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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 15‐1‐3385; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
HOT‐ROLLED STEEL PRODUCTS
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by August 25, 2015
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning hot‐rolled steel from Australia, Brazil,
Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom (Inv. Nos. 701‐TA‐545‐547 and 731‐TA‐1291‐1297
(Preliminary)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority of the Tariff Act of 1930,
title VII. This report is mandatory and failure to reply as directed can result in a subpoena or other order to compel the
submission of records or information in your firm’s possession (19 U.S.C. § 1333(a)).
Name of firm
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Website
Has your firm produced hot‐rolled steel (as defined on next page) at any time since January 1, 2012?
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: HRS)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import‐injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding 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 this proceeding 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
Date
Phone:
Signature
Fax:
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐This proceeding was instituted in response to a petition filed on August 11, 2015, by AK
Steel Corporation (West Chester, Ohio), ArcelorMittal USA LLC (Chicago, Illinois), Nucor Corporation
(Charlotte, North Carolina), SSAB Enterprises, LLC (Lisle, Illinois), Steel Dynamics, Inc. (Fort Wayne,
Indiana), and United States Steel Corporation (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Antidumping and
countervailing 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 makes an affirmative determination of subsidization and/or dumping.
Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at LINK.
Hot‐Rolled Steel.‐‐The products covered by these investigations are certain hot‐rolled, flat‐rolled steel
products, with or without patterns in relief, and that are neither clad, plated, nor coated with metal but
whether or not annealed, painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other non‐metallic substances.
The products covered include coils that have a width of 12.7 mm or greater, regardless of thickness, and
regardless of the form of the coil (e.g., in successively superimposed layers, spirally oscillating, etc.). The
products covered also include products not in coils (e.g., in straight lengths) of a thickness of less than
4.75 mm and a width that is 12.7 mm or greater that measures at least 10 times the thickness. The
covered products described above may be rectangular, square, circular, or other shapes and include
products of either rectangular or non‐rectangular cross‐section where such cross‐section is achieved
subsequent to the rolling process, i.e., products which have been “worked after rolling” (e.g., products
which have been beveled or rounded at the edges).
For purposes of the width and thickness requirements referenced above:
(1) where the nominal and actual measurements vary, a product is within the scope if application of
either the nominal or actual measurement would place it within the scope based on the definitions set
forth above, and
(2) where the width and thickness vary for a specific product (e.g., the thickness of certain products with
non‐rectangular cross‐section, the width of certain products with non‐rectangular shape, etc.), the
measurement at its greatest width or thickness applies.
Steel products included in the scope of these investigations are products in which: (1) iron
predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; (2) the carbon content is 2
percent or less, by weight; and (3) none of the elements listed below exceeds the quantity, by weight,
respectively indicated:
• 2.50 percent of manganese, or
• 3.30 percent of silicon, or
• 1.50 percent of copper, or
• 1.50 percent of aluminum, or
• 1.25 percent of chromium, or
• 0.30 percent of cobalt, or
• 0.40 percent of lead, or
• 2.00 percent of nickel, or
• 0.30 percent of tungsten, or
• 0.80 percent of molybdenum, or
• 0.10 percent of niobium, or
• 0.30 percent of vanadium, or
• 0.30 percent of zirconium.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 3
Hot‐Rolled Steel (Continued).‐‐
Unless otherwise specifically excluded, products are included in this scope regardless of levels of boron
and titanium. For example, specifically included within the scope of these investigations are vacuum
degassed, fully stabilized (commonly referred to as interstitial‐free (“IF”)) steels, high strength low alloy
(“HSLA”) steels, and the substrate for motor lamination steels. IF steels are recognized as low carbon
steels with micro‐alloying levels of elements such as titanium and/or niobium added to stabilize carbon
and nitrogen elements. HSLA steels are recognized as steels with micro‐alloying levels of elements such
as chromium, copper, niobium, titanium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The substrate for motor
lamination steels contains micro‐alloying levels of elements such as silicon and aluminum.
All products that meet the written physical description, and in which the chemistry quantities do not
exceed any one of the noted element levels listed above, are within the scope of these investigations
unless specifically excluded.
The following products are outside of and/or specifically excluded from the scope of these
investigations:
• Universal mill plates (i.e., hot‐rolled, flat‐rolled products not in coils that have been rolled on
four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width exceeding 150 mm but not exceeding 1250 mm, of
a thickness not less than 4.0 mm, and without patterns in relief);
• Products that have been cold‐rolled (cold‐reduced) after hot‐rolling;
• Ball bearing steels, as defined in the HTSUS.
• Tool steels, as defined in the HTSUS.
• Silico‐manganese (as defined in the HTSUS) or silicon electrical steel with a silicon level
exceeding 3.30 percent.
• USS abrasion‐resistant steels (USS AR 400, USS AR 500).
• Non‐rectangular shapes, not in coils, which are the result of having been processed by cutting or
stamping and which have assumed the character of articles or products classified outside
chapter 72 of the HTSUS.
The merchandise subject to these investigations is classified in the HTSUS at subheadings:
7208.10.15.00, 7208.10.30.00, 7208.10.60.00, 7208.25.30.00, 7208.25.60.00, 7208.26.00.30,
7208.26.00.60, 7208.27.00.30, 7208.27.00.60, 7208.36.00.30, 7208.36.00.60, 7208.37.00.30,
7208.37.00.60, 7208.38.00.15, 7208.38.00.30, 7208.38.00.90, 7208.39.00.15, 7208.39.00.30,
7208.39.00.90, 7208.40.60.30, 7208.40.60.60, 7208.53.00.00, 7208.54.00.00, 7208.90.00.00,
7210.70.30.00, 7211.14.00.30, 7211.14.00.90, 7211.19.15.00, 7211.19.20.00, 7211.19.30.00,
7211.19.45.00, 7211.19.60.00, 7211.19.75.30, 7211.19.75.60, 7211.19.75.90, and 7211.90.00.00.
