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pdfOMB No. 3117‐0016/USITC No. 19‐1‐4157; Expiration Date : 6/30/2020
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U.S. PRODUCERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
FLUID END BLOCKS FROM CHINA, GERMANY, INDIA, AND ITALY
This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by January 2, 2020
See last page for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations concerning fluid end blocks from China,
Germany, India, and Italy (Inv. Nos. 701‐TA‐632‐635 and 731‐TA‐1466‐1468 (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 or machine‐finished fluid end blocks (as defined on next page) at any time since January
1, 2016?
NO
(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
YES
(If you are a producer of fluid end blocks, complete parts I, II, III, and IV. If you are solely a finisher of
fluid end blocks, complete parts I and V. 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: FEBS)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission. By
means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import‐injury proceedings conducted by
the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that information submitted in response to this request for information and throughout this
proceeding or other proceedings may be disclosed to and used: (i) by the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits,
reviews, and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including under 5 U.S.C.
Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and contract personnel, solely for cybersecurity purposes. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign appropriate nondisclosure agreements.
Name of Authorized Official Title of Authorized Official
Date
Signature
Phone
Email address
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 2
PART I.—GENERAL INFORMATION
Background.‐‐This proceeding was instituted in response to petitions filed on December 19, 2019, by
Ellwood City Forge Company, Ellwood Quality Steels Company, and Ellwood National Steel Company
(collectively the “Ellwood Group”), Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; A. Finkl & Sons (“Finkl Steel”), Chicago,
Illinois; and FEB Fair Trade Coalition (an ad hoc coalition whose members include the Forging Industry
Association, the Ellwood Group, and Finkl Steel), Cleveland, Ohio. Countervailing and antidumping duties
may be assessed on the subject imports as a result of these proceedings if the Commission makes an
affirmative determination of injury, threat, or material retardation, and if the U.S. Department of
Commerce (“Commerce”) makes an affirmative determination of subsidization or dumping.
Questionnaires and other information pertinent to this proceeding are available at
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/fluid_end_blocks_china_germany_india_and_italy/prelim
inary.htm
Fluid end blocks covered by these investigations are forged steel fluid end blocks ("FEBs"), whether
unfinished, semi‐finished, or finished, and which are typically used in the manufacture or service of
hydraulic pumps.
The term "forged" is an industry term used to describe the grain texture of steel resulting from the
application of localized compressive force. Illustrative forging standards include, but are not limited to,
American Society for Testing and Materials ("ASTM") specifications A668 and A788.
For purposes of these petitions, the term "steel" denotes metal containing the following chemical
elements, by weight: (i) iron greater than or equal to 60 percent; (ii) nickel less than or equal to 8.5
percent; (iii) copper less than or equal to 6 percent; (iv) chromium greater than or equal to 0.4 percent,
but less than or equal to 20 percent; and (v) molybdenum greater than or equal to 0.15 percent, but less
than or equal to 3 percent. Illustrative steel standards include, but are not limited to, American Iron and
Steel Institute ("AISI") or Society of Automotive Engineers ("SAE") grades 4130, 4135, 4140, 4320, 4330,
4340, 8630, 15‐5, 17‐4, F6NM, F22, F60, and XM25, as well as modified varieties of these grades.
The products covered by these petitions are either (1) cut‐to‐length FEBs with a height (measured from
its highest point) of 8 inches (203.2 mm) to 40 inches (1,016.0 mm), a width (measured from its widest
point) of 8 inches (203.2 mm) to 40 inches (1,016.0 mm), and a length (measured from its longest point)
of 11 inches (279.4 mm) to 75 inches (1,905.0 mm), or (2) strings of FEBs with a height (measured from
its highest point) of 8 inches (203.2 mm) to 40 inches (1,016.0 mm), a width (measured from its widest
point) of 8 inches (203.2 mm) to 40 inches (1,016.0 mm), and a length (measured from its longest point)
up to 360 inches (9,144.0 mm).
The products included in the scope of these petitions have a tensile strength of at least 70 KSI
(measured in accordance with ASTM A370) and a hardness of at least 140 HBW (measured in
accordance with ASTM E10).
FEBs may be unfinished or have undergone one or more of the following finishing operations: (1) milling
one or more flat surfaces; (2) contour machining to custom shapes or dimensions; (3) drilling or boring
holes; (4) heat treating; (5) painting, varnishing, or coating; (6) threading; and/or (7) the attachment of
flanges, valves, seals, or connectors.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 3
Fluid end blocks are currently imported under statistical reporting numbers 7218.91.0030,
7218.99.0030, 7224.90.0015, 7224.90.0045, 7326.19.0010, 7326.90.8688, or 8413.91.9055 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The HTSUS provisions are for convenience and
customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive.
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 fluid end blocks 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 ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 4
D‐GRIDS tool.‐‐The Commission has a tool that firms can use to move data from their own MS Excel
compilation files into self‐contained data tables within this MS Word questionnaire, thereby reducing
the amount of cell‐by‐cell data entry that would be required to complete this form. This tool is a macro‐
enabled MS Excel file available for download from the Commission's generic questionnaires webpage
(https://www.usitc.gov/trade_remedy/question.htm) called the "D‐GRIDs tool." Use of this tool to help
your firm complete this questionnaire is optional. Firms opting to use the D‐GRIDs tool to populate their
data into this questionnaire will need the D‐GRIDs specification sheet PDF file specific to this proceeding
(available on the case page which is linked under the "Background" above) which includes the necessary
references relating to this questionnaire, as well as the macro‐enable MS Excel D‐GRIDs tool itself from
the generic questionnaires page. More detailed instructions on how to use the D‐GRIDs tool are
available within the D‐GRIDs tool itself.
