............
U.S. transportation costs .................
Other (specify):
........
........
........

Somewhat
important

Not
important

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 18

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-32. Major purchasing factors.--Please list, in order of their importance, the three major factors
generally considered by your firm in deciding from whom to purchase stainless steel sheet and
strip for any one order (examples include availability, extension of credit, contracts, price,
quality, range of supplier’s product line, traditional supplier, etc.).
1.
2.
3.
Other factors or comments:

III-33. Quality characteristics.--What characteristics does your firm consider when determining the
quality of stainless steel sheet and strip?

III-34. Frequency of decisions based on price.--How often does your firm purchase the stainless steel
plate that is offered at the lowest price for spot and contract purchases?
For spot purchases:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

For contract purchases:

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Never

III-35. 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 does not necessarily have to be the lowest priced
supplier.
Please list the names of any firms you considered price leaders in the stainless steel sheet and
strip market since 2005, and describe how the firm(s) exhibited price leadership.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire – Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 19

PART III.-- MARKET CHARACTERISTICS AND PURCHASING PRACTICES--Continued
III-36. Changes in U.S. industry.-(a)

Please identify and discuss any improvements/changes in the U.S. stainless steel sheet
and strip industry since 2005 and explain the factors, including the orders under review,
that were responsible for each improvement/change.

(b)

Please discuss any improvements/changes that you anticipate in the future in the U.S.
stainless steel sheet and strip industry. Identify the time period and causes for these
improvements/changes.

III-37. Effect of revocation.--What do you think will be the likely effects of any revocation of the
countervailing duty order/antidumping duty orders for imports of stainless steel sheet and strip
from Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan? As appropriate, please discuss any
potential effects of revocation of the countervailing duty order/antidumping duty orders on (1) the
future activities of your firm and (2) the U.S. market as a whole. Please note the future time
period to which you are referring. Attach additional pages if necessary.
(1) Activities of your firm:

(2) Entire U.S. market:

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 20

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS
IV-1.

Country knowledge.--Please indicate the countries of origin for stainless steel sheet and strip for
which your firm has actual marketing/pricing knowledge.

United States

Germany

Italy

Korea

Mexico

Taiwan

Japan

Other countries (Please specify
IV-2.

)

Interchangeability by country-pair.--Is stainless steel sheet and strip 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

Germany

Italy

Japan

Korea

Mexico

Taiwan

United States
Germany
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Taiwan
1
For any country-pair producing stainless steel sheet and strip which is sometimes or never
interchangeable, please explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:

Other
countries

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U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 21

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-3.

Factors other than price.--Are differences other than price (i.e., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between stainless steel sheet and
strip produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s
purchases 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

Germany

Italy

Japan

Korea

Mexico

Taiwan

Other
countries

United States
Germany
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Taiwan
1
For any country-pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in your
firm’s purchases of stainless steel sheet and strip, identify the country-pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:

IV-4.

Availability of merchandise.--Are certain grades/types/sizes of stainless steel sheet and strip
available from only a single source (domestic or foreign, including both subject and nonsubject
countries)?
No

Yes--Please identify the source and the grade/type/size.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 22

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-5.

Grades.—Please check the grades of stainless steel sheet and strip you purchase and the sources
from which you purchase them.
Grades

Producing Country

304/304L

316/316L

403/410

409

430

434/436

Other1

United States
Germany
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Taiwan
Other (please list)
Other (please list)
Other (please list)
1

List the “other” grades you purchased in 2010, by country source.

IV-6.

Choice of product not based on price.--If you purchased stainless steel sheet and strip from one
source although a comparable product was available from another source at a lower price, please
explain your reasons for doing so (please specify by country, including the United States and both
subject and nonsubject foreign countries). Possibilities might include transaction characteristics
such as length of time to fill orders, minimum order size, reliability of supply, etc.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 23

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
Factor country comparisons.--For the factors listed below, please rate how stainless steel sheet
and strip produced in each country you identified in your response to the first question in Part IV
compares with stainless steel sheet and strip produced in each of the other countries you
identified (including the United States and both subject and nonsubject foreign countries).

Availability ...............................................
Availability of cold rolled product.....
Availability of extra wide or long rolls
Availability of metric widths .............
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements ..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

1

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

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

Quality

product from

Superior

IV-7.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 24

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
Continued.

Availability ...............................................
Availability of cold rolled product.....
Availability of extra wide or long rolls
Availability of metric widths .............
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements ..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

Quality

product from

Superior

IV-7.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 25

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
Continued.

Availability ...............................................
Availability of cold rolled product.....
Availability of extra wide or long rolls
Availability of metric widths .............
Delivery terms .........................................
Delivery time ...........................................
Discounts offered ....................................
Extension of credit...................................
Price1 .......................................................
Minimum quantity requirements ..............
Packaging ...............................................
Product consistency ................................
Quality meets industry standards............
Quality exceeds industry standards ........
Product range..........................................
Reliability of supply .................................
Technical support/service .......................
U.S. transportation costs1 .......................
Other (specify):

Inferior

Comparable

Superior

compared to
product from

Inferior

compared to
product from

Comparable

compared to
product from

Superior

product from

Inferior

product from

Comparable

Quality

product from

Superior

IV-7.

Business Proprietary
U.S. Purchasers’ Questionnaire - Stainless steel sheet and strip

Page 26

PART IV.-- PRODUCT COMPARISIONS--Continued
IV-8.

Minimum quality.-(a)

How often does domestically produced stainless steel sheet and strip meet minimum
quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?
Always

(b)

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or never

How often does imported subject stainless steel sheet and strip meet minimum quality
specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source
Germany

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Taiwan

(c)

How often does imported nonsubject stainless steel sheet and strip (i.e., stainless steel
sheet and strip from countries other than Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and
Taiwan) meet minimum quality specifications for your uses or your customers’ uses?

Source

IV-9.

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely or
never

Change in price.—Please indicate below how prices of stainless steel sheet and strip from the
subject countries have changed relative to prices of U.S.-produced stainless steel sheet and strip.
Germany
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Taiwan

Increased
Increased
Increased
Increased
Increased
Increased

Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased

No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change

relative to U.S. prices
relative to U.S. prices
relative to U.S. prices
relative to U.S. prices
relative to U.S. prices
relative to U.S. prices