Certain hot‐rolled, flat‐rolled steel products covered by these investigations also enter under the
following tariff numbers: 7225.11.00.00, 7225.19.00.00, 7225.30.30.50, 7225.30.70.00, 7225.40.70.00,
7225.99.00.90, 7226.11.10.00, 7226.11.90.30, 7226.11.90.60, 7226.19.10.00, 7226.19.90.00,
7226.91.50.00, 7226.91.70.00, and 7226.91.80.00. Subject merchandise may also enter under
7210.90.90.00, 7212.40.10.00, 7212.40.50.00, and 7212.50.00.00, and 7226.99.01.80. Although the
HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and U.S. Customs purposes, the written description of
the merchandise under investigation is dispositive.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 4
Reporting of information.‐‐ If information is not readily available from your records, provide carefully
prepared estimates. If your firm is completing more than one questionnaire (i.e., a producer, importer,
and/or purchaser questionnaire), you need not respond to duplicated questions.
Confidentiality.‐‐The commercial and financial data furnished in response to this questionnaire that
reveal the individual operations of your firm will be treated as confidential by the Commission to the
extent that such data are not otherwise available to the public and will not be disclosed except as may
be required by law (see 19 U.S.C. § 1677f). Such confidential information will not be published in a
manner that will reveal the individual operations of your firm; however, general characterizations of
numerical business proprietary information (such as discussion of trends) will be treated as confidential
business information only at the request of the submitter for good cause shown.
Verification.‐‐The information submitted in this questionnaire is subject to audit and verification by the
Commission. To facilitate possible verification of data, please keep all files, worksheets, and supporting
documents used in the preparation of the questionnaire response. Please also retain a copy of the final
document that you submit.
Release of information.‐‐The information provided by your firm in response to this questionnaire, as
well as any other business proprietary information submitted by your firm to the Commission in
connection with this proceeding, may become subject to, and released under, the administrative
protective order provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1677f) and section 207.7 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR § 207.7). This means that certain lawyers and
other authorized individuals may temporarily be given access to the information for use in connection
with this proceeding or other import‐injury proceedings conducted by the Commission on the same or
similar merchandise; those individuals would be subject to severe penalties if the information were
divulged to unauthorized individuals. In addition, if your firm is a U.S. producer, the information you
provide on your production and imports of hot‐rolled steel and your responses to the questions in Part I
of the producer questionnaire will be provided to the U.S. Department of Commerce, upon its request,
for use in connection with (and only in connection with) its requirement pursuant to section
702(c)(4)/732(c)(4) of the Act (19 U.S.C. § 1671a(c)(4)/1673a(c)(4)) to make a determination concerning
the extent of industry support for the petition requesting this proceeding. Any information provided to
Commerce will be transmitted under the confidentiality and release guidelines set forth above. Your
response to these questions constitutes your consent that such information be provided to Commerce
under the conditions described above.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
I‐1a.
Page 5
OMB statistics.‐‐Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of completing this questionnaire.
Hours
Dollars
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that
issues of concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful,
and as limited as possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average
50 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering data, and
completing and reviewing the questionnaire.
We welcome comments regarding the accuracy of this burden estimate, suggestions for
reducing the burden, and any suggestions for improving this questionnaire. Please attach such
comments to your response or send to the Office of Investigations, USITC, 500 E St. SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I‐1b. TAA information release.‐‐In the event that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
makes an affirmative final determination in this proceeding, do you consent to the USITC's
release of your contact information (company name, address, contact person, telephone
number, email address) appearing on the front page of this questionnaire to the Departments of
Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, as applicable, so that your firm and its workers can be made
eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program?
No
Yes
I‐2.
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. If your firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol in the footnote to the table. Firms operating more than one
establishment should combine the data for all establishments into a single report.
“Establishment”‐‐Each facility of a firm involved in the production of hot‐rolled steel, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.
Establishments
City, State
Zip (5 digit)
Description
covered1
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire: .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
I‐3.
Petition support.‐‐Does your firm support or oppose the petition?
Country
I‐4.
Page 6
Support
Oppose
Take no position
Australia (Antidumping)
Brazil (Antidumping)
Brazil (Countervailing)
Japan (Antidumping)
Korea (Antidumping)
Korea (Countervailing)
Netherlands (Antidumping)
Turkey (Antidumping)
United Kingdom (Antidumping)
United Kingdom (Countervailing)
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
I‐5.
Page 7
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing hot‐rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the
Netherlands, Turkey, or the United Kingdom into the United States or that are engaged in
exporting hot‐rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, or the
United Kingdom to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
I‐6.
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of hot‐rolled steel?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Address
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 8
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Justin Enck
(justin.enck@usitc.gov, 202‐205‐3363) or Mary Messer (mary.messer@usitc.gov, 202‐205‐3193).
Supply all data requested on a calendar‐year basis.
II‐1. Contact information.‐‐ Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
II‐2. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of hot‐rolled steel since January 1, 2012.
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
plant openings
plant closings
relocations
expansions
acquisitions
consolidations
prolonged shutdowns or
production curtailments
revised labor agreements
other (e.g., technology)
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 9
II‐3a. Production using same machinery.‐‐ Please report your firm’s production of products made on
the same equipment and machinery used to produce hot‐rolled steel, and the combined
production capacity on this shared equipment and machinery in the periods indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
Overall production capacity
Production of:
Hot‐Rolled Steel1
2
Other products
Total
1
2
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Data entered for production of hot‐rolled steel will populate here once reported in question II‐7.
