Senators aim to protect Danville jobs
Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine took steps to protect almost 300 Danville jobs earlier this month, urging the International Trade Commission to extend an anti-dumping order on tape from Italy.
“It is with the continued economic growth of Southside Virginia that we ask you to strongly consider maintaining this anti-dumping order,” the senators said in the letter. “As strong supporters of international trade, we understand the ITC’s important role in ensuring that our domestic producers operate on a level playing field.”
The anti-dumping order, which has been in effect since 1977, seeks to protect American businesses like the Intertape Polymer Group, which employees 279 people at its Danville location. The plant manufactures hot melt and acrylic carton sealing tapes, stretch wrap and other film products.
In a news release, Intertape explained that the influx of tape products from Italy — which are over capacity in that country — could have negative effects on the domestic producers of the products. The order has been renewed three times by the commission since 1977.
“Revoking the order at this time could have devastating effects on U.S. employment in this industry,” said Warner spokesperson Rachel Cohen said.
The company also applauded Warner and Kaine’s effort to sustain job growth in the Dan River Region.
“We greatly appreciate the support from Sens. Warner and Kaine,” Intertape CEO and President Greg Yull said in a news release. “Maintaining the existing anti-dumping order on the importation of certain Pressure Sensitive Plastic tape from Italy helps ensure a fair and level playing field. We are thankful for the senators’ proactive leadership to help safeguard the US economy and our local employment at our Danville facility.”
Intertape Polymer Group is based in Montreal, Quebec, and operates in 17 locations, including 12 manufacturing facilities in North America. The company employs about 2,000 people worldwide.
The International Trade Commission will hold a hearing discussing the anti-dumping order on Feb. 2.
