Section 332 request from AFS Trade Commission approved by House Ways and Means Committee.

In September, the AFS Trade Commission was informed by the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee that Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) had approved the Society's request for a Section 332 general fact-finding investigation into the metalcasting industry by the International Trade Commission (ITC). As of press time, AFS Trade Commission members were negotiating with the ITC and Ways and Means staff on the scope and breadth of the investigation.

"The Section 332 is ah opportunity for the industry to better understand its future challenges, to create synergy and speak as one voice," said Chuck Kurtti, Commission chairman and AFS 2nd vice president.

Once the formal request is sent from Thomas to the ITC, a notice will be published in the Federal Register that will announce the investigation and provide key dates. As in previous investigations, a questionnaire will be sent to selected metalcasting facilities and end-users of castings. The answers to this questionnaire will provide the back bone of the final report. In addition, dates for a public hearing with ITC commissioners will be published in the notice. The length of the investigation will be dependent on the scope, but likely will last from six months to a year.

"Once the finalized study focus is agreed upon, it is the metalcasting industry's responsibility, to provide accurate data as requested by the ITC," said Kurtti. "The challenge must be met for the study to have success and give a true picture of foreign competition and its impact."

Congressman Mac Collins (R-GA) initiated the request for a Section 332 with Thomas in May. Unfortunately, Thomas's committee has been embroiled in Medicare legislation and domestic and international tax reform. These high profile issues, as well as ITC staff shortage due to the far-reaching investigation into the impact of steel tariffs, delayed Thomas's approval of the investigation.

A Section 332 Investigation is conducted by the ITC, but will require the full cooperation of the metalcasting industry to allow the federal government body to provide a true picture of the present state of the U.S. industry. Individual companies will be requested to participate in a detailed survey by the ITC. These surveys will be the opportunity for each firm to provide evidence of the harm they are experiencing from foreign foundry competition.

The study that results from the questionnaire will provide a thorough overview of the U.S. metalcasting industry as well as review the conditions of competition between the U.S. industry and certain foreign countries. The final report, which will be issued by the ITC, documents facts, but makes no formal recommendations; however, it is the foundation for all future trade action at the federal level by the industry as a whole of individual segments of it.