Please identify these products: .
II‐3b. Operating parameters.‐‐The production capacity reported in II‐3a is based on operating hours
per week, weeks per year.
II‐3c. Capacity calculation.‐‐Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production
capacity reported in II‐3a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.
II‐3d. Production constraints.‐‐Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 10
II‐3e. Product shifting.—
(i)
Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between hot‐rolled steel and other
products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No
Yes‐‐ (i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products). Please identify other actual or potential products: .
(ii)
Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity
between products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree to which
these factors enhance or constrain such shifts.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
II‐4.
Page 11
Tolling.‐‐Since January 1, 2012, has your firm been involved in a toll agreement regarding the
production of hot‐rolled steel?
“Toll agreement”‐‐Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm furnishes the raw
materials and the second firm uses the raw materials to produce a product that it then returns
to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.
No
Yes‐‐Please describe the toll arrangement(s) and name the firm(s) involved
II‐5.
Foreign trade zones.‐‐
(a)
Firm's FTZ operations.‐‐Does your firm produce hot‐rolled steel in and/or admit hot‐
rolled steel into a foreign trade zone (FTZ)?
“Foreign trade zone” is a designated location in the United States where firms utilize
special procedures that allow delayed or reduced customs duty payments on foreign
merchandise. A foreign trade zone must be designed as such pursuant to the rules and
procedures set forth in the Foreign‐Trade Zones Act.
No
Yes‐‐Describe the nature of your firms operations in FTZs and
identify the specific FTZ site(s).
(b)
Other firms' FTZ operations.‐‐To your knowledge, do any firms in the United States
import hot‐rolled steel into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of hot‐
rolled steel and/or the production of downstream articles?
No/Don’t know
Yes‐‐Identify the firms and the FTZs.
II‐6.
Importer.‐‐Since January 1, 2012, has your firm imported hot‐rolled steel?
“Importer” – The person or firm primarily liable for the payment of any duties on the
merchandise, or an authorized agent acting on his behalf. The importer may be the consignee,
or the importer of record.
No
Yes‐‐COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
II‐7.
Page 12
Production, shipment and inventory data.‐‐Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of hot‐rolled steel in its U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“U.S. commercial shipments” –Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” – Product consumed internally by your firm.
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related domestic firms. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owns, manages, or otherwise controls.
Such transactions are valued at fair market value.
“Export shipments” –Shipments to destinations outside the United States, including shipments
to related firms.
“Inventories”— Finished goods inventory, not raw materials or work‐in‐progress.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the trade data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding
questions on the trade data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies
of the supporting documents/records (such as production and sales schedules, inventory records,
etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
II‐7.
Page 13
Production, shipment and inventory data.‐‐
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
1
Average production capacity (quantity) (A)
2014
Beginning‐of‐period inventories (quantity)
(B)
Production (quantity) (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption:
Quantity (F)
2
Value (G)
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
2015
3
Export shipments:
Quantity (J)
Value (K)
End‐of‐period inventories (quantity) (L)
1
The production capacity reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the
methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in reported capacity .
2
Internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value. In the event that your firm
uses a different basis for valuing these transactions, 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 firm’s principal export markets: .
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the end‐of‐
period inventories (i.e., line L) should be equal to the beginning‐of‐period inventories (i.e., line B), plus
production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, F, H, and J). Please ensure that any differences are not
due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records; and also provide
any likely explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
B + C – D – F – H – J – L = should equal
zero ("0") or provide an explanation.1
1
2012
2013
0
January‐June
2014
0
2014
0
2015
0
Explanation if the calculated fields above are returning values other than zero (i.e., “0”) but are nonetheless accurate: .
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
II‐8.
Page 14
Channels of distribution.–Report your firm’s commercial U.S. shipments of hot‐rolled steel, by
channel of distribution and end use, during the specified periods.
Quantity (in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
2012
Channels of distribution:
Commercial U.S. shipments:
To steel service centers and
distributors (M)1
To end users.—
Steel mills (N)
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Tubular goods producers (O)
Automotive and other
transportation equipment
manufacturers (P)
Construction/structural end
users (Q)
Appliances, machinery and
parts (R)
2
Other end uses (S)
1
In 2014, what estimated share of your firm's reported commercial shipments to steel service centers and/or distributors
were in the following likely end use applications:
Share of total
Distributor/service center likely end use
(percent)
Automotive/transportation applications
Constructions/structural applications
Other applications/end uses/unknown
Total (should sum to 100.0 percent)
2
Identify the other end uses:
.
RECONCILIATION OF COMMERCIAL SHIPMENTS.—The sum of the end use data (lines O, P, Q, and R) should equal the
commercial U.S. shipment quantity reported in question II‐7 (line D) in each period. Revise if the reconciliation below is not
returning zeroes.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
M+ N + O + P + Q + R + S – D = zero ("0"),
if not revise.
2012
2013
0
January‐June
2014
0
2014
0
2015
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
II‐9.
Page 15
Employment data.‐‐Report your firm’s employment‐related data related to the production of
hot‐rolled steel and provide any explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations.
Average number employed may be computed by adding the number of employees, both full
time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide
that total by 12. For the January to June periods, calculate similarly and divide by 6.
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old‐age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
Item
2012
2013
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs
(1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Explanation of trends:
II‐10. Related firms.‐‐If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II‐8, please indicate
the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms (e.g., joint venture,
wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market value or by a non‐
market formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers, and whether the
related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 16
II‐11. Purchases.‐‐Other than direct imports, has your firm otherwise purchased hot‐rolled steel since
January 1, 2012?
