[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33402-33403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13358]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-460]


Foundry Products: Competitive Conditions in the U.S. Market

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: June 8, 2004.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on May 4, 2004 of a request from the U.S. 
House Committee on Ways and Means under section 332(g) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-460, Foundry Products: Competitive Conditions in 
the U.S. Market.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    (1) Project Leader, Judith-Anne Webster (202-205-3489 or [email protected])
    (2) Deputy Project Leader, Deborah McNay (202-205-3425 or 
[email protected])
    The above persons are in the Commission's Office of Industries. For 
information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091 or [email protected]. Media should contact Peg O'Laughlin 
at 202-205-1819 or [email protected]. General information 
concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its 
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).
    Background: As requested by the Committee, the Commission will 
investigate the current competitive conditions facing producers in the 
U.S. foundry industry in the U.S. market. The investigation will 
include an overview of the industry together with a detailed analysis 
of selected key iron-, steel-, aluminum-, and copper-based cast 
products which are representative of the major segments of the foundry 
industry. The Commission's report will provide information for the most 
recent five-year period, to the extent possible, regarding the 
following:
    1. A profile of the U.S. foundry industry.
    2. Trends in U.S. production, shipments, capacity, consumption, and 
trade in foundry products, as well as financial conditions of domestic 
producers.
    3. A profile of major foreign industries including, but not 
necessarily limited to, Brazil and China.
    4. A description of relevant U.S. and foreign government policies 
and regulations affecting U.S. and foreign producers as identified 
during the investigation by the producers and consumers of foundry 
products, including appropriate investment, tax, and export policies; 
environmental regulations; and worker health and safety regulations.
    5. A comparison of various factors affecting competition between 
U.S. and foreign producers-such as the availability and cost of raw 
materials, energy, and labor; level of technology and changes in the 
manufacturing process; pricing practices; transportation costs; 
technical advice and service; and an analysis of how these factors 
affect the industry.
    6. An analysis of the purchasing patterns and practices of 
downstream industries. As requested by the Committee, the Commission 
will provide its report not later than May 4, 2005.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on October 14, 2004, 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW, 
Washington, DC. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be 
filed with the Secretary, no later than 5:15 p.m., September 24, 2004, 
in accordance with the requirements in the ``Submissions'' section 
below. In the event that, as of the close of business on September 24, 
2004, no witnesses are scheduled to appear, the hearing will be 
canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer 
or non-participant may call the Secretary (202-205-2000) after 
September 24, 2004, to determine whether the hearing will be held.
    Statements and Briefs: In lieu of or in addition to participating 
in the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written 
statements or briefs concerning this investigation in accordance with 
the requirements in the ``Submissions'' section below. Any prehearing 
briefs or statements should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., 
September 30, 2004; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or 
statements is 5:15 p.m., October 22, 2004.
    Submissions: All written submissions including requests to appear 
at the hearing, statements, and briefs should be addressed to the 
Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20436. All written submissions must conform with the 
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8); any submission that contains confidential 
business information must also conform with the requirements of section 
201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 
201.6). Section 201.8 of the rules require that a signed original (or a 
copy designated as an original) and fourteen (14) copies of each 
document be filed. In the event that confidential treatment of the 
document is requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be 
filed, in which the confidential information must be deleted. Section 
201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the 
individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the 
``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the 
confidential business information be clearly identified by means of 
brackets. All written submissions, except for confidential business 
information, will be made available for inspection by interested 
parties.
    In their hearing testimony and written submissions, interested 
parties should provide information regarding the six topics in the 
``Background'' section of this notice and any other relevant 
information relating to competitive conditions in the U.S. foundry 
market.
    The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the 
Secretary by facsimile or electronic

[[Page 33403]]

means, except to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8) (see 
Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf). Persons with questions 
regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary (202-205-2000 
or [email protected]).
    The public record for these investigations may be viewed on the 
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov. 
Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting our TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special 
assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the 
Secretary at 202-205-2000.

List of Subjects

    Foundry, metal castings, and competition.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: June 8, 2004.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-13358 Filed 6-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P