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Coble Introduces Duty Suspension Bill to Assist
Furniture Industry in Davidson and Guilford

As the international home furnishings market swings into full gear in the 6th District, U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) has introduced legislation to assist a furniture-industry firm that employs hundreds of people in Davidson and Guilford counties. Congressman Coble has proposed a bill to remove the tariff imposed on a specific product that is used in the manufacture of furniture lacquer.

On April 22, Rep. Coble introduced H.R. 4203, a bill to provide a three-year suspension of the 5.2% tariff imposed on nitrocellulose, a key ingredient of the lacquers, stains and coatings used in the finishing of fine wood furniture. Congressman Coble introduced the measure at the request of Valspar Corporation which operates two coatings facilities in High Point, which employ about 400 people, along with other facilities in Thomasville, Charlotte and Statesville that employ another 350.

“The only known domestic manufacturer of this key ingredient has ceased production,” Rep. Coble said, “and the reason we have these tariffs is to protect American jobs. With no known U.S. product available, it makes no economic sense to penalize an American producer which has to import an ingredient that will be used by our workers at home. In order for Valspar and other domestic manufacturers to compete fairly with their foreign counterparts, we should remove this unnecessary tariff. Our domestic manufacturers are already burdened with competing against cheap imports, their own government shouldn’t add to their competitive disadvantage by imposing an unnecessary duty.”

The only domestic manufacturer of nitrocellulose was Green Tree Technologies which ceased production in November 2003. The Coble legislation would eliminate the 5.2% duty imposed on industrial-grade nitrocellulose by amending the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for the next three years after approval.

In addition to employing more than 700 North Carolinians, Valspar generates almost half-a-billion dollars in annual revenues in North Carolina.

Rep. Coble’s bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means committee where it awaits further action.

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