I‐1a. 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, contact person’s
title, telephone number, email address) appearing on the front page of this questionnaire to the
Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture, as applicable, so that your firm and its
workers can be made eligible for benefits under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program?
Yes
No
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
I‐2a.
Page 5
Establishments covered.‐‐Provide the city, state, zip code, and brief description of each
establishment covered by this questionnaire. 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 fluid end blocks, including
auxiliary facilities operated in conjunction with (whether or not physically separate from) such
facilities.
Establishments
City, State
Zip (5 digit)
Description
covered1
1
I‐2b.
I‐2c.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Additional discussion on establishments consolidated in this questionnaire: .
Stock symbol information.‐‐ If your firm or parent firm is publicly traded, please specify the
stock exchange and trading symbol: .
External counsel.‐‐ If your firm or parent firm is represented by external counsel in relation to
this proceeding, please specify the name of the law firm and the lead attorney(s).
I‐3.
Law firm:
Lead attorney(s):
Petitioner status.‐‐Is your firm a petitioner in this proceeding or a member firm of the
petitioning entity?
No
Yes
I‐4.
Petition support.‐‐Does your firm support or oppose the petition?
Country
Support
Oppose
Take no position
China CVD
Germany AD
Germany CVD
India AD
India CVD
Italy AD
Italy CVD
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
I‐5.
I‐6.
I‐7.
Page 6
Ownership.‐‐Is your firm owned, in whole or in part, by any other firm?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information, relating to the ultimate parent/owner.
Firm name
Country
Extent of
ownership
(percent)
Related importers/exporters.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or
foreign, that are engaged in importing fluid end blocks from China, Germany, India, or Italy into
the United States or that are engaged in exporting fluid end blocks from China, Germany, India,
or Italy to the United States?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Related producers.‐‐Does your firm have any related firms, either domestic or foreign, that are
engaged in the production of fluid end blocks?
No
Yes‐‐List the following information.
Firm name
Country
Affiliation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 7
PART II.‐‐TRADE AND RELATED INFORMATION
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Kristina Lara (202‐205‐3386,
kristina.lara@usitc.gov). Supply all data requested on a calendar‐year basis.
II‐1. Contact information.‐‐Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted
in part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
II‐2. Changes in operations.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of fluid end blocks since January 1, 2016.
(check as many as appropriate)
(If checked, please describe; leave blank if not applicable)
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 ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 8
II‐3a. Production using same machinery.‐‐Please report your firm’s production of products using the
same equipment, machinery, or employees as used to produce fluid end blocks, and the
combined production capacity on this shared equipment, machinery, or employees in the
periods indicated.
“Overall production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup).
“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 pounds)
Calendar years
Item
2016
1
Overall production capacity
Production of:
Fluid end blocks
2
Other products
Total production using same
machinery or workers
1
2
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Data reported for capacity (first line) should be greater than data reported for total production (last line).
Please identify these products: .
II‐3b. Operating parameters.‐‐The production capacity reported in II‐3a is based on the following
operating paramaters:
Hours per week
Weeks per year
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
II‐3c.
Page 9
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 ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
II‐4.
Page 10
Product shifting.—
(a)
Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between fluid end blocks and other
products using the same equipment and/or labor?
No
Yes
If yes—(i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other products)
Please identify other actual or potential products.
(b)
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.
II‐5.
Tolling of finishing operations: Does your firm contract with a machine shop to provide finishing
operations on the fluid end blocks your firm produces, prior to final delivery to your customers?
No
Yes
If yes, please complete the table below.
Finishing
firm’s name
Finishing firm’s contact
name
Finishing firm’s contact e‐mail
Share (percent, by quantity), of
your firm’s U.S. shipments, that
was sent to firm for further
finishing, from January 2016 to
September 2019
%
%
%
%
%
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
II‐6.
Page 11
Foreign trade zones.‐‐
(a)
Firm's FTZ operations.‐‐Does your firm produce fluid end blocks in and/or admit fluid
end blocks 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 designated as such pursuant to the rules
and procedures set forth in the Foreign‐Trade Zones Act.
No
Yes
If 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 fluid end blocks into a foreign trade zone (FTZ) for use in distribution of fluid end
blocks and/or the production of downstream articles?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Identify the firms and the FTZs.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
II‐7.
Page 12
Production, shipment, and inventory data.‐‐Report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments, and inventories related to the production of fluid end blocks in its U.S.
establishment(s) during the specified periods.
“Average production capacity” or “capacity” – The level of production that your
establishment(s) could reasonably have expected to attain during the specified periods. Assume
normal operating conditions (i.e., using equipment and machinery in place and ready to
operate; normal operating levels (hours per week/weeks per year) and time for downtime,
maintenance, repair, and cleanup; and a typical or representative product mix).
“Production” – All production in your U.S. establishment(s), including production consumed
internally within your firm and production for another firm under a toll agreement.
“Commercial U.S. shipments” –Shipments made within the United States as a result of an arm’s
length commercial transaction in the ordinary course of business. Report net values (i.e., gross
sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned
goods) in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. your point of shipment.
“Internal consumption” – Product consumed internally by your firm. Such transactions are
valued at fair market value.
“Transfers to related firms” –Shipments made to related firms. Such transactions are valued at
fair market value.
