CertainTeed Gypsum
Canada reinvests in
domestic manufacturing
as contractors file
remission claims for
anti-dumping tariffs
Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
The decision to impose anti-dump-
ing tariffs on U.S. drywall has spurred
an increase in manufacturing volume
by CertainTeed Gypsum Canada, as
contractors and Fort McMurray resi-
dents affected by significant price in-
creases took advantage of remission
opportunities through the federal gov-
ernment’s Drywall Support program.

CertainTeed filed the anti-dumping
complaint against U.S. dumped im-
ports of drywall in western Canada a
bit more than a year ago “to establish
fair competition for Canadian manu-
10 – June 2017 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
facturers and preserve Canadian
jobs,” the company said in a news re-
lease. On May 1, Western Economic Di-
versification Canada announced the
Drywall Support Program. The pro-
gram, which continued through May
31, provides relief to western and
northern Canadian drywall contrac-
tors and builders, as well as residents
of the Regional Municipality of Wood
Buffalo, following the duties imposed
on U.S. imported drywall.

The program follows a lengthy
legal process which saw Canadian In-
ternational Trade Tribunal issue find-
ings on Jan. 4, 2017 followed by
recommendations on public interest
issues and its statement of Reasons
on Jan. 19. On February 27, the min-
ister of finance announced his deci-
sion on the public interest issues and
issued the Gypsum Board Products
Anti-Dumping Duty Remission Order.

The investigations, evaluations and
findings of the CBSA and Canadian In-
ternational Trade Tribunal for this com-
plaint confirmed
CertainTeed’s argument that there was significant
U..S importer dumping at material
dumping margins of 95 to 200 per
cent which was injuring and threaten-
ing to domestic manufacturers.

“CertainTeed Gypsum Canada fully
agrees with and supports the minis-
ter’s announcement of relief meas-
ures to support the western drywall
industry’s transition to the duties,”
said general manager Matt Walker.




“We are especially pleased to see the
measure to compensate users of drywall
in the reconstruction of Fort McMurray
after the terrible impact of the wildfires of
last summer. We were the first to recom-
mend a support program for Fort McMur-
ray in October last year and are pleased to
see this program help support those af-
fected.” As well, CertainTeed said in a state-
ment that the company fully supports the
federal government’s decision to assist
Canadian contractors who are locked into
long-term contracts committed before
September 2016. “CertainTeed informed
all its customers that it had filed its anti-
dumping complaint in early May 2016 and
advised that customers inform them-
selves on the process and the potential
implications,” the news release said.

“CertainTeed has maintained a strong
commitment to Canada since 1929, and is
the only manufacturer to have kept all
western Canadian plants and operations
open, while U.S. companies have closed
theirs following the financial crisis in 2008
and downturn in the U.S. housing market
and construction activity,” the company
said. “However, the viability of these op-
erations and the jobs at these western
Canadian plants has been under signifi-
cant threat over the last few years result-
ing in down shifting and job losses, due
to the injury from U.S. importer drywall
dumping.” “Since the government’s ruling for the
imposition of duties on U.S. imports, we
have increased hiring at our western
plants and re-established shifts which
were cut over recent years due to domes-
tic share loss,” Walker said. “We are re-
building our western operations to return
to sustained drywall production and are
confident that over the coming months
we will be able to increase domestic sup-
ply to meet customer demand.”
“During the case, CertainTeed Gypsum
Canada appreciated the proactive and
strong support of the Boilermakers Union.

We are very happy that following the rul-
ings of the case, we can now increase hir-
ing at our western plants for its members
and re-establish shifts,” he said.

CertainTeed says it is the only remain-
ing drywall manufacturer in western
Canada. It has plants in Vancouver, Cal-
gary and Winnipeg, and at two gypsum
quarries in B.C. and Manitoba.

The Canadian Design and Construction Report — June 2017 – 11