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The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has formally expressed its support for ongoing antidumping and countervailing duty investigations involving hardwood and decorative plywood imports, arguing that unfair trade practices are harming U.S. manufacturers and the domestic supply chain.
In a letter submitted July 22 to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), KCMA CEO Betsy Natz said the association supports the efforts of the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood to establish a level playing field for domestic hardwood and decorative plywood producers.
The letter follows a July 16 USITC hearing examining allegations that hardwood and decorative plywood imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam is being sold in the United States at unfairly low prices or benefits from government subsidies.
KCMA, which represents nearly 300 cabinet manufacturers nationwide, also sought to clarify the industry's position after testimony from MasterBrand Inc. and Cabinetworks Group Inc. opposing the trade investigations.
"It is important for the Commission to understand that these two companies do not represent the views of domestic cabinet manufacturers," Natz wrote. "KCMA supports the efforts of the Coalition to combat unfair trade practices."
The association also challenged claims made during the hearing that domestically manufactured hardwood and decorative plywood is less suitable for cabinet box construction than imported material.
"Most, if not all, of our members purchase hardwood and decorative plywood produced domestically," Natz wrote. "Many cabinet companies currently make — or have in the past made — their entire cabinets with U.S.-made hardwood and decorative plywood — not just for the exposed exterior parts of the cabinet."
According to KCMA, domestic hardwood and decorative plywood performs effectively across cabinet applications, including cabinet boxes, laminated components and drawer bottoms.
For manufacturers across the surface and panel industry, the case is being closely watched because hardwood plywood remains a critical material for cabinetry, furniture, architectural millwork, store fixtures and other value-added wood products. The outcome of the investigations could influence sourcing strategies, pricing and competition throughout the North American panel manufacturing supply chain.
KCMA noted that its members purchase a wide range of domestically produced hardwood and decorative plywood in multiple panel thicknesses, veneer species, grades and core constructions, underscoring the continued importance of U.S. panel manufacturers to the cabinet industry.
The association also drew parallels to the cabinet industry's own history of seeking trade relief, saying domestic plywood manufacturers deserve the opportunity to compete on equal footing.
"We strongly support the efforts of plywood companies to address unfair trade and to create a fair and competitive market in which domestic hardwood and decorative plywood manufacturers can compete on equal footing with imported products," Natz wrote.
