STARCO states opposition to EC anti-dumping complaint

In February, the European Commission announced the start of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning steel road wheels imported from the People’s Republic of China. The focus is primarily upon wheels for cars and trucks, however the proceeding also covers wheels for road-going tractors as well as for non-powered vehicles such as trailers, semi-trailers and caravans. The proceeding followed a complaint lodged on 3 January by the Association of European Wheel Manufacturers (EUWA).

The EUWA represents manufacturers whose combined output accounts for more than a quarter of EU steel wheel production, however not all manufacturers with production sites in Europe agree with the proceeding: STARCO has issued a statement explaining that while it intends to collaborate with the proceeding, it opposes the complaint with regards to trailer and caravan wheels.

STARCO operates two steel wheel production facilities – one in Croatia, the other in China. “A significant volume of wheels supplied to the European trailer and caravan industry are manufactured in China, including STARCO’s Chinese steel wheel factory,” comments the company.

STARCO says it will “collaborate openly with the European Commission.” It also intends to work together with its OEM customers in the trailer and caravan segments and also “seek support from European trailer and caravan associations to strengthen the opposition.” The company also assures that “this case will not impact deliveries to customers now or in the future.”