June 7, 2013
News Release 13-051
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1207-1209 (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 prestressed concrete steel rail tie wire from China, Mexico, and Thailand 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 antidumping duty determinations due on or about September 30, 2013.

The Commission's public report Prestressed Concrete Steel Rail Tie Wire from China, Mexico, and Thailand (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1207-1209 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4397, June 2013) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after July 5, 2013, 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: Prestressed concrete steel rail tie wire is a high carbon steel wire; stress relieved or low relaxation; indented or otherwise deformed; meeting at a minimum the American Society for Testing and Materials ("ASTM") A881/A881M specification; regardless of shape, size, or other alloy element levels; suitable for use as prestressed tendons in concrete rail ties ("PC tie wire"). High carbon steel is defined as steel that contains 0.6 percent or more of carbon by weight. PC tie wire is specifically designed to be used as prestressed tendons in the construction of railroad ties. PC tie wire introduces compression into the concrete and strengthens the tie. Prestressed tendons in the concrete ties help improve the tensile resistance to support the flexural forces imparted by trains that travel along the rails.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping.
2.   Petitioners: Davis Wire Corp., Kent, WA; Insteel Wire Products Co., Mount Airy, NC.
3.   Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: April 23, 2013.
4.   Commission's conference: May 14, 2013.
5.   USITC vote: June 7, 2013.
6.   USITC determinations issued: June 7, 2013.
7.   USITC views issued: June 14, 2013.


U.S. Industry:

1.   Number of producers in 2012: Two.
2.   Location of producers' plants: Florida and Washington.
3.   Employment of production and related workers in 2012: (1) 
4.   Apparent U.S. consumption in 2012: (1)
5.   Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2012: (1)


U.S. Imports:

1.   From the subject countries during 2012: (1)
2.   From other countries during 2012: Zero.
3.   Leading sources during 2012: (1)

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