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Direct import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign producer where your firm is the importer
of record or consignee.
No
Yes‐‐Report such purchases below and explain the reasons for your firms'
purchases:
(Quantity in short tons)
Calendar years
Item
Purchases from U.S.
importers1 of hot‐rolled steel
from—
Australia
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Brazil
Japan
Korea
Netherlands
Turkey
United Kingdom
All other sources
Purchases from domestic
producers2
Purchases from other
sources2
1
Please list the name of the importer(s) from which your firm purchased this product. If your firm’s import
suppliers differ by source, please identify the source for each listed supplier: .
2
Please list the name of the producer(s) or U.S. distributor(s) from which your firm purchased this product:
.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 17
II‐12. End use.—Please report the share of your firm’s 2014 internal consumption, transfers to related
firms, and U.S. commercial shipments for the uses identified below. These data should
reconcile with the 2014 quantities reported in question II‐7 (lines D + F + H).
Internal
Transfers to related
U.S. commercial
consumption
firms
shipments
2014
2014
2014
Products
(short tons)
(short tons)
(short tons)
Sold as hot‐rolled steel
Unusable/not further
processed1
Hot‐rolled plate (cut to
length plate from coil‐
4.75 mm and greater in
thickness)
Pipe and tubular
products
Cold‐rolled sheet and
strip
Coated steel
Processed into other
products2
Total
N/A
0
0
0
1
.
2
.
Please describe these products:
Please identify these products:
RECONCILIATION OF INTERNAL CONSUMPTION. TRANSFERS, AND U.S. COMMERCIAL SHIPMENTS.—The
sum of the data reported above should be equal to the 2014 data reported for internal consumption,
transfers, and U.S. commercial shipments. Please ensure that the reconciliation checks below are
returning zero ("0")
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2012
2013
2014
Internal consumption (line F in II‐7) reconcilation
0
Transfers to related parties (line H in II‐7)
reconcilation
0
0
U.S. commercial shipments (line D in II‐7)
reconcilation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 18
II‐13. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
that did not provide a narrative box, please note the question number and the explanation in
the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your firm had in
providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with the MS Word
questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 19
PART III.‐‐FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to David Boyland (202‐708‐4725,
David.Boyland@usitc.gov).
III‐1. Contact information.‐‐ Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
III‐2. Accounting system.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s financial accounting system.
A.
When does your firm’s fiscal year end (month and day)?
If your firm’s fiscal year changed during the data‐collection period, explain
below:
B.1. Describe the lowest level of operations (e.g., plant, division, company‐wide) for
which financial statements are prepared that include hot‐rolled steel:
2. Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for hot‐rolled steel:
Yes
No
3. How often did your firm (or parent company) prepare financial statements
(including annual reports, 10Ks)? Please check relevant items below.
Audited, unaudited, annual reports, 10Ks, 10 Qs,
Monthly, quarterly, semi‐annually, annually
4. Accounting basis: GAAP, cash, tax, or other comprehensive
basis of accounting (specify)
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records
used in the preparation of the financial data, as Commission staff may contact your firm
regarding questions on the financial data. The Commission may also request that your company
submit copies of the supporting documents/records (financial statements, including internal
profit‐and‐loss statements for the division or product group that includes hot‐rolled steel, as well
as specific statements and worksheets) used to compile these data.
III‐3.
Cost accounting system.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s cost accounting system (e.g., standard
cost, job order cost, etc.).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
III‐4.
Page 20
Allocation basis.‐‐Briefly describe your firm’s allocation basis, if any, for COGS, SG&A, and
interest expense and other income and expenses.
III‐5.
Other products.‐‐Please list the products your firm produced in the facilities in which your firm
produced hot‐rolled steel, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these other
products in your firm’s most recent fiscal year.
Products
III‐6.
Share of sales
Hot‐rolled steel (in scope)
%
Hot‐rolled steel (out of scope)
%
Cold‐rolled steel
%
Coated steel products
%
Tin mill products
%
Other (specify: )
%
Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or any services) used in the
production of hot‐rolled steel from any related suppliers (e.g., inclusive of transactions between
related firms, divisions and/or other components within the same company)?
Yes‐‐Continue to question III‐7.
III‐7.
No‐‐Continue to question III‐9a.
Inputs from related suppliers.‐‐Please identify the inputs used in the production of hot‐rolled
steel that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in tables III‐9a, III‐9b,
and III‐9c. For “Share of total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on the
basis of your most recently completed fiscal year. For “Input valuation” please describe the
basis, as recorded in your company’s own accounting system, of the purchase cost from the
related supplier; e.g., the related supplier’s actual cost, cost plus, negotiated transfer price to
approximate fair market value.
Input
Related supplier
Share of total COGS
Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
III‐8.
Page 21
Inputs purchased from related suppliers.‐‐Please confirm that the inputs purchased from
related suppliers, as identified in III‐7, were reported in financial results on hot‐rolled steel
(tables III‐9a, III‐9b, and III‐9c) in a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and
records.
Yes
No‐‐In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs purchased from related
suppliers as reported in tables III‐9a, III‐9b, and III‐9c.
Complete table III‐9a (constructed fair market value) and table III‐9b (cost plus share of downstream
profit) based on the instructions that follow.
III‐9a. Operations on hot‐rolled steel with internal consumption and transfers to related parties
valued based upon differences in cost (constructed fair market value) ‐‐Report the revenue
and related cost information requested below on the hot‐rolled steel operations of your U.S.
establishment(s).1 Include both domestic and export sales of the hot‐rolled steel your firm
produced, but do not report the resale of purchased hot‐rolled steel. Note that internal
consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at fair market value and purchases
from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide data for your firm’s 2012‐2014 fiscal years in
chronological order from left to right, and for the two specified interim periods. If your firm was
involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee) please contact David Boyland
at (202) 708‐4725 before completing this section of the questionnaire.
