PUBLIC VERSION
The domestic industry’ s productivity [
]. 113
4. Declines in Employment and Wages( 19 C. F. R. § 206.14( e)( 2)( i))
As discussed above, the domestic industry has experienced a significant decline in employment from 2020 to 2024, with the number of its PRWs employed by the QMAA [ ] from [ ] in 2020 to [ ] PRWs in 2024 and over 100 other employees being laid off over the POI due to the closure of Caesarstone and USA Quartz. 114 Unless relief is provided from imports of QSP, they will continue to surge into the United States and threaten further layoffs and reduced hours.
5. A higher and growing inventory( 19 C. F. R. § 206.14( e)( 2)( i))
The QMAA does not have access to data regarding inventories of QSP held by U. S. importers or foreign producers. However, the surge of imports into this market has likely contributed to a significant increase in U. S. inventories of QSP. These high inventory volumes in the United States may cause prices to remain depressed or continue to fall in the near future. Thus, this factor indicates that the domestic industry is threatened with additional serious injury by reason of subject imports.
6. Inability to Generate Capital for Investment and Research and Development( 19 C. F. R. § 206.14( e)( 2)( ii))
The declining profitability experienced by the domestic industry has prevented it from making necessary investments to enable U. S. producers to compete against the surge in lowpriced imports. With the low capacity utilization rates being experienced by the domestic
113 Id.
114 Id.
42