November 15, 2012
News Release 12-117
Inv. No. 731-TA-1197 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of steel wire garment hangers from Taiwan that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the USITC's affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from Taiwan.

The Commission's public report Steel Wire Garment Hangers from Taiwan (Investigation No. 731-TA-1197 (Final), USITC Publication 4363, November 2012) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after December 21, 2012, 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: Steel wire garment hangers are garment hangers fabricated 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 exclude 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. Type of investigation: Final antidumping.
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. Investigation instituted by USITC:  December 29, 2011.
4. USITC hearing: October 24, 2012.
5. USITC vote: November 15, 2012.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: November 29, 2012.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of U.S. producers in 2011:  6.
2. Location of producers' plants:  Alabama, California, Indiana, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, and
       Texas. 
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2011: (1)        
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2011:  (1)
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2011:  (1) 
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2011: (1)

U.S. Imports in 2011:

1. From the subject countries during 2011:  $38.7 million.
2. From other countries during 2011:  $43.5 million.
3. Leading sources during 2011: Vietnam, Mexico, and China (in terms of total value).