With respect to the fair market valuation of internal consumption and transfers to related firms,
if there are no differences between the hot‐rolled steel sold commercially and the hot‐rolled
steel internally consumed or transferred to related parties, the fair market value of the per‐unit
sales values of the internally consumed or transferred hot‐rolled steel should be estimated to be
the same as the per unit sales value of the commercially sold hot‐rolled steel. If there are
differences (such as product mix, physical, or quality differences) between the hot‐rolled steel
sold commercially and the hot‐rolled steel either internally consumed or transferred, and these
differences result in differences in costs, the per‐unit sales values of this internally consumed or
transferred hot‐rolled steel should be adjusted to compensate for the differences. As an
example, assume the cost of goods sold of the hot‐rolled steel your firm sold was $750 per ton,
and the selling price was $800 per ton. If the hot‐rolled steel your firm sold commercially was
the same as internally consumed or transferred to a related party, its sales price would be $800
per ton. If, on the other hand, you determine its cost was $700 per ton (perhaps because it had
a different chemistry), a decrease of $50 per ton from the cost of the hot‐rolled steel sold
commercially, its sales price should be constructed by proportionally reducing the $800 per ton
commercial sales value by the ratio of the cost of goods sold of the internally consumed or
transferred steel ($700 per ton) to the cost of goods sold of the steel sold commercially ($750
per ton). Using the example above, the constructed value would be $700 multiplied by $800
divided by $750, or $747. SG&A expenses should be allocated to these combined commercial
and transfer sales proportionally, i.e., using the same per‐unit expenses for internal
consumption and related party transfers as for commercial sales.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 22
III-9a. Operations on hot-rolled steel with internal consumption and transfers to related parties
valued based upon differences in cost (constructed fair market value)--Continued
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
2
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:2
Commercial sales
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Internal consumption
0
0
0
0
0
Transfers to related firms
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Direct labor
0
0
0
0
0
Other factory costs
0
0
0
0
0
Total COGS
0
0
0
0
0
Gross profit or (loss)
0
0
0
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
0
0
0
0
0
General and administrative expenses
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
All other expense items
0
0
0
0
0
All other income items
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total net sales values
Cost of goods sold (COGS):3
Raw materials
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
1 Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3
COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers. Costs associated with
input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with and based on information in the firm’s accounting books and
records.
Note ‐‐ The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 23
III‐9b. Operations on hot‐rolled steel with internal consumption and transfers to related parties
valued based upon the gross profit of the downstream product (cost plus share of
downstream profit) ‐‐ Report the revenue and related cost information requested below on the
hot‐rolled steel operations of your U.S. establishment(s).1 Include both domestic and export
sales of the hot‐rolled steel your firm produced, but do not report the resale of purchased hot‐
rolled steel. Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be valued at
fair market value and purchases from related firms must be at cost.2 Provide data for your firm’s
2012‐2014 fiscal years in chronological order from left to right, and for the two specified interim
periods. If your firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee)
please contact David Boyland at (202) 708‐4725 before completing this section of the
questionnaire.
With respect to the fair market valuation of internal consumption and transfers to related firms,
construct a sales value based upon (1) the gross profit margin of the downstream product that
was finally sold to an unrelated party, and (2) the cost of goods sold of the hot‐rolled steel
relative to the cost of goods sold of the downstream product. For example, assume your firm
internally consumed hot‐rolled steel to produce coated steel, the downstream gross profit
margin of coated steel was $100 per ton, the cost of goods sold of the hot‐rolled steel internally
consumed to produce coated steel was $450 per ton, and the cost of goods sold of the coated
steel was $600 per ton. Since the cost of goods sold of the hot‐rolled steel accounted for 75
percent of the total cost of goods sold ($450 divided by $600), 75 percent of the $100 profit, or
$75, should be allocated to the hot‐rolled steel. Since the cost of the hot‐rolled steel internally
transferred was $450, and the assigned gross profit is $75, the constructed sales value would be
$75 plus $450, or $525. SG&A expenses should be allocated to these combined commercial and
transfer sales proportionally, i.e., using the same per‐unit expenses for internal consumption
and related party transfers as for commercial sales.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 24
III‐9b. Operations on hot‐rolled steel with internal consumption and transfers to related parties
valued based upon the gross profit of the downstream product (cost plus share of
downstream profit)‐‐Continued
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
Net sales quantities:2 3
Commercial sales (“CS”)
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
0
0
0
0
0
Internal consumption (“IC”)
0
0
0
0
0
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Internal consumption
0
0
0
0
0
Transfers to related firms
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total net sales quantities
Net sales values:2 3
Commercial sales
Total net sales values
4
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
0
0
0
0
0
Direct labor
0
0
0
0
0
Other factory costs
0
0
0
0
0
Total COGS
0
0
0
0
0
Gross profit or (loss)
0
0
0
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
0
0
0
0
0
General and administrative expenses
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3 Sales quantities (all categories) reported here will be populated from data entered into III‐9a. Commercial sales quantities and
commercial sales values reported here will be populated from data entered into question III‐9a.
4 COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with CS, IC, and Transfers. Costs associated with
input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with and based on information in the firm’s accounting books and
records.
