ITC Finds Imported Chinese Windshields are Causing Injury to the Domestic Replacement Glass Windshield Industry

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 20 -- Safelite Glass Corp. welcomed the announcement yesterday that the U.S. International Trade Commission has determined that the domestic industry producing automotive replacement glass windshields is injured by imported Chinese windshields sold at dumped prices. The determination was based on a vote of 3 to 2.

``Today's decision is very positive news for Safelite and the rest of the domestic industry,'' announced Dee Uttermohlen, Manager for Retail and Internet Marketing and Safelite's spokesperson. ``Dumped Chinese imports contributed to the pricing pressures that Safelite encountered at the time it filed Chapter 11 in 2000. But Safelite is not the only domestic producer that has been harmed by these dumped imports. The Commission's record showed that the industry's net sales by value fell more than 13 percent between 1998 and 2000. Operating income fell nearly 70 percent. We are hopeful that the imposition of an antidumping duty order will restore fair pricing to our market and turn these declines around.''

The investigation began with the filing of an antidumping petition by Safelite, together with PPG Industries, Inc. and Apogee Enterprises, Inc., on February 28, 2001. The Department of Commerce issued final revised dumping margins earlier this month. The new margins are as follows: 11.80 percent for FYG, 3.71 percent for Xinyi, 9.84 percent for Benxun, Changchun Pilkington, Guilin Pilkington, Wuhan Pilkington, and TCGI; and 124.50 percent for all other Chinese producer/exporters. The Commission sends its decision and the reasons for its determination to Department of Commerce by March 28, and Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order within 7 days thereafter.

Privately held Safelite Glass Corp. is the leader in the $3.2 billion auto glass repair and replacement industry. Based in Columbus, OH, Safelite is the only auto glass company with representation in all 50 states, serving more than 80% of the US population. The company's 6,500 associates provide auto glass repair and replacement solutions for more than 2 million customers annually. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.safelite.com .