September 11, 2008
News Release 08-086
Inv. No. 731-TA-1123 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of steel wire garment hangers from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China.

The Commission's public report Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-1123 (Final), USITC Publication 4034, September 2008) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after October 13, 2008, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or by writing the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: Steel wire garment hangers are fabricated from carbon steel wire, whether or not galvanized or painted, whether or not coated with latex or epoxy or similar gripping materials, and/or whether or not fashioned with paper covers or capes (with or without printing) and/or nonslip features such as saddles or tubes. These products may also be referred to by a commercial designation, such as shirt, suit, strut, caped, or latex (industrial) hangers. Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are wooden, plastic, and other garment hangers that are not fabricated from carbon steel wire.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Types of investigations:  Final antidumping.
2. Petitioner:  M&B Metal Products Co., Inc. ("M&B") on behalf of the domestic industry that
      produces steel wire garment hangers.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC:  July 31, 2007.
4. Hearing:  July 31, 2008.
5. USITC vote:  September 11, 2008.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce:  September 22, 2008. 

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. firms involved in production of steel wire garment hangers in 2007:  7.
2. Production volume is concentrated in Alabama and Texas.   
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2007:  139.
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2007:  $12.4 million.
5. U.S. apparent consumption in 2007:  $107.8 million.
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption in 2007:  91.3 percent.

U.S. Imports:

1. Quantity of subject imports in 2007:  2.7 billion hangers
2. Value of subject imports in 2007:  $83.6 million