Note ‐‐ The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 25
III‐9c. Operations on hot‐rolled steel ‐‐ U.S. commercial shipments and exports only (“open market
sales”) ‐‐ Report the revenue and related cost information requested below on the hot‐rolled
steel operations of your U.S. establishment(s).1 Include both domestic and export commercial
sales of the hot‐rolled steel your firm produced, but do not report the resale of purchased hot‐
rolled steel. Provide data for your firm’s 2012‐2014 fiscal years in chronological order from left
to right, and for the two specified interim periods. If your firm was involved in tolling operations
(either as the toller or as the tollee) please contact David Boyland at (202) 708‐4725 before
completing this section of the questionnaire.
Quantity (in short tons) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Net sales quantities:2 3
Commercial sales (“CS”)
0
0
0
0
0
Net sales values:2 3
Commercial sales (“CS”)
0
0
0
0
0
4
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
0
0
0
0
0
Direct labor
0
0
0
0
0
Other factory costs
0
0
0
0
0
Total COGS
0
0
0
0
0
Gross profit or (loss)
0
0
0
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
0
0
0
0
0
General and administrative expenses
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total SG&A expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other expenses and income:
Interest expense
All other expense items
All other income items
Net income or (loss) before income taxes
Depreciation/amortization included above
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Include only sales (whether domestic or export) and costs related to your U.S. manufacturing operations.
2
Less discounts, returns, allowances, and prepaid freight. The quantities and values should approximate the corresponding
shipment quantities and values reported in Part II of this questionnaire.
3 Commercial sales quantities and commercial sales values reported here will be populated from data entered into question III‐
9a.
4
COGS (whether for domestic or export sales) should include costs associated with open market sales only. Costs associated
with input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with and based on information in the firm’s accounting books and
records.
Note ‐‐ The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 26
III‐9d. Financial data reconciliation.‐‐The calculable line items in table III‐9a, III‐9b, and III‐9c (i.e., total
net sales quantities and values, total COGS, gross profit (or loss), total SG&A, and net income (or
loss)) have been calculated from the data submitted in the other line items. Do the calculated
fields return the correct data according to your firm's financial records ignoring non‐material
differences that may arise due to rounding?
Yes No‐‐If the calculated fields do not show the correct data, please double check the
feeder data for data entry errors and revise.
Also, check signs accorded to the post operating income line items; the two
expense line items should report positive numbers (i.e., expenses are
positive and incomes or reversals are negative‐‐instances of the latter
should be rare in those lines) while the income line item also in most
instances should have its value be a positive number (i.e., income is positive,
expenses or reversals are negative).
If after reviewing and potentially revising the feeder data your firm has
provided, the differences between your records and the calculated fields
persist please identify and discuss the differences in the space below.
III‐10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in hot‐rolled steel financial results.‐‐For each
annual and interim period for which financial results are reported please specify all material
(significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below, the specific line item
where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief description of the relevant nonrecurring
items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as reflected in reported financial results; i.e., if an
aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to reported financial results, only the allocated
value amount should be reported in the schedule below. Note: The Commission’s objective
here is to gather information only on material (significant) nonrecurring items which impacted
the reported financial results.
Fiscal years ended‐‐
2012
Nonrecurring item: In this column please provide a brief
description of each nonrecurring item and indicate the
specific line item where the nonrecurring item is classified.
2013
January‐June
2014
2014
2015
Nonrecurring item: In these columns please report the amount of the relevant
nonrecurring item reported.
Value ($1,000)
1. , classified as
2. , classified as
3. , classified as
4. , classified as
5. , classified as
6. , classified as
7. , classified as
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 27
III‐11. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.‐‐If non‐recurring items were reported in tables III‐9a, III‐9b, and III‐9c
above, please identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and
records in the normal course of business; i.e., III‐10 information designates where these items
are classified in reported financial results.
III‐12. Asset values.‐‐Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long‐term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of hot‐rolled steel. If your firm does not maintain some
or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for hot‐rolled steel in
the normal course of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with your firm’s cost allocations in the previous
question. Provide data as of the end of your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years.
Note: Total assets should reflect net assets after any accumulated depreciation and allowances
deducted.
Total assets should be allocated to the subject products if these assets are also related to other
products. Please provide a brief explanation if there are any substantial changes in total asset
value during the period; e.g., due to asset write‐offs, revaluation, and major purchases.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2012
2013
1
Total assets (net)
1
III‐13.
2014
Describe
Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.‐‐Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses for hot‐rolled steel. Provide data for
your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim periods.
Value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2012
2013
January‐June
2014
Capital expenditures
Research and development expenses
2014
2015
1
Please indicate the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on hot‐rolled steel.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 28
III‐14. Data consistency and reconciliation.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III‐9a, III‐9b, III‐9c, III‐12, and III‐13 are based on a calendar year or on your firm’s
fiscal year:
Calendar year
Fiscal year Specify fiscal year
Please note the quantities and values reported in tables III‐9a, III‐9b, and, as appropriate, III‐9c
should reconcile with the data reported in question II‐7 (including export shipments and
depending on valuation convention adopted in trade section with respect to transfers and
internal consumption) as long as they are reported on the same calendar year basis.
Do these data in tables III‐9a, III‐9b, and III‐9c reconcile with data in question II‐7?
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
III‐15a. Effects of imports on investment.‐‐Since January 1, 2012, has your firm experienced any actual
negative effects on its return on investment or the scale of capital investments as a result of
imports of hot‐rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the
United Kingdom?
No
Yes‐‐My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
Cancellation, postponement,
or rejection of expansion
projects
Denial or rejection of
investment proposal
Reduction in the size of
capital investments
Return on specific
investments negatively
impacted
Other
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 29
III‐15b. Does your firm’s response differ by country?