“Related firm” –A firm that your firm solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled;
a firm that solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm; and/or a firm
that was solely or jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled by a firm that also solely or
jointly owned, managed, or otherwise controlled your firm.
“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 ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
II‐7.
Page 13
Production, shipment, and inventory data.‐‐Continued
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
1
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Average production capacity (quantity) (A)
Beginning‐of‐period inventories (quantity)
(B)
Production (quantity) (C)
U.S. shipments:
Commercial shipments:
Quantity (D)
Value (E)
Internal consumption:2
Quantity (F)
Value2 (G)
2
Transfers to related firms:
Quantity (H)
2
Value (I)
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. If your firm uses a different
basis for valuing these transactions in your records, please specify that basis (e.g., cost, cost plus, etc.): . However,
the data provided above in this table should be based on fair market value.
3
Identify your firm’s principal export markets: .
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY.‐‐Generally, the data reported for the end‐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 reflect your firm’s actual records; and, also provide
explanations for any differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.) if they exist.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
B + C – D – F – H – J – L = should equal zero
("0") or provide an explanation.1
1
2016
2017
0
January‐September
2018
0
2018
0
2019
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 ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
II‐8.
Page 14
Channels of distribution.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of commercial U.S.
shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by channel of distribution.
Quantity (in units)
Calendar years
Item
Channels of distribution:
U.S. shipments:
To distributors (M)
To OEMs / end users (N)
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
RECONCILIATION OF CHANNELS.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities reported for channels of distribution (i.e., lines M and
N) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S. shipments (i.e., line D, F, H) in each time period. If the
calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to submission to
the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
M + N – D ‐ F‐ H = zero ("0"), if not
revise.
2016
2017
0
January‐September
2018
0
2018
0
2019
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
II‐9.
Page 15
U.S. shipments by level of processing.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of
commercial U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by level of
processing during the specified periods.
“Unfinished” – A fluid end block that has not advanced beyond forging, heat treating, and rough
machining.
“Semi‐finished” – A fluid end block that has been subject to some machining operations (e.g.,
milling a surface to make it smooth, drilling, or countour machining).
“Finished” – A fluid end block that is ready for incorporation into a pump fluid end assembly
without further manufacturing operations.
Item
U.S. shipments:1
Unfinished:
Quantity (O)
Value (P)
Semi‐finished:
Quantity (Q)
Value (R)
Finished:
Quantity (S)
Value (T)
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2016
2017
2018
January‐September
2018
2019
1
Please identify the physical characteristics, functions, and markets for unfinished, semi‐finished, and finished fluid
end blocks, respectively. .
RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS.—Please ensure that the quantities reported for U.S. shipments
in this question (i.e., lines O through T) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S.
shipments in previous question II‐7 (i.e., lines D through I) in each time period. IF the calculated
fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to
submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Quantity: O + Q + S – D – F – H = zero
(“0”), if not revise
0
0
0
0
0
Value: P + R + T – E – G – I = zero, (“0”), if
not revise.
0
0
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 16
II‐10. U.S. shipments by steel type.‐‐Report your firm’s U.S. shipments (i.e. inclusive of commercial
U.S. shipments, internal consumption, and transfers to related firms) by steel type during the
specified periods.
“Stainless steel” – Alloy steels containing, by weight 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5
percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements.
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
2016
2017
2018
January‐September
2018
2019
Item
U.S. shipments:
Stainless steel:
Quantity (U)
Value (V)
Non‐stainless steel:
Quantity (W)
Value (X)
RECONCILATION OF SHIPMENTS.—Please ensure that the quantities reported for U.S. shipments
in this question (i.e., lines U through X) in each time period equal the quantity reported for U.S.
shipments in previous question II‐7 (i.e., lines D through I) in each time period. IF the calculated
fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), the data reported must be revised prior to
submission to the Commission.
Calendar years
Reconciliation
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Quantity: U + W – D – F – H = zero (“0”),
if not revise
0
0
0
0
0
Value: V + X – E – G – I = zero, (“0”), if
not revise.
0
0
0
0
0
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 17
II‐11. Employment data.‐‐Report your firm’s employment‐related data related to the production of
fluid end blocks and provide an explanation for any trends in these data.
“Production and Related Workers” (PRWs) includes working supervisors and all nonsupervisory
workers (including group leaders and trainees) engaged in fabricating, processing, assembling,
inspecting, receiving, storage, handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, trucking, hauling,
maintenance, repair, janitorial and guard services, product development, auxiliary production
for plant’s own use (e.g., power plant), recordkeeping, and other services closely associated with
the above production operations.
Average number employed may be computed by adding the number of employees, both full
time and part time, for the 12 pay periods ending closest to the 15th of the month and divide
that total by 12. For the January to September periods, calculate similarly and divide by 9.
If your firm had the same number of PRWs in all calendar years and had not experienced
any changes in PRWs in the most recent interim period, you would have the same
number of PRWs for the interim periods, regardless of whether the interim periods are
Jan‐Mar (Q1), Jan‐June (Q1+Q2), or Jan‐Sept (Q1+Q2+Q3).”
“Hours worked” includes time paid for sick leave, holidays, and vacation time. Include overtime
hours actually worked; do not convert overtime pay to its equivalent in straight time hours.
“Wages paid” –Total wages paid before deductions of any kind (e.g., withholding taxes, old‐age
and unemployment insurance, group insurance, union dues, bonds, etc.). Include wages paid
directly by your firm for overtime, holidays, vacations, and sick leave.
