Eclipse CEO Asks Lawmakers to Support U.S. Bedding Producers in Anti-Dumping Case

May 18, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

Carlitz said that in a post COVID-19 economic recovery period, it is “imperative” lawmakers in Washington take a tough stand with foreign importers to strengthen the more than 500 domestic mattress manufacturers who “are more than capable of producing product for every U.S. consumer, hospital, hotel and related facilities.” He said he felt compelled to speak out after reading statements from an importer group in recent weeks who oppose the move, calling their claims “greedy” and “underhanded.”

A group of seven U.S. bedding companies have united to file an antidumping petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission citing injury from the surge in import volumes from seven countries – Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand and Turkey. The group opposing the petition has been critical of the filing citing the timing during the COVID-19 pandemic is preventing aid for relief efforts.

But Carlitz calls that argument “totally biased and full of greed” saying “the more than 500 U.S.-based manufacturers are capable of fulfilling the needs of every consumer, every hospital, every hotel, every cruise ship and any U.S. facility that uses mattresses. Moreover, it’s the domestic manufacturers who are keeping Americans employed and leading COVID-19 efforts like making masks, gowns and hospital beds.”

Companies in the United States are well-equipped with materials, capacity and the skilled workforce to keep pace with America’s mattress needs, Carlitz said.

“Every domestic bedding manufacturer has the responsibility to speak out against dumping and stand in partnership with our fellow producers who have been harmed by the illegal actions by the importers greedy to gain market share,” Carlitz said. “We have a responsibility to build up and help strengthen our U.S. manufacturing sector to stave off problems we continue to see from the growing reliance on imports."

“We stand unified with our fellow domestic mattress makers to fight the influx of mattresses that are flooding our shores at unfair prices. They are being dumped here by companies supported by foreign governments to capture U.S. dollars. It’s unfair trade, plain and simple, and the International Trade Commission was established to stop these unfair practices” he added. “Wake up America, buy U.S.A-made products.”