June 19, 2006
News Release 06-060
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1092-1093 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

DIAMOND SAWBLADES AND PARTS THEREOF FROM CHINA AND KOREA DO NOT INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS ITC

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) today determined that a U.S. industry is neither materially injured nor threatened with material injury by reason of imports of diamond sawblades and parts thereof from China and Korea that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Daniel R. Pearson and Commissioners Steven Koplan, Deanna Tanner Okun, and Charlotte R. Lane voted in the negative. Vice Chairman Shara L. Aranoff and Commissioner Jennifer A. Hillman voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's negative determinations, no antidumping duty orders will be issued on imports of diamond sawblades and parts thereof from China and Korea.

The Commission's public report Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof from China and Korea, Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1092-1093 (Final), USITC Publication 3862, July 2006) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after July 19, 2006, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202- 205-2104.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof from China and Korea
Investigations Nos. 731-TA-1092-1093 (Final)

Product Description: All finished circular sawblades, whether slotted or not, with a working part that is comprised of a diamond segment or segments, and parts thereof, regardless of specification or size, except as specifically excluded. Within the scope are semifinished diamond sawblades, including diamond sawblade cores and diamond sawblade segments. Diamond sawblade cores are circular steel plates, whether or not attached to non-steel plates, with slots. Diamond sawblade cores are circular steel plates, whether or not attached to non-steel plates, with slots. Diamond sawblade cores are manufactured principally, but not exclusively, from alloy steel. A diamond sawblade segment consists of a mixture of diamonds (whether natural or synthetic, and regardless of the quantity of the diamonds) and metal powders (including, but not limited to, iron, cobalt, nickel, tungsten carbide) that are formed together into a solid shape (from generally, but not limited to, a heating and pressing process).

Status of Proceedings:

 1.  Type of investigations: Final antidumping.
 2.  Petitioners: Diamond Sawblade Manufacturers' Coalition and its individual members:
     Blackhawk Diamond, Inc., Fullerton, CA; Diamond B, Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA;
     Diamond Products, Elyria, OH; Dixie Diamond, Lilburn, GA; Hoffman Diamond,
     Punxsutawney, PA; Hyde Manufacturing, Southbridge, MA; Sanders Saws, Honey
     Brook, PA; Terra Diamond, Salt Lake City, UT; and Western Saw, Inc., Oxnard, CA. 
 3.  Investigations instituted by the USITC: May 3, 2005.
 4.  Commission's hearing: May 16, 2006.
 5.  USITC vote: June 19, 2006.
 6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: June 30, 2006.

U.S. Industry:

 1.  Number of producers in 2005: Twenty-one.
 2.  Location of producers' plants:  California, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
     South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
 3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2005 (finished diamond sawblades only): 480.
 4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2005:  $231,200,000.
 5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. consumption 
     in 2005: 47.4%.

U.S. Imports:

 1.  From the subject countries during 2005:  $90,406,000.
 2.  From other countries during 2005:  $19,127,000.
 3.  Leading sources during 2005: China and Korea (in terms of total value).
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