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (1,000 hours)
Wages paid to PRWs ($1,000)
Explanation of trends:
II‐12. Related firms.‐‐If your firm reported transfers to related firms in question II‐7, please identify
the firm(s) and indicate the nature of the relationship between your firm and the related firms
(e.g., joint venture, wholly owned subsidiary), whether the transfers were priced at market
value or by a non‐market formula, whether your firm retained marketing rights to all transfers,
and whether the related firms also processed inputs from sources other than your firm.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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II‐13. Purchases.‐‐Has your firm purchased fluid end blocks produced in the United States or in other
countries since January 1, 2016? (Do not include imports for which your firm was the importer
of record. These should be reported in an importer questionnaire).
“Purchase” – A transaction to buy product from a U.S. corporate entity such as another U.S.
producer, a U.S. distributor, or a U.S. firm that has directly imported the product.
“Import” –A transaction to buy from a foreign supplier where your firm is the importer of
record.
No
Yes
If yes‐‐Report such purchases in the table below and explain the reasons
for your firms' purchases.
Note: If your firm served as the importer of record for any purchases from foreign suppliers,
either for your own account or as a service for another entity, those purchases are to be
considered "imports" not "purchases" and should not be included in the table below
(Quantity in units)
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
1
Purchases from U.S. importers of fluid
end blocks from—
China
Germany
India
Italy
All other sources
Purchases from domestic producers
3
Purchases from other sources
2
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 U.S. producer(s) from which your firm purchased this product: .
3
Please list the name of the firm(s) from which your firm purchased this product: .
II‐14. Imports.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, has your firm imported fluid end blocks?
No
Yes
If yes‐‐COMPLETE AND RETURN A U.S. IMPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
II‐15. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part II
for which a narrative box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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PART III.‐‐FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Samuel Varela‐Molina (202‐205‐3429
Samuel.Varela‐Molina@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
III‐2. Accounting system.—Please provide the following information on 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 fluid end blocks:
2. Does your firm prepare profit/loss statements for fluid end blocks:
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 fluid end blocks, 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.).
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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.
Product listing.‐‐Please list the products your firm produced in the facilities in which your firm
produced fluid end blocks, and provide the share of net sales accounted for by these products in
your firm’s most recent fiscal year.
Products
Share of sales
fluid end blocks
%
%
%
%
%
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
III‐6.
Page 21
Inputs from related suppliers.‐‐Does your firm purchase inputs (raw materials, labor, energy, or
any services) used in the production of fluid end blocks 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—Skip to question III‐9a.
Inputs from related suppliers detailed.‐‐Please identify the inputs used in the production of
fluid end blocks that your firm purchases from related suppliers and that are reflected in
question III‐9a. For “Share of total COGS” please report this information by relevant input on
the basis of 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
Input valuation as recorded in the firm’s accounting books and records
Share of total COGS
III‐8.
Inputs purchased from related suppliers.‐‐Please confirm that the inputs purchased from
related suppliers, as identified in III‐7, are reported in III‐9a (financial results on fluid end blocks)
in a manner consistent with your firm’s accounting books and records.
Yes
No
If no‐‐In the space below, please report the valuation basis of inputs purchased
from related suppliers as reported in question III‐9a.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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III‐9a. Operations on fluid end blocks.‐‐Report the revenue and related cost information requested
below on the fluid end blocks operations of your firm’s U.S. establishment(s).1 Do not report
resales of products. Note that internal consumption and transfers to related firms must be
valued at fair market value. Input purchases from related suppliers should be consistent with
and based on information in the firm’s accounting books and records. Provide data for your
firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified interim periods. If your
firm was involved in tolling operations (either as the toller or as the tollee), please contact
Samuel Varela‐Molina at (202) 202‐205‐3429 before completing this section of the
questionnaire.
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1,000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
2
Net sales quantities:
Commercial sales (“CS”)
Internal consumption (“IC”)
Transfers to related firms (“Transfers”)
0
0
0
0
0
Internal consumption
Transfers to related firms
Total net sales values
0
0
0
0
0
Direct labor
Other factory costs
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
All other expense items
All other income items
0
0
0
0
0
Total net sales quantities
2
Net sales values:
Commercial sales
3
Cost of goods sold (COGS):
Raw materials
Total COGS
Gross profit or (loss)
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.
Note ‐‐The table above contains calculations that will appear when you have entered data in the MS
Word form fields.
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III‐9b. Financial data reconciliation.‐‐The calculable line items from question III‐9a (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 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‐9c. Raw materials.‐‐Please report the share of total raw material costs in 2018 (reported in III‐9a)
for the following raw material inputs:
Procurement method
Input
Share of total raw
material costs
(percent)
Stainless steel
Non‐stainless steel
Other steel/form
Other material inputs1
Total (should sum to 100 percent)
1
0.0
Primarily
produced by
your firm
Primarily
purchased by
your firm
Please indicate any other notable "other" raw materials not expressly identified above and provide
the share of the total raw material costs that they account for: .
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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III‐10. Nonrecurring items (charges and gains) included in the subject product financial results.‐‐For
each annual and interim period for which financial results are reported in question III‐9a, please
specify all material (significant) nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the schedule below,
the specific question III‐9a line item where the nonrecurring items are included, a brief
description of the relevant nonrecurring items, and the associated values (in $1,000), as
reflected in question III‐9a; i.e., if an aggregate nonrecurring item has been allocated to question
III‐9a, only the allocated value amount included in question III‐9a should be reported in the
schedule below. Note: The Commission’s objective here is to gather information only on
material (significant) nonrecurring items which impacted the reported financial results of the
subject product in question III‐9a.
