[Federal Register: June 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 114)]
[Notices]
[Page 33402-33403]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jn04-65]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-460]
Foundry Products: Competitive Conditions in the U.S. Market
AGENCY: International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: June 8, 2004.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on May 4, 2004 of a request from the U.S.
House Committee on Ways and Means under section 332(g) of the Tariff
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-460, Foundry Products: Competitive Conditions in
the U.S. Market.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(1) Project Leader, Judith-Anne Webster (202-205-3489 or
judith-anne.webster@usitc.gov)
(2) Deputy Project Leader, Deborah McNay (202-205-3425 or
deborah.mcnay@usitc.gov)
The above persons are in the Commission's Office of Industries. For
information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091 or william.gearhart@usitc.gov. Media should contact Peg O'Laughlin
at 202-205-1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov. General information
concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).
Background: As requested by the Committee, the Commission will
investigate the current competitive conditions facing producers in the
U.S. foundry industry in the U.S. market. The investigation will
include an overview of the industry together with a detailed analysis
of selected key iron-, steel-, aluminum-, and copper-based cast
products which are representative of the major segments of the foundry
industry. The Commission's report will provide information for the most
recent five-year period, to the extent possible, regarding the
following:
1. A profile of the U.S. foundry industry.
2. Trends in U.S. production, shipments, capacity, consumption, and
trade in foundry products, as well as financial conditions of domestic
producers.
3. A profile of major foreign industries including, but not
necessarily limited to, Brazil and China.
4. A description of relevant U.S. and foreign government policies
and regulations affecting U.S. and foreign producers as identified
during the investigation by the producers and consumers of foundry
products, including appropriate investment, tax, and export policies;
environmental regulations; and worker health and safety regulations.
5. A comparison of various factors affecting competition between
U.S. and foreign producers-such as the availability and cost of raw
materials, energy, and labor; level of technology and changes in the
manufacturing process; pricing practices; transportation costs;
technical advice and service; and an analysis of how these factors
affect the industry.
6. An analysis of the purchasing patterns and practices of
downstream industries. As requested by the Committee, the Commission
will provide its report not later than May 4, 2005.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this
investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on October 14, 2004,
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be
filed with the Secretary, no later than 5:15 p.m., September 24, 2004,
in accordance with the requirements in the ``Submissions'' section
below. In the event that, as of the close of business on September 24,
2004, no witnesses are scheduled to appear, the hearing will be
canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer
or non-participant may call the Secretary (202-205-2000) after
September 24, 2004, to determine whether the hearing will be held.
Statements and Briefs: In lieu of or in addition to participating
in the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written
statements or briefs concerning this investigation in accordance with
the requirements in the ``Submissions'' section below. Any prehearing
briefs or statements should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m.,
September 30, 2004; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or
statements is 5:15 p.m., October 22, 2004.
Submissions: All written submissions including requests to appear
at the hearing, statements, and briefs should be addressed to the
Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street,
SW, Washington, DC 20436. All written submissions must conform with the
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8); any submission that contains confidential
business information must also conform with the requirements of section
201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR
201.6). Section 201.8 of the rules require that a signed original (or a
copy designated as an original) and fourteen (14) copies of each
document be filed. In the event that confidential treatment of the
document is requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be
filed, in which the confidential information must be deleted. Section
201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the
individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the
``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the
confidential business information be clearly identified by means of
brackets. All written submissions, except for confidential business
information, will be made available for inspection by interested
parties.
In their hearing testimony and written submissions, interested
parties should provide information regarding the six topics in the
``Background'' section of this notice and any other relevant
information relating to competitive conditions in the U.S. foundry
market.
The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the
Secretary by facsimile or electronic
[[Page 33403]]
means, except to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8) (see
Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf
). Persons with questions
regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary (202-205-2000
or edis@usitc.gov).
The public record for these investigations may be viewed on the
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov.
Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this
matter can be obtained by contacting our TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special
assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the
Secretary at 202-205-2000.
List of Subjects
Foundry, metal castings, and competition.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: June 8, 2004.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-13358 Filed 6-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P