Cost Conscious

by Jonathan Sweet
Created: January 19, 2006

Price is driving the walk-behind saw market.

Wacker BTS Series
The 12- and 14-in. BTS portable cutoff saws utilize a heavy-duty plastic to reduce weight.
• Cutting depths of 3.8 to 5 in.
• 4.7- or 5.6-hp gasoline engines
• Ergonomic design produces less vibration to the operator
• Electronic ignition
• Multiple-stage filtration system
• Large silencer muffler
• Carburetor and fuel pickup system allow operation in any position
• Fingertip throttle control

Blade market shake-up

Saws are not the only part of the industry being impacted by imports. The diamond blade market is now dominated by companies that bring in at least some of their product from overseas, especially China and South Korea.

This has led to lower prices for contractors, but some have claimed quality has gone down with cost. Now, a group of domestic blade manufacturers has filed a complaint with the federal government alleging unfair trade practices.

In June 2005, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated an anti-dumping investigation. If the investigation finds that Chinese and Korean blades are being imported and sold at less than market value, then the government could impose duties, or an additional cost, on the imports. For example, there is currently a 55 percent duty on imports of Mexican cement. A final decision is expected as early as this spring.

“Nobody has any idea yet what this will mean,” says Tommy Yuzary of Rhino Blades, which imports blades from both China and South Korea. “We’re obviously following it closely to see what the government decides, but I don’t want to speculate on what will happen.”

The blade market is not just about price, Yuzary says. “Price is an important part of the contractor’s decision, but we also have to provide a quality blade to keep their business.”

Peter Rohkamm of World Diamond Source, which imports some of its blades, says potential duties could make it easier for domestic manufacturers to compete.

“We think it will knock out a lot of the smaller companies,” he says. “What we’re probably going to see is that those small guys who are importing things and selling them out of their garage will be eliminated.”