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Value ($1,000)
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
Nonrecurring item: In this table please provide a brief description of each nonrecurring item reported above and
indicate the specific line item in table III‐9a where the nonrecurring item is classified.
Description of the
nonrecurring item
Income statement classification of the nonrecurring
item
Nonrecurring item 1
Nonrecurring item 2
Nonrecurring item 3
Nonrecurring item 4
Nonrecurring item 5
Nonrecurring item 6
Nonrecurring item 7
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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III‐11. Classification of identified nonrecurring items (charges and gains) in the accounting books and
records of the company.‐‐If non‐recurring items were reported in question III‐10 above, please
identify where your company recorded these items in your accounting books and records in the
normal course of business; i.e., just as responses to question III‐10 identify where these items
are reported in question III‐9a.
III‐12. Asset values.‐‐Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long‐term assets) associated with
the production, warehousing, and sale of fluid end blocks. If your firm does not maintain some
or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for fluid end blocks in
the normal course of business, please estimate this information based upon a method (such as
production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in question III‐9a.
Provide data as of the end of 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
2016
1
Total assets (net)
1
III‐13.
2017
2018
Describe .
Capital expenditures and research and development expenses.‐‐Report your firm’s capital
expenditures and research and development expenses for fluid end blocks. 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
2016
1
Capital expenditures
2
Research and development expenses
1
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on the subject product.
.
2
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to subject product.
.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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III‐14. Data consistency and reconciliation.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions III‐9a, 12, and 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 question III‐9a should reconcile with the data
reported in question II‐7 (including export shipments) as long as they are reported on the same
calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for total shipments in part II equal the quantities and values reported for total net sales in part III of this
questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from part III are reported on a fiscal year
basis, in which case only the interim periods must reconcile. If the calculated fields below return values
other than zero (i.e., “0”) and both are being reported on a calendar basis, please explain the discrepancy
below.
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Reconciliation
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Quantity: Trade data from question II‐6
(lines D, F, H, and J) less financial total
net sales quantity data from question III‐
9a, = zero ("0").
0
0
0
0
0
Value: Trade data from question II‐6
(lines E, G, I, and K) less financial total
net sales value data from question III‐9a,
= zero ("0").
0
0
0
0
0
Do these data in question III‐9a reconcile with data in question II‐7?
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 27
If your responses to any of the items in questions III‐15, III‐16, and III‐17 differ by country, please
describe these differences and, as applicable, indicate which country or countries your response refers
to in the relevant form fields.
III‐15. Effects of imports on investment.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, 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 fluid end blocks from China, Germany, India, and Italy?
No
Yes
If 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
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III‐16. Effects of imports on growth and development.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, 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 fluid end blocks from China, Germany, India, and
Italy?
No
Yes
If 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
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III‐17. Anticipated effects of imports.‐‐Does your firm anticipate any negative effects due to imports of
fluid end blocks from China, Germany, India, and Italy?
No
Yes
If yes, my firm anticipates negative effects as follows.
III‐18. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part III
for which a narrative box was not provided, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues your
firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues with
the MS Word questionnaire.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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PART IV.‐‐PRICING AND MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Pamela Davis (202‐205‐
2218, Pamela.Davis@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
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, 2016 of the following products produced by your
firm.
Product 1.‐‐4330mod Drilled Quint. Quintuplex fluid end block that has been drilled
and rough machined, made of forged alloy steel, with a chromium content between
1.30% and 1.65%, a nickel content between 2.90% and 3.60%, and a net weight
between 7,300 and 7,550 lbs.
Product 2.‐‐17‐4 Solid Quint. Quintuplex fluid end block that has been rough
machined but not drilled, made of forged stainless steel, with a chromium content
between 14.50% and 18.00%, a nickel content between 2.90% and 5.10%, and a net
weight between 8,900 and 9,300 lbs.
Product 3.‐‐15‐5 Drilled Quint. Quintuplex fluid end block that has been drilled and
rough machined, made of forged stainless steel, with a chromium content between
13.50% and 16.50%, a nickel content between 3.90% and 6.10%, and a net weight
between 6,950 and 7,250 lbs.
Product 4.‐‐4330mod Drilled Mud Pump Block. Fluid end block that has been drilled
with no more than one hole per face, rough machined, made of forged alloy steel,
with a chromium content between 0.65% and 1.00%, a nickel content between
1.60% and 2.05%, and a net weight between 3,100 and 3,300 lbs.
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).
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IV‐2a. During January 2016‐September 2019, 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 tables as appropriate.
No.‐‐Skip to question IV‐3.
IV‐2b. Price data.‐‐Report below the quarterly price data1 for pricing products2 produced and sold by
your firm.
Report data in units and actual dollars (not 1,000s).
Product 1
Quantity
Value
(Quantity in units, value in dollars)
Product 2
Product 3
Quantity
Value
Quantity
Value
Product 4
Period of shipment
Quantity
Value
2016:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2017:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2018:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
October‐December
2019:
January‐March
April‐June
July‐September
1 Net values (i.e., gross sales values less all discounts, allowances, rebates, prepaid freight, and the value of returned goods), f.o.b. your
firm’s U.S. point of shipment.
