Nov 10, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Boltex Mfg. Co. and Weldbend Corporation Urge U.S. Authorities to Scrutinize Possible Circumvention of U.S. Duties on Finished Carbon Steel Flanges

Two leading producers of carbon steel flanges, Weldbend Corporation (“Weldbend”) and Boltex Mfg. Co. (“Boltex”), today announced a collective effort to push for further inspections and investigations into illegal trade practices by foreign countries on the imports of finished carbon steel flanges. The effort is in response to possible continued unfair importing practices by Indian, Spanish and Italian manufacturers despite recent determinations from the U.S. Government confirming illegal dumping in the American market. Weldbend and Boltex have requested that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) seek further information about this potentially illegal activity.

American manufacturers have been increasingly injured by unfair competition occurring in the U.S. carbon steel flanges market. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) issued antidumping (“AD”) orders against the imports of finished carbon steel flanges from India, Italy, and Spain, as well as a countervailing duty (“CVD”) order against the same product from India. The orders resulted from a government determination that these imports were causing injury to the domestic flange industry by severely undercutting American market prices.

Since the orders went into effect, rumors have surfaced about circumvention and transshipment activity by foreign manufacturers of finished carbon steel flanges to avoid the antidumping and/or countervailing duties. Weldbend and Boltex have contacted the CBP regarding possible illegal activities by Indian, Spanish and Italian manufacturers and will be bringing evidence to the attention of the CBP for the purpose of creating a level playing field between domestic and foreign manufacturers.

“While we applaud the decision by the Department of Commerce to issue AD/CVD Orders on the imports of finished carbon steel flanges, foreign companies should not be allowed to simply circumvent these orders. By doing so, these foreign companies are negating the efforts of the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to halt unfair and illegal trade practices,” says Frank Bernobich, President of Boltex.

“We are furthering our investigation of Indian, Italian and Spanish producers to ensure that there is no circumvention of the new AD/CVD Orders. We urge U.S. Authorities to support American manufacturers by conducting their own investigation and enforcing the rule of law,” said James J. Coulas, Jr, owner and president of Weldbend Corporation.

In an executive order issued on March 31, 2017, President Trump noted, “Importers that unlawfully evade antidumping and countervailing duties expose United States employers to unfair competition and deprive the Federal Government of lawful revenue.” Boltex and Weldbend look forward to working with the CBP to ensure that the concerns expressed by the President no longer apply to imports of finished carbon steel flanges.

About Weldbend Corporation

Weldbend is the industry leader with over 60 years of performance- proven reputation. Weldbend pioneered advance techniques and designed equipment uniquely capable of producing only the finest carbon steel weld flange and weld fitting products. From start to finish, Weldbend strives to be “The Standard” to which weld fittings and weld flanges are manufactured, stored, organized, and shipped. Weldbend manufactures stock for large inventories and prompt and precise shipments.

As a family business, Weldbend is committed to delivering a level of service and product that achieves complete customer satisfaction. Weldbend’s precision accuracy in machining and manufacturing makes it a prime source of fittings and flanges from ½” through 60” sizes. Further information about Weldbend can be found at www.weldbend.com.

About Boltex Mfg. Co., L.P.

Boltex is a vertically-integrated manufacturer of quality, American-made forged steel flanges for the oil and gas, petrochemical, transmission, engineering and construction industries. Our products are sold exclusively through wholesale distributors. This integrated approach allows Boltex to manage our in-house forging, heat treatment, metallurgical testing and robotic machining processes and thereby ensure the delivery of only the highest quality domestic flanges.

The Boltex commitment to quality is matched only by our on-time delivery performance made possible by our extensive finished flange and rough forging inventories. Further information about Boltex can be found at www.boltex.com.

Weldbend Corporation
6600 South Harlem Avenue
Argo, IL 60501-1930
 
Boltex Mfg. Co., L.P.
4901 Oates Road
Houston, TX 77013