April 13, 2012
News Release 12-038
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-489 and 731-TA-1201 (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 drawn stainless steel sinks from China that are allegedly subsidized and 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 due on or about May 25, 2012, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about August 8, 2012.

The Commission's public report Drawn Stainless Steel Sinks from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-489 and 731-TA-1201 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4317, April 2012) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after May 14, 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: Drawn stainless steel sinks are characterized by a seamless basin and rim, shaped by forming (drawing), punching, and stamping operations from a single stainless steel sheet blank, in contrast to nonsubject fabricated sinks which are assembled by bending and welding together one or more stainless steel sheets. The stainless steel surfaces of drawn sinks provide a combination of strength, light weight, flexibility, toughness, stain and heat resistance, easy maintenance, and aesthetic appeal particularly for their most common end-use application in residential kitchens. Whether consisting of only a single basin or of multiple basins joined together, these sinks are typically available in two different mounting configurations, for either top (drop-in) mounting above the countertop or for undermounting beneath the countertop.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  Elkay Manufacturing Company, Oak Brook, IL.
3.  Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC:  March 1, 2012.
4.  Commission's conference:  March 22, 2012.
5.  USITC vote:  April 13, 2012.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  April 16, 2012.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  April 23, 2012.

U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2011:  Six.
2.  Locations of producers' plants:  Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina,
        Pennsylvania, and Utah.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2011: (1)
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2011:  $303.9 million.
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2011: (1)

U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject country during 2011:  $119.1 million.
2.  From other countries during 2011: (1)
3.  Leading sources during 2011:  China and Mexico (in terms of total value).

(1) Withheld to avoid revealing business proprietary information.