2 Pricing product definitions are provided on the first page of Part IV.
Note.‐‐If your firm’s product does not exactly meet the product specifications but is competitive with the specified product, provide a description
of your firm’s product. Also, please explain any anomalies in your firm’s reported pricing data.
Product 1:
Product 2:
Product 3:
Product 4:
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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IV‐2c. Price data checklist.‐‐Please check that the pricing data in question IV‐2(b) has been correctly
reported.
Are the price data reported above:
√ if Yes
In actual dollars (not $1,000)?
F.o.b. U.S. point of shipment (i.e., does not include U.S. transport costs)?
Net of all discounts and rebates?
Have returns credited to the quarter in which the sale occurred?
Less than reported commercial shipments in question II‐7 in each year?
IV‐2d. Pricing data methodology.‐‐Please describe the method and the kinds of documents/records
that were used to compile your price data.
Note: As requested in Part I of this questionnaire, please keep all supporting documents/records used in
the preparation of the price data, as Commission staff may contact your firm regarding questions on the
price data. The Commission may also request that your company submit copies of the supporting
documents/records (such as sales journal, invoices, etc.) used to compile these data.
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
IV‐3.
Page 33
Price setting.‐‐How does your firm determine the prices that it charges for sales of fluid end
blocks (check all that apply)? If your firm issues price lists, please submit sample pages of a
recent list.
Transaction
by
transaction
Contracts
IV‐4.
Other
If other, describe
Discount policy.‐‐Please indicate and describe your firm’s discount policies (check all that apply).
Annual
total
volume
discounts
Quantity
discounts
IV‐5.
Set
price
lists
No
discount
policy
Other
Describe
Pricing terms.‐‐On what basis are your firm’s prices of domestic fluid end blocks usually quoted
(check one)?
Delivered
F.o.b.
IV‐6.
If f.o.b., specify point
Contract versus spot.‐‐Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of its U.S.‐produced fluid
end blocks in 2018 was on a (1) short‐term contract basis, (2) annual contract basis, (3) long‐
term contract basis, and (4) spot sales basis?
Item
Share of 2018
sales
Short‐term
contracts
(multiple
deliveries for
less than 12
months)
%
Type of sale
Long‐term
Annual
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple
deliveries for
deliveries for 12
more than 12
months)
months)
%
%
Spot sales
(for a single
delivery)
%
Total
(should
sum to
100.0%)
0.0
%
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
IV‐7.
Page 34
Contract provisions.‐‐Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts for
U.S.‐produced fluid end blocks (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a short‐
term, annual and/or long‐term contract basis).
Short‐term contracts Annual contracts
(multiple
(multiple deliveries
deliveries for 12
for less than 12
months)
months)
Long‐term contracts
(multiple deliveries
for more than 12
months)
Typical sales
contract provisions
Item
Average contract
duration
No. of
days
Price renegotiation
(during contract
period)
Yes
No
Quantity
Price
Both
Yes
No
Fixed quantity
and/or price
Indexed to raw
material costs1
Not applicable
365
1
Please identify the indexes used: .
IV‐8.
Lead times.‐‐What is your firm’s share of sales from inventory and produced to order and what
is the typical lead time between a customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales
of its U.S.‐produced fluid end blocks?
Lead time (Average
Source
Share of 2018 sales number of days)
From inventory
%
Produced to order
%
Total (should sum to 100.0%)
0.0 %
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U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
IV‐9.
Page 35
Shipping information.‐‐
(a)
(b)
(c)
What is the approximate percentage of the cost of U.S.‐produced fluid end blocks 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 fluid end blocks 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 fluid end blocks since January 1, 2016 (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.
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IV‐11. End uses.‐‐List the end uses of the fluid end blocks that your firm manufactures. For each end‐
use product, what percentage of the total cost is accounted for by fluid end blocks and other
inputs?
Share of total cost of end use product
accounted for by
Total
(should sum to
100.0% across)
End‐use product
fluid end blocks
Other inputs
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
%
%
0.0 %
IV‐12. Substitutes.‐‐Can other products be substituted for fluid end blocks?
No
Yes‐‐Please fill out the table.
End use in which this
substitute is used
Substitute
Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for fluid end blocks?
No Yes
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
IV‐13. Demand trends.‐‐Indicate how demand within the United States and outside of the United
States (if known) for fluid end blocks has changed since January 1, 2016. Explain any trends and
describe the principal factors that have affected these changes in demand.
Fluctuate
with no
Overall
No
Overall
increase change decrease clear trend
Market
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 fluid end blocks since January 1, 2016?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe and quantify if possible.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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IV‐15. Conditions of competition.‐‐
(a) Is the fluid end blocks market subject to business cycles (other than general economy‐
wide conditions) and/or other conditions of competition distinctive to fluid end blocks? 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
fluid end blocks since January 1, 2016?
No
Yes
If yes, describe.
IV‐16. Supply constraints.‐‐Has your firm refused, declined, or been unable to supply fluid end blocks
since January 1, 2016 (examples include placing customers on allocation or “controlled order
entry,” declining to accept new customers or renew existing customers, delivering less than the
quantity promised, being unable to meet timely shipment commitments, etc.)?
No
Yes
If yes, please describe.
IV‐17. Raw materials.‐‐How have fluid end blocks raw material prices changed since January 1, 2016?
