In a 5-0 vote April 8, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled there is a "reasonable indication" that nonmalleable cast-iron pipe fittings manufactured in China are being sold in the United States at "less than fair value." That's good news for two industry manufacturers that have been fighting the Chinese dumping of these products.
"The issue is two-fold," Tom Gleason, vice president of Blossburg, Pa.-based Ward Mfg., told PM. "First, the pricing of the Chinese products is ridiculously low. There are certain costs associated to doing business in the United States, such as compliance with environmental laws and worker protection regulations, which China does not have to deal with.