In a press release, the AFCJF said the manufacturers in the CAHP, which are seeking import tariffs on Chinese engineered wood flooring as high as 237 percent, are actually attempting to "constrict [the] flooring supply chain."
"This petition is not so much about China as it is about eliminating American independent distribution and private label programs. Mannington and Shaw are the two largest petitioners in this case and the largest companies in the entire flooring market," said Joe DuPree Jr., COO at Custom Wholesale Floors Inc. (Jacksonville, Fla.) and a member of the AFCJF board of directors. "If they are successful in restricting imports from China … it will have the effect of driving the independents out of the market by cutting them off from their source of supply," DuPree said.
The CAHP alleges that Chinese manufacturers enjoy an unfair competitive advantage through government subsidies and manipulation of the Chinese yuan, which has resulted in a 76 percent increase in Chinese engineered wood flooring imports from 2007 to 2009. The AFCJF, however, attributes increased imports of Chinese engineered wood flooring to the demands of regional product flexibility in the U.S. CAHP members cannot deliver the variety of species, styles, lengths and finishes that Chinese manufacturers can deliver to the U.S. through AFCJF members, according to the release. "The independent American distributors and importers are delivering what the consumers want, specific to their target markets," said AFCJF President Jonathan Train. "That's just good entrepreneurial competition."
Train outlined the group's primary goal: to ensure no new import duties are placed on engineered wood flooring. And if there are additional import duties imposed, Train said the group's secondary objective is to show "why there shouldn't be a high duty rate."
The AFCJF has published an FAQ here. The group's latest press release is below.
All Things Wood Floor, created by Wood Floor Business magazine, talks to interesting wood flooring pros to share knowledge, stories and tips on everything to do with wood flooring, from installation, sanding and finishing to business management.