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 fluid
end blocks.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 38
IV‐18. Interchangeability.‐ Are fluid end blocks 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
United
States
China
Germany
India
Italy
Other countries
China
Germany
India
Italy
For any country‐pair producing fluid end blocks that are sometimes or never interchangeable,
identify the country‐pair and explain the factors that limit or preclude interchangeable use:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 39
IV‐19. Factors other than price.‐‐Are differences other than price (e.g., quality, availability,
transportation network, product range, technical support, etc.) between fluid end blocks
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
United
States
China
Germany
India
Italy
Other countries
China
Germany
India
Italy
For any country‐pair for which factors other than price always or frequently are a significant
factor in your firm’s sales of fluid end blocks, identify the country‐pair and report the
advantages or disadvantages imparted by such factors:
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 40
IV‐20. Raw materials.—
(a) How have fluid end blocks raw material costs changed since January 1, 2016?
Factor
Overall
increase
Cost of raw materials
No
change
Explain, noting how raw
Fluctuate material price changes have
Overall with no clear affected your firm’s selling
prices for fluid end blocks.
trend
decrease
(b) How did the imposition of tariffs under section 232 on imported steel/aluminum products
impact raw material costs for fluid end blocks?
Factor
Overall increase
Cost of raw materials after
section 232 tariffs imposed
No change
Fluctuate with
Overall decrease no clear trend
(c) How did the imposition of tariffs under section 232 on imported steel/aluminum products
impact your firm’s sales price for fluid end blocks?
Factor
Prices for fluid end
blocks
Overall
No change Increase
Fluctuate
Overall
with no
Decrease clear trend
Explanation
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 41
IV‐21. Impact of section 301 tariffs.‐‐ Did the imposition of tariffs on Chinese‐origin products under
section 301 have an impact on the fluid end blocks market in the United States?
Yes— Please indicate the
impact in the table below.
No
Don’t know
Factor
Fluctuate Explain, noting how the imposition
with no of tariffs under section 301 affected
each factor of the fluid end blocks
clear
Overall
No
Overall
market in the United States.
trend
increase change decrease
Supply of U.S.‐
produced fluid end
blocks
Supply of fluid end
blocks imported from
China
Supply of fluid end
blocks imported from
other countries
Prices for fluid end
blocks
Overall U.S. demand
for fluid end blocks
Raw material costs for
fluid end blocks
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 42
IV‐22. Customer identification.‐‐List the names and contact information for your firm’s 10 largest U.S.
customers for fluid end blocks since January 1, 2016. Indicate the share of the quantity of your
firm’s total shipments of fluid end blocks that each of these customers accounted for in 2018.
Customer’s name
Contact person
Email
Telephone
City
State
Share
of
2018
sales
(%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
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IV‐23. Competition from imports.‐‐
(a)
Lost revenue.‐‐Since January 1, 2016: To avoid losing sales to competitors selling fluid
end blocks from China, Germany, India, and Italy, did your firm:
Item
No
Yes
(b)
Reduce prices
Roll back announced price increases
Lost sales.‐‐Since January 1, 2016: Did your firm lose sales of fluid end blocks to imports
of this product from China, Germany, India, and Italy?
No
Yes
(c)
The submission of lost sales/lost revenue allegations is to be completed only by NON‐
PETITIONERS.
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: FEBS)
IV‐24. Other explanations.‐‐If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
IV for which a narrative response box was not provided, please note the question number and
the explanation in the space provided below. Please also use this space to highlight any issues
your firm had in providing the data in this section, including but not limited to technical issues
with the MS Word questionnaire.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 44
PART V.—TOLLING OPERATIONS
Address questions on this part of the questionnaire to Kristina Lara (202‐205‐3386,
kristina.lara@usitc.gov) and Samuel Varela‐Molina (202‐205‐3429, samuel.varelamolina@usitc.gov).
“Toll agreement”‐‐Agreement between two firms whereby the first firm (“TOLLEE”) furnishes
the raw materials and the second firm (“TOLLER”) uses the raw materials to produce a product
that it then returns to the first firm with a charge for processing costs, overhead, etc.
V‐1. Finishing operations.‐‐Since January 1, 2016, has your firm further processed fluid end blocks
received from another firm under a toll agreement into products that still match the definition
of fluid end blocks?
No
Yes
If yes—Please describe the nature and extent of the following items in
relation to your firm's finishing processing operations in the United States.
Capital investments
Technical expertise
Value added
Employment
Quantity, type and source
of parts
Costs and activities
V‐2.
Finishing operations.—Please check all of the finishing operations your firm performs in the
production of fluid end blocks:
Finishing operations
Milling of one or more flat surfaces
Contour machining to custom shapes or dimensions
Drilling or boring holes
Heat treating
Painting, varnishing, or coating
Threading
Attachment of flanges, valves, seals, or connectors
Other (please describe): .
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
V‐3.
Page 45
Finishing‐only processing operations' complexity and importance.‐‐On a scale of 1 to 5, please
provide your firm's subjective opinion as to the complexity, intensity, and importance of
finishing‐only processing activities. 1 is considered minimally complex, intense or important,
while 5 is considered extremely complex, intense, and important.
2
1:
Minimally complex,
intense, and
important
3
4
5:
Extremely complex,
intense, and
important
Please describe the reason for your rating.
V‐4.
Trade data on operations by TOLLER.—If your firm performed tolling operations on behalf of
another firm (produced for the tollee), report your firm’s production capacity, production,
shipments returned to the tollee, and employment related to the production of fluid end blocks
in your firm’s U.S. establishment(s) during the specified periods.
