July 15, 2009
News Release 09-053
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-457 (Final) and 731-TA-1153 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of certain tow-behind lawn groomers from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are 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 Department of Commerce will issue countervailing and antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from China.

The Commission's public report Certain Tow-Behind Lawn Groomers from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-457 and 731-TA-1153 (Final), USITC Publication 4090, July 2009) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after August 17, 2009, 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: Non-motorized tow-behind lawn groomers (TBLGs) are a group of four distinct pieces of lawn grooming equipment, whereby each piece incorporates a hitch and is intended to be towed behind a lawn tractor, all terrain vehicle, utility type vehicle, riding lawn mower, or similar vehicle. The four specific types of TBLGs covered in these investigations are tow-behind lawn aerators, dethatchers, spreaders, and sweepers. Aerators perforate the lawn with small holes to facilitate the penetration of oxygen, water, and fertilizer to the roots for healthier grass. Dethatchers rake and dislodge debris compacted on the lawn surface to further promote penetration of oxygen, water, and fertilizer. Spreaders distribute granular material such as grass seed or fertilizer evenly across the lawn. Sweepers brush debris, such as grass clippings, leaves, and twigs, off the lawn surface and into a catcher bag for disposal. TBLGs are generally intended for personal use on residential lawn areas of a size that will effectively accommodate the apparatus (towing vehicle and piece of equipment) as opposed to manually powered groomers, which are intended for smaller lawn areas, and motorized groomers, which tend to be of a size and weight designed for high volume, commercial use.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations:  Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioner:  Agri-Fab, Inc., Sullivan, IL.
3. Investigations instituted by the USITC:  June 24, 2008.
4. Hearing:  June 16, 2009.
5. USITC vote:  July 15, 2009.
6. USITC notification to the U.S. Department of Commerce: July 27, 2009.


U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers in 2008:  Five.
2. Location of producers' plants:  California, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2008: (1)
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2008: (1)
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2008: (1)


U.S. Imports:

1. From the subject countries during 2008: (1)
2. From other countries during 2008: (1)
3. Leading source during 2008:  China.

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.