February 10, 2012
News Release 12-014
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-487 and 731-TA-1197-1198 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of steel wire garment hangers from Vietnam that are allegedly subsidized and from Taiwan and Vietnam that are allegedly 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 determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of these products, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination regarding Vietnam due on or about March 23, 2012, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations regarding Taiwan and Vietnam due on or about June 6, 2012.

The Commission's public report Steel Wire Garment Hangers from Taiwan and Vietnam (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-487 and 731-TA-1197-1198 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4305, February 2012) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after March 13, 2012, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: Steel wire garment hangers are garment hangers formed 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. Steel wire garment hangers in this instance specifically do not include wooden, plastic, and other garment hangers that are not made of steel wire; steel wire garment hangers with swivel hooks; steel wire garment hangers with clips permanently affixed; and chrome-plated steel wire garment hangers with a diameter of 3.4mm or greater. Steel wire garment hangers are principally used by the drycleaning, industrial laundry, and uniform rental industries for draping clothes and textiles.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Types of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2.  Petitioners: M&B Metal Products Company, Inc., Leeds, AL; Innovative Fabrication LLC /
        Indy Hanger, Indianapolis, IN; and US Hanger Company, LLC, Gardena, CA. 
3.  Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: December 29, 2011.
4.  Commission's conference: January 20, 2012.
5.  USITC vote: February 10, 2012.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: February 13, 2012.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: February 21, 2012.


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2010: Eight.
2.  Location of producers' plants:  Alabama, California, Indiana, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, Texas, and
        Wisconsin.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2010: (1)
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2010: (1)
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2010: (1)


U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject countries during 2010:  $43.2 million.
2.  From other countries during 2010:  $29.5 million.
3.  Leading sources during 2010: Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico, and China (in terms of total value).

Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.