No
Yes
If yes, indicate which country and why:
III‐16a. Effects of imports on growth and development.‐‐Since January 1, 2012, has your firm
experienced any actual negative effects on its growth, ability to raise capital, or existing
development and production efforts (including efforts to develop a derivative or more advanced
version of the product) as a result of imports of hot‐rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan,
Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom?
No
Yes‐‐My firm has experienced actual negative effects as follows:
(check as many as appropriate)
(please describe)
Rejection of bank loans
Lowering of credit rating
Problem related to the issue
of stocks or bonds
Ability to service debt
Other
III‐16b. Does your firm’s response differ by country?
No
Yes
If yes, indicate which country and why:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 30
III‐17a. Anticipated effects of imports.‐‐Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
hot‐rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United
Kingdom?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows:
III‐17b. Does your firm’s response differ by country?
No
Yes
If yes, indicate which country and why:
III‐18. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
that did not provide a narrative box, please note the question number and the explanation in
the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your firm had in
providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with the MS Word
questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 31
PART IV.‐‐ PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Lauren Gamache (202‐205‐
3489, lauren.gamache@usitc.gov).
IV‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the individual that Commission staff may contact
regarding the confidential information submitted in part IV.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax
PRICE DATA
IV‐2. This question requests quarterly quantity and value data for your firm’s commercial shipments
to unrelated U.S. customers since January 1, 2012 of the following products produced by your
firm.
Product 1.‐‐Hot‐rolled carbon steel plate in coils, as‐rolled (unprocessed), not pickled or temper‐
rolled, not high strength, produced to AISI‐1006‐1025 grade (including, but not
limited to, ASTM A36), 0.187" through 0.625" in nominal or actual thickness, 40"
through 72" in width.
Product 2.‐‐Hot‐rolled carbon steel sheet in coils, commercial quality, SAE 1006‐1015 or ASTM
A1011 equivalent, not high‐strength, not pickled and oiled, not temper‐rolled,
0.090" through 0.171" in nominal or actual thickness, 40" to 72" in width.
Product 3.‐‐Hot‐rolled carbon steel sheet in coils, commercial quality SAE 1006‐1015 or ASTM
A1011 equivalent, pickled and oiled, temper‐rolled, not high strength, 0.090"
through 0.171" in nominal or actual thickness, 40" to 72" in width.
Product 4.‐‐Hot rolled steel plate in coils, high strength low alloy, for conversion to API PSL 2
X70M, 0.250 to 0.750, 50” to 77” in width.
Please note that values should be f.o.b., U.S. point of shipment and should not include U.S.‐inland
transportation costs. Values should reflect the final net amount paid to your firm (i.e., should be net
of all deductions for discounts or rebates).
During January 2012‐June 2015, did your firm produce and sell to unrelated U.S. customers any
of the above listed products (or any products that were competitive with these products)?
Yes.‐‐Please complete the following pricing data table as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question IV‐3.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
IV‐2.
Page 32
Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in actual short tons and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(Quantity in short tons, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2012:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2013:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2014:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2015:
January‐March
April‐June
1
Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your firm’s
U.S. point of shipment.
2
Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description
of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:
Pricing data methodology.—Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
IV‐3.
Page 33
Price setting.‐‐ How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of hot‐rolled
steel (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a
recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Set
price
lists
Contracts
Other
If other, describe
IV‐4. Discount policy.‐‐ Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that
apply).
Annual
No
total
discount
volume
Quantity
policy
Other
Describe
discounts discounts
IV‐5.
(a)
What are your firm’s typical sales terms for its U.S.‐produced hot‐rolled steel?
(b)
Pricing terms.‐‐
Net 30
days
Net 60
days
2/10 net
30 days
Other
Other (specify)
On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic hot‐rolled steel usually quoted (check
one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
If f.o.b., specify point
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
IV‐6.
Page 34
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.‐produced hot‐
rolled steel in 2014 was on a (1) long‐term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) short‐
term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Type of sale
Long‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
more than 12
months)
Share of 2014 sales
IV‐7.
Short‐term
Annual
contracts
Spot sales
contracts
(multiple
(for a single
(multiple
deliveries for
delivery)
deliveries for
less than 12
12 months)
months)
%
%
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
% 0.0 %
Contract provisions.‐‐Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.‐produced hot‐rolled steel (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a long‐
term, short‐term and/or annual contract basis).
Typical sales
contract provisions
Average contract
duration
Item
Short‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for less than 12
months)
Annual contracts
(multiple
deliveries for 12
months)
Long‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries for
more than 12 months)
# of days
365
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Meet or release
provision
Not applicable
IV‐8.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales from inventory and produced to order and what
is the typical lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales
of its U.S.‐produced hot‐rolled steel?
Share of 2014
Source
sales
Lead time (days)
From inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
IV‐9.
Page 35
Shipping information.‐‐
(a)
(b)
(c)
What is the approximate percentage of the total delivered cost of U.S.‐produced hot‐
rolled steel that is accounted for by U.S. inland transportation costs? percent
Who generally arranges the transportation to your firm’s customers’ locations?
Your firm Purchaser (check one)
Indicate the approximate percentage of your firm’s sales of hot‐rolled steel that are
delivered the following distances from its production facility.
Distance from production facility
Share
Within 100 miles
%
101 to 1,000 miles
%
Over 1,000 miles
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
IV‐10. Geographical shipments.‐‐ In which U.S. geographic market area(s) has your firm sold its U.S.‐
produced hot‐rolled steel since January 1, 2012 (check all that apply)?
Geographic area
√ if applicable
Northeast.–CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.
Midwest.–IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI.
Southeast.–AL, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
Central Southwest.–AR, LA, OK, and TX.
Mountains.–AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.