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1,000)
Calendar years
Item
2016
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Average production capacity (quantity) (A)
Production (quantity) (B)
Tolling fee(s) received (value) (D)
Employment data:
Average number of PRWs (number)
Hours worked by PRWs (actual hours)
Wages paid to PRWs (value)
1
U.S. shipments returned to the tollee:
Quantity (C)
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 (use
additional pages as necessary).
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
V‐5.
Page 46
Finishing operations on fluid end blocks by TOLLERS.‐‐Report the revenue and related cost
information requested below on the fluid end block tolling operations of your firm’s U.S.
establishment(s). The reported net sales values should be representative of the tolling fees
received. Do not include the value or the cost of the transferred inputs received from the tollee
(i.e., the unfinished fluid end block) in your firm’s reported financial performance data.
Quantity (in units) and value (in $1000)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2016
1
Net tolling quantities
2017
January‐September
2018
2018
2019
Direct labor
Other factory costs
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)
expenses:
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
All other expense items
All other income items
0
0
0
0
0
1
Net tolling values (tolling fees)
Tolling and production costs:
Additional raw materials2
Total tolling and production costs
Gross profit or (loss)
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
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.
2
Please describe these additional raw materials: .
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 ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
V‐6.
Page 47
Financial data reconciliation.‐‐The calculable line items from question V‐5 (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?
V‐7.
Yes
No
If 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.
Asset values for TOLLERS.‐‐Report the total assets (i.e., both current and long‐term assets)
associated with the production, warehousing, and sale of fluid end blocks. If your firm does not
maintain some or all of the specific asset information necessary to calculate total assets for fluid
end blocks in the normal course of business, please estimate this information based upon a
method (such as production, sales, or costs) that is consistent with relevant cost allocations in
question V‐5.
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
2016
1
Total assets (net)
1
Describe
2017
2018
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
V‐8.
Page 48
Capital expenditures and research and development expenses for TOLLERS.‐‐Report your
firm’s capital expenditures and research and development expenses for fluid end blocks.
Provide data for your firm’s three most recently completed fiscal years, and for the specified
interim periods.
Value (in dollars)
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Item
2016
1
2017
January‐June
2018
2018
2019
Capital expenditures
Research and development
expenses2
1
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s capital expenditures on the
subject product.
2
Please describe the nature, focus, and significance of your firm’s R&D expenses related to subject
product.
V‐9.
Data consistency and reconciliation.‐‐Please indicate whether your firm’s financial data for
questions V‐5, V‐7, and V‐8 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 question V‐5 should reconcile with the data
reported in question V‐4 as long as they are reported on the same calendar year basis.
RECONCILIATION OF TRADE VS FINANCIAL DATA.‐‐Please ensure that the quantities and values reported
for U.S. shipments returned to the tollee in V‐4 equal the quantities and values reported for total net
sales in V‐5 of this questionnaire in each time period unless the financial data from V‐5 are reported on a
fiscal year basis, in which case only the interim periods must reconcile. If the calculated fields below
return values other than zero (i.e., “0”) and both are being reported on a calendar basis, please explain
the discrepancy below.
Fiscal years ended‐‐
Reconciliation
2016
2017
January‐June
2018
2017
2018
Quantity: Trade data from question V‐4
(line C) less financial total net sales
quantity data from question V‐5 = zero
("0").
0
0
0
0
0
Value: Trade data from question V‐4
(line D) less financial total net sales value
data from question V‐5 = zero ("0").
0
0
0
0
0
Do these data in question V‐5 reconcile with data in question V‐4?
Yes
No
If no, please explain.
Business Proprietary
U.S. Producers’ Questionnaire ‐ Fluid End Blocks (Preliminary)
Page 49
HOW TO FILE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE
This questionnaire is available as a “fillable” form in MS Word format on the
Commission’s website at:
https://usitc.gov/investigations/701731/2019/fluid_end_blocks_china_germany_in
dia_and_italy/preliminary.htm
Please do not attempt to modify the format or permissions of the questionnaire
document. Please submit the completed questionnaire using one of the methods noted
below. If your firm is unable to complete the MS Word questionnaire or cannot use one
of the electronic methods of submission, please contact the Commission for further
instructions.
• Upload via Secure Drop Box.—Upload the MS Word questionnaire along with a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1) through the Commission’s secure upload facility:
Web address: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/
Pin: FEBS
• E‐mail.—E‐mail the MS Word questionnaire to kristina.lara@usitc.gov; include a scanned copy of the
signed certification page (page 1). Submitters are strongly encouraged to encrypt nonpublic documents
that are electronically transmitted to the Commission to protect your sensitive information from
unauthorized disclosure. The USITC secure drop‐box system and the Electronic Document Information
System (EDIS) use Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140‐2 cryptographic algorithms to
encrypt data in transit. Submitting your nonpublic documents by a means that does not use these
encryption algorithms (such as by email) may subject your firm’s nonpublic information to unauthorized
disclosure during transmission. If you choose a non‐encrypted method of electronic transmission, the
Commission warns you that the risk of such possible unauthorized disclosure is assumed by you and not
by the Commission.
If your firm does not produce this product, please fill out page 1, print, sign, and submit a scanned copy
to the Commission.
Parties to this proceeding.—If your firm is a party to this proceeding, it is required to serve a copy of the
completed questionnaire on parties to the proceeding that are subject to administrative protective
order (see 19 CFR § 207.7). A list of such parties may be obtained from the Commission’s Secretary (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 | kristina.lara |
| File Modified | 2019-12-23 |
| File Created | 2019-12-23 |