Pacific Coast.–CA, OR, and WA.
Other.–All other markets in the United States not previously listed,
including AK, HI, PR, and VI.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 36
IV‐11. End uses.—
(a) List the end uses of the hot‐rolled steel that your firm manufactures and sells commercially.
For each end‐use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by hot‐rolled
steel and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
End use product
100.0% across)
(commercial sales)
Hot‐rolled steel
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
(b) For the hot‐rolled steel that your firm consumes internally or transfers to related firms,
what percentage of the total cost of end use products is accounted for by hot‐rolled steel
and other inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
Total
End use product (internal
(should sum to
consumption or transfers
100.0% across)
to a related firm)
Hot‐rolled steel
Other inputs
Hot‐rolled plate (CTL plate
from coil‐4.75 mm and
greater in thickness)
%
%
0.0 %
Pipe and tubular products
%
%
0.0 %
Cold‐rolled steel
%
%
0.0 %
Coated products
%
%
0.0 %
Tin mill products
%
%
0.0 %
Other products
%
%
IV‐12. Substitutes.‐‐ Can other products be substituted for hot‐rolled steel?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
0.0 %
Substitute
End use in which this
substitute is used
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for hot‐rolled steel?
No Yes
1.
2.
3.
Explanation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 37
IV‐13. Demand trends.‐‐ Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for hot‐rolled steel has changed since January 1, 2012. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Market
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease
Fluctuate
with no
clear trend
Explanation and factors
Within
the United
States
Outside
the United
States
IV‐14. Product changes.‐‐Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix,
or marketing of hot‐rolled steel since January 1, 2012?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.
IV‐15. Conditions of competition.‐‐
(a) Is the hot‐rolled steel market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐wide
conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to hot‐rolled steel? If yes,
describe.
Check all that apply.
Please describe.
No
Skip to question IV‐16.
Yes‐Business cycles (e.g.
seasonal business)
Yes‐Other distinctive
conditions of competition
(b) If yes, have there been any changes in the business cycles or conditions of competition for
hot‐rolled steel since January 1, 2012?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 38
IV‐16. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply hot‐rolled steel
since January 1, 2012 (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, been unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
IV‐17. Raw materials.‐‐How have hot‐rolled steel raw materials prices changed since January 1, 2012?
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
Explain, noting how raw material price changes
have affected your firm’s selling prices for hot‐
rolled steel.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 39
IV‐18. Interchangeability.‐‐Is hot‐rolled steel produced in the United States and in other countries
interchangeable (i.e., can they physically be used in the same applications)?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = the products from a specified country‐pair are always interchangeable
F = the products are frequently interchangeable
S = the products are sometimes interchangeable
N = the products are never interchangeable
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country‐pair Australia Brazil
Japan
Korea Netherlands Turkey
United
Kingdom
Other
countries
United States
Australia
Brazil
Japan
Korea
Netherlands
Turkey
United Kingdom
For any country‐pair producing hot‐rolled steel that is sometimes or never interchangeable, identify the
country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 40
IV‐19. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between hot‐rolled steel
produced in the United States and in other countries a significant factor in your firm’s sales of
the products?
Please indicate A, F, S, N, or 0 in the table below:
A = such differences are always significant
F = such differences are frequently significant
S = such differences are sometimes significant
N = such differences are never significant
0 = no familiarity with products from a specified country‐pair
Country‐pair Australia Brazil
Japan
Korea Netherlands Turkey
United
Kingdom
Other
countries
United States
Australia
Brazil
Japan
Korea
Netherlands
Turkey
United Kingdom
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant factor in
your firm’s sales of hot‐rolled steel, identify the country‐pair and report the advantages or
disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 41
IV‐20. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for hot‐rolled steel since January 1, 2012. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of hot‐rolled steel that each of these customers accounted for in 2014.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2014
sales
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 42
IV‐21. Competition from imports
(a)
Lost revenue.‐‐Since January 1, 2012: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling hot‐
rolled steel from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, or the United
Kingdom, did your firm:
No
Yes
Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases
(b)
Lost sales.‐‐Since January 1, 2012: Did your firm lose sales of hot‐rolled steel to imports
of this product from Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, or the
United Kingdom?
No
Yes
(c)
The submission of lost sales/lost revenue allegations is to be completed only by NON‐
PETITIONERS. (Note: petitioners may provide allegations involving quotes made
AFTER the filing of the petition.) Please do not resubmit allegations provided
previously.
If your firm indicated “yes” to any of the above, your firm can provide the Commission
with additional information by downloading and completing the lost sales/lost revenues
worksheet at http://usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm. Note that the Commission
may contact the firms named to verify the allegations reported.
Is your firm submitting the lost sales/lost revenues worksheet?
No—Please explain.
Yes—Please complete the worksheet and submit via the Commission dropbox.
https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (PIN: HRS)
IV‐22. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire – Hot‐Rolled Steel
Page 43
HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at: LINK
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: HRS
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to justin.enck@usitc.gov and mary.messer@usitc.gov;
include a scanned copy of the signed certification page (page 1). Please note that submitting your
questionnaire by e‐mail may subject your firm’s business proprietary information to transmission over an
unsecure environment and to possible disclosure. If you choose this option, the Commission warns you
that any risk involving possible disclosure of such information is assumed by the submitter and not by the
Commission.
If your firm does not produce this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy
to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (202‐
205‐1803). A certificate of service must accompany the completed questionnaire you submit (see 19 CFR
§ 207.7). Service of the questionnaire must be made in paper form.
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | Microsoft Word - US producer questionnaire |
| Author | justin.enck |
| File Modified | 2015-08-12 |
| File